The Walking Dead Creator Admitted to Misleading About Its Plot to Secure Greenlight

Overview

Kirkman secured the survival of The Walking Dead by presenting it as an alien narrative to the Image publishers.
While the comic’s core storyline mirrors the television adaptation, it showcases varied character destinies.
A new issue of The Walking Dead comic series is set for release in 2025, coinciding with the anticipated second season of Dead City.

The Walking Dead may not have pioneered the zombie genre, but it unquestionably left an indelible mark on fans passionate about narratives centered around the undead. It is almost unfathomable to consider a timeline where Kirkman’s iconic creation never came to be. However, due to a saturation of zombie-themed media over the years, such a scenario wasn’t entirely out of reach.

The comic series, born from the collaboration of writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore in 2003, is notorious for its unexpected character deaths and diverging fates, quite unlike those portrayed in the beloved television series. Following a harrowing journey filled with danger and loss, protagonist Rick Grimes evolves from just a father seeking safety for his son, Carl, into a leader among fellow survivors, including Shane, Daryl, and Carol.

Kirkman’s Deceptive Pitch That Led to The Walking Dead’s Success

According to Screen Rant, the inception of The Walking Dead faced significant hurdles due to Image publishers’ reluctance to embrace the zombie concept. During a 2018 industry panel, Kirkman revealed that he had to mislead the publishers by claiming his story would revolve around aliens, rather than zombies, to gain their approval. Initially, Kirkman had pitched the zombie narrative, but in a market oversaturated with similar tales, it’s understandable that the publishers were seeking a unique spin.

Kirkman recounted, “When the first issue was released, Eric Stephenson remarked that while he found it intriguing, he couldn’t identify any alien invasion hints. I had to confess, ‘Well, that stuff isn’t going to happen. I was fibbing a bit; I genuinely wanted to create a straightforward zombie book.’ At that point, the reception was positive, and buzz was building.”Eric’s response was relief, stating he worried the storyline could devolve if aliens were incorporated.

Fortunately, Kirkman’s strategic deception proved effective, and Image later embraced his vision for The Walking Dead. Fans of both the comic series and its television adaptation owe a debt of gratitude to Kirkman for this decision. As a playful nod, Kirkman has occasionally referenced the humorous idea that aliens could somehow be behind the outbreak in future storylines. This whimsical notion even found a place in The Walking Dead #75, where a resurrected character, the Governor, returns outfitted with cybernetic enhancements, suggesting a surrender to alien overlords, much to the amusement of fans during an April Fools’ event.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #107 is scheduled for release on February 19, 2025, with The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 expected to air in Spring 2025.

Source: Screen Rant

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