The Walking Dead gained national attention as AMC's latest critically acclaimed drama, shattering the network's previous premiere ratings highs and earning a second season renewal after its very first episode. But before its television debut, Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead was a comic phenomenon.James Lowder, veteran editor and author in the horror genre and comics field, collects some of the biggest names in the zombie genre, along with other top horror and comics writers, to discuss the series on both page and screen.Contents include:what makes The Walking Dead so effective as a zombie narrativethe television show's surprising optimismRick Grimes as Objectivist heroThe Walking Dead's journey from comic to television seriesJay Bonansinga, Brendan Deneen, Jonathan Maberry, Kim Paffenroth, Lisa Morton, Kyle William Bishop, Del Howison, Craig Fischer, Kenneth Hite, Kay Steiger, Matt Staggs, Ned Vizzini, Scott Kenemore, Brendan Riley, Arnold T. Blumberg

"Foreword: The Walking Dead, with Entourage” - Joe R. Lansdale"Introduction: In Medias Apocalypsis” - Jim Lowder
"The Pathos of The Walking Dead” - Kyle William Bishop
"Take Me to Your Leader” - Jonathan Maberry
"Four-Color Zombies” - Arnold T. Blumberg
"A Novelist and a Zombie Walk into a Bar” - Jay Bonansinga
"Meaninglessness” - Craig Fischer
"Zombie People” - Brendan Riley
"No Clean Slate” - Kay Steiger
"Happy (En)Trails” - Vince A. Liaguno
"Rick and Rand” - Ned Vizzini
"Postmodern Merlin” - Kenneth Hite
"Feel Better?” - Steven Schlozman
"The Walking Dead and Dance of Death” - Lisa Morton
"Rick Grimes: A Zombie Among Men” - Scott Kenemore
"The Hero Wears the Hat” - David Hopkins
"'For Love Is Strong as Death'” - Kim Paffenroth
Cover art and interior zombie art - Rafael Kayanan