The Walking Dead #173 (Image Comics 2017) Charlie Adlard & Dave Stewart Cover

The Walking Dead #173 marks a critical juncture in the Image Comics 2017 serialization, delivering “The Final Fight” arc where Jesus faces a direct road confrontation that forces his group to reconsider its defensive posture.

Written by Robert Kirkman and fully illustrated by Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn, this 28-page full-color issue prioritizes tight panel progression and consistent shading across each scene. The creative team balances quiet dialogue sequences with sudden physical threats, a pacing structure that separates this installment from earlier survival-focused chapters. Charlie Adlard and Dave Stewart collaborate on the exterior cover, establishing a recognizable visual anchor that helps collectors quickly identify this volume within the complete run.

Rated M for mature readers, the interior presents graphic scenarios and unfiltered dialogue designed to function independently yet propel the overarching storyline forward. Buyers looking to pinpoint exact narrative turning points can access this specific plot beat without purchasing an entire collected edition. Originally priced at $2.99, the thin single-issue format allows straightforward archival alongside matching titles while remaining compatible with standard North American comic storage supplies.