In short: The three must-see Walking Dead arcs are “All Out War” (#115-126), the Governor arc (#27-48), and “No Way Out” (#79-84), combining intense storytelling and high market demand.
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard remains one of the most collected independent series in the world. With 193 issues published between 2003 and 2019, the series offers dozens of story arcs, but some clearly stand out for their story quality and market value.
For the French-speaking collector, targeting the right arcs allows you to optimize your investment while possessing the most striking moments of the series. Here's our ranking of the essential runs, with numbers, odds and narrative context.
Top 1: All Out War (#115-126, 2013-2014)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Charlie Adlard
The final confrontation between Rick and Negan. Twelve issues of total war, released bimonthly, which represent the climax of more than a hundred issues of narrative construction. The bow most requested by collectors.
Key numbers: #115 (multiple launch covers), #117 (first major death), #126 (resolution).
Market value: #115 first print CGC 9.8: €40-70. Full run #115-126 NM: €100-180.
Top 2. The Governor's Arc (#27-48, 2006-2008)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Charlie Adlard
The introduction of the Governor and the fall of the prison. This arc defines the brutal tone of the series and remains one of the most memorable. The deaths of major characters in #48 shocked readers at the time.
Key numbers: #27 (first Governor), #33 (torture), #48 (prison massacre, death of Lori and Judith).
Market value: #27 CGC 9.8: €300-600. #48 CGC 9.8: €80-150.
Top 3: No Way Out (#79-84, 2011)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Charlie Adlard
Alexandria overwhelmed by a horde. The most tense arc of the series, where Rick loses his hand and Carl is seriously injured. Six numbers of rare intensity, considered by Kirkman himself to be his best work.
Key numbers: #79 (beginning of the horde), #83 (Carl injured), #84 (Rick galvanizes the community).
Market value: Complete NM bow: €40-80. #83 CGC 9.8: €50-90.
Top 4: Days Gone Bye (#1-6, 2003)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Tony Moore
The beginning of everything. Rick Grimes wakes up to a ravaged world. Tony Moore's drawing gives a unique character to these first six issues. #1 is the absolute holy grail of indie collectors.
Key numbers: #1 (first print, major value), #2 (first Glenn), #4 (first camp survivors).
Market value: #1 first print CGC 9.8: €15,000-25,000. CGC 9.6: €5,000-8,000. #2 CGC 9.8: €800-1,500.
Top 5. The Whisperer War (#157-167, 2016-2017)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Charlie Adlard
The war against Alpha and the Whisperers. An arc that mixes psychological horror and large-scale conflict. Negan's decapitation of Alpha (#156) and Beta's retaliation provide a memorable tale.
Key numbers: #157 (declaration of war), #163 (final Beta battle), #167 (resolution).
Market value: Complete NM bow: €30-60. Individual numbers: €5-10.
Top 6: New World Order / Commonwealth (#175-193, 2017-2019)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Charlie Adlard
The last act. The discovery of the Commonwealth, a stratified society of 50,000 people, then the surprise conclusion in #193. Kirkman kept the finale a secret until the bookstore release.
Key numbers: #175 (first Commonwealth), #192 (death of Rick Grimes), #193 (final issue, time jump).
Market value: #192 CGC 9.8: €80-150. #193 CGC 9.8: €60-100. #175: €20-40.
Top 7: Fear the Hunters (#61-66, 2009)
Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman | Designer: Charlie Adlard
A short and brutal arc where Rick and his group hunt down the cannibals of the Hunters. Six issues that show how far survivors are willing to go. Adapted in season 5 of the TV series.
Key numbers: #61 (Hunters first contact), #64 (Rick's revenge), #66 (conclusion).
Market value: Complete NM bow: €25-50. Accessible and underrated.
Honorable mentions
Notable side arcs: “Made to Suffer” (#43-48, prison siege), “Life Among Them” (#67-72, arrival in Alexandria), and “A New Beginning” (#127-132, post-Negan time jump). Each offers highlights at an affordable price.
Also find our guide to Walking Dead key numbers and the history of the series to deepen your collection.
Track your Walking Dead collection issue by issue. Identify your missing items, follow the odds and organize your 193 issues with our dedicated application.
Discover the applicationFrequently asked questions
"All Out War" (#115-126), the Governor arc (#27-48) and "No Way Out" (#79-84). They combine intense storytelling and strong market demand.
It is the final confrontation between Rick and Negan: twelve issues of total war, released twice a month (2013-2014), representing the climax of more than a hundred issues of narrative build-up. It is the arc most in demand among collectors.
It introduces the Governor and the fall of the prison, and defines the series' brutal tone. Issue #48, with the prison massacre and the deaths of Lori and Judith, shocked readers at the time.
Alexandria is overrun by a horde: Rick loses a hand and Carl is gravely wounded. Six issues (#79-84, 2011) of rare intensity, considered by Kirkman himself to be his best work.
Walking Dead #1 (2003), the first issue of Days Gone Bye with Tony Moore on art, is the absolute grail for independent-comics collectors. #2 is also important as it contains the first appearance of Glenn.