king ezekiel played by khary payton in the walking dead

In its long tenure, The Walking Dead has offered fans an expansive and colorful cast of characters, though none have been quite so eye-catching as Ezekiel and his pet tiger, Shiva. Now, the Kingdom’s leader is being honored by a spectacular range of covers for the Deluxe reissue of the series, which capture his unique personality and style. The set of five covers bring King Ezekiel to life once more.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – revisits Ezekiel’s initial introduction, along with offering a bonus in the form of five covers featuring the Kingdom’s fallen leader and the ferocious Shiva.

Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover, Ezekial and Shiva standing with Michonne, Carl, and other characters as zombies loom Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover, Ezekial opening a door with Shiva waiting inside Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover featuring Ezekial sitting on a stone throne Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover, Ezekial and Shiva standing with Michonne, Carl, and other characters as zombies loom Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover, Ezekial opening a door with Shiva waiting inside Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover featuring Ezekial sitting on a stone throne

Artists David Finch, Charlie Adlard, Nate Bellgarde, Arthur Adams, and Julian Totino Tedesco all put their own spin on King Ezekiel with five jaw-dropping pieces that capture his particular combination of charisma and flair for the dramatic.

King Ezekiel Returns to the Walking Dead for Memorable Cover Images

The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 – Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Charlie Adlard; Color By Dave McCaig; Letterering By Rus Wooton

The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 Cover Image with Ezekiel and Shiva

The Walking Dead has been slaying zombies for a long time, but only certain characters can lay claim to fan-favorite status. Few ever made an impression like Ezekiel, and he became ensconced in fans’ memories. Not only did he lead The Kingdom and aid Rick and others in their mad war against the Saviors, but he did the vast majority of that with a literal tiger by his side. Despite the apocalyptic hellscape that The Walking Dead often presents, Ezekiel always had something decidedly regal about him, making it easy to see him as the King he claimed to be.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 variant covers show Shiva prowling around the King on his throne, the two standing before a wall of the undead, and more in a fitting and beautiful tribute to the pair.

Although neither Ezekiel or Shiva ultimately survived the series, fans will never forget one of the series’ most iconic duos, and these new covers are a worthy tribute. The two made an unforgettable visual impression, and they proved to be fierce allies to Rick Grimes, Michonne, and Alexandria more than once, earning their place in the proverbial hall of fame. The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 variant covers show Shiva prowling around the King on his throne, the two standing before a wall of the undead, and more in a fitting and beautiful tribute to the pair.

The Walking Dead Deluxe Continues To Honor The Legendary Series In Exciting New Ways

The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 – Ezekiel Covers ByArthur Adams, Nate Bellgarde, Charlie Adlard, David Finch, and Julian Totino Tedesco​​​​​​​

Walking Dead Deluxe #108 cover, Ezekial petting his pet tiger Shiva, who has a bloody mouth

Death is inevitable, but even moreso when you’re trying to survive a zombie-infested wasteland and fight off others attempting to do the same. The Walking Dead has lost and gained plenty of complex and unforgettable personalities since its first issue and finding a way for some of them to live on well beyond their on-page demise is worth celebrating. By enlisting a crew of talented artists to bring King Ezekiel and Shiva back to the fans who loved them through these covers, The Walking Dead is showing appreciation for two characters that have helped define the series even after death.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #108 is available now from Image Comics.