The Walking Dead comic and TV series often face criticism from viewers and critics for being excessively dark. However, the series’ creator, Robert Kirkman, has officially defended this approach, arguing that the real world is far more gruesome than anything depicted in his hit series—and, honestly, he’s not wrong.

…Kirkman chose to portray the world’s innate darkness, as this authenticity is key to ‘The Walking Dead’ becoming the beloved series it is today.

The year 2025 has introduced deluxe editions of several The Walking Dead comics, including a revamped version of issue #105. This edition features remastered visuals and vibrant recoloring by colorist Dave McCaig, along with writer commentary from Robert Kirkman himself.

In this commentary, the creator of the iconic comic series—which later became an even more renowned TV show—shares personal insights about the series and its content. One notable takeaway is Kirkman’s belief that the fictional horrors depicted in The Walking Dead are consistently outmatched by the real-life horrors of the world.

Robert Kirkman Makes a Solid Point: The Real World Is Far More Horrifying Than TWD

Main Cover by David Finch & Dave McCaig for The Walking Dead Deluxe #105 (2025)

In the writer commentary featured in The Walking Dead Deluxe #105, Robert Kirkman addresses two of the series’ most controversial elements: Negan’s harem and The Whisperers. While acknowledging that The Walking Dead is rife with harsh and sickening situations, scenes, and themes, Kirkman emphasizes his effort to ensure these moments reflect the realities of the world. He elaborates, saying, “I’d always argue no matter how dark things got in the series, you could always pick up a newspaper and read far more gruesome things happening in real life. The world is a dark place, and I didn’t want to shy away from portraying that for fear of offending anyone.”

It’s both horrifying and disheartening to realize the validity of Kirkman’s statement. No matter how brutal or grotesque the horrors depicted in The Walking Dead may be, there is always something in the real world that matches or even exceeds it. One might assume that a work of zombie apocalypse fiction would be so dramatized and fictionalized that it would bear no reflection on the real world. Yet, Kirkman’s commentary reveals that The Walking Dead is not far removed from the truth. It serves as a chilling replication of human nature and the atrocities humans commit—an observation that is unsettling in its own right.

The Walking Dead’s Darkness Is the Reason Behind Its Popularity

Cover C Connecting Variant by Nate Bellegarde for The Walking Dead Deluxe #106 (2025)

One of the golden rules of fiction writing is to create something readers can relate to, even with an outlandish premise like a zombie apocalypse. Kirkman’s comments on how the horrors in The Walking Dead reflect real life explain why readers connect with this fictional world despite having no experience with a zombie apocalypse. The connection stems not from the zombies or the post-apocalyptic setting but from the characters and the truths about human nature they reveal. It’s commendable that Kirkman chose to portray the world’s innate darkness, as this authenticity is key to The Walking Dead becoming the beloved series it is today.