The Walking Dead #163 (Image Comics 2017) Charlie Adlard & Dave Stewart Cover

The Walking Dead #163 captures the immediate aftermath of The Whisperer War, delivering 36 pages of black-and-white storytelling that transitions the series into the Conquered story arc. Written by Robert Kirkman with art by Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn, this Image Comics release shifts focus from open warfare to survivor territorial control, establishing the faction breakdowns that define the late-series landscape. The cover by Charlie Adlard and Dave Stewart reflects the mature tone of an issue rated M for graphic violence and disturbing themes.

Originally priced at $0.25 during its 2017 print run, this single issue functions as a narrative bridge between peak action sequences and political restructuring. The monochrome presentation eliminates color distractions to emphasize resource scarcity, making the pacing tighter and the panel composition essential to tracking character positioning. Collectors building a chapter-by-chapter archive will recognize this as the precise volume where former allies navigate occupation protocols and systemic collapse. If you need the exact comic that resolves wartime fallout before committing to larger omnibus editions, this edition supplies the required continuity and sets up subsequent trade paperbacks.