The Walking Dead: 10 Great Moments When The Show Ignored The Comic

3. Daryl Evolves

When fans of the comic book tuned in to see the tv version, more than a few of them were likely surprised by the addition of a character that was completely new to Kirkman's mythology. He wasn't a composite character, or loosely based on someone, he was a whole new animal €“ a wild card named Daryl Dixon. Like his older brother Merle, Daryl creates an instant presence when he first appears in "Tell It to the Frogs". He's angry, and prone to physical confrontation. In fact, his initial appearances painted him to act almost like an antagonist. But as the seasons wore on, and as the character was continuously explored, it became clear that Daryl just needed the right guidance. By traveling with Rick and his crew, the heroic side of Daryl began to shine through. He cared, and developed real friendships with them. But it wasn't until Merle returned in season three, and the two of them hooked up again, that Daryl's resolve was fully tested. His sense of family loyalty sent him packing with Merle, and the Dixon brothers were reunited once more. Daryl eventually broke off from Merle, returning to the prison where he believed his true family was. While this eventually lead to the traumatic death of his older brother, Daryl remained strong and has since become one of TV's most popular heroes. He's an insanely popular character, and was even recently teased as being introduced into Kirkman's comic via an elaborate April Fool's gag. Whether you love him or you hate him, it's hard to deny that Daryl's unique character has added some fresh twists to the TV version of The Walking Dead.