The Walking Dead comic, created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, and the television adaptation, produced by Frank Darabont, have been critically acclaimed, and the show set a record as “the most watched drama series in basic cable history,” according to the New York Times. But some feminist critics and antiracist bloggers haven’t so lovingly embraced the show. They argue that The Walking Dead, for all its adoring praise, falls into some sadly familiar traps with its poor depictions of women and people of color. The Walking Dead’s portrayal of race issues and gender roles has been, by far, the most controversial aspect of the series.

Sites such as Feministing, Feministe, Racialicious, and Geek Feminism have gained popularity in recent years. They critique popular culture and identify sexism and racism as means of teaching its prevention. They have become the noisy concerned citizens groups of the internet, crying out when they see injustice in the media. These bloggers have analyzed The Walking Dead with the same vigor they have other pieces of popular culture. And they have a long list of things to complain about.

It’s hard to miss the racial tension in The Walking Dead, especially in the television adaptation. In the second episode of the series (“Guts”), Merle Dixon hurls racial slurs at T-Dog, a black member of the survival group, while they scavenge for supplies in Atlanta. Merle’s racist rants are inopportune and straightforwardly put the group at risk.

Scott Meslow, in an episode recap on the Atlantic’s  …