EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Charlie Adlard Talks THE WALKING DEAD Issue #100 & 'Something to Fear' Storyline
Spoiler Warning: Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard commented on the shocking death of not one but two major characters during the current 'Something to Fear' story arc which recently saw it's latest issue #100 break sales records.
Although he was reserved on giving away any sort of hint on what to expect on the final two issues in the current 'Something to Fear' storyline, Adlard did reflect on which character's demise surprised him the most and how he approached drawing one of the most gruesome acts of violence in comic history with issue #100.
Fans have been treated to the quick and out of nowhere death of tough man Abraham where he took a crossbow arrow to the eyeball in issue #98. Then they were subjected to over five pages of brutal violence in issue #100 in which fan favorite and longtime character Glenn was savaged by new villain Negan's barbwire laced baseball bat 'Lucille'.
Keven: Issue #100 was without a doubt the most shocking, violent and heartbreaking issue of the Walking Dead in a very long time. What was your reaction to Glenn finally biting the dust?
Charlie: It was gruesome, wasn't it? I knew we were going to kill Glenn quite a while back, and - hey - it's TWD, no one is safe! It was Abraham that surprised me. Robert (Kirkman) never told me that one was coming...
Keven: I'm still not convinced that happened. I'm going to miss Abraham as much as I miss Tyreese.
Charlie: It works though, because it DID come out of the blue, no build up, no significant issue number, nothing. Just how these things might happen "in real life"... We all knew something significant was going to happen in #100, but we really made people feel unsafe with #98.
Keven: You have mentioned many times before that you're a fan of 'off-screen' horror but this issue was probably the most horrific 'ON-screen' horror I've EVER seen in a comic. Were you as apprehensive this go-around as you were with the Michonne torture stuff a long time ago?
Charlie: Not as much. I think what tempered the brutality this time was Glenn's heartbreaking cry out to Maggie. It "justified" the on screen violence since it wouldn't have the same impact without the viewer seeing what Negan was doing. That panel really got me, and showed the absolute strength in Robert's writing.
Keven: Negan was modeled after Henry Rollins, was that something that Kirkman suggested? How did that come about, because it worked perfectly?
Charlie: Blimey - I make one frivolous comment at SDCC... He's just one of many influences that I toyed with when creating the look of Negan with Robert. Yeah, it does work - you're right... But he's not the ONLY face we thought of.
