Walking Dead's King Ezekiel: Comic Book Origins

Script written by Craig Butler Superhero Origin: King Ezekiel In a post-apocalyptic world, you don’t have to be descended from royalty to be a king. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origins of The Walking Dead’s King Ezekiel. For this video we have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 2013’s The Walking Dead #108 and 110. Like the other human characters in The Walking Dead comics, King Ezekiel barely scrapped by and survived following the massive zombie outbreak. Of course, staying alive is a little easier when you’ve got a freakin’ tiger for a pet. The larger-than-life King Ezekiel was introduced to the Walking Dead world during the “March To War” storyline. Rick was gathering up some forces to try to destroy everyone’s favorite psychopath Negan, and fellow survivor Paul ‘Jesus’ Monroe suggested they bring King Ezekiel into the fold. So Rick and Jesus journeyed to Ezekiel’s enclave, which was called – wait for it – the Kingdom. They were met by what passed for knights on horseback in Walking Dead land, who agreed to take them for an audience with their King. Ezekiel, an African-American with a flowing mane and a cane – and with that aforementioned tiger – greeted them with the kind of pomp and ego that befits a ruler. From his hobbled-together throne room on an old stage, he told them he also hated Negan. Ezekiel had been waiting for the right time to strike – and his royal highness decided an alliance of their forces would be a good idea. And it just so happened he had a mole in Negan’s camp that could prove valuable to them. Not a great deal is known about Ezekiel’s past prior to his introduction. But when Michonne met him – and found his “behold, I am royalty” act a bit hard to accept – he ended up telling her a little about where he came from. First, though, he demonstrated his real reason for carrying a cane – it served as a way of disguising his sword. And he also proved he had a good eye for seeing through other people’s deceptions. Before the world turned upside down, Ezekiel had been a zookeeper, as well as an amateur actor. He had raised his tiger, Shiva, from the time she was a cub. As an adult, she had injured herself at the zoo and he saved her – earning her loyalty ever since. After the zombie plague spread, Ezekiel made his way to the zoo and freed her. They traveled together, and people who met them assumed he was a fearless leader. He took the persona of king to give them hope and make them feel protected. But deep down, he had insecurities about his fitness to lead. Initially, both Rick and Michonne had some reservations about King Ezekiel. His theatricality was a bit much, and they weren’t sure whether he could be trusted. But his desire to defeat their mutual enemy seemed real and sincere, and they needed to trust that he was really on their side in the war against Negan. After all, when going up against a dangerous and ruthless villain like Negan, beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to allies. King Ezekiel has the kind of outsized personality that translates well to the other media, and his theatrical manner provides a welcome respite from the grimness that is so much a part of The Walking Dead. Be sure to keep an eye out for him the AMC television series. After all, every king needs some adoring subjects. Are you a fan of the self-proclaimed King Ezekiel? For more awesome comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.