End of ‘Walking Dead’ comic book does not mean end of ‘Walking Dead’ television show
ATLANTA — The sudden end of “The Walking Dead” graphic comic series led AMC to release a statement to assure fans that the zombies will live on in other forms, be it TV, film or video games.
“This extraordinary comic created a world that already lives in multiple forms, and in the hearts and minds of millions of fans around the world, and will for many years to come,” the network said in a statement.
AMC has had plans to keep the “Walking Dead” universe alive for decades to come, along the lines of James Bond and “Star Trek.” So this does not change that strategy at all.
Robert Kirkman’s graphic series began in 2003 and became a raging success. He collaborated with AMC and Frank Darabont to create the network’s first horror drama in 2010. “The Walking Dead” became an even bigger hit, the largest basic cable series in history.
Despite the show’s massive 60%-plus drop-off in popularity over the past three years, it’s currently shooting season 10 in Senoia, Georgia, and AMC has not even hinted at the show ending its run. In the meantime, spin-off “Fear the Walking Dead” is currently in its fifth season. And a second spin-off show is in the works. And don’t forget the upcoming Rick Grimes series of films starring Andrew Lincoln.
The original TV series has followed some plot lines and characters associated with the graphic novel. But there have been some massive deviations over the first nine seasons.
“In a way, killing this [comic] series has been a lot like killing a major character,” Kirkman explained. “Much, much harder … but the same feeling. I don’t WANT to do it. I’d rather keep going. … But the story is telling me what it wants and what it needs. This needs to happen. Whether I want it or not.”