First Images from The Walking Dead

Posted by on June 16th, 2010   Filed under: Books/Comics, Horror, TV

The first images from AMC’s new zombie apocalypse television series, The Walking Dead (based on the comic series of the same name by Robert Kirkman), are starting to pour in. As a huge fan of the comics myself, these photos are starting to give me confidence that the source material is in good hands, but I’m not sure it makes me any more excited for Andrew Lincoln. See, I had mixed feelings when I first heard that Lincoln had been cast as Rick Grimes: disappointment that the producers hadn’t gone for Aaron Eckhart (the obvious choice for me), but relief that Darabont hadn’t cast Thomas Jane, his Mist golden-boy.

For me, Jane has a flavor of camp even when he is playing it straight. While I am totally down for a campy zombie show (it sounds like a Zombieland series may also be on its way), I think that The Walking Dead has the potential to finally be the show that can step up and satiate the Lost audience (after all the failed Heroes and Flash Forwards) as the next great television drama with a sci-fi adventure twist. Of course, a solid lead is key to the success of any show. Does Lincoln fit the bill?

More info and images after the jump…


Comic series creator Robert Kirkman, who is also an Executive Producer on the show, had this to say about Lincoln in the role of Rick:

“Writing this book for the past seven years I’ve gotten very close to the character of Rick. Andrew Lincoln embodies every aspect of the character that fans know and love. After seeing this photo I don’t think that there will be a doubt in anyone’s mind that he’s perfect for the role.”

Yeah, he can really walk down that road just right. I’ve only seen Lincoln in the romantic comedy Love Actually, and while there is nothing there to suggest he’d make a good Rick, at least he is a serious actor. As with Jack on Lost, Rick as the consummate hero is ultimately less interesting than the colorful side characters so, if it can’t be Eckhart, I’d be fine with anyone who can act. As long as Danny Trejo is eventually cast as The Governor, that is.

The Walking Dead is set to premiere this Fall. Do these early photos get you excited for the show? What do you think of Andrew Lincoln as Rick?



  • Fatbologna

    I came into my own face…

  • @Fatbologna That sucks?

  • Nick Robertson

    Zombies make you pull your pelvis up and back, over your own face – masturbate and ejaculate your yellow/brown semen into your own wretched face?

    Hardcore.

  • Tomoo

    I really really hope this show is great but since it is airing on cable TV I’m wondering if it will be way to toned down. I’m really hoping not because the comic had some moments that literally made my jaw drop.

  • kyriacos

    There is nothing wrong with some yellow brown semen on somedude’s face..

  • Niklas

    Those Zombies look awesome!!

    I’ve only read the first 2 hardcover books.. will have to speed up my reading before the show starts

  • Chaz

    Don’t forget, Trejo was on an episode of another AMC show (Breaking Bad), so there is real hope for him to be on this.

  • Fatbologna

    Nick, IcarusArts, kyriacos,

    You are all correct.

  • “disappointment that the producers hadn’t gone for Aaron Eckhart (the obvious choice for me)”

    Of course Eckhart would have been perfect, but they never had a chance of getting him. He’s a movie actor, sir.

  • IcarusArts

    @RyanM There are a lot of movie actors in television series these days. The line that used to exist between the two just isn’t there anymore.

  • Its still there.

  • IcarusArts

    Well, Andrew Lincoln is a film actor…for example.

    Also, how do you explain major film actors in 24, Deadwood, Damages, The Sopranos, House, Saving Grace, The Closer, Medium, 30 Rock, West Wing, How I Met Your Mother, Pushing Daisies, Grey’s Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, Ghost Whisperer, Monk, Battlestar Galactica, Brothers and Sisters, Entourage, The Shield, etc.

    Then, you’ve got TV breakouts like George Clooney, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchell, Kristen Bell, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Zachery Quinto, Matthew Fox, John Hamm, Amy Poehler & Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Ed Helms, Jenna Fischer, Rashida Jones, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, etc all moving easily from television into film. And there are so many more proving you wrong. Oh, remember Michael J. Fox?

    If the line is still there (which I doubt), it is quickly disappearing. Film actors are going to TV in droves (and vice versa) and the trend isn’t slowing.

  • swarez

    Holy fuck those zombie designs look fantastic.

  • Alyxandria

    I have a lot of confidence going into this series. If Mad Men is any example of a wonderful AMC product, than this might just blow down the doors of a fantastically done television series.

    I hope that its success finds ratings as well. I would love to see the series continued, and I’m curious who they would cast for Rochelle. Once she steps in, I have a feeling she’ll quickly step into the charts of top 50 television characters.

  • Alyxandria

    Michonne rather. Wrong zombie character.