Origin
A mysterious African-American woman armed with a katana, Michonne first appears when she saves Otis from a group of zombies. She used to be a lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. She had a father, a mother, two sisters, a brother, an ex-husband, two daughters, a boyfriend, a mortgage, and a whole lot of other things. When the dead returned to life and began attacking the living, the first place Michonne went was her neighbor’s house. His son, a high schooler, was a sword junkie that used to cut up the fence between their yards, and killed their cat (but in her special she said it was their dog). Michonne grabbed one of his katana swords. It was easier than finding a gun, and it wouldn’t draw any attention to her. She had taken fencing as a child, and then again in college, and had gotten pretty good at it. Not to mention that it helped work off some of the steam of her seventeen years of college.
Creation
Michonne was created by Robert Kirkman, her first appearance was in Image Comics’ The Walking Dead #19.
Major Story Arcs
The Prison
Michonne had two zombies in tow, her boyfriend Mike and his best friend Terry. Both in shackles and having had their jaws and arms cut off, Michonne mentions that after a while they stopped trying to attack her and their presence decreased the chances of other zombies attacking. Having survived in the wilderness for quite some time alone, she decides to join the group of survivors at the prison when offered the chance.
She immediately bonded with Tyreese, recognizing him from his days in the NFL and sharing a passion for weight lifting. She then seduces him and the two have oral sex in the gym, precipitating his break-up with Carol, and therefore beginning a relationship between the two. At first, she appeared to have suffered from some kind of trauma or mental illness, often carrying on conversations with herself when she was alone. Michonne would converse with her deceased boyfriend, as first noticed by Andrea in the prison. Michonne later went on to tell Rick that she talked to her dead boyfriend as a coping mechanism to deal with the horror of the real world, and Rick showed her a rotary telephone he used to “call” his wife, Lori, making Michonne feel much better about her mental health.
Woodbury
Michonne was amongst the trio that was sent out to investigate the crash of a helicopter, where they stumbled upon the town of Woodury. When the Governor captures them he proceeds to violently assault her and uses her as a toy after she ripped his ear with her teeth. However he soon realizes she must be dealt with when Michonne proceeds to kill all the participants in a gladiator style tournament. Upon escaping, Michonne remains behind saying “she has to take care of some things. She then proceeds to torture the Governor before making her way back to the prison with the rest of the group. She hammered his penis to the floorboard, drilled his shoulder, popped out his eye with a spoon, cut his arm and used a welder to close it. Then she began to cry and didn’t have chance to finish him because his men got in. Due to her trauma she either forgot or did not want to speak about it.
When the Governor retaliates, Michonne and Tyreese go on the offense, attempting guerrilla warfare in order to buy the prison time to prepare for the next attack. However this results in Michonne fleeing after nearly been captured, and Tyreese been captured and used as a bargaining tool in order to get into the prison. When this fails The Governor kills Tyresse with Michonne’s katana. Moments later she returns and reclaims her sword, fleeing into the woods nearby. After the events at the prison she begins tracking footprints and stumbles upon Rick and Carl, and saves Carl from a roamer. She then joins up with the two and bonds with them, even keeping Rick’s own self-conversations secret. Michonne also protects Carl similar to a mother figure, and also goes to great lengths to protect Rick, due to gaining her respect for him.
Alexandria
Michonne travels with the other survivors in search of safety, and inquires about the whereabouts of Morgan. When Rick asks if she finds him attractive, Michonne admits that she does, but is still grieving over the loss of Tyreese. When the survivors locate the town of Alexandria, a safe haven from the undead, it appears that Michonne and her friends are finally given an opportunity to rest. However, Michonne has a difficult time relinquishing her sword, as seen with her confrontation with Alexandria resident, Douglas. Another resident, Olivia, persuades Douglas to allow Michonne to keep her weapon. Shortly thereafter, Michonne settles into her new “home”, and even hangs a mantle for her sword. She recalls all of the horrific ways that she has used the sword to survive, and finally proclaims “I am through with you”. Michonne begins to let her guard down,
and Rick asks Douglas if there is a job for her in the community. Since there is no need for lawyers, Douglas recommends making her a constable, to uphold the law in Alexandria. Michonne attends a welcome party held by Douglas in honor of Alexandria’s new residents. Through the majority of the party, she is quiet, and reserved. When one of Alexandria’s residents, Barbara, tries playing matchmaker between Michonne and a young man named Heath. Michonne steadily grows weary with the conversation between the party-goers, and attempts to leave. Barbara makes an attempt to dissuade her from leaving, and although does so meaning well, becomes insistent about what Michonne would care to eat. Barbara continues to reiterate how worried she would be to cook a meal that Michonne didn’t enjoy, and Michonne angrily asks if that is what she truly concerns herself about. The guests grow silent, prompting Michonne to leave. She finds Morgan, who confesses to having left the party earlier, and the two commiserate about not caring for chipper people. Michonne admits their conversation made her feel even more alone. She then lets her guard down, and rests her head on Morgan’s shoulder.
Other Media
The Walking Dead
In season 2 episode 13 titled “Besides the Dying Fire”, Michonne made her first appearance in the TV show saving a near fatal-death Andrea from a walker attack. Michonne is played by actress Danai Gurira and has a major role in season 3 of the series.