| Rick Grimes | |
|---|---|
| The Walking Dead character | |
Rick Grimes as depicted in the comic book. |
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| First appearance | The Walking Dead Issue #1 (Comic book series) "Days Gone Bye" (TV series) |
| Created by | Robert Kirkman Tony Moore |
| Information | |
| Occupation | Cynthiana Police Officer (Comic book series) King County Sheriff's Deputy (TV series) |
| Relatives | Wife: Lori Grimes† Children: Carl Grimes Judy Grimes† (Not biological) |
Rick Grimes is a fictional character and the primary protagonist of the ongoing black-and-white comic book series The Walking Dead and as well as its television series adaptation, The Walking Dead.[1]
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Rick Grimes debuted in the first issue of The Walking Dead, which is written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated first by Tony Moore, and currently Charlie Adlard.[2] He has appeared in almost every issue of the comic except issues 30 and 43.
Before the zombie apocalypse Rick was a sheriff's deputy in the small American town of Cynthiana, Kentucky. He is shot by a criminal and subsequently awakens from a coma. After being mistaken for a zombie and hit over the head with a shovel by Duane Jones, Duane's father Morgan takes Rick in and explains the zombie apocalypse to him.[3] In search of his wife, Lori, and son, Carl, Rick heads to Atlanta, Georgia, where it is said people were taken for protection. Upon arrival Rick is nearly killed by a large group of zombies, being saved by a fellow survivor Glenn, who takes him to his camp where Rick reunites with his wife and son, as well as his former colleague Shane, who is depicted as having had a romantic relationship with Lori. Rick then leads a group of survivors, trying to find shelter and safe haven from the undead. After the camp is attacked by zombies Shane and Rick get into an argument. When Shane aims a gun at Rick, Carl Grimes shoots him through the neck.[4]
Rick's group unsuccessfully tries to stay at a zombie infested neighborhood, which results in a death of one of their own. Eventually two other members of the survivors find a prison, where they seek refuge and decide to settle down.[5] When searching for a nearby crashed helicopter Rick and several other survivors find the town of Woodbury, Georgia, where Rick's right hand is severed by the town's ruthless leader, The Governor. Woodbury attacks the survivor's prison with disastrous results and a large death toll, with those killed including Lori and her baby daughter Judith.[6]
After the prison is made insecure by the attack, Rick and the surviving members leave with others to Washington, D.C. On the way to the capital, they find out that the man leading them, claiming to be in contact with D.C. scientists, is lying and find that the capital is as infested as the other major cities.[7] They are eventually recruited to stay in a secluded and secure township on the outskirts of Washington D.C., called the Alexandria Safe-Zone. Each person tries to find a semblance of real life, but Rick doesn't trust the leader of the town, former US Congressman Douglas Monroe. He becomes the Constable, attempting to keep the peace in the town, but is eventually forced to kill a man who was abusing his wife and child.[8]
Rick assumes leadership of Alexandria after Monroe grows reclusive over the death of his wife. The town is soon in danger, as a skirmish with a group of bandits attracts a nearby horde of zombies that quickly breach the town’s defensive walls. As the survivors fight for their lives, several people are killed and Rick’s son is grievously wounded by a gunshot to the head.[9] Using the combined strength of all of those remaining in the community the survivors fend off the horde and Rick returns to Carl, whose condition is very dire. Following the attack, however, Rick concludes that the undead can be beaten if the survivors put their differences aside and work together. Rick mentions that this is the first time in a very long time that he has hope for the future.
In an interview with Newsarama.com, Robert Kirkman stated "If I keep doing horrible things to that guy (Rick Grimes), I'm going to eventually have to kill him or this book will become completely unrealistic."[10]
Rick Grimes is a sheriff's deputy from King County, Georgia. Wounded in the line of duty, he is in a coma when the apocalypse occurs. When he awakes alone, he sets off in search of his wife and young son, and along the way discovers what has happened to the world.
Rick is an everyman - smart, calm, a good friend and father, and as one character puts it, "A man of conscience" - but flawed. He sees most problems as black or white and will often stubbornly cling to his personal moral code, which results in not always making the best decisions. He has been partners and friends with Shane Walsh for a long time and he is used to their easy camaraderie, even though he has perhaps taken it for granted. In "What Lies Ahead", Rick mentioned that he is not particularly religious, despite a weak attempt at prayer towards a statue of Jesus Christ. Hershel Greene has tried converting him several times, but Rick has always resisted.
Rick is a natural leader, someone his fellow survivors will turn to in crisis, and he is confident in his guidance, even when he at times doubts himself. However, his overwhelming need to do the right thing and protect those who cannot protect themselves sometimes pulls him away from his family, causing tension within his marriage and his relationship with his son Carl. Shane calls him weak-willed and unable to make the hard decisions, which causes friction between the two. Later on though, Rick begins to believe what Shane says, and starts to wonder if he is the one who should be leading the survivors.
Rick Grimes was named the 26th Top Comic Book Hero by IGN.[11] Lincoln's portrayal of Grimes garnered him critical acclaim as well as a nomination at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films awards ceremony in the category of Best Actor in Television. [12]
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