The Walking Dead’s Success Highlights the Need to Greenlight Its Creator’s Original Zombie Story Now

Originating from Image Comics, The Walking Dead emerged as a groundbreaking and commercially successful zombie comic, fundamentally reshaping the genre. It not only inspired an array of popular television adaptations but also solidified its place in pop culture. However, the trajectory could have been vastly different had Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore adhered to their initial concept, which was notably rejected by Image Comics.

Initially, Kirkman envisioned a narrative set within a vibrant, futuristic utopia that would gradually unravel over several decades due to a zombie apocalypse. This distinct approach, focusing on a decaying society, diverged significantly from the immediate chaos most associated with zombie tales.

The Walking Dead Dead Planet Comic book cover

In this original premise, the narrative begins with a government discovery in outer space—a peculiar mineral capable of transforming individuals into zombies. Unfortunately, their intentions to weaponize this discovery backfire, resulting in widespread infection and societal collapse. The comic intended to illustrate the downfall of this utopia through multiple time-aligned story arcs, each featuring diverse characters while retaining self-contained narratives.

A Shift Towards Science Fiction: The Walking Dead’s Alternate Vision

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Comic book art: Abraham shooting zombies in The Walking Dead comic series.

However, in a typical twist for zombie narratives, the government’s plan spiraled out of control, leading to a widespread transformation among citzens into aggressive zombies. This created the backdrop for documenting the demise of a once-thriving world. Notably, Kirkman’s concept revolved around the idea of each narrative arc being self-contained, enabling readers to dive into any era and still grasp a complete storyline.

This approach starkly contrasts with the familiar premise of The Walking Dead, which quickly opens with a swift and brutal apocalypse annihilating much of humanity. The unique twist here lies in the fact that the infection is universal; anyone who dies—regardless of the cause—will reanimate as a walker if their brain remains intact. This clever mechanism illustrates the rapid descent into chaos, compelling readers to engage with the unfolding horror.

Post-apocalypse, the tale centers around a group of survivors led by Rick Grimes, navigating the treacherous landscape filled with both walkers and hostile humans. Their journey spans various American locations, introducing an array of characters, while reflecting on the often brutal fates encountered along the way. This aspect of unpredictable and shocking character deaths became a hallmark of the series, adding to its gripping narrative.

The Allure of Kirkman’s Original Concept for The Walking Dead

A Glimmer of Hope for Future Exploration

Comic book cover: Negan looming over Glenn, as the survivors kneel at his mercy

Regrettably, despite the intriguing nature of Kirkman’s initial concept, Image Comics opted not to pursue it, forcing him to rethink and redefine his approach. While the version of The Walking Dead familiar to fans successfully encapsulated the essence of his vision, elements of the original concept deserve recognition for their potential. Kirkman’s notion that media could explore the gradual deterioration of society post-apocalypse, rather than depicting instantaneous devastation, offers a refreshing perspective, which is often overlooked.

The predominant focus on immediate rapture typically sidelines the exploration of long-term consequences, a unique angle that Kirkman sought to delve into. While The Walking Dead remains an iconic and compelling series, its deviation from the original idea suggests an intriguing alternate reality that could have changed the landscape of the zombie genre significantly.

Throughout his body of work, Kirkman has frequently interwoven themes of science fiction with traditional horror elements. This thematic blending was hinted at with the cliffhanger ending of The Walking Dead #75, introducing a resurrected Governor with cybernetic enhancements, implying a larger narrative involving alien invaders seeking to exploit the inherent chaos to their advantage.

“Rick Grimes 2000”: A Whimsical Sci-Fi Spin-off

By Kirkman, Ottley, Rathburn, McCaig, and Wooton

Comic book cover: Rick Grimes covered in blood in a superhero suit, holding a light saber, surrounded by zombies.

Included as a bonus ending in issue #75, the narrative evolved into a spin-off titled Rick Grimes 2000, which embraced a surreal blend of sci-fi elements. This story allows Rick to wield a laser sword against a cyborg Governor, merging absurdity with audacious creativity. While this project may not reflect the original storyline’s depth, it illustrates a quirky intersection of zombie horror and futuristic elements.

Ultimately, despite its deviation from Kirkman’s vision, The Walking Dead remains a seminal work in the comic book medium, influencing a multitude of adaptations including several successful television series and video games. Its legacy is undeniable, but one can’t help but ponder how the zombie genre might have evolved under the influence of Kirkman’s original concept. Such speculation raises questions about the future merging of zombies and science fiction in contemporary narratives.

Reimagining the Genre: The Potential of The Walking Dead

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Comic book art: Walking Dead's Shane punches Rick Grimes

Given Kirkman’s diverse body of work, his initial inclination towards exploring themes of alien encounters and utopian societies in The Walking Dead isn’t entirely unexpected. Another notable creation of his, Invincible, showcases a vibrant roster of extraterrestrial characters, underscoring Kirkman’s lasting affinity for blending realms of sci-fi and superhero narratives. The bizarre milieu of Rick Grimes 2000 offered Kirkman an outlet to delve into imaginative science fiction possibilities within the context of a zombie apocalypse.

Creativity often demands refinement, a process that rarely allows the very first notion to take center stage as evident in titles like Invincible. Although Kirkman’s narrative for The Walking Dead is iconic, it is evident that a lingering potential for exploring intricate storylines was never fully realized. As it stands, while The Walking Dead is celebrated for its contributions to the zombie genre, it may have been even more innovative had Kirkman been able to breathe life into his original vision.

The inaugural issue of The Walking Dead is currently available from Image Comics!

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