The Walking Dead creator admits his biggest criticism of spin-off title ‘The Ones Who Live’

Summary

• Robert Kirkman jokingly criticized AMC for changing Andrea’s iconic quote, ”
  we are the ones who live,
  “to be more grammatically correct, when it was used for the title of
  The Walking Dead
  spin-off series
  Those who live
  .
• The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode
  The re-release of the zombie comic series offers regular insights into Kirkman’s creative process and the evolution of the series, both on paper and on screen.
• Fans can expect to learn more about the differences between
  The Walking Dead
  comic book and TV show – and what Robert Kirkman thinks about it – in the next issues of
  The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode
  .

Warning! Spoilers for The Walking Dead upcoming comic book series.Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking DeadHe joked that there was an unforgivable sin that the television channel AMC had committed against his work: changing Andrea’s iconic line “we are the ones who live,” to a more grammatically correct form when it became the title of the spin-off series Those who live.

The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode #94 – written by Robert Kirkman, with illustrations by Charlie Adlard – is a full-color reprint of the original issue, first published in 2012. Like every issue of the Deluxe In the reissue of the series, Kirkman’s notes on the writing of the series are included alongside the original letters, providing a wealth of insight into the evolution of the book and the author’s creative process.

In this case, Kirkman jokingly poked fun at the grammatical change in the title of Those who livejokingly calling him “a decision [he] can’t stand it.”

Robert Kirkman on the ‘shame’ of having to correct grammar in AMC’s Walking Dead spin-off

The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode #94 – Written by Robert Kirkman; Art by Charlie Adlard; Colors by Dave McCaig; Lettering by Rus Wooten

Kirkman’s comment comes as a joke, seemingly playing on his magnanimity in dealing with the numerous changes between his book and
The Walking Dead
Television versions.

The Walking Dead #94 contains Andrea’s iconic statement that: “we are the ones who live.” According to Robert Kirkman, this was the moment that truly kicked off what would become a long-running romance between Andrea and Rick Grimes. Consequently, when a TV series centered around Rick and his on-screen love interest Michonne was developed, The quote offered the perfect title for the show – or, rather, almost perfect. In his notes for the Deluxe edition of the issue, Kirkman observed:

Since Andrea’s storyline was adapted for Michonne in the TV series, that line was also the inspiration for the spin-off The Ones Who Live. They went with the grammatically correct choice. A decision I cannot accept. Shame on them.

Grammatical dispute aside, it’s interesting to note how Kirkman conceives the parallels between the Rick-Michonne and Rick-Andrea pairings.

Of course, Kirkman’s comment comes in jest, seemingly playing on his magnanimity in dealing with the numerous changes between his book and The Walking Dead Television iterations. How The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode continues — and the author has the opportunity to revisit the Rick-Andrea relationship as it develops — what will be most exciting for readers going forward will be finding out more about how the comic book version of Rick’s love life influenced the later TV version, even if the character and circumstances were ultimately reshuffled.

The Walking Dead Deluxe Explores the Franchise’s Evolution Across Multiple Media

The “Age of Adaptation” Comes Full Speed

The second half of [
The Walking Dead Deluxe
] The reissue will increasingly offer a behind-the-scenes look at the TV series’ transformation from niche horror show to pop culture force.

At the moment of The Walking Dead Originally published #94, AMC The Walking Dead the adaptation was still early in its run, to the point where it was still finding its footing. In hindsight, fans recognize the show as an eleven-season juggernaut and cultural phenomenon, which spawned multiple spin-offs, including Those who live – but in 2012 its future was still far from certain. What is certain is that the show and the comic coexisted for the rest of the series, until the height of the show’s success.

All this to say that, The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode will surely contain some fascinating insights into Kirkman’s work and his thoughts on the TV series. So far, the Deluxe The reprint has been a goldmine for readers who want to know the evolution of the comic; the second half of the reprint will also increasingly offer a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation of the TV series from a niche horror show to a massive pop culture force. In other words, for fans of The Walking Dead franchising – in any medium – the Deluxe The reprint is essential reading.

The Walking Dead – Deluxe Episode
#94
is now available from Image Comics.