The world we knew is gone. The world of commerce andfrivolous necessity has been replaced by a world of survival and responsibility.An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead torise and feed on the living. In a matter of months society has crumbled: nogovernment, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruledby the dead, the survivors are forced to finally start living. Trapped in a town surrounded by madmen, Rick must find a way out or dietrying. Meanwhile, back at the prison, the rest of the survivors come to gripswith the fact Rick may be dead, and a major turning point in the series isreached.