The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman has teased the possible continuation of the popular post-apocalyptic comic book series past its previous conclusion in an issue of the Deluxe colorized reprint, which is an exciting prospect for fans to daydream over. The Walking Dead was first released in 2003 under Image Comics and ran for 193 issues before ending in 2019. The series published a handful of specials later on, and now colorist Dave McCaig is giving the once black-and-white story a whole-new look in the Deluxe run that began in 2020.
Despite being over 20 years since the comic book debuted (and over a decade since the TV show’s release), the fandom’s interest in the zombie franchise shows no signs of burning out. The community still discusses character arcs, significant plot points, and popular theories in 2025, including The Walking Dead fans’ current discovery of a possible connection between Lizzie and the Whisperers. Now, there’s a chance that a new arc could be released sometime in the future.
The Walking Dead Creator Robert Kirkman Teases the Series’ Continuation
In The Walking Dead Deluxe #100, Kirkman responded to a fan’s letter within the “Letter Hacks” section, which asked if the creator’s spin-off The Alien would ever continue. Kirkman stated there possibly won’t be any new TWD comic material after Clementine Book 3 release, and doubted The Alien would ever return. However, he dropped something exciting for fans afterward. “I mean, it’s possible we just keep going with The Walking Dead Deluxe #194 and beyond! Who knows what the future may hold,” Kirkman teased. The creator’s transparency in the back pages of the reprint has been incredibly informative so far, even revealing a pivotal Rick moment that caused difficulties during The Walking Dead’s development, and the thought of the original story continuing is thrilling.
Even though the comic run and its live-action adaptation have presented some harrowing, nail-biting, and gut-punching moments, Kirkman believes The Walking Dead is quite tame in comparison to another R-rated comic. Garth Ennis’ Crossed comic book, published by Avatar Press, follows a group of survivors navigating a deadly pandemic where the virus leaves a cross-like rash on infected’s faces, and Kirkman noted the series’ unbridled violence earns its reputation and rating. Should TWD Deluxe continue past issue #193, the creator will understandably be seeking ways to up the ante regarding zombie hordes, villains, and the horrors that manifest when humans face the threat of extinction, perhaps taking a leaf from Crossed’s book.
TWD’s parent TV show may have ended in 2022, but several spin-offs have aired to give fans their fix. Rick and Michonne led The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which supplied the long-awaited moment when the former sheriff loses his hand, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon followed the popular crossbow-wielding survivor combating the outbreak in Paris, and The Walking Dead: Dead City saw tensions rise when Maggie and Negan navigate Manhattan together. The Walking Dead actor Austin Amelio has even teased Dwight’s return in a possible spin-off, and the creators that expanded the adaptation thus far, including Frank Darabont, Scott M. Gimple, and Angela Kang, will surely sink their teeth into more content should Kirkman continue the Deluxe comic run in the future.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #107 will hit shelves on February 19, 2025, and The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 is expected to release in Spring 2025.
