The Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman Talks About Rick’s Post-Prison Role and Kids Mutilating Animals…In the Comics

What was Robert Kirkman thinking when the events currently taking place on AMC’s The Walking Dead […]

September 6, 2017, 7:05pm

What was Robert Kirkman thinking when the events currently taking place on AMC’s The Walking Dead were originally happening in the comics?Well, since the fall of the prison, almost all of the events of the TV series (excepting this week’s) have used material from The Walking Dead #49-#60. That suggests that at any time we could start drifting into “Beware the Hunters” territory–and the fallout from Billy and Ben’s strange relationship and the animal torture first revealed in #60.In that issue, while Rick, Carl and Abraham tried to avoid bringing a horde of zombies back to camp with them, the rest of the group seemed to be descending into varying degrees of urgent psychiatric need. With Dale finally ready to settle down and make a home, Maggie avoiding all discussion of her suicide attempt and the kids-well, they’re kids raised in the world of the zombie apocalypse…they’re bound to be a little off.Obviously, a lot of that doesn’t sync up with what’s going on in the TV series, but while scouring my e-mail, I found my first-ever interview with The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman…which just happened to cover The Walking Dead #60, and lead into “Beware the Hunters.” So…what was on his mind back when he first told these stories?Read on…and chime in the comments to say whether you think some of the plot threads will be picked up in TV form. Will Ben and Billy really be what comes of Mika and Lizzie? Who might take Dale’s place as the one who loses faith in Rick and wanders off into danger as a result? And will we see Morgan again soon?Flash back with me to 2009…

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The Walking Dead Robert Kirkman: Rick seems to be stepping back into his role as “leader” here, whether he wants to or not–he took charge of the strategic maneuvers, even if they didn’t succeed, to try and keep the zed-heads away from the camp. Kirkman: There’s something a little eerie about how easily Carl takes to all of this–is his mental health a long-term story? I thought for a while it was going to be something that developed quickly. Kirkman: Speaking of mental health–even if she isn’t a threat to herself anymore, does Maggie’s new outlook put her in a position to be a threat to others? Loss of faith is a powerful thing…! Kirkman:

Kirkman: Speaking of the timeline–how long has this family been dead? They seem very well-maintained given how much damage was done to the heads of the parents and such. With no security measures to speak of, can we figure that this community had been relatively safe from infestation? Kirkman: Are the twins torturing/killing that barn cat, or just playing with a corpse? I ask to clarify, as it seems like the two are both disturbing, but one FAR more than the other. Kirkman: What is it about Morgan that Dale finds “crazy?” After only about three seconds with the guy, to come to that conclusion makes me wonder if–even in this brave new, zombie-filled world–maybe race plays a part. Kirkman: …And did Dale just plain snap? It seems like he’s done a quick 180, and while he’s not the first one to do so in this series–he’s had a long history of being very close to Rick and the gang. His change of heart seems like a huge shot to the crew’s morale might be coming. Kirkman: