The Commonwealth
- Debut: Issue 173
A 50,000-strong community of survivors in Ohio.
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In General
- Cosy Catastrophe: The Commonwealth has seemingly weathered the zombie apocalypse much better, in terms of manpower and infrastructure, than even the Alexandrians when they started out. From what has been seen so far, the residents of the Commonwealth have been able to keep and maintain what looks like a small city. Hornsby mentions that the Commonwealth is able to hold mass sporting events and concerts. Even after the final Time Skip, not only is it still intact, but it is as prospering as before.
- Crapsaccharine World: Despite the outward appearances of being a benevolent, stable community, there are small hints of rot beneath the surface.
- Shout-Out: Their troops wear sleek white armor that is definitely evocative of Imperial Stormtroopers. Mercer's red armor evokes either Captain Cardinal or the Praetorian Guard.
- The Commonwealth, being possibly the largest post-apocalyptic civilization and has an iconic sport stadium that isn't a built-in city, bears in mind of Fallout 4.
- Adding to this, the armor their soldiers wear
looks like a combination of the DC Guard Armor and Synth Armor.
- Adding to this, the armor their soldiers wear
- The Commonwealth, being possibly the largest post-apocalyptic civilization and has an iconic sport stadium that isn't a built-in city, bears in mind of Fallout 4.
Leader
Pamela Milton
Pamela Milton
- Debut: Issue 176"Civilization is a machine. All the parts have to go in the right place for it to work. That's what we've done. It was a painstaking process, but we've discovered all the wheels and belts and screws and cogs and connected them to the engines."
The Governor of the Commonwealth.
- Dramatic Irony: It's hardly her fault, but she can't realize how introducing herself to Michonne and Rick as 'The Governor' of The Commonwealth isn't the best of first impressions...
- Establishing Character Moment: She greets Michonne in a rather high-handed manner, extolling the virtues of The Commonwealth 'bringing back society' and even literally telling her at one point "you're welcome." Michonne promptly cuts right through the bullshit and begs to be allowed to see her daughter, and Milton drops all pretenses and immediately obliges her.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: When Rick peacefully convinced Pamela's people from being lead into a slaughter with their own people, Pamela knew Rick has won their conviction and allowed herself to be jailed by Mercer.
- When Sebastian murders Rick right after, Pamela immediately knows that her son went way too far, and sentences him to spend the rest of his life in prison, not even trying to defend him.
- Perpetual Smiler: She often has a big smile on her face, to the point that Maggie accuses her of smiling too much.
- Pet the Dog: Her and Michonne start off on the wrong foot, but Milton doesn't hesitate to help her out when she asks to be allowed to see her daughter, and she even compliments her on keeping her cool that long when Michonne tells her this.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: She insists on meeting with Eugene's group but when Michonne tells her that she just found out her daughter is alive at a local bakery she immediately agrees to excuse her form the meeting and escorts her there personally.
- Though she spoils her son Sebastian and lets him get away with most things even when she shouldn't, when he murders Rick she admits that he's finally gone too far and, though clearly upset at the idea, fully supports his life imprisonment for the act.
- Rich Bitch: Highlighted when she refuses to share her tent with the other survivors and rides in a carriage while most of her followers ride horses or walk. She regards Rick's settlement as a shithole and doesn't like it that he hasn't instituted a class system.
- In issue 181 she endangers several people from her own settlement and several members of Rick's group when she doesn't follow instructions to stay put while they deal with a herd threatening Oceanside. This very nearly gets a few people killed and she doesn't even offer an apology afterwards. Mercer calls her out on this.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: She says this almost word-for-word when she sees that Rick, who is supposed to be a leader, is helping to clean the streets.
Commonwealth Government
Maxwell Hawkins
Maxwell Hawkins
- Debut: Issue 176
A greeter who has a yet unrevealed role in the Commonwealth.
- Open Mouth, Insert Foot: Has a moment of this in issue 181.Pamela: It's been so long. I haven't seen the ocean since before... way before. Wow.Maxwell: It's more of an inlet, really.Pamela: *Death Glare*Maxwell: Nevertheless... a majestic sight to be sure.Mercer: Nice one.Maxwell: I'm a stickler for accuracy. Sue me.
Lance Hornsby
Lance Hornsby
- Debut: Issue 175
The bookkeeper for the Commonwealth.
- Corrupt Politician: In issue 183 he demands that Michonne represent a group of Commonwealth officers who beat a man to death for an alleged assault and prove them innocent. He makes it clear that this isn't a request and that he fully expects her to defend the men regardless of evidence or guilt.
- Jerkass: Even one of his own guys admits he's kind of an asshole. It's only natural that he mistrusts strangers to his community, but he's a bit more glib and abrasive than he strictly needs to be.
- Jerkass Has a Point: He's so cruel to Stephanie that it borders on a Kick the Dog moment... but then you remember Stephanie was using the radio (apparently unauthorized) and used it to tell Eugene roughly where The Commonwealth was. Given Eugene is a man she had never met in person, Lance has every right to be pissed.
- Non-Action Guy: The man is a politician, not a fighter. As such, he leaves combating zombies to his armed escort of Commonwealth soldiers.
- Took a Level in Kindness: He's much nicer to Michonne after her and the others have spent a little time at The Commonwealth and proved themselves to be stable, rational people. He even offers to let her stay with her daughter at The Commonwealth, if she wants to, and more less gives her a job offer.
Cloris
Cloris
- Debut: Issue 183
A Commonwealth agent who works in Greenville, one of their outer settlements near a lake. She welcomes Michonne and Elodie to her town and gives them a place to stay while they're visiting.
- Rich Bitch: Downplayed. She's friendly and polite to her guests but is clearly insulted when Michonne gives away her expensive gift of cheese and wine to a less fortunate family with hungry children.
Kapoor
Kapoor
- Debut: Issue 193
Kapoor is the sheriff of the small town where Carl lives at after the time skip and plays a minor but important role in the final issue of the series.
- Last Episode, New Character: An especially unfortunate example since he seems like a very interesting character who only gets a few lines.
- Nice Guy: Despite the (fake) cover for Issue 194 making him look like a villainous character he actually turns out to be a rather nice guy who is apparently one of Carl's longtime friends.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: He's forced to adhere to the letter of the law and punish Carl for killing Hershel's walker, but makes it clear that he agrees his decision and promises to do everything he can to give him a lighter punishment.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: He has an uncanny resemblance to Rick right down to being a small town sheriff. Oddly, no one, not even Carl himself, comments on this and the issue ends without it being acknowledged. He may have been added simply to give Rick a small presence in the last issue of the series due to his untimely death in the issue beforehand.
Commonwealth Military
Mercer
Mercer
- Debut: Issue 177
An elite soldier in the Commonwealth military who is charged with protecting and watching over the governor's son, a thankless task that he hates with every fiber of his being. So much so that he seems to be planning some sort of coup with a man named George.
- Ambiguously Evil: He is a lot friendlier than he initially appeared in his debut issue and claims that the conversation Siddiq heard between him and George was just them blowing off steam at having to work for Governor Milton. The fact that he tells Rick he might be a better leader for them indicates he probably meant it, but also that he isn’t necessarily a villain for it.
- Dual Wielding: He is shown using small axes as his primary weapons.
- Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal: He shows great disdain for Governor Milton and her son Sebastian due to the way they treat him, and is planning on betraying them somehow with his ally George. In issue 178 he claims he was just blowing off steam and is actually grateful for what Milton has accomplished... but later tells Rick he would be a better leader for the Commonwealth. Finally comes to a head in issue 188 when he is arrested for his political dissent and jailed.
- Official Couple: Develops into one with Princess.
- One-Man Army: He is even treated as such in the story itself by Pamela Milton. When Ricks asks if she's worried about sending him alone with several members of his group's army she tells him that Mercer will be fine. Given the level of combat skill he's shown so far its doubtful he'd have much to worry about from either the walkers or the human soldiers if they got in his way.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: When Sebastain demands he arrest Michonne's entire group he is quick to point out that most of them weren't even doing anything. He also simply disarms Princess with one of his throwing axes when he could have easily killed her outright instead.
- Scary Black Man: He is large, intimidating and deadly efficient in dealing with walkers. He may also be planning some sort of massacre or coup against the Commonwealth with another man named George.
- Semper Fi: He was a marine before the apocalypse happened and still has the mindset of one. This explains why he was so quickly established to be a badass on par with people like Michonne or Jesus.
- Sir Swears-a-Lot: He is calm and polite while on duty but swears up a storm when talking to his companion George in the locker room.
- Sour Supporter: He hates his boss and her son but still does his job regardless and proves to be a very competent and rational man. It's implied he only works with Pamela because he believes in the Commonwealth and what it can become. He may even be planning to take over himself.
- The Starscream: Is quickly established to be plotting a coup against Pamela Milton.
- What the Hell, Hero?: He is quick to call Pamela out for her selfish and dangerous actions.
- In issue 188 when Pamela accuses him of being disloyal he points out that she never cared for him, constantly put him in danger, gave him little to no respect and treated him more like a servant than a soldier.
Samuels
Samuels
- Debut: Issue 175
A Commonwealth soldier.
Frost
Frost
- Debut: Issue 175
A Commonwealth soldier.
Jerome
Jerome
- Debut: Issue 183
A Commonwealth soldier who accompanies Michonne and Elodie on their trip to Greenville. Later on, he is found among a group of Commonwealth officers who beat a man to death for an alleged assault, calling into question his morality.
- Bodyguarding a Badass: He is assigned to watch over Michonne and her daughter during a trip to a neighboring town. Given that this is Michonne we're talking about she ultimately ends up saving him from a small group of walkers with his own gun.Jerome: Damn, lady. You want to LEAD the rest of the way?Michonne: And take away your opportunity to get your armor dirty? Not a chance.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Participates in an brutal assault on a Commonwealth citizen who attacked a fellow officer and beats him so bad that he soon dies of his injuries.
- Police Brutality: He takes part in a fatal beating on a Commonwealth citizen who allegedly assault an officer after getting into a shouting match. Even if this is true, the punishment issue was a tad... excessive.
George
George
- Debut: Issue 177
A mysterious man first seen talking to Mercer about a plot to overthrow or kill the Commonwealth governemnt.
- Ambiguously Evil: Alongside Mercer.
- Walking Spoiler: He is in the middle of planning something big with Mercer in his debut issue, making it impossible to discuss his character without giving away the major plot twist.
- Wild Card: He is originally seen agreeing with Mercer's ideas of revolution during his debut issue yet refuses to do anything to support him during his arrest. When questioned about this later with the other soldiers he refuses to pick a side, leaving his true loyalties in question.
Commonwealth Civilians
SPOILER CHARACTER
Elodie
- Debut: Issue 176
Daughter of Michonne, who she was separated from in the early days of the zombie outbreak. Several years later, she has become a member of the Commonwealth and works as a baker.
- Beware the Nice Ones: She claims to have killed her original group after they murdered her sister and raped her.
- Rape as Drama: Before she came to the Commonwealth she traveled with another group that extorted her sexually in exchange for protection and killed her sister Colette when she refused. Elodie confesses to Michonne that she killed them all in revenge and that the memories still haunt her.
- Unexpected Character: The only time Elodie previously made any appearance in the Walking Dead canon was during a hallucination sequence (as a toddler) in one of the video games.
- Walking Spoiler: Given that she was thought to be dead since Michonne's introduction her whole character is one big massive spoiler.
Stephanie
Stephanie
- Debut: Issue 151
A mysterious survivor who Eugene contacts over a radio. She claims to have a group in Ohio.
- The Faceless: We've only ever heard her voice since she claims to live in Ohio.
- She finally appears in person in issue 176 and greets Eugene as his group enters the Commonwealth.
- Life Will Kill You: She is confirmed by Eugene to have died at some point during the last time skip either of a disease or simple old age.
- Race Lift: During her brief introduction in her debut issue she appeared to be white while a later appearance makes her black instead. It's unknown if her original design was simply a goof by the artist or if Kirkman decided to change her race between issues.
- Voice with an Internet Connection: As of now.
Matt
Matt
- Debut: Issue 176
The owner of the bakery where Elodie works.
Sebastian Milton
Sebastian Milton
- Debut: Issue 177
Governor Pamela's son.
- 0% Approval Rating: Except for his mother, no one likes Sebastian as he treats everyone like shit and only thinks about himself. Mercer especially doesn't like him as he constantly gives him crap and outs his life at risk for petty reasons. Carl outright states to Sebastian in the penultimate issue that no one likes him and never did and that he deserves exactly what he got for murdering Rick.
- Bleed 'Em and Weep: Notably an Averted Trope. While he is crying after shooting and killing Rick, it isn’t because he killed someone. It’s entirely because he is upset that he will face consequences for it. He even mentions how, contrary to what he had been told, taking a life was easy.
- Bullying a Dragon: Mercer is clearly not a guy anybody should be eager to piss off, but Sebastian treats the guy contemptuously and as if he were his personal manservant. He also slaps Mercer to make a point. Luckily for him, Mercer decides to just let him off with a warning.
- Cruel Mercy: His ultimate fate. Instead of being executed he is sentenced to life imprisonment with the knowledge that everyone save for his mother hates his guts for killing Rick Grimes. By Issue 193 he is shown to be an old man, still sitting in the same cell he entered back in Issue 192.
- Dirty Coward: When Princess stands up to him, he tries to sick the guards on her in a panic. Add that with Mercer being forced to babysit him and his lack of general survival instincts, and this is not a guy who has ever had to fight his own battles.
- Entitled to Have You: When he hits on Yumiko and she doesn't return his advances he drops the polite facade and begins threatening her.
- Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas: Despite his selfish and entitled attitude he is shown to genuinely love his mother.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: His mother still genuinely loves him even after all he's done and is shown visiting him in his cell as an old woman in Issue 193. Given his actions and reputation she's probably the only one who still does.
- Expy:Of Joffrey Baratheon. He's the blond, spoiled, evil son of the main female political figure in the most important community in the area, who murders the main character.
- Faux Affably Evil: When he introduces himself to the group, he insists that he was in a bad mood earlier when he was throwing a fit and wants to make a better first impression. Immediately afterwards he threatens Yumiko when she doesn't return his advances, smacks Elodie across the face when she tries to help him off the ground and threatens to have the whole group exiled or arrested, even the ones who were just standing there not doing anything.
- Hate Sink: Two issues after his first appearance, it becomes painfully clear to everybody how intolerable he is. In issue 191 he actually shoots Rick Grimes in an act of extremely petty revenge for removing his family (peacefully) from office. Even though it was partially accidental on his part it's clear that he'll never live down this reputation now. The fact that his shooting of Rick ended up fatal cements this status. Carl spells it out to him in the aftermath of his life imprisonment for the murder.Carl: Everyone has been talking about you. No one likes you. No one ever liked you.
- Hero Killer: He may have done it in the most cowardly way possible, but no other villain in the series can say they killed Rick Grimes.
- I Just Shot Marvin in the Face: In Issue 191, he comes into Rick's room and holds him at gunpoint and is surprised when he accidentally fires the loaded weapon into his chest.
- It's All About Me: It’s telling that after murdering Rick Grimes in cold blood, he is only upset because he would have to face consequences for it. And the only reason he did it was because he thought that with Rick gone, he would get back the power and status he lost.
- Jerkass: In his debut issue he comes off as a whiny spoiled asshole. His second appearance then completely solidifies him as this with his extreme mistreatment of Michonne's group.
- Narcissist: Sebastian really only cares for himself as he doesn't care about any of the residents of the Commonwealth and thinks he's above everyone else. Even after murdering Rick, he's not really sad that he killed someone, he's just sad that he's getting consequences because of it.
- Seven Deadly Sins: Sebastian has proved on multiple occasions to suffer from all the Seven Deadly Sins.
- Pride: Believes he's above everyone because of his mother's position as the leader of the Commonwealth and that if no one does exactly what he says then he will have them punished.
- Wrath: If someone doesn't do what he says or doesn't get what he wants then he whines like an immature child and goes into a fit of rage.
- Greed: Thinks everyone should be his especially since his mother is the leader of the Commonwealth.
- Envy: Whenever someone has something that he doesn't especially women or something else then he gets extremely envious and lets his greed get to him.
- Lust: Thinks any beautiful woman should be his and if he can't have them then he has them punished or forces them to comply.
- Sloth: Almost does no work and expects everyone to do it for him as he's too lazy to do it himself, even his way of murdering Rick was lazy as well.
- Gluttony: Not really seen eating food, but a glutton for power he is as he will see no other alternative for himself otherwise, he has the power at this disposal.
- Spoiled Brat: His main characterization. And he ultimately kills Rick because he couldn’t stand the thought of losing his status and power.
- Too Dumb to Live:
- He tries to have sex with a woman out in the middle of an open field away from the safety of the city and has the gall to get mad at Mercer for saving his life when he kills the walkers that show up to the free meal.
- Hitting Mercer to make a point, which even he seems to realize was a bad idea afterwards.
- He sneaks into the room of the man who peacefully resolved the conflict in the Commonwealth and is seen as a heroic and godlike figure, not realizing that basically the entire community would turn against him more directly as a result. Given his apparent lack of anything resembling many survival instincts (see above), it likely comes as no surprise that pointing a loaded gun at Rick in that circumstance without any training in how to handle it responsibly would result in an accidental gunshot.
- Ungrateful Bastard: He shows zero gratitude towards Mercer after he saves Sebastian from being eaten by approaching walkers and even gets him in trouble with his mother.
- Even worse he hits Elodie and yells at her not to touch him when she tries to help him off the ground.
- Even after Rick peacefully resolves the conflict in the Commonwealth and gets Pamela to step down as leader, he still has the nerve to sneak into his room at night and point a loaded gun at him. Then the gun goes off, hitting Rick in the chest.
- Would Hit a Girl: He smacks Elodie right across the face when she goes to help him up after he gets shoved to the ground.
Kayla
Kayla
- Debut: Issue 177
A young woman who seems to be Sebastian's girlfriend.
- Skewed Priorities: She very nearly gets chomped on by stray walkers and only seems concerned that the man who saved her life may have been spying on her trying to have sex.
- Too Dumb to Live: She agrees to Sebastian's idea of having sex in the middle of an open field outside the city. If Mercer hadn't been nearby both of them likely would have ended up as a snack.
Anthony Keith
Anthony Keith
- Debut: Issue 183
An unlucky citizen who gets beaten to death by a group of soldiers after allegedly starting a fight with them. Unfortunately, word of his fate travels fast and begins causing a lot of civil unrest in the Commonwealth with Michonne caught in the middle of it.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Suffers a use of excessive force by a group of Commonwealth officers after provoking them into a fight. He manages to survive the initial assault but soon dies of the injuries he sustained.
- Too Dumb to Live: Disproportionate Retribution or not, it is a very serious crime to assault a police officer, especially one covered head to toe in armor. That is, if he really did do this and the Commonwealth government isn't just trying to excuse his death.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: The very first Commonwealth citizen to die and he doesn't even get a single line before it happens.
