*Updated with high-resolution variant art* We previously only had a small early look at the cover art for The Walking Dead: The Governor Special, but Image Comics has now provided us with the official cover art. We also have new release details and a look at two variant covers that will be released. This special issue reprints The Governor’s first appearance in the comic book series, and also contains a rare origin story many Walking Dead fans haven’t read.

"Robert Kirkman, creator and writer of the groundbreaking, Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series and graphic novels announces The Walking Dead: The Governor Special coming to comic book stores across the country on Wednesday, February 13th. As if that's not enough reason to celebrate (or fear for your life), Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, will have two variants, both with covers by The Walking Dead artists Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn. The first variant will be a limited edition of 3,000 only available at Hastings Entertainment, a multimedia entertainment retailer with 137 stores across the US. The second variant will only be sold at Emerald City Comic-Con and features a green foil "Kill Them All" cover.

You asked for more of The Governor, and Kirkman and Skybound listened. Skybound moved up the date due to the overwhelming demand from fans of the series. Just in time for Valentine's Day, get your sweetie what they really want -- a can't-put-it-down tale of the most fearsome villain from the best-sellingThe Walking Dead comic book series and graphic novels. The Walking Dead: The Governor Special comic book will sell for only $2.99 at your favorite comic book store or Comixology, featuring 32 pages of story about the character you love to hate. This issue reprints THE WALKING DEAD #27, featuring the very first appearance of The Governor, as well as the Governor short story from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) LIBERTY ANNUAL 2012. "

We'll have preview pages for The Walking Dead #107 and The Governor Special next week. Until then, catch up on our recent coverage, including our exclusive interviews with Robert Kirkman, by visiting the links below:

 

Standard Cover:

 ECCC Variant:

 Hastings Entertainment Variant: