Robert Kirkman once received criticism from readers about publishing a story in Playboy – Something the author said was a “Trick“, one designed to get fans of The Walking Dead TV series to pick up the comic, and hopefully continue reading comics after that. Whether fans agree with this tactic or not, revisiting this moment in comic history offers some fascinating insight into Kirkman as a creator.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #97 – written by Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – reprints the issue’s original fan letter section, in which the author defends his decision to publish a story in Playboy Journal. In 2012, after the introduction of Michonne in the second season of the TV series, Kirkman decided to do her origin story.
However, rather than telling Michonne’s backstory in the main comic series, Kirkman decided to release it as a special six-page story published in the April 2012 issue of Playboy magazine, which he explained was deliberately to draw in new fans.
Robert Kirkman explains his controversial decision to publish a Michonne story in Playboy as a “stunt”
The Walking Dead Deluxe #97 – Written by Robert Kirkman; Art by Charlie Adlard; Color by Dave McCaig; Lettering by Rus Wooten
As made clear by the fan letters printed in The Walking Dead #97, and now reprinted as part of the Deluxe Edition of the series, Kirkman’s decision to reveal key insights and background on Michonne in Playboy Did not sit well with some segments of The Walking Dead Fandom. Many fans were immediately disgusted by the move. In response, Kirkman explained his reasoning behind the move:
Let’s put aside whatever opinion you have of Playboy for now and let’s just recognize that there are a large number of people who read Playboy who don’t read comics. The same as there is a large number of people watching The Walking Dead.
The Michonne story was a ploy… a ploy to get people to read comics. Admittedly, in particular, my comics, but in theory, only at first. You watch the show, you see the comic in Playboy, you buy a Walking Dead trade…if you like it, you get all the volumes when you run out – you can eventually look for other books if you like it. .
As explained by Kirkman, his goal with the Michonne story in Playboy was to generate attention for the series.
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The answer may not satisfy everyone – however This is a real answer, in which Kirkman does not seek to obscure his motivations, or equivocate about the purpose of the “Trick.“At a time when the walking dead The series is still gaining momentum, and the franchise has truly become the phenomenon it evolved into, the author was ready to take a chance to capitalize on it. In his estimation, it was finally a move that he was willing to stand by – and that he believed it was more beneficial than just himself, but the industry as a whole.
For Kirkman, increasing awareness of The Walking Dead and the comics industry was the goal of the Michonne “stunt.”
Is it successful?
Kirkman considered Michonne Playboy History as a strategic opportunity to boost the popularity and sales of The Walking Dead comic book franchise, and also expanded the broader comic book readership. Consistent with his acknowledgment that the publication was a hoax, Kirkman claimed that this benefits not only himself, which is to be expected of an independent artist, but also comic book enthusiasts, including the critical fan himself.. By making comics more accessible, Kirkman believed the trick had a positive impact on the community.
Robert Kirkman’s stunt was intended to be one small step forward The Walking Dead franchise, but a significant leap for comic fandom, although the true extent of its influence may never be fully clear.
As he caught in the walking dead #97 letters section:
I’m willing to bet that Playboy Michonne’s story got us at least one new life comic reader…could be 10,000, could be 500…but I know it got us at least one. So, isn’t that a good thing?
If he is right, and someone who probably would never have considered reading a comic book – or The Walking Dead – If it did not appear in PlayboyThen many readers will be hard-pressed to argue with his logic. In this sense, Robert Kirkman’s trick was intended to be a small step forward The Walking Dead franchise, but a significant leap for comic fandom, although the true extent of its influence may never be fully clear.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #97 is available now from Image Comics.