AMC assures fans that The Walking Dead will continue for many years to come

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

In something of a shocking move, it was announced yesterday that issue #193 of The Walking Dead (released today) would be the final installment of the comic-book series which began all the way back in 2003. Series creator Robert Kirkman said, "In a way, killing this series has been a lot like killing a major character. 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."

Lest you think that the ending of the comic-book series spells doom for the long-running TV show (now in its tenth season) and its spin-offs, AMC released a statement which assured fans that The Walking Dead franchise has many years of life left.

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 comic series ending is not expected to impact the TV series.

In addition to The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, there's also a third spin-off series in the works as well. The as-yet-untitled series is said to focus on two young female protagonists who represent "the first generation to come-of-age in the apocalypse as we know it." There's also a trilogy of Walking Dead movies in the works which will complete the story of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).

"I hate knowing what’s coming," Kirkman said in a statement addressing the ending of the comic-book series. "As a fan, I hate it when I realize I’m in the third act of a movie and the story is winding down. I hate that I can count commercial breaks and know I’m nearing the end of a TV show. I hate that you can feel when you’re getting to the end of a book, or a graphic novel." Kirkman continued, saying that some of the best episodes of shows like Game of Thrones are structured in such a way that you're stunned when the end comes. "I love long movies for that very reason," Kirkman explained. "You lose track of time because you went in convinced that you’re going to be there for a long time, but the story moves at such an entertaining and engaging pace that by the time the movie’s wrapping up … you can’t believe it’s already over. Surprise, it’s over! All I’ve ever done, all a creator can really do … is tailor-make stories to entertain themselves, and hope the audience feels the same way. That’s all I’ve ever been doing … and it seems to work most of the time."

What were your thoughts on The Walking Dead comic coming to an end? Should the TV show do the same sooner rather than later?