Do you like comics? Do you like Zombies? Do you like television? If you answered "Yes." to these three questions then you're in luck! AMC's version of Robert Kirkman's "The Walking Dead" just may be your new favorite show!
For those of you who may not be familiar (and shame on you if you’re not!) with Image’s monthly title, it focuses on the survivors of a zombie outbreak and their daily struggles to maintain a sense of life and order amidst the chaos of a new and deadly world.
I’ve been following this title since it started and was more than overjoyed at the news that it was coming to life on AMC. This network keeps on pumping out hit after hit and this show is no exception. AMC is not afraid to push the envelope as far as content and this show delivers in spades. The pilot episode follows the first three issues to a T. Not only does it adhere faithfully to the source material but it also expands upon it. Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes goes down in the line of duty and falls into a coma. When he awakens it is to a new world. A world where the dead live and feed off the living. Rick flees the hospital and encounters two survivors, a Father and son, who have made camp in the home of his former neighbors. Through them he learns of what transpired during his coma. Rick then decides to set out to Atlanta in a last ditch effort to reach his wife and son.
I’m not going to go into much detail here as I feel the show demands to be seen, not explained. If you enjoy the comic you’ll love the show. The pilot episode only features four “living” characters: Rick, his partner Shane, and the Father and Son. Towards the end of the episode we meet a few more of the supporting characters but only briefly. The actors match the comic’s characters well and the show is off to a great start. If I have anything to complain about it might be the pacing. I feel that the episodes are being drawn out too long compared to the comic. The first episode ended about halfway through the first trade paperback: “Days Gone By”. Today I just finished volume 9: “Here We Remain”, if you’re up with me, or past, then you know why I’m slightly disappointed! This show has only scratched the surface of a story that is very deep. If I was spoiler minded this would be the part where I gush about how much I can’t wait to see the part when…..ahhh, you’ll just have to wait. Or go out and start picking up the trades and single issues! Bottom line: A GREAT START! What say you?
PS: Try to keep the comments spoiler free in regards to the comics for our friends who haven’t gotten too far! I included! You can always contact me if you want to dish!