Robert Kirkman is a comic book mastermind. His ongoing series
The Walking Dead is not just one of - if not the best - forms of zombie art of all time. He recently discussed how his work on the comic and upcoming TV adaptation will coincide.
"It's definitely been difficult, but I hated when someone gets their comic book turned into something and then falls off the face of the Earth and the comic book stops coming out," Kirkman says. "I'm making a point to keep Charlie (Adlard - the comic artist) in script and get the book out on time, so we can be the first comic book in history that's gotten adapted into a television show or a movie and actually continue production without a hiccup.”
Kirkman - one of the chairmen of the board for Image comics has a lot on his plate right now, both continuing work on his other critically acclaimed series Invincible among other great books like the new Haunt, while producing and writing The Walking Dead for AMC.
"We're hoping to have 12 issues out this year, and I want to reward the fans who got us here by continuing to put our book out." he said.
He went on to say that although watching his characters come to life on the TV set is very "bizarre" especially since he knows that in the book he's killed off quite a few of them in future issues or plans to eventually, he still wants the TV series to march on as long as possible.
"I'm hoping we blow past M*A*S*H, The Simpsons, Bonanza — I want 27 years of The Walking Dead!" he said.
But what is clear - Kirkman does not want to get overly involved. Producers have offered him up multiple ideas for various cameos as a zombie and the writer won't bite.
"If I were sitting there and I saw myself walking by on screen, that would just ruin it for me. I don't want to see myself up there. Yuck!" said Kirkman.
He also gave clues as to what the many undead extras are going through while working in the daylight under all of that fake deadness.
"Plus, it's hot in Atlanta. Can you imagine being covered in plastic and being all painted up and sticky, and also having to sit in that 150-degree heat? That's no good. There were a lot of zombies on set, and let me tell you what: They didn't seem thrilled." he said.
Kirkman reflected on what makes The Walking Dead such a great piece of literature and not just genre work. I'll say it personally as well - what makes this comic so good isn't even about the zombies - the best parts of the entire series come from the survivors themselves and how they deal with the anarchic demise of civilization.
"They've all done horrible things at this point and they're just trying to deal with that. It's a really fun character drama, and I like diving in and exploring that as much as possible." he said.
And of course the always important secret ingredient to making a zombie drama work so well, Kirkman revealed his ace in the hole.
"And to keep people entertained, every now and then I have someone's head explode." he said.
For fans of the comic - and if you aren't by now - you should be. The upcoming 12th volume trade is coming out July 21st. I have them all and won't hesitate on grabbing this one too. The series only continues to get better as it goes on.