| | The Walking Dead - Book vs. TV ShowNovember 28, 2011 - Amy PhelpsOn Sunday, the mid-season finale ran for the AMC show, "The Walking Dead," based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman. And what a shocking last moment in the episode, not the least of which is because it never happened in the book! That's always the strangeness about watching a movie/television show that is based on a book (or series.) Characters change, new characters are added, some characters never show up, big plot points never happen, other plot points do, couples never get together while others you never expected to do. And in the Walking Dead, some characters haven't died yet (when they should have by now) and other characters that are still walking around in the books are no longer doing so. I re-read the first hardback collected volume of "The Walking Dead" by Kirkman with art by Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard ($29.99, Image Comics.) It collects issues 1-12 of the book and pretty much runs up to what we've seen so far in the show (give or take.) Rick wakes up in the hospital, goes looking for his wife and son, finds zombies, and eventually finds them along with his best friend and a small group of survivors, hiding outside of the overrun city. They come upon Hershel and the farm in much the same manor as the show, and the barn proves to be dangerous. There's a few major differences, like the CDC incident that happened in the show did not in the book and there's a cool section in the book where the group thinks they've found shelter in a gated community only to find it overrun, but a couple of the major ones involves characters that are killed off (or aren't.) Overall, I can enjoy the book and the TV show as two separate stories, mostly because of differing characters. The character I enjoy the most in the show isn't in the book, and the character I enjoy the most in the books so far is very different in the show. (Which is a bit sad, I admit, but I have hopes that some day, unless they get killed off too, circumstances will change them into the person I like.) So other fans of the book, what do you think of the show? How do you think it compares? Article Comments(6)hiredgunDec-03-11 9:26 AM I am hooked on the show. I wenbt to the library and got the collected volumes and soon realized that the show was not following the books. I am going to wait to continue the books, so, my view of the show isnt tainted. And ,I agree, way more graphic than I expected. However, if the situation were real,things would not be "pretty". Kendall78Nov-30-11 2:08 PM Nothing this week to get but I decided to get the New Guardians and catch up with Kyle. Adios Red Lanterns. mythravereNov-29-11 6:30 AM I'm into most of the Batman related comics.Green Lantern,Flash,Men of War,StormWatch,Blackhawks,Deathstroke,Justice League,Green Arrow are some of the others I'm collecting. Just picked up Avenging Spiderman. Pretty decent first issue. Getting it mostly because of the artist. Joe Madureira! I have loved is art for years. Just wish he would finish BattleChasers. If that ever happens it doesn't matter where I am at I bust out into a jig and dance till I pass out. Kendall78Nov-28-11 8:18 PM From DC I recommedn: The Shade, Penguin and Action Comics as sure fire good comics. Green Lantern, Flash, Static Shock and Batgirl are good as well. Do not get the Red Lantern one yet. It has yet to impress me and frankly I've given up on it. Wait till it comes out as a collection. I will be surprised if it lasts a full 12 issues. mythravereNov-28-11 7:54 PM Yea the end of the mid season was a bit of a shocker. The well walker! LOL! I was watching that unfold and I was think nah they aint gonna do it. That'd be a bit much for TV. Then rip ssssrippleeepssshh plop splash. Ah gawd! Yack! Haven't been that shocked since that time I was watching Scanners on cable in the middle of the day and they showed the telepathic head exploding scene. Good Dang show in my opinion. Season three is confirmed. Gotta get the Comics.....after I get caught up on all the DC NEW 52 I have been neglecting. Kendall78Nov-28-11 3:03 PM Love the show but haven't invested in the books yet...which would def be an investment. It's been around for a bit of time. My fav character is Daryl or Glenn. You give Daryl a mission and that man will see it through. In the case of Glenn, he will try anything; the well walker..are u kidding me? The Sophia story arc burned me up. I like the actress and from what I know of the comics, I would have liked to see her character go on. Oh well. Post a Comment | in: News, Blogs & Events Web  |
