Have there been any instances on the Walking Dead show when you’ve had to jump in and stop the writers from getting too far away from the comics?
Robert Kirkman: I think that one of my main jobs on the Walking Dead show is to protect the show for the fans. I think that the fans of the comic book series have made the show possible. I think that the comic wouldn’t have become as popular as it’s become and would never have been made into a show if it wasn’t for them, and I think that I have to honor their devotion to the Walking Dead, which is a great thing that, you know, benefits me well and keeps my children fed.
So yeah, if they were suggesting anything that I thought was going to hurt the integrity of the Walking Dead, or something that would definitely piss off fans, I would step in. Luckily, I haven’t had to do that yet.
I think that everyone in the writers’ room, all of the producers – they’re doing the Walking Dead because they love it. You’ve got Scott Gimple and Angela Kang, who were reading the comic before the show ever started, and now they’re working on the show. You’ve got guys like Evan Reilly, who doesn’t give a shit about the comic (laughs). Still a cool guy, he loves it, I’m kidding. These guys read the comics more than I do, I’ll be honest with you, I write the comic and I go back and I read it and make sure I’ve got it straight, but these guys are reading it day in and day out, they go through and they read every month. Everyone loves and is devoted to the comic.
So they’re the continuity cops?
Kirkman: Exactly, to a certain extent I try to remember everything that happens but every now and then I forget something and we get into a big argument and I’m like, “That never happened!” and Scott Gimple is like, “What are you talking about?!” But yeah, if they ever were like, “What if there was a zombie that has super strength?” or, “What if Dale became a murdering psycho and started hacking people’s heads off?” Those are the kinds of things that would bump against what the comic has done, and I would definitely step in. Luckily I think that I have a relationship with all of those people. If I did ever have to do that, I think they would understand and they would listen to me. The show is in good hands.
Source: Full interview @ We Love Cult
The Walking Dead - Interview with Robert Kirkman
Mar 4, 2012
The Walking Dead
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Great interview!
ReplyDeleteFunny picture with Kirkman surrounded by zombies.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe him. They're never going to show on tv Carl killing someone. Or Rick actually shooting upclosea little girl. Much less, child rape or a baby blowing up in pieces. That's why the show will never as good as the comics.
ReplyDeletegood interview and i agree the comic is good but they can't show some of that stuff on TV im sure a zombie baby would be really scary to but they can't sadly
ReplyDeleteIf you're definition of "good" is based on explicit child rape and babies blowing up, then I have to say, you're pretty sick.
ReplyDeletethey are unfiltered. thats what he is saying... out of context he does kind of sound like a psychopath.
ReplyDeleteHeres an example: in the comics when they go to the prison this guy hacks the heads off of hershels twin girls.. its disgusting, sick and evil. but its a strong image. it is definitely one that stuck with me because a person did it... and the illustration was so good. They cant show that on tv.
I also hope they show the scene where Micchone tortures the Governor... that is epic justice.
Fair point.
ReplyDelete