Summary
- Robert Kirkman playfully criticized AMC for changing Andrea's iconic quote, " we're the ones that live, " to be more grammatically accurate, when it was used for the title of The Walking Dead spin-off series The Ones Who Live .
- The Walking Dead Deluxe rerelease of the zombie comic series routinely offers insight into Kirkman's creative process and the evolution of the series – on the page as well as on screen.
- Fans can expect to learn more about the differences between The Walking Dead comic and TV show – and how Robert Kirkman feels about them – in upcoming issues of The Walking Dead Deluxe .
Warning! Spoilers for The Walking Dead comic series ahead.Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead, teased that there was one unforgivable sin television channel AMC had committed against his work: changing Andrea's iconic line "we're the ones that live," to a more grammatically proper form when it became the title of the spin-off series The Ones Who Live.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #94 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – is a full-color reprint of the original issue, first released in 2012. Like every issue of the Deluxe rerelease of the series, annotations from Kirkman on the writing of the series are included alongside the original letters' page, offering a wealth of insight into the book's evolution and the author's creative process.
In this case, Kirkman took a tongue-in-cheek swipe at the grammatical change to the title of The Ones Who Live, jokingly calling it "a decision [he] cannot abide."
Robert Kirkman On The "Shame" Of Having AMC's Walking Dead Spin-Off Correct His Grammar
The Walking Dead Deluxe #94 – Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Charlie Adlard; Color By Dave McCaig; Lettering By Rus Wooten
Kirkman's comment comes in jest, seemingly playing off his magnanimity in dealing with the many changes between his book and The Walking Dead's TV iterations.
The Walking Dead #94 contains Andrea's iconic declaration that: "we're 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 was developed focusing on Rick and his on-screen love interest Michonne, the quote offered the perfect title for the show – or, rather, almost perfect. In his notes for the Deluxe edition of the issue, Kirkman noted:
As Andrea's storyline got adapted to Michonne in the TV series, that line was also inspiration for the spin-off show The Ones Who Live. They went with the more grammatically correct choice. A decision I cannot abide. Shame on them.
Grammar dispute aside, it is interesting to note how Kirkman views the parallels between the Rick-Michonne and Rick-Andrea pairings.
Of course, Kirkman's comment comes in jest, seemingly playing off his magnanimity in dealing with the many changes between his book and The Walking Dead's TV iterations. As The Walking Dead Deluxe continues – and the author has the opportunity to revisit the Rick-Andrea relationship as it develops – what will be most exciting for readers following along will be to learn more about how the comic book version of Rick's love life informed the subsequent TV version, even if the character and circumstances were ultimately remixed.
The Walking Dead Deluxe Explores The Evolution Of The Franchise In Multiple Mediums
The "Adaptation Era" Enters Full Swing
The second half of [ The Walking Dead Deluxe ] reprint will increasingly also offer a window into the behind-the-scenes of the TV series' transformation from a niche horror show to a massive pop culture force.
At the time of The Walking Dead #94's original publication, AMC's The Walking Dead adaptation was still early in its run, to the point where it was very much still finding its footing. In retrospect, fans recognize the show as an eleven-season juggernaut, and a cultural phenomenon – spawning multiple spin-offs, including The Ones Who Live – but in 2012, its future was still far from determined. What is certain is that the show and comic co-existed for the remainder of the comic's run, through the peak of the show's success.
All of that is to say, The Walking Dead Deluxe is sure to contain some fascinating insights into Kirkman's work on, and thoughts about, the TV series. So far, the Deluxe reprint has been a gold mine for readers who want to know about the comic's evolution; the second half of the reprint will increasingly also offer a window into the behind-the-scenes of the TV series' transformation from a niche horror show to a massive pop culture force. In other words, for fans of The Walking Dead franchise – in whatever medium – the Deluxe reissue is essential reading.
