Broken Frontier

"Madmen" and "Breaking Bad" Network Greenlights Walking Dead Pilot

Variety reported today that Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard's ongoing tale of survival horror in a post-apocalyptic world, THE WALKING DEAD, has been greenlit as a pilot by AMC.

"The Walking Dead's road to the small screen has been a long one, but so far it's looking like the best of all worlds," creator and writer Robert Kirkman said. "Given AMC's track record with shows like 'Madmen' and 'Breaking Bad,' combined with Frank Darabont writing and directing, I couldn't possibly be more excited for this to come together. Having the pilot greenlit is a huge leap forward to this becoming a reality."

The Walking Dead has been published by Image Comics since 2003, with the series' 69th issue due in stores next week. Current plans are for the AMC series to closely adapt the storylines presented in the monthly comics.

In addition to the ongoing com ics series, there are 11 trade paperbacks currently in print, collecting issues 1-66, along with a series of five hardcovers covering #1-60. The first 48 issues have also been collected in two limited edition slipcased hardcovers and a softcover compendium. Across are formats the series remains a sales juggernaut with the title charting on the New York Times' graphic novels bestsellers list numerous times.

"Since its debut in October 2003, The Walking Dead has been nothing short of unstoppable," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Over the last five years, sales on both the single issues and the trade paperback and hardcover collections have gone from strength to strength, so it's no surprise that The Walking Dead is now poised for success on TV. Everyone at Image is very excited to see this project come to light."

The Walking Dead #69, a 32-page black and white comic priced at $2.99, will be on sale at finer comic book stores everywhere January 27.