Robert Kirkman, creator ofThe Walking Dead, has riled up die-hard fans of the franchise by teasing that the currentDeluxefull-color reissue of the series “could just keep going” after it reaches the final issue of the comic. TheDeluxeeditions' reflections from Kirkman have been perhaps their greatest aspect, and his tease of a possible continuation raises expectations considerably.
InThe Walking Dead Deluxe#100, Robert Kirkman reflects on the state ofDeluxeonce every issue is recolored. Rather than just end the Deluxe run once the final issue is released, theWalking Deadcreator suggests continuingwith a sequel. In Robert Kirkman’s own words,“…it’s possible we just keep going withWalking Dead Deluxe #194….”
Whether he actually follows through with that teaser remains to be seen, but the bigger question at hand is whether he should continue as such, a question fans are honestly divided on.
The originalWalking Deadcomics ended with issue #193 and, by that point, numerous long-runningcharacters had their stories concluded. Sophia and Carl get married and have a child, Michonne becomes a judge in the Commonwealth, and Maggie Greene becomes the President of the Hilltop. Even thefinal three words ofThe Walking Deadare perfect. The characters, society, and most importantly, nature were healing,in an incredibly hopeful ending to a bleak universe. All of that perfection would be undone with a continuation.
An ending likeThe Walking Deadcarries an underlying message that no matter how bleak things look, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. Undoing that message suggests that only bleakness ever lies ahead.
The nature of storytelling always calls for conflict, and so any future storyline that expands uponThe Walking Deadin sequel form is bound to create a new conflict. A sequel series, or a sequel issue, are not likely to showcase the characters still living optimistic, happy lives. There’s going to be something that will disrupt it. An ending likeThe Walking Deadcarries an underlying message that no matter how bleak things look, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. Undoing that message suggests that only bleakness ever lies ahead.
The Arguement For A Sequel Series
Alternatively,expandingThe Walking Deadonce morewould certainly satisfy any fans wanting more, and fit right in with a pop culture that continues to be enamored with the live-action franchise. At the same time, itgives creator Robert Kirkman another opportunityto bring the story closer to his originally intended ending, which was for the zombies to take over the world. Some, Kirkman himself included, would call such an ending “bleak, sad, and terrible,” butthat’s exactly how theWalking Deadcreator intended the franchise to be, and a sequel could bring things closer to his original vision.
