Like It or Not, The Boys Wouldn't Have Been Possible Without The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead played a pivotal role in bringing The Boys and Preacher to the silver screen, opening the door for non-traditional comic adaptations to thrive on TV. However, there is also an argument that can be made about how Preacher paved the way for comics series such as The Walking Dead and The Boys, even if Garth Ennis believes that the Preacher comics had little influence on The Walking Dead.

Garth Ennis spoke with CBS News in 2016, when the first season of Preacher was released. Adapting the legendary Vertigo series created by Ennis and Steve Dillon, Preacher hit the small screen thanks to the screenwriting and producing duo of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

When asked about the influence that the original Preacher comics may have had on The Walking Dead, Ennis stated he saw The Walking Dead having far more influence on Preacher as a TV show. He went on to elaborate that The Walking Dead proved you could have a successful adaptation of a comic book on TV that has nothing to do with traditional superheroes. Hence, this logic can be applied to the success of the atypical The Boys.

“I think The Walking Dead's influence on Preacher as a TV show is far more important than any influence Preacher might've had on The Walking Dead, because it shows you can have an adaptation of a comic book on TV that has nothing to do with superheroes. It kicks down that particular door and I think that's very, very important. I don't see much influence Preacher the comic had on The Walking Dead the comic. I see a very well-produced zombie story, but I don't really see any Preacher in there.”

The Walking Dead Opened the Door for More Adult Comic Adaptations

Preacher & The Boys May Not Have Happened on TV Without Kirkman’s Zombie Show

Running from 1995 to 2000, Preacher became a huge success for the DC Comics imprint Vertigo. Preacher tells the story of a Texas minister who becomes imbued with the Word of God. He then joins up with his vampire buddy Cassidy and his contract killer ex-girlfriend Tulip to find the missing God. Long in development as both a movie and a TV show, Preacher finally made its way to the screen in the 2016 AMC series, which wound up running for four seasons.

Ennis’ claim that The Walking Dead adaptation opened the doors for comic book shows beyond the typical superhero genre certainly seems to be proven, thanks to Preacher. It’s also interesting to note that Ennis doesn’t believe Preacher had much influence on The Walking Dead comics. One could argue that Ennis and Dillon’s Preacher demonstrated a demand for dark, violent horror in monthly comics, which played a significant role in paving the way for a series like The Walking Dead to thrive in the American comics market. Much like Preacher, The Walking Dead quickly gained a following, bolstered by strong sales of its trade paperback collections.

he Boys Continues the Trend of Ultraviolent Comic Adaptations

The Ultraviolent Superhero Show Owes a Debt to The Walking Dead

After getting Preacher the green light, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg would later set their sights on another Garth Ennis comic, The Boys. Created by Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys was initially published by another DC Comics imprint, Wildstorm. The ultimate satire of superheroes, The Boys continued Ennis’ trend of profane humor and ultraviolence. The satire proved to be a little much for DC, who let Ennis and Robertson sell The Boys to indie publisher Dynamite Entertainment, where it proceeded to run for 72 issues.

Much like Preacher, The Boys also had a long road to the screen, but would finally see an adaptation appear on Amazon thanks to producers Rogen and Goldberg and show-runner Eric Kripke. It all seemed to work out for the best, as The Boys has gone on to become one of the biggest TV shows in the world, with two spin-off series produced to date. It’s pretty impressive for a book that Ennis originally claimed would top Preacher in terms of pushing the bounds of what’s acceptable in monthly comics.

The Boys, Preacher & The Walking Dead All Owe a Debt to Each Other

How Preacher Paved the Way for The Walking Dead and The Boys in Comics

Although all three series cover very different subject matter, it’s fascinating to compare Preacher, The Walking Dead, and The Boys. All three started as successful monthly comics that pushed the medium forward regarding mature themes and adult content, and all three made it to the small screen in equally successful TV adaptations. Comparing all three properties shows how nothing is created in a vacuum. Even though the influence may not be immediately apparent, it’s clear to see how the success of one series carries over into another.

Without the success of Preacher as a monthly series, the violence of a series like The Walking Dead may not have been possible. Subsequently, both Preacher and The Boys spent several years in development hell in Hollywood, but only got off the ground following the unprecedented success of The Walking Dead TV adaptation. Preacher helped to pave the way for The Walking Dead and The Boys in the comics industry, and the success of The Walking Dead TV show helped get Preacher and The Boys on the small-screen.