One of The Walking Dead comic’s most vicious killers played a small but important role early in the series’ run – but violent killer Thomas was supposed to play a far more impactful role, as he was originally slated to kill Lori Grimes. Lori and her baby Judith’s ultimate demise ranks among the comic’s most brutal deaths, though it occurred under very different circumstances, while Thomas’ arc played out drastically differently.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #92 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – reprints the letters section that accompanied the original release of the issue, including a reference to the original plan for Lori’s death.

According to Kirkman, Thomas was originally scripted to stab Lori while she was still pregnant, killing her and her unborn baby. While similarly horrifying, when compared to the character’s actual death on the page, this would have significantly altered the trajectory of the series.

Violent Convict Thomas Was Originally Going To Murder Lori Grimes

The Walking Dead Deluxe #92 – Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Charlie Adlard; Color By Dave McCaig; Lettering By Rus Wooten

The decapitations of Hershel Greene’s daughters in The Walking Dead #15 was the most grotesque moment in the series up to that point, and the revelation that the seemingly harmless Thomas was responsible proved that the survivors had made a catastrophic mistake by placing any trust in him.

First introduced in The Walking Dead #13, the prison proved to be the first major long-term location for the comic series, as the survivors attempted to forge a seemingly permanent settlement in the ruins of an abandoned penitentiary. Or at least, mostly abandoned, as when they arrived, they discovered four former inmates still residing in the prison. Initially lying and stating he was in prison for “tax evasion,” over the next several issues, Thomas proved to be one of the most vile characters in the franchise.

The decapitations of Hershel Greene’s daughters in The Walking Dead #15 was the most grotesque moment in the series up to that point, and the revelation that the seemingly harmless Thomas was responsible proved that the survivors had made a catastrophic mistake by placing any trust in him. As important as this was to forwarding the story, Thomas nearly had a far more significant role to play.As Robert Kirkman explained:

Lori was originally supposed to get stabbed by Thomas in the prison and it was going to kill the baby. What?!

In the final draft, Thomas is revealed to be the killer after attacking Andrea, and quickly killed by Maggie, in retribution for the murders of her twin sisters.

Lori’s Death Is One Of The Series’ Most Disturbing – And Most Essential

Rick & Carl Grimes Had To Lose Everything

Lori and Judith’s death during the prison massacre in Walking Dead #48 was one of the series most vital tragedies; for both Rick and Carl Grimes to become the characters they grew into, they had to experience the maximum possible tragedy.

As it turned out, Rober Kirkman made the right decision by changing his plans for Thomas and Lori. The Thomas subplot remains an important part of the early architecture of The Walking Dead, emphatically driving home the point that no character was safe, and that there was as much to fear from other survivors as from the undead. These points would be driven home time and again throughout the run of the comic series, and Thomas’ brief but bloody role in the series was foundational to that.

At the same time, Lori and Judith’s death during the prison massacre in Walking Dead #48 was one of the series most vital tragedies; for both Rick and Carl Grimes to become the characters they grew into, they had to experience the maximum possible tragedy. Certainly, more could have been done with Lori Grimes, but for the series to play out the way it did, her death had to happen when it happened. In retrospect, Lori and Judith’s ending remains one of the most pivotal, and most heartbreaking, in the entirety of The Walking Dead.