Fans of both The Walking Dead comic and TV series know how pivotal the Commonwealth was to the latter stages of the story – though according to Robert Kirkman, the interconnected communities almost had a very different name, “the Network,” which ultimately could have changed its overall role in the series if Kirkman had stuck with it.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #92 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – features annotations from the author, as he looks back on the behind-the-scenes creative process of the series, offering valuable insight into the evolution of his ideas on an issue-by-issue basis.

The Walking Dead #176, the Commonwealth's leader explains their community.

As Robert Kirkman briefly mentioned in the latest Deluxe, his initial conception for what became the Commonwealth was originally “the Network,” though as his ideas for the series grew more concrete, that name was eventually supplanted by the one fans are familiar with.

The Commonwealth Was Initially Going To Be Called “The Network”

The Walking Dead Deluxe #92 – Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Charlie Adlard; Color By Dave McCaig; Lettering By Rus Wooten

The Walking Dead #175, Lance Hornsby starts the intake process for admitting the Alexandria survivors into the Commonwealth
 The Walking Dead #175, an armored Commonwealth trooper reassures Michonne that it is a great place The Walking Dead #175, the Commonwealth is revealed to have both concerts and sporting events, held in a large stadium The Walking Dead #175, the number of inhabitants of the Commonwealth is given at approx 50k The Walking Dead #175, on their approach to the Commonwealth, the survivors pass the Wall of the Lost

The term “Commonwealth” likely proved to be more appropriate because it drew a link back to pre-zombie outbreak society, the kind that most survivors would be desperate for.

As readers re-experience The Walking Dead through the Deluxe full-color reprint of the series, they might be surprised to realize that even with the imminent approach of The Walking Dead #100 – featuring the infamous introduction of Negan and death of Glenn – creator Robert Kirkman was already laying the groundwork for stories beyond the conflict with the Saviors. Notably, in The Walking Dead Deluxe #92, Kirkman shouts out a moment that served as an early hint at the existence of “the Network” – which would later become the Commonwealth.

The Walking Dead #176 cover, leader of the Commonwealth behind her desk, flanked by two heavily armored guards

Kirkman wrote:

I believe this was supposed to be ANOTHER guy showing up to introduce them to “The Network,” a name I didn’t actually end up using, but it was meant to be the linked communities we eventually meet.

While “the Network” is a cool name, it seems as though Robert Kirkman realized that it didn’t exactly suit the reconstructed civilization that he envisioned. The term “Commonwealth” likely proved to be more appropriate because it drew a link back to pre-zombie outbreak society, the kind that most survivors would be desperate for. While “the Network” has an air of mystery to it, the Commonwealth connotes exactly what its founders and leaders intended for the settlement – however it ultimately turned out.

“The Network” Might Have Taken The Walking Dead In A Different Direction

The Walking Dead Vol. 30 “New World Order” – Issues #175-180

The Walking Dead #176, the Commonwealth's public market.

Readers can expect that as [ The Walking Dead Deluxe ] reissue marches along, more information about the original idea for “the Network,” and how it became the Commonwealth, will be revealed.

Though fans of The Walking Dead didn’t realize it at the time, the introduction of the Commonwealth signaled the true beginning of the end for the series, as it began to maneuver its endgame into place. Based on the name alone, it is possible to surmise that “the Network” could have been something very different from how the Commonwealth was ultimately portrayed, and might have fit into earlier plans Robert Kirkman had for the series, which shifted as the story changed its trajectory.

By far, Robert Kirkman’s notes on the series have been chief among the joys of The Walking Dead Deluxe; readers can expect that as the reissue marches along, more information about the original idea for “the Network,” and how it became the Commonwealth, will be revealed. For fans of the series, gaining more of a clear picture of how the series evolved over time makes each issue of The Walking Dead even more exciting, and the initial concept for the Commonwealth makes it clear there is a lot more to learn about the comic.