Our Show Is Tame!

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Summary

  • Walking Dead creator believes the show is tame compared to the extreme violence in the Crossed comic series.
  • Kirkman explains that the show’s brutal elements reflect real-life scenarios to maintain authenticity.
  • Fans seeking more extreme content can look forward to Crossed’s TV adaptation, known for its savage depiction of violence.

Many fans of “The Walking Dead” eagerly awaited the AMC series when it debuted in 2010, captivated by its grisly portrayal of zombies. However, its creator suggests that the post-apocalyptic show doesn’t hold a candle to the most hardcore R-rated zombie series ever made. Over the course of its eleven seasons, “The Walking Dead” tackled a wide range of topics. It delved into the human condition by depicting aspects like love, loss, loneliness, and selfishness, or imparted wisdom through trials of resilience amidst horrific hardships and conflict. The series presented a variety of complex subjects that resonated with many viewers.

The exceptional cast of The Walking Dead, featuring Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride, Chandler Riggs, Norman Reedus, and others, not only made the series unique by deeply immersing themselves in their characters and revealing their hidden qualities, but they also garnered numerous awards for their outstanding performances over its twelve-year run. Although The Walking Dead didn’t invent the zombie genre – George A. Romero’s movie Night of the Living Dead holds that title – it did set a path for other shows to emerge, such as Z Nation, iZombie, and HBO’s The Last of Us.

Walking Dead’s Robert Kirkman Says His Show Is ‘Extremely Tame’ in Comparison to ‘Crossed’

According to Screen Rant, Robert Kirkman, the creator of “The Walking Dead”, has admitted that his popular zombie series was not nearly as violent and disturbing as Garth Ennis’ comic book series, “Crossed”. In issue #105 of the deluxe edition of “The Walking Dead”, Kirkman acknowledges the controversial aspect of Negan’s array of wives in the show, a point that has been a concern for some fans. However, he emphasizes that despite the gritty and disturbing topics tackled in “The Walking Dead”, it falls short when compared to the level of gore and horrific events found in Ennis’ “Crossed” series, which ran from 2012 to 2014. Kirkman claims that the extreme violence and dark themes present in “Crossed” surpass anything that has ever occurred within the realm of “The Walking Dead”.

I draw a clear boundary that I won’t transgress. To give you an idea, Garth Ennis’s Crossed series offers a much harsher and unrelenting portrayal of the apocalypse – it’s far more brutal than The Walking Dead, which was intentionally toned down. The grim realities that did make it into my work, I always aimed to ensure they mirrored actual life experiences.

As I reflect upon my recent viewing experience of “The Walking Dead,” Kirkman’s assertion that some of its gruesome scenes mirror real-life possibilities resonates deeply. Despite the discomfort I felt while watching Rick slit open a zombie’s belly, Hershel’s beheading, or Noah’s grisly fate in a revolving door – these are harsh realities birthed from surviving in an unforgiving, post-apocalyptic world.

“Crossed,” on the other hand, doesn’t shy away from its graphic portrayal of violence and gore, but it does so with a raw, unsettling intensity. It tells the harrowing tale of survivors grappling with a virus outbreak that unleashes their darkest impulses, painting a chilling picture of humanity pushed to its limits.

Since “The Walking Dead” series ended, there’s been a noticeable gap that only something even more intense could fill. Fans are eagerly seeking such an experience, and it looks like Garth Ennis’ “Crossed” comic is stepping up to the plate as it has started production last fall. Given Amazon’s successful adaptation of Ennis’ “The Boys,” it will be intriguing to see how the comic’s graphic violence translates for television audiences.

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2025-01-21 16:03