The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman reveals when comic book series was originally going to end

The series is currently on issue 156

The Walking Dead comic started over a decade ago, but by the creator’s own admission, Rick Grimes was never supposed to be out in the wilderness this long.

Speaking at Comic-Con, creator Robert Kirkman revealed when the series - the 156th issue of which was recently published - was originally going to end.

“The end has changed,” he said, to no-one's surprise, adding: “There was one version that would have had it ending as soon as everybody reached Alexandria.”

It’s that second sentence that’s interesting; Grimes and his collective reached the safe-haven of Alexandria back in issue 69, a comic that ended on a surprisingly happy note for The Walking Dead as Rick and his Son looked over the gates of Alexandria.

However, this episode happened before a great many iconic events, including the introduction of Negan - who has just entered the show - and the death of Glenn.

No doubt, the extended run - which Kirkman has admitted will go on for a long, long time - was spurred on by the success of the TV show which is soon to enter its seventh season.

Recently, Negan actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan revealed season seven will ‘reset The Walking Dead world’, adding that his character will cause a lot of chaos in the first half.