Let's face facts shall we. Any hour of 'The Walking Dead' is worth more than most single years worth of horror entertainment. Having always loved the living dead dynamic, a judgement call on this epic comic turned television phenomenon was a no-brainer. Thank you Robert Kirkman, Frank Darabont, and AMC for giving our zombie lust a home. On October 31, 2010 our twisted dreams came true. Four years and a butt-load of blood later the Fifth season awaits us.
As a latecomer to 'The Walking Dead' it was a real eyeopener. This story of survival, human conflict, and monstrous undead hoards is television fear at its greatest. The tension is thick as is the pathos. A combination rarely achieved without tragically laughable results. Even the living dead world of the one and only George A. Romero fell victim to the cornball from time to time, but in the 'The Walking Dead' world, not so much.
A Netflix marathon began my love affair with this post apocalyptic soap opera. The Darabont touch was all over the first moments of the series giving us initial pangs of both fright, familiarity, and love for all the characters in this flesh torn universe. It's a home spun comfort level that he and one Mister King deliver to audiences so very well. Another pleasing touch woven throughout the series is one of artist Greg Nicotero. His skills in creature creation are the best and certainly match if not surpass his mentor the great Tom Savini. With Kirkman's brain, Darabont's heart, and Nicotero's dark passion, this terror novella simply could not miss. It is weekly serial as breathing nightmare. A vision 1960's/1970's spooky television legend Dan Curtis could not have ever dreamed of, not even when peering out of his Gothic Dark Shadowed Collinwood window.
Do yourself a favor this October 12th. Tune out the world, turn on the tube, and fall in love with the wonderful world of reanimated corpses, savaged survivors,and all manor of anxiety in between. 'The Walking Dead' truly is a gem in a frightening sea of entertainment mediocrity.
