Throughout the week, we’ll be presenting the Heroes of the Year, our list of individuals who made a major impact on the comic book movie community in 2012.

Though it’s not a film, it’s impossible not to acknowledge “The Walking Dead” for its monstrously good third season, currently on hiatus. Honoring the show’s return to form is Jorge Solis, a horror and comic book expert who writes for Bloody-Disgusting.com.

At first, you wouldn’t think of adding “The Walking Dead” to our list of Heroes of the Year after the slow second season. The search for Sophia dragged on and took longer than the search for Claire in season one of “Lost.” But season three started off with one hell of a bang, with a dialogue-free opening sequence, as Rick and his remaining ensemble storm into an abandoned house, gunning down walkers, and gathering little food they could find. Putting his own stamp on the series, showrunner Glen Mazzara brought us forward in time, providing only the necessary details about what happened in the off-season.

Even if you read the comics by Robert Kirkman, you never really know what’s going to happen next on the “Walking Dead” show. Sure, I knew something bad was going to happen to Lori — I just didn’t expect her to become intolerable during season two. But whether or not you were a fan of Lori, you have to admit that Sarah Wayne Callies delivered a heart-wrenching farewell performance. And it led to the writers taking a small moment from the comics and exploring its full potential as Andrew Lincoln’s Rick, mad with grief, picks up a phone and hears the voices of those who passed away. Gone but not forgotten, it was nice hear Emma Bell back as Amy.

If you have been watching since the beginning, then you’ve noticed how Norman Reedus transformed Daryl Dixon from a racist, meth addict to Rick’s right-hand man. And now, you finally have the long-awaited brotherly reunion between Merle and Daryl. Though Danai Gurira just started this season, Michonne always steals the show when she’s swinging that katana of hers.

What this show needed was a Big Bad and this season, Rick definitely got one. As The Governor, David Morrissey is smart, dangerous, and charismatic — all at the same time. I’m excited to see what happens when Rick and the Governor finally meet. But Rick needs to get in line, because everyone else — including Glenn, Maggie, and Michonne — wants a piece of the Governor.

With the story moving along so fast, and with so many characters in so many interesting places, I simply cannot wait for the second half of season three to start in February.

About the author: Jorge Solis writes comic book reviews for Bloody-Disgusting. You can find him on Twitter @JSolis82 and read his reviews/interviews on his official website, http://writerwithoutfear.com/.

Stay with MTV Splash Page throughout the week for the rest of our heroes of 2012! Let us know what you think of our choices in the comments or on Twitter!

Tags Best of 2012, Heroes of the Year 2012, The Walking Dead