Two of the most popular shows currently running on television are based on other properties. Game of Thrones is adapted from George R.R. Martin”s book series A Song of Ice and Fire. Meanwhile, The Walking Dead is from the Robert Kirkman comic series of the same name. Naturally the two are compared on occasion. Which one is the bleakest? Which is the truest to the source material? Etc.
For the most part, though, these genre shows exist independently of each other (with some severe fandom overlap). But then, out of nowhere, Robert Kirkman fired shots at George R.R. Martin during a Rolling Stone interview that was published on May 31, 2016. When asked if Kirkman ever told The Walking Dead writers what was happening next in the comics so they could incorporate it into the show, he responded:
“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, ‘F-k you. You make it up now, I'll get to mine when I'm ready.””
Personally, I”m glad Game of Thrones has a loose scaffolding on which to glue their scripts. I know some people disagree and wish Martin had saved all his big plot twists for the books. But condemning Martin for wanting to have input in the television adaptation of his life”s work seems like an odd hill to die on. Kirkman seems to agree. Today he took to social media to apologize for his phrasing.
“Disappointed” is probably the wrong word. I was just joking about how I would have handled that situation. Love GOT, love GRRM.
– Robert Kirkman (@RobertKirkman) June 3, 2016
George RR Martin is a far better writer than I'll ever be. And I'm loving the new season of Game Of Thrones. It's my favorite show on TV!
– Robert Kirkman (@RobertKirkman) June 3, 2016
What do y”all think? Poor choice of words or back-pedaling? Both?