Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman expresses disappointment in Game of Thrones author George RR Martin

He's not impressed with the author for letting HBO take over his source material

(Getty)

Considering the success of both The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, intense rivalry among the fandom undoubtedly abounds.

Both are ratings-pullers featuring a mass ensemble that have earned a dedicated following over their respective six-year runs; we ourselves even pitted the shows against each other earlier this year.

Cast and crews associated with each series, however, have remained tight-lipped when it comes to the other, but during an interview with Rolling Stone, Robert Kirkman - The Walking Dead's creator - expressed his thoughts on the way that Thrones author George R.R. Martin has permitted HBO to overtake his source material.

Kirkman said:

"I would never do that. That's the one thing I'm disappointed in George R.R. Martin for doing. He should have just been like, Fuck you. You make it up now, I'll get to mine when I'm ready."

Season six of Game of Thrones - the seventh episode of which will air this Sunday - is now covering events which are to occur in Martin's next novel, The Winds of Winter.

On the flipside, Kirkman has no plans for The Walking Dead TV series to take over his graphic novels; with 26 volumes now released, producers are reportedly planning to continue AMC's zombie drama for at least 12 seasons. The latest season finale saw the introduction of antagonist Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) whose presence marked the end of the road for one unfortunate character.

Kirkman has adapted another of his graphic novels into a television series, this one supernatural horror Outcast which stars Philip Glenister and Almost Famous actor Patrick Fugit. It will air weekly in the UK on Fox starting Tuesday 7 June.