The term was solidified in the episode titled which premiered on October 16, 2022.
: This development bridged a long-standing gap by acknowledging the "smart" walkers from Season 1 (who also turned doorknobs and used rocks) as regional variants rather than production inconsistencies. "The Walking Dead" Variant(2022)
: Aaron and his group initially mistook these walkers for "Whisperers" (humans wearing skin masks) because of their advanced movements, only to discover they were genuine, mutated zombies. The Walking Dead Deluxe (2022 Variant Covers) The Walking Dead review: Episode 1119, “Variant” The term was solidified in the episode titled
: Survivors encountered walkers that could climb walls , open doors , and even pick up objects to use as weapons, such as rocks. The Walking Dead Deluxe (2022 Variant Covers) The
In 2022, " The Walking Dead " universe introduced a major shift in its lore with the official canonization of —zombies with enhanced abilities that challenged everything the survivors knew about the undead. This concept was primarily explored in the flagship show's final season and through exclusive comic book releases. The "Variant" TV Episode (Season 11, Episode 19)