The Walking Dead

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » August 12, 2009, 8:53 pm

Frank Darabont circles zombies
AMC attacks comic series adaptation

AMC is venturing into zombie-drama territory with multi-hyphenate Frank Darabont.

Cabler is close to finalizing one of the richest development deals ever with Darabont to write and direct a series adaptation of the Image Comics graphic novel series "The Walking Dead," penned by Robert Kirkman. Gale Anne Hurd of Valhalla Pictures and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion are also on board to exec produce.

Project is set among a group of zombie survivors of an apocalypse who are led by a police officer, Rick Grimes, in search of a safe place to live. Numerous editions of the "Walking Dead" graphic novels have been published since 2003.

Joel Stillerman, AMC's senior veep of programming, production and original content, said the project appealed to the cabler because of "the quality of the storytelling" in Kirkman's work. The series will stay faithful to the tone of the original novels, he said.

"This is not about zombies popping out of closets," Stillerman said. "This is a story about survival, and the dynamics of what happens when a group is forced to survive under these circumstances. The world (in 'Walking Dead') is portrayed in a smart, sophisticated way."

Stillerman noted that the cabler's annual "Fear Fest" movie showcase around Halloween is one of AMC's most popular programming events of the year.

"We've got an audience that loves this kind of material," he said.

Darabont and Hurd pitched the project to AMC and several other outlets. There is no studio attached yet. The duo's involvement made the project a must-have for the cabler, Stillerman said.

"These are two world-class filmmakers who are also brilliant storytellers with experience in the fantasy genre," he said.

OMFG.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » August 13, 2009, 12:57 am

Awesome. AMC makes some of the best shows on TV these days and Walking Dead is one of the best comics around. Can't wait.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 13, 2009, 7:24 pm

I like Darabont's work, and he is a Stephen King fan! Not familiar with the comic, but it is about zombies, so it's got that going for it....which is nice.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » August 14, 2009, 10:54 am

They said its smart...but if at least one zombie doesn't say "brains" in the first episode, I will declare the show has no credibility!

Zygar_ Cthulhukin · Post by **Zygar_ Cthulhukin** » June 3, 2010, 3:29 pm

Can't wait!

http://www.rabiddoll.com/node/1238

masteen · Post by **masteen** » June 3, 2010, 10:46 pm

No shit? On AMC no less. Count me excited, hope they move the plot along faster than the books, keep it grim, but not let it get over the top and/or campy.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » June 3, 2010, 11:09 pm

http://www.veeshanvault.org/forums/view ... lking+dead

Thread merge, stat!

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » June 4, 2010, 6:59 pm

All of the zombie test shots are great.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » August 24, 2010, 6:47 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1v0uFms ... ata_player

4:36 long trailer! Premieres this Halloween!

Even Aslanna has got to dig the trailer!

Noysyrump · Post by **Noysyrump** » August 24, 2010, 9:36 pm

Hot damn, thats one of the few web comics I actually read here!
http://www.veeshanvault.org/forums/view ... lking+dead
Cant wait.

On a side not... why does nobody armor up in zombie movies... First thing I'd do is find some LARPers house and stealz thier sheet.

No zombies can bite him!

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » August 24, 2010, 10:44 pm

I... I need to go change my pants.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » August 25, 2010, 9:44 am

This just made me fully erect. Why are the major networks passing up on extremely good shows that all seem to end up on fringe cable channels? Just off the top of my head, they have screwed the pooch on this, Sons of Anarchy, and Southland all in the last couple years. Southland is the one that really gets me as every network let it slide off and then ALL of them made cop shows that were horrible.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » August 25, 2010, 10:37 am

I know Southland got bumped from NBC, but I am fairly certain that Sons of Anarchy started with FX.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 25, 2010, 1:09 pm

I really enjoyed the trailer. Good shit!

Soreali · Post by **Soreali** » August 25, 2010, 6:09 pm

That looks epic.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 12, 2010, 6:20 pm

Just created an alert to remind myself to set up the series to DVR.

Series Premier 10/31 10PM! Can't wait!

Noysyrump · Post by **Noysyrump** » October 12, 2010, 11:42 pm

DVR? Caveman.

On demand works better.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 13, 2010, 10:11 am

DVR lasts longer in many cases.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 13, 2010, 1:04 pm

That, and not all shows are available on demand.

Of course, downloading always is an option.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » October 24, 2010, 10:15 am

One more week....so bitter I got up today thinking it started tonight...

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 29, 2010, 5:11 pm

Sunday Sunday Sunday!

DVR is set. Yay!

Yay!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 29, 2010, 9:42 pm

Here's a preview from Wizard Magazine.

Large images, linking instead of embedding:

Walking Dead Preview 1

Walking Dead Preview 2

Walking Dead Preview 3

Looks great!

Post by **Xouqoa** » November 1, 2010, 1:25 am

Cool show, watched it tonight. Too bad AT&T doesn't offer AMC in HD yet. Maybe they will soon.

Sartori · Post by **Sartori** » November 1, 2010, 3:50 am

Brilliant, thought they did a great job

masteen · Post by **masteen** » November 1, 2010, 12:12 pm

Best zombie apocalypse zombie visuals evar! They really captured the mindless hunger that drives them, but also the emptiness. So true to the spirit of the books.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 1, 2010, 1:09 pm

Looked solid. Never read the books, but it is doing a good job of setting up characters, etc. Plus the FX, sound and zombies are top-notch.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » November 1, 2010, 11:31 pm

I'm a huge fan of the comics and based on the premiere I'm already a huge fan of the show. Fucking awesome.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 2, 2010, 1:58 am

Rewatched tonight with my girlfriend. MUCH better when the doorbell isn't ringing every 5 minutes with trick-r-treaters! Brilliant!

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » November 2, 2010, 10:03 am

I really liked it as well. Did a good job of "wtf" reveals for the viewer. You can tell its a TV show budget for sure though....that's the only downside.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » November 2, 2010, 10:53 am

The Walking Dead premiered on Sunday night to the best ratings in AMC's history - 5.3 million viewers and a 3.3 in the valued 18-to-49 demographic - the biggest debut of any cable series this year.

It deserves it. I would even venture to guess that due to word of mouth that may increase next week. The walking Dead is to the zombie genre as Band of Brothers was to war genre.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 2, 2010, 11:21 am

My only complaint is that they seemed to give away quite a bit during their contest commercials and coming-soon-this-season. Maybe that was more for the existing fans of the books.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 2, 2010, 11:59 am

I thought overall the first episode was good.

Pacing is a little slow but so are zombies so that's not bad. It's loyal to the comic so far. I don't care for the choice of actor for the lead's cop buddy but that's about it.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » November 3, 2010, 9:16 am

Never really understood the infatuation with zombies, and never really been a fan of zombie stuff, but being as people seem to be liking this I'll download it after a few episodes are out

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » November 3, 2010, 9:48 am

Its available on Comcast On Demand...free stuff of course...probably the same for all on demand services for the most part.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » November 3, 2010, 3:01 pm

I missed it on Sunday night but have it on my dvr. I was going to watch it at work on Monday but couldn't find it on the usual suspects like AMC or Hulu. So I watched it Monday night. Now after watching it makes me sort of sad that I read the comic. I feel like I know exactly what is going to happen going forward. I hope they mix it up a bit so there are some surprises.

I'll tell you this though, we have been having many more conversations about zombies or conversations about work that end up being about zombie lately.

Soreali · Post by **Soreali** » November 3, 2010, 4:24 pm

I loved it.. thought they did a great job of opening the series up and explaining how the main character got to where he was. Definitely hooked on this show!

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » November 8, 2010, 9:28 pm

http://www.badassdigest.com/2010/11/08/ ... on-walking

While all your favorite network shows languish on the bubble, always inches from cancellation, cable TV seems to have it all figured out. We’ve seen favorite shows like Boardwalk Empire and Eastbound and Down get renewed on the quick, and now AMC is following suit with the huge smash hit The Walking Dead - after just two episodes they’ve committed to a second season of the zombie drama.

It seems like cable is doing it right. Instead of long, meandering 20+ episode seasons they stay tight. They program shows that have end dates, which is something that really drives the purchase of box sets (a 6 season box set (at 12 eps per season) is so much more reasonable than a 20 season set (at 22 eps per)). And they invest in quality. Of course AMC and HBO have fewer hours a week to fill with original programming, but they make those hours count.

So far The Walking Dead has been stellar, and a huge improvement on the comic. I just want to know how long this show goes – especially since the walking dead would quite quickly become the mostly immobile moldering dead.

Look for Badass Digest’s review of The Walking Dead episode 2, Guts, very soon. And Henri and I will be adding a third voice to the mix!

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » November 9, 2010, 2:46 pm

I'm loving the show so far. They hit the puck for a field goal right out of the park.

Bagar- · Post by **Bagar-** » November 10, 2010, 9:45 pm

Love it.

Neroon · Post by **Neroon** » November 11, 2010, 11:49 am

I love the end of the last ep when the kid is racing down the empty highway in the Challenger. I would so be doing that shit!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 15, 2010, 1:25 pm

Wow. Just wow. This keeps getting better! Should have waited and watched after season over though. I hate waiting!

However, it was nice to soothe my saddened culinary soul when Chef Tsai was booted from Next Iron Chef and that douche Canora won.

Soreali · Post by **Soreali** » November 16, 2010, 5:53 am

Canelek wrote:Wow. Just wow. This keeps getting better! Should have waited and watched after season over though. I hate waiting!

However, it was nice to soothe my saddened culinary soul when Chef Tsai was booted from Next Iron Chef and that douche Canora won.

Thanks for blowing it, asshole!!

J/K, dont even watch it..

But the last episode was freakin great! I dont remember the last time I watched a TV show and was pissed that it ended with me hanging on! Waiting sucks! Also glad to see Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints) in the show.. About time he got some more work!

Kwonryu DragonFist · November 18, 2010, 5:49 pm

Episode 03 so far!

Looking good and not disappointing at all! (I read and enjoyed the comics)

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 18, 2010, 8:32 pm

Yay on awesome series!

Bummer on only 6 episodes

Yay on second season!

Bummer on waiting until next fall

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » November 19, 2010, 12:54 am

As an old tanker, everything about the tank scene bridging e01 & e02 pissed me off. Otherwise, this show has kicked much ass so far.

Soreali · Post by **Soreali** » November 20, 2010, 12:46 am

six fucking episodes?! weak! and waiting another year for the second season blows just as much!

Bagar- · Post by **Bagar-** » November 20, 2010, 4:02 am

Xatrei wrote:As an old tanker, everything about the tank scene bridging e01 & e02 pissed me off. Otherwise, this show has kicked much ass so far.

I'm genuinely curious as to why?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » November 20, 2010, 11:13 pm

Soreali wrote:six fucking episodes?! weak! and waiting another year for the second season blows just as much!

Yeah it blows, but it is worth the wait! A truly fantastic show!

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » November 23, 2010, 1:21 pm

Bagar- wrote:I'm genuinely curious as to why?

I had a longer, more detailed response that I lost when I accidentally ejected the battery on my notebook. I'm too lazy to try to recreate all of it, but I'll try to touch on a few things quickly. First of all, understand that as a former tanker in the US Army, these things stand out to me far more than they would to people without that background (although I suspect they'd draw the attention of anyone with a background in armor). I understand that, so it's really no big deal.

They used an old British Chieftain with a few cosmetic tweaks as a prop to represent an American Abrams tank. That's fine, but it immediately drew my attention to the tank and away from what was going on in the scene. That had the result of causing me to start nitpicking all kinds of little things. The most glaring and annoying things were:

Single most annoying thing about it is that belly hatches don't exist for a number of reasons.
Members of the 82nd Airborne (the division patch on zombie GI's left shoulder) aren't armor crewmen.
Tank interiors don't have that kind of space in them (at least when they're deployable and not stripped of everything).
The radio setup wouldn't work like that, and refugees with scavenged civilian radios aren't going to be able to taunt anyone inside like that.

Similarly, as someone that's owned 3 Glocks over the years, the roadblock scene at the beginning of the episode in which future zombie deputy was admonished to "make sure there's a round in the chamber, and the safety is off" annoyed me. Again, it's a minor nit-picky thing, but technical flaws like that just irk me. There are several issues with firearms during the show that I've noticed. A better consultant would have cleaned up some of that.

Nit-picky things aside, I'm really into this show. My only legitimate complaint is that it's only 6 episodes this first season. Sunday night's episode (e04) was my least favorite so far, but still not bad overall. It's interesting how they're merging new story lines with elements from the comic series into the new show.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » November 23, 2010, 2:25 pm

Yeah, I noticed a few of those things too. Particularly the amount of space in the tank, you could have had a fucking dance party in there