The Walking Dead (franchise)


The Walking Dead is a media franchise created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard including a comic book series, television series, web series, films, novels, video games, and various other media such as audio books and soundtracks.

Comic book

The Walking Dead franchise originates from the comic book series of the same name. The comics consist of a monthly black-and-white comic book series chronicling the travels of Rick Grimes, his family, and other survivors of a zombie apocalypse.
First issued in 2003 by publisher Image Comics, the series was created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore - who was later replaced by Charlie Adlard from issue #7 onward, though Moore continued to do the covers through issue #24. The Walking Dead comic book series received the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at San Diego Comic-Con International. The 193rd and final issue was released in 2019.

Television series

''The Walking Dead'' (2010–present)

Sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma in a post-apocalyptic world where the undead, known as walkers, have taken over. Rick must fight for his survival to protect his family and friends while along the way he meets new allies and confronts enemies who try to take over communities.

''Fear the Walking Dead'' (2015–present)

Set initially in Los Angeles, California, the series follows a dysfunctional family composed of high school guidance counselor Madison Clark, her boyfriend and English teacher Travis Manawa, her daughter Alicia, and her drug-addicted son Nick, at the onset of the zombie apocalypse. The four must either revamp themselves or cling to their deep flaws as they come to terms with the impending collapse of civilization.

''The Walking Dead: World Beyond''

In July 2018, during San Diego Comic Con, executive producer Scott Gimple announced that a new spin-off is in the works. In April 2019, AMC officially announced the 10-episode female lead series would begin production during the summer in Virginia and is set to debut in 2020. The first trailer was released at New York Comic Con 2019. The Walking Dead: World Beyond will run for a total of two seasons and 20 episodes.

Web series

Films

In November 2018, Scott Gimple announced on Talking Dead that three The Walking Dead films are in development from AMC Original Films, with Andrew Lincoln signed on to reprise his role as Rick Grimes. The films will focus on the events that follow his exit from the television series. Pollyanna McIntosh will reprise her role from the shows as Jadis.
In July 2019, it was revealed that the films will be released in theaters, rather than on television. The series will follow the continued adventures of Rick, with Gimple serving as screenwriter for the first film. Later that month, Universal Pictures acquired distribution for the film series. Production on the first film is scheduled to begin "as early as 2019". The creators have discussed the possibility of bringing back Corey Hawkins as Heath, who had his role cut short on the show to do other projects.

Expanded setting

Games

Board games

Multiple board games for the franchise have been released.

''The Walking Dead: All Out War''

In January 2016, Mantic Games announced plans to release a tabletop miniature wargame based on The Walking Dead, named The Walking Dead: All Out War.

Video games

Telltale Games

The official game for The Walking Dead set within the comic book universe.

''The Walking Dead: Social Game''

Flash based social game on Facebook, launched in 2012 and shut down at the end of 2014.

''Survival Instinct''

On July 6, 2012, Activision announced a first-person shooter based on and set before the television series, which is being developed by Terminal Reality. It was released on March 19, 2013 in North America. It was met with negative reception.

''The Walking Dead: Dead Reckoning''

Game for the AMC website and set before the television series.

''The Walking Dead: Road to Survival''

The Walking Dead: Road to Survival is a role-playing video game developed by Scopely based on the comic book series. It was released initially on the Android platform, later on iOS. Players complete various missions using teams, in exchange for further rewards, and more challenging stages.

''The Walking Dead: No Man's Land''

Game for Android/iOS.

''The Walking Dead: Our World''

''The Escapists: The Walking Dead''

The Escapists: The Walking Dead is a spin-off from The Escapists, a puzzle role-playing video game about escaping prisons.

''Overkill's The Walking Dead''

In August 2014, Starbreeze Studios announced that a The Walking Dead co-op first-person shooter is in development by Overkill Software. The game is called Overkill's The Walking Dead, and it claims to deliver a "completely new co-op experience" to The Walking Dead universe that will explore new characters and storylines. It was scheduled to launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows in 2018. The game is being made with The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, who says he was certain from the first day he saw the project that it was the "co-op action game fans have been waiting for." It is also the result of a new "long-term" partnership between Starbreeze and Kirkman's company Skybound Interactive. This partnership will extend "into the next decade" and marks a new era for Starbreeze, the company said. It is also confirmed to be taken place within the comic book universe of The Walking Dead.

''The Walking Dead: Onslaught''

The official VR game for AMC's The Walking Dead.

''The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners''

is a virtual reality game developed by Skybound Entertainment. It was released on January 23, 2020.

Novels

Novels for The Walking Dead set within the comic book universe.