[Kriz01WS6]

I just started watching The Walking Dead earlier this month, and I've now seen every episode to date.  I love the show, but I've read only Issues 1-6 of the comic series.  

Basically, I was wondering if I should continue forward in reading the comic books while waiting for Season 3.  I don't really want to spoil anything big that will happen in the show next season by reading the comic books, but I thought maybe things will be played out somewhat differently or at least more dramatically in the TV series (since film allows for more possibilities in creating a scene), and that any information I find out by reading will still be great and suspenseful to watch in the seasons?

What do the people who both read and watch think?

[wyrd]

Personally, I enjoy both the comics and the TV show at the same time.

I find them different enough, and the more episodes are broadcasted, the more the two things seem to proceed along different lines.

Then, the TV show is way behind with respect to the story arc of the comics, therefore if you take into account this the two things are even more different.

In short, the answer is "Yes, I think you should!"

[Scott57]

wyrd, on 24 March 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

Personally, I enjoy both the comics and the TV show at the same time.

I find them different enough, and the more episodes are broadcasted, the more the two things seem to proceed along different lines.

Then, the TV show is way behind with respect to the story arc of the comics, therefore if you take into account this the two things are even more different.

In short, the answer is "Yes, I think you should!"

I agree.

I'm reading the Compendium and I'm at the part where Season Two ended - the group left the farm.

Somethings I like better in the TV series and other things I like better in the comic.

[Zombie13]

I watched the two seasons of the show, which sparked my interest in the comics.  I bought all 15 TPBs on Amazon at a good price.  I enjoy reading and watching.  It's interesting to me how the show changes things from the comics, such as using events from the book in a different place, or attributing actions to a different character, or sometimes, not even including a character from the book.  I'm also using that to guess what will happen in season 3 of the series.  I just find that fun.  Reading the books will not spoil the TV storyline because they're different enough, however, it may get you thinking about how things will develop.  If you want to be completely surprised, you should stay away from the comics.  If you want to see if your imagination can be correct, then by all means, read the books and have fun!

[Laughter]

Yes! You totally should. I just started reading Compendium One. It's amazing.. and very shocking on how different the TV show is compared to it. I highly recommend reading. :]

[Andrea]

The comics and the TV show are like What If?'s of each other and its interesting to look at that. Ultimately though they seem to converge on each other to similar outcomes so reading the comics is likely to take away the 'shock' factor of the show so to speak. Slight spoiler for the comics below, nothing major though.

Spoiler

Although, I was sure that Sophia would turn up okay after she went missing in the TV show, as Sophia is still alive and well in the comics and has outlived Shane, Carol and many others so there will still be some elements of suprise I guess.

Also it's heavily rumoured that characters from the TV show that were new (ie created for the purpose of the TV show only) are now being introduced in the comics. Personally I love Daryl but I'm anxious for when/if he is included in the comics as I'm not sure how well it will work. I could do without all the rubbish with his brother too, really didn't like that in the show.

[DirtyDeeJay]

Kriz01WS6, on 24 March 2012 - 06:27 AM, said:

I just started watching The Walking Dead earlier this month, and I've now seen every episode to date.  I love the show, but I've read only Issues 1-6 of the comic series.  

Basically, I was wondering if I should continue forward in reading the comic books while waiting for Season 3.  I don't really want to spoil anything big that will happen in the show next season by reading the comic books, but I thought maybe things will be played out somewhat differently or at least more dramatically in the TV series (since film allows for more possibilities in creating a scene), and that any information I find out by reading will still be great and suspenseful to watch in the seasons?

What do the people who both read and watch think?

Going by this then i'd say no,  especially after the casting of the Governor for series 3.  I doubt they will stick to the exact comic story, but if you don't want to be spoiled then no.

Also depends on whether you can wait till October to get you next TWD hit!! I read every issue up to the current during the season 1 / 2 break as I couldn't wait till the new season!!

[Goat]

Kriz01WS6, on 24 March 2012 - 06:27 AM, said:

I just started watching The Walking Dead earlier this month, and I've now seen every episode to date.  I love the show, but I've read only Issues 1-6 of the comic series.  

Basically, I was wondering if I should continue forward in reading the comic books while waiting for Season 3.  I don't really want to spoil anything big that will happen in the show next season by reading the comic books, but I thought maybe things will be played out somewhat differently or at least more dramatically in the TV series (since film allows for more possibilities in creating a scene), and that any information I find out by reading will still be great and suspenseful to watch in the seasons?

What do the people who both read and watch think?

I had this very same issue, to be honest.  I finally decided the spoilers were worth it, and I read the entirety of Compendium One.  I think I will still be able to enjoy Season 3, because while I will probably be able to anticipate a couple major events ... the writers certainly change enough up to keep you from knowing exactly what will happen in the show.  

I think it comes down to personal preference on this one.  You will certainly spoil a couple things for yourself if you read ahead.  But I can say, from experience, that I started enjoying the graphic novels a LOT more once I was past the point of the series.  Everything was newer, more exciting, fresher.  Now that may have the opposite effect on the show, unfortunately, but it was a risk I was personally willing to take.  The comics are quite enjoyable in the own right.

Edited by Goat, 29 March 2012 - 03:32 PM.

[ibivibiv]

If you are like me you will not be able to resist just reading them as fast as they can print them!!!!  I think of the GN as the REAL story and the TV series as a cool sort of side project that is fun to see what they did with it.  It's like "Wow, that's cool I like what they did with that part of the story".   But I really consider the GN THE STORY, and then everything else as just inspired works.  So I never feel like I've "spoiled" the TV series for myself.  That and I imagine if the TV series were to discontinue that the GN would keep right on going like it was before the TV series!

[Ciggy]

ibivibiv, on 30 March 2012 - 07:53 PM, said:

If you are like me you will not be able to resist just reading them as fast as they can print them!!!!  I think of the GN as the REAL story and the TV series as a cool sort of side project that is fun to see what they did with it.  It's like "Wow, that's cool I like what they did with that part of the story".   But I really consider the GN THE STORY, and then everything else as just inspired works.  So I never feel like I've "spoiled" the TV series for myself.  That and I imagine if the TV series were to discontinue that the GN would keep right on going like it was before the TV series!

I agree. I consider the continuing Comic the real story and the TV show the derivative (which it is). However, I do like characters, like Daryl from the television show, I think he's the only "What if" thing about the TV show that I think would have been a cool element in the comics.

[babywalker]

I chose to begin reading the comics after season 2 ended. &nbsp;To me the deviations they make between show and comic are good. &nbsp;They are well done, IMO. &nbsp;We have all seen how badly these deviations can go. &nbsp;I don't believe this is the case for TWD.<div><br></div><div>If you can keep the two separate and appreciate both on it's own merit, please read the comics.</div>

[Tobedesu]

I watched all the shows and then got into the compendium recently.Think I'll wait fo season 3 before I get into any more of the comics.In the meantime ill read the rise of the governor.
I think there's enough differences with character  between the comics and tv show to give everyone enough surprises.For instance, I was surprised to see

Spoiler

Shane get killed off so quickly

in the comics' but the tv show had a longer plot.

Edited by Tobedesu, 22 April 2012 - 10:34 AM.

[Shushke]

I'm in the same position as the OP here I think.  I started reading the comics after Season 2 ended and after finishing Vol 2 (tp), I was ready for more, then came the realisation that if I read further, I might spoil some things in the show.  Granted, I already know some major spoilers ahead of time in the comics

Spoiler

like Lori and the baby getting killed, Rick losing his hand and Andrea falling for Rick.  I'll bet a lot of you reading this are in the same position as me, right?  You just couldn't help but click that little silver button!

.

I think I will read on.  Another problem however, is that my girlfriend doesn't want me to.  We've basically watched the show together from the start and she's started to read the comics like me, but she doesn't think she'll carry on past vol 2 since she'd rather see things unfold in the show first and wants us to progress with it together.  I don't care for that lovey dovey stuff too much, so I'll probably just read on anyway.  I respect that she doesn't want one of us to be ahead, but to be honest, she is asking a lot of me not to read on. I am an addict.

Edited by Shushke, 23 April 2012 - 09:42 PM.

[steverogers]

just read it

[NightRelic]

I started reading the Walking Dead Compendium in the middle of season 2. The spoilers didn't bother me much because I found while I was watching the show, I could wonder whether the story would play out the same way or not. I would anticipate scenes I really liked in the comic book and enjoyed seeing it come to life on the screen and seeing what scenes were changed.

Another aspect of reading the comics i once you've finished Compendium 1, you're way ahead of where the sow is. By the time some of this story airs on TV, I'll have forgotten it. I'll probably find myself re-reading the comics as the TV show catches up.

I can't wait for Compendium 2. Unfortunately, I may have a long wait. The last one came out about a year after issue 48 was released. If they stay true to form, I've got about a year to wait. I'm not sure I'll make it. I may have to break down and buy the trades.

So, I'd say, definitely read the comics. It definitely adds more to the TV viewing experience than it takes away.

Edited by NightRelic, 25 April 2012 - 04:31 AM.

[JJC24]

YES!! It's a must do
I think the comics are better than the tv show so you should definitely read them, and even if you still like the show better it should be interesting for a TWD fan to discover the original thing.

Have fun!

[gracie lou]

Slowly (not joking).

[steverogers]

i think i read it about 5 times already