The Walking Dead #169 (Image Comics 2017) Charlie Adlard & Dave Stewart Cover

The Walking Dead #169 shifts the narrative focus onto Dwight during Image Comics’ "Lines We Cross" storyline, delivering a canonical turning point in Robert Kirkman’s serialized horror series. Written by Kirkman and illustrated by Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn, this 28-page installment continues the publisher’s strict black-and-white production model. The monochrome format relies on dense crosshatching and high-contrast shading to frame walker encounters and interior dialogue without relying on color cues.

Positioned within the 2017 Image Comics publication schedule, this issue bridges earlier plot threads and sets up the faction conflicts that define the remainder of the run. As outside threats consolidate power, Dwight transitions from a peripheral survivor into an active field operator, making logistical and ethical decisions that alter relationships within the group. The creative team structures panels to maintain clear spatial awareness during movement-heavy sequences, keeping the pacing tight despite the lack of background textures.

Rated M for mature content, this volume carries a Charlie Adlard and Dave Stewart cover design that uses layered ink tones to reflect the interior’s stripped-down aesthetic. Collectors and continuity-focused readers can verify the fixed 28-page count, standard comic trim size, and original $2.99 cover price tied to the 2017 print release. If you are building a complete run or isolating Dwight’s operational arc, this issue provides the exact pagination, creator attributions, and narrative coordinates needed for accurate reference.