The Walking Dead showrunner teases season 8, releases first official image

The zombie drama returns to screens this October

The Walking Dead will no doubt be excited to see the first official photo from the zombie drama's forthcoming season eight.

After a season of devastation, dread and - finally - fist-pumping victory, it seems like the eighth run will continue where events left off: the all-out-war against Negan in full swing with Alexandria, the Kingdom and the Hilltop Colony all united in their mission to end the life of the villainous Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

While the past few seasons have seen several characters off on their own volition, it seems as if this war will bring characters back together.

Showrunner Scott Gimple teased wha this means for the future of the series, telling Entertainment Weekly: “The season finale last year, seeing all the characters together interacting as one, was thrilling. It was exciting to see all these configurations of characters we hadn’t seen before. Even Aaron merely giving Jerry an apple felt satisfying.”

"[Season eight] is that times a million,” he said. “Though it would be cool if the season began with just everybody giving each other apples. I’d be down with that.” He pauses. “But it’s not that.”

For example, last season saw the emotional reunion between original characters Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) and this season looks set to thrust the duo front and centre of proceedings as can be witnessed in the first official image released by EW.

(Gene Page/AMC (Gene Page/AMC)

Carol can be seen clad in the same armour she donned to help King Ezekiel and his people fight back against Negan in the season seven finale.

Daryl can be seen back to his old self - on his motorcycle with a crossbow (not his own one - that's still with the Saviours).

The first trailer is expected to drop during TWD panel at next weekend's Comic-Con in San Diego.

The Walking Dead will return to screens this October.