Bit of a shock this week for comic fans as Image Comics’ The Walking Dead – after 15 years! – came to an abrupt, shocking end.
Which, let’s be honest, is pretty much how it should have been, given the nature of the comic and show it inspired.
In Wednesday’s issue, creator Robert Kirkman bluntly wrote at the end of the issue: “This is the end of The Walking Dead. That’s it…it’s over we’re done.”
Don’t worry, we’re just as shocked as Princess Leia.
But why?!
Well, Kirkman expanded on his original message in a letter to the fans:
“I’m sure you have a million questions…and I’m sure you feel as emotional about all this as we do…if not more so,” he wrote.
“I’m completely willing to bet some of you are angry over this. I get it…I do. I mean…WHY didn’t we announce this so that fans would have some time to prepare?”
“The Walking Dead has always been built on surprise. “Not knowing what’s going to happen when you turn the page, who’s going to die, how they’re going to die…it’s been ESSENTIAL to the success of this series. It’s been the lifeblood that’s been keeping it going all these years, keeping people engaged. It just felt WRONG and against the very nature of this series not to make the actual end as surprising as all the big deaths…from Shane all the way to Rick.”
The comic had recently killed off Rick Grimes, so in some ways the fans should have seen this coming… but, let’s be honest, we didn’t.
As for the TV series? well, AMC had this to say: “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.”
So, the comic is dead, but like the subject matter, the franchise will shuffle on…
Were you shocked? Annoyed? Happy? Don’t care? I want to know, guys…
Source: Vanity Fair
Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
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