Guardians (The Walking Dead)

The "Guardians" are a fictional group of survivors featured within the The Walking Dead comic book series by Robert Kirkman, and to a lesser extent, implied to exist within the television adaptation. They are a relatively small, localized group focused on maintaining order and safety within their immediate community.

While not a major faction like the Saviors or the Commonwealth, the Guardians represent a more common, grassroots approach to survival in the post-apocalyptic world. Their primary function appears to be securing their perimeter against threats, both walkers (the undead) and hostile human groups. Details regarding their organizational structure, leadership, and internal philosophies are not extensively explored, making them a less developed group compared to other factions in the series. They are often encountered as a friendly, cooperative community, willing to trade and assist other survivors.

The term "Guardians" is often used generically within the Walking Dead universe to describe any group or individual responsible for protecting a settlement or group of people. It's essential to differentiate instances where the term is used loosely versus when it refers specifically to this more defined, though still somewhat vague, community of survivors. The emphasis is on proactive defense and the establishment of a secure environment, differentiating them from purely scavenging or nomadic groups.