The Walking Dead Characters: Carl Grimes

The Walking Dead Characters:

Carl Grimes

"The Walking Dead" will enter its seventh season on October 23, and after leaving on a massive cliffhanger, excitement and anticipation are at all time highs. 

For the next few days I will be posting articles about the main characters you will see in the upcoming season, from faces we've seen since the first season to ones we'll be introduced to once season seven begins.

**THERE WILL BE SHOW AND COMIC SPOILERS!**

You have been warned.  If you want to keep reading, do so in knowing that I will be divulging comic book and television show spoilers.  Information was derived from personal comic book readings, show watching, The Walking Dead wiki and imdb.com.

**SERIOUSLY, SPOILERS WILL ABOUND 

FROM HERE ON OUT**

Carl Grimes: The Comics

Carl is an adolescent male who was a normal seven-year-old at the beginning of the apocalypse.  He matures quickly when he sees Shane trying to kill his father, forcing him to kill Shane instead.  He looses his mother and baby sister at the prison, and kills Ben after he kills his brother Billy.  As the prison is overrun, he matures greatly by aiding in helping his unconscious father survive by killing Walkers alone.

When they arrive in Alexandria, Carl is already a battle-hardened soldier, believing the Alexandrians are stupid people who pretend everything's normal and there's nothing to worry about.  During the horde attack, he is shot in the eye accidentally by Douglas, and retains a colder personality.  He tries to kill Negan single-handedly, which results in him being captured and forming an odd relationship with Negan.

Two years later he is more emotionally stable and open to the people he cares about, and he now refers to Andrea as "mom."  He also develops an explosive temper and his biggest weakness is his carelessness for what he does.  He goes to the Hilltop to work as an apprentice under Earl Sutton as a blacksmith, and gets into a relationship with the Whisperer leader's daughter, Lydia.

Carl Grimes: The Television Series

At first Carl is a shy, reserved boy, who only talks to people he feels comfortable with.  He's frightened by the horrors of the world, and looks to his parents for shelter and comfort.  He's a kind boy who tries his best to comfort those closest to him, but as he grows older he develops a bolder personality, especially after being accidentally shot by Otis.  He grows less frightened of the world, wanting a more active role and helps the group instead of being a liability.

He's still sometimes disobedient, especially to his mother when she tells him to stay in the house - which he never does.  He develops a desire to fend for himself and prove his independence and maturity, but forms a colder personality after finding Sophia as a Walker.  He's occasionally pessimistic and rude, yet not above apologizing and realizing that some of his words and actions are unacceptable. He's overcome with guilt after indirectly causing Dale's death, thinking thinking himself a failure and vowing never to touch a gun again.  He regains his confidence after his father talks to him, and is then forced to put down Shane, who was turned into a Walker after Rick killed him.

At the prison, he turns into a battle-hardened warrior with improved firearm skills and tactical abilities, and is no longer shy around the group.   He does not appear to be completely immune to emotion, and retains some child-like qualities, but becomes more despondent after he witnesses his mother's death after the birth of his sister, and forcing himself to put his mother down before she became a Walker.  He goes through depression, neglecting to speak, and even tells his father to step down from being the leader.  His mother's death hardens him, and he becomes brave and risks his life to save others.

He begins to unwind as a result of the brutality of the world with the Governor at its center.  He thinks he's doing what's necessary to protect the group, going as far as killing an unarmed young boy who was with the Governor.   As life at the prison continues, he becomes more relaxed and shows maturity and worthiness, but after the prison is lost he gets shaken up after fearing his sister is now dead.  He protects his injured, unconscious father against Walkers alone, and is scarred from battle and loss.

Carl gains a deep respect and love for Michonne, and reveals to her his darkest thoughts and fears.  After escaping Terminus and reuniting with Judith, his mental state improves and he lives to protect Judith at any cost.  When they arrive at Alexandria, he becomes sullen and fears the community will make him weak and dulled to survival, and finds dealing with other adolescents complicated.  He becomes fascinated with withdrawn teenage girl Enid, who also came from the outside, and the two form a bond.  He offers to teach Gabriel to use weapons, cares for Judith and helps Enid during the Wolves' attack, and during the horde attack he is shot through the eye by Ron.

Two months later, Carl is back on his feet with an eye patch, presents a rougher edge when not around his family, continues his bond with Enid, and develops a taste for bloodshed.  When confronted by Negan, he glares wordlessly at him, expressing a maturity well beyond his years.

Why Carl Could Die

 He can't.  Well, he can eventually, but it won't be at the hands of Negan.  It's questionable whether he will take on the relationship he had with Negan in the comics, or Daryl would fill that role, but in any event he's not going to be the one who meets Lucille.

Why Carl Won't Die

Same reasons as above.

Carl Grimes: The Actor

Chandler Riggs was born June 27, 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia.  He's appeared in works such as "Jesus H. Zombie," "Get Low," "Mercy" and "Home Invasion."