‘Walking Dead’ finale: Who is Michonne?

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AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ closed out its second season in spectacularly bloody and fiery fashion on Sunday night. Several characters met their demise and shocking revelations were made. But the thing that has a lot of people buzzing is the introduction of a mysterious, hooded character wielding a katana and leading two zombies around on chains. Just who is this mystery woman?

Longtime readers of Robert Kirkman’s comic know that this woman is Michonne, and when the series returns for its third season, she’ll soon have a whole new crowd of admirers.

Actress and playwright Danai Gurira has been cast as the no-nonsense character who will join another major character from the comics, the villainous Governor (played by David Morrissey), for the show’s third season.

Anticipation for Michonne’s introduction on the TV series has been huge. In fact ‘Walking Dead’ creator Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard put together a six-page mini-comic for the April issue of Playboy detailing the character’s origins.

She first appeared in ‘The Walking Dead’ Issue 19 back in 2005 doing the same thing TV viewers saw her doing on Sunday -- leading armless zombies on chains and dispatching other zombies with her Katana blades.

Those who want to discover Michonne on their own can stop reading now, but for those who can’t wait for the next season, here are some essential facts about the character (at least the comic book version of her).

Michonne (pronounced Me-shone) used to be an attorney before the zombies took over. Those two zombies she’s leading around on chains were people very closer to her: her boyfriend and his best friend. She’s in peak physical condition and deadly with a blade, but mentally she’s got a few screws loose. She sometimes has conversations with people who aren’t there. Ultimately, she’s one of the toughest characters in the series.

As those familiar with what’s ahead for Rick and his crew of survivors know, they’ll need a real fighter if they’re going to survive.

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-- Patrick Kevin Day