ROBERT KIRKMAN'S UNSTOPPABLE ZOMBIES

[MattBrady]

In today’s market, you have to look far and wide to find a book without a cape or a superstar artist that’s a genuine success. One such book is Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s The Walking Dead from Image, pitting a band of normal folks against zombie hordes. No one said success was pretty.

Two issues of The Walking Dead have been released to date, both quickly becoming scarce in shops. The story has so far followed police officer Rick Grimes, who survived a shooting and a coma, only to awaken in a world full of zombies and pockets of unaffected humans. Told in black and white, Rick’s story has shown him hunting for his family, who he believes left their home in Kentucky for the reported safety of Atlanta. In issue #2, Rick found that Atlanta’s not all that safe (think massive congregations of zombies) but – thankfully, his family was alive in one of the camps outside the city.

A critical and commercial success, The Walking Dead has inched Kirkman up a little higher on being a household name in comics, and is pulling more than a few readers over to check out his somewhat copious library of projects.

Newsarama: What’s your take on the response that The Walking Dead has received?

Robert Kirkman: Well, I certainly like it quite a bit. I think this is the most well received book I've done to date. I get more fan mail on this than anything else, and that's a lot of fun. It's nice to know that what you're doing is being read and enjoyed by a good deal of people. I think the timing was perfect and so far things seem to be working out for the series as far as being able to continue it for a long time so I couldn't be happier.

NRAMA: What’s the word from Image on how the book is doing?

RK: Issue #2 is sold out with issue #1 getting close - despite printing nearly twice what was ordered, and the initial orders on #3 were up from issue #2. Things are looking really good for this series. Fans like it, retailers like it, and Tony Moore and I like it... which is pretty important. The jury is still out on it being a runaway success but it's looking at least possible at this point.

NRAMA: Is the solid performance spurring along a trade, or at least talk of a relatively quick trade collection?

RK: We're planning on getting a trade out in April containing issues #1-#6. We're shipping it in the same month as issue #7 so that hopefully we'll be able to nab some of those "wait for the trade" people and hook them on the series so our numbers will go up even more.

NRAMA: When we spoke earlier, you mentioned that you really don’t view The Walking Dead as a horror comic per se, but as a dramatic adventure – can you elaborate on that?

RK: Well, don't tell Steve Niles but I just don't think horror works in comics. That's not to say it can’t be done, that guy obviously proves that it can be done more than two or three times a month. I'm just saying its got a lot against it in comics. Horror, for me, relies a lot on sound and motion and those are two things we just can't do in comics.

What I meant by that comment is that I'm not trying to scare anybody... if it happens, bonus... but this is about Rick Grimes and his adventures in the messed up zombie filled world and how he and the people around him deal with extreme situations. It's about watching people change and mature over time, and how people can eventually rationalize the most horrific of actions.

NRAMA: From the start, some people have noted the rather unfortunate similarities between your opening and that of 28 Days Later. You been hanging out with Danny Boyle, or is it just a complete coincidence?

RK: Oh, yeah – an absolute coincidence. This book was prepped and ready to go in January when I pitched it to Image. We actually wanted it to debut in March or April but Image wanted to hold off on it until October. So if things had worked out... we would have been on issue three by the time 28 Days Later debuted in America. Of course, I realize it was out in Great Britain about a year ago but I live in Kentucky... I swear.

At this point, the opening of the first issue is almost the furthest thing from my mind as I'm working on issue #6 right now and soon readers will see that we're going away from that point very rapidly. I have a much grander scope in mind than they did for 28 Days Later.

NRAMA: Pulling it back to your specific work, can you elaborate a little on the virus? What exactly does it do, and how is it spread?

RK: This is Romero style old-fashioned Zombies. Anyone who dies, unless their brain is destroyed becomes a Zombie. Anyone who is bitten dies and turns into a zombie in a matter of days. That's pretty much it. How it got this way remains to be seen. You wouldn't want me to give that away in an interview would you?

NRAMA: Well, no. Looking at the story from the writing perspective, do you approach The Walking Dead any differently than you do your other work, such as Invincible or Capes?

RK: As far as writing style, no... but the subject matter is much more serious in tone. I have to keep myself from cracking jokes and doing funny stuff and I really try to keep the action to a realistic and non-superhero level. Fights in real life between real people only last so long before someone gets seriously hurt. I'm trying to keep this book as realistic as possible.

NRAMA: Very generally, what kind of arc is Rick on? Is this the hero’s journey, or just a survival thing for him?

RK: At first... but it's going to turn into much more than that as time goes on. Without giving too much away, this book is about the rebuilding of civilization and Rick is the main character. The thing is... it's not going to be civilization as we know it... things are going to be very different, and much worse than they are now for a good long time. I'll just say Rick is very instrumental in pulling us humans together.

NRAMA: Speaking of Rick – he’s quite the family man. How essential was/is it that he found his family at the end of issue #2?

RK: That's really when the book starts for me. Everything up to that point was just set up. All the characters we meet in issue #3 will play a very important role in the entire series... until they die that is. Not to say that they all die, but well... I think I may have said too much already.

NRAMA: How long is The Walking Dead set to run?

RK: I'd like to go a hundred issues or more. I know Tony's up for doing at least close to that if not more. We both have a great love for this series. I'm telling these stories in loose six issue arcs. That means they won't be clear arcs in a comic book sense but that there will always be a good break or transition or some sort of resolution after each sixth issue and I've got about six story arcs mapped out already... that should get us close to issue forty. I know it's funny to hear someone talking about a new Image book making it past issue forty but we're really shooting for that here. And if sales are any indication at this point... I think we'll make it.

NRAMA: Speaking of the sales, with the sales starting to pick up, you could probably better justify printing in color – any thought to doing that, or is the black and white integral to the story?

RK: Not so much the story, but the tone of the book relies a great deal on the gray world of black and white. We'll never go to color, sorry... that's just how it is. I don't even want to think about what this book would look like in color. I think Tony does a swell job on the covers but I like the insides just the way they are. The best zombie movie ever, Night of the Living Dead was black and white, we're just trying to keep up tradition.

NRAMA: Let’s tease our way out here – you’ve got issue #3 coming out on December 3rd. Where are things headed, and what is Rick’s goal at this point?

RK: Rick's goal at this point is to keep his family safe. We're getting more into that in issue #3 as we get to know the characters. Basically what we have is a group of normal people that are camping out next to Atlanta in hopes that the government will find them when they start fixing things. What they soon find out is that nobody's coming. All this time they've been risking their life living next to a zombie hotbed for nothing.

A lot of people will die in this book. Look forward to guessing who's going to go and who's going to live. Right now there are only a few characters that I know for a fact will live through the duration of the series... and they are not who you think. The fact of the matter is that in general we are pretty rotten to each other or at least we can be and I haven't even gotten to that yet. Things start getting ugly real soon. I think this book is going to surprise a lot of people.

[cyclopsfan]

Wow, great interview. I will check my shop for these. I am usually not a fan of this genre, but this one has me intrigued.

[Captain Slinky]

It wasn't exactly a leap-of-faith for me to try out this title... I'm a huge Zombie fan, I'm a huge Kirkman fan...it all just fit together so nicely! And Walking Dead just fits in to Romero-Zombie continuity so well, it's like the sequel I've always wanted. Now if we can get good ol' George to direct the unavoidable movie adaptation, I'll be a very happy man

[Chris Hunter]

Man, I love Kirkman.

[rlwatson]

I'm loving this series so far. I read issue one and two in the same sitting and it was great. I like the idea that Rick found his family at the end of the second issue. I thought maybe it was being set up that searching for his family was the main theme and plot device of this series. I'm happy to say I was surprised and am now more interested in what happens next.

[Razak]

Now if we can get good ol' George to direct the unavoidable movie adaptation, I'll be a very happy man

George is busy trying to get the "ok" from 20th Century Fox to start filming the fourth movie of his "Dead" series, "Land of the Dead" (aka "Dead Reckoning," aka "Twilight of the Dead"). If he ever gets the project off its feet finally it will be worth the wait.

I like the idea that Rick found his family at the end of the second issue. I thought maybe it was being set up that searching for his family was the main theme and plot device of this series.

Opposite to that, I thought he had Rick find his family a little too soon. The story felt a bit rushed to me. I would have liked a little more time spent on him searching for his family (though not too much time, obviously).

All in all, though, it's obvious Kirkman is a Romero fan and it shows. I think black and white is perfect for this series and I agree with his hesitancy to introduce color. I hope the series stays as interesting as it has been so far.

[nihilance]

I also was surprised that he found his family so quickly. I initially thought that if he found them at all it would be at the end of the initial 6 issue arc. Now that they've been reunited so quickly, I'm guessing that his wife and son both are killed by issue 6 (with him having to kill at least one of them himself after they have turned into the walking dead). Or maybe I'll be surprised (crosses fingers).

[Cartoon Jay]

How on earth did this slip by me? A new zombie comic, black and white art (and rock-solid art at that) well, witten judging by the sample pages here, written by someon who obviously respects the genre. This is a great find!

Thanks to Matt and Newsarama. There's so many great books I wouldn't hear of without ya.

[nihilance]

I changed my mind...upon closer inspection of issue 6's cover, my guess is that Lori and Carl survive...but Shane buys it sacrificing himself to save Rick (since he blames himself for Rick getting shot and all). Sorry for the speculation...I'm enjoying this series so far and can't wait to see what happens!

[xpositive]

I'm glad that others like the Romero zombie world. Nobody I know even knew there are two sequels to Night of the Living Dead. Dawn of the Dead is my favorite movie. Why didn't I know this book was out?!?

[Aaron Weisbrod]

Wow...

Much like several other people on this thread, this title slipped under my radar somehow...

However, that being said, this comic looks GREAT. I'll be pickin' up the back issues tomorrow, guys!

Lovin' the horror resurgance,
Aaron Weisbrod

[Conor]

Sounds good. But I won't be getting it, here's why:

I live in Ireland, and although Ilove comics (and run a small site called Pen & Ink), can only get in the shops comics Panini print; Ultimate X-Men (currently on issue 9) and U Spiderman (22) and the five Collectors' Editions, which reprint Marvel comics like Spiderman, X-Men, Daredevil, Hulk, Avengers, Wolverine, Gambit and the we only got a DC one last month with Batman Legends (it had Hush #1 - I loved it). I have no comic stores nearby so have to order imports over the net, and my mum is very wary about me ordered stuff o the net. Plus I don't have a whole lot of money with my p/t job and all.

This is my first post and I'd just like to say that newsaram is one hell of a site, though most of the news on it won't affect me. Still, nice to know what's going on.

[Pupasweet]

I'm loving this series so far. I read issue one and two in the same sitting and it was great. I like the idea that Rick found his family at the end of the second issue. I thought maybe it was being set up that searching for his family was the main theme and plot device of this series. I'm happy to say I was surprised and am now more interested in what happens next.

I was interested in what happens in this series as well..not having read it yet...

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eez!!!!!!

Spoiler Alert.......

Its not so hard and its fun too!!!!!

[shaneyhole]

I love this series so far. I’m a big zombie fan and while I love books that put a humorous spin on them like the goon and lone (both fantastic) i enjoy how reading a serious book that has consequences.

[Val]

This series is beyond incredibly good.


- Val

[jawaplumber]

I'm definitely a Kirkman follower, but somehow I didn't know about The Walking Dead until after the first issue was released. I'm gonna try like heck to get my hands on this book

Great interview!

[Frank Cho]

KIRKMAN ROCKS!

He's one of the best new writers to appear since Bendis. I can't wait to read more stories by this Kentucky bastard.

Keep up the great work, dude!



Frank Cho
LIBERTY MEADOWS

[ApacheDick]

Originally posted by MattBrady

NRAMA: From the start, some people have noted the rather unfortunate similarities between your opening and that of 28 Days Later. You been hanging out with Danny Boyle, or is it just a complete coincidence?

RK: Oh, yeah – an absolute coincidence. This book was prepped and ready to go in January when I pitched it to Image.

Shame that the "Resident Evil" Movie did the same scene even before "28 Days Later". Enough with the people in the coma waking up during the zombie invasion!

Originally posted by MattBrady
RK: This is Romero style old-fashioned Zombies. Anyone who dies, unless their brain is destroyed becomes a Zombie. Anyone who is bitten dies and turns into a zombie in a matter of days. That's pretty much it. .

The former is never how Romero did things, though the former is close enough. In "Night", unburied dead were revived. Anyone who got killed after the first event would have to be bitten by a zombie in order to return as one. When someone is bitten, it usually takes days for them to die, and their returning as flesh eaters is usually pretty quick. Sounds like he's confusing the Romero undead rules with the "Return Of The Living Dead" ones, where any thing ever dead comes back to life.

Still, the book sounds interesting. It's got one too many cliches going for it to stand apart from other zombie media just yet, but depending on what the work does with them, it could be a fun run.

[rlwatson]

PUPASWEET

I didn't put a spoiler warning on what I posted because I didn't think I was posting any information that wasn't already in the article. If you take a closer look at the article you'll see that it tells you at the end of issue two Rick finds his family alive. In any case I would hope that knowing that wouldn't ruin the story for you. Heck, half the time I flip through my comics and check out the end, then read them through, but that's just me.

[Robert Kirkman]

The former is never how Romero did things, though the former is close enough. In "Night", unburied dead were revived. Anyone who got killed after the first event would have to be bitten by a zombie in order to return as one. When someone is bitten, it usually takes days for them to die, and their returning as flesh eaters is usually pretty quick. Sounds like he's confusing the Romero undead rules with the "Return Of The Living Dead" ones, where any thing ever dead comes back to life.

Confusing Romero with "Return of the Living Dead?" I've shot men for saying less! What I meant by "Anyone who is bitten dies and turns into a zombie in a matter of days" is that they die in a matter of days and immediately turn into zombies. And by "anyone who dies" I meant recently. Not that people were digging themselves out of graves. The original script for Day of the Dead (unless I'm mistaken) features people simply getting shot and coming back as zombies. So that established that as long as the brain is intact... you're coming back. I thought those were good rules to play by, so I am. I figured it was time someone tried to honor a set of rules for zombies in the same way most do for Vampires and Werewolves.

Oh, and thanks for the kind words Mr. Cho. It's good to have you onboard.

-Robert

[G Dog]

Originally posted by Robert Kirkman
CoOh, and thanks for the kind words Mr. Cho. It's good to have you onboard.

Can anyone say Liberty Meadows/Walking Dead crossover? It's a match made in heaven!

[xpositive]

Kirkman,

About time someone decided to canonize zombie lore! All bodies of the recently deceased get up and kill - the people they kill get up and kill. They do not require food or sustenance; they are driven by hunger as an instinct. Dawn of the Dead establishes how and who comes back. Day gives the facts about how they walk around (while keeping the exact cause a mystery - its also good that Romero distanced himself from the whole Venus probe in the 90 remake). More important than the facts on zombies is the social commentary that basically shows that man is not better than those walking corpses outside, killing each other and fighting while we should be uniting. Zombies do not kill each other! Everybody go buy the new Day of the Dead 2 disc DVD and pick up Dawn as soon as it comes out.
In addition, Romero was involved with Return, but it was a farce and never intended to be among his prestigious zombie flicks.

[Razak]

Originally posted by G Dog
Can anyone say Liberty Meadows/Walking Dead crossover? It's a match made in heaven!

HAHAHA! Bets on how many zombie chicks Dean hits on?

[JohnnyONeal]

Wow, I'm glad I saw this here, because otherwise I would have never have heard of the series.

I love Kirkman. I just wish his stuff would get more promotion and exposure!

[Bloodcat]

Wow. Another series I really want when it becomes a trade...

Im a huge fan of zombies, especially ones in the Romero vibe...

And those preview pages looked pretty darned good too.

I eagerly await it.