The Walking Dead Creator's Regrets
Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead comic series, admits he's a little embarrassed by the amount of expository dialogue in the series. In a retrospective look at the comic he expresses regret over relying on tedious dialogue scenes and wishes he had found a more visual and creative way to convey information.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #93
The The Walking Dead Deluxe #93 is a rererelease of the original comic book issue. It features annotated pages by Kirkman where he provides commentary and insight into his creative process, and is a good way to see the artistic collaborative work involved in creating a comic series. This includes highlighting moments where he felt unhappy with certain aspects of the writing.
The Walking Dead Criticism
Kirkman himself expresses discontent with how the dialogue in some instances takes over the flow of the story, leading to "tedious" pages of characters delivering exposition, interrupting the visual flow. He acknowledges that this choice impacted the overall experience. The emphasis he puts on this critique highlights his growth as an artist, showcasing how he has developed as a storyteller and artist over time.
The Walking Dead - Storytelling Approach
Despite Kirkman's regret over excessive exposition, this approach is a feature of the series that has defined it, particularly early on. It allows the creator to deliver exposition efficiently while building a world, introducing key elements of the story and characters. It also highlights the importance of pacing as each issue needs to stand on its own.
The Walking Dead - Creative Value
While Kirkman’s criticism of his work might make some fans cringe, it serves a vital function. It showcases the dedication to creative value by an artist who is willing to examine and acknowledge his mistakes. The process highlights how artists can grow and develop over time. Kirkman’s reflection on the The Walking Dead series is a lesson for aspiring comic book writers to carefully evaluate their approach.
The Walking Dead Universe
The The Walking Dead series has had a massive impact on popular culture, spawning a huge and passionate fandom. This includes multiple television adaptations and spinoff series on AMC such as “Fear The Walking Dead”, "World Beyond”, “Tales of The Walking Dead”. While the original comic series served as the source material, it’s worth recognizing the artistic journey the creator has gone on, acknowledging both its success and where improvements can be made.
