'The Walking Dead' Season 4: A World of Difference from the Comics

Of all the hit series on TV right now, "The Walking Dead" probably provides the most challenges for its writers and producers as the show's narrative develops over the season. The franchise consists not only of the TV series, but a comic book series and a video game series, each with its own unique narrative arc. As the TV series enters its fourth season, fans wonder how the show will either diverge or converge with the other "Walking Dead" narratives, particularly that of the comic book series.

As The Hollywood Reporter reports, the show's producers have been grappling with the synergy, or lack thereof, between the TV series and the comic book, and they've dropped some hints about how the issue might be dealt with in season 4.

First of all, viewers can expect Tyreese to become an important character, much as he is in the comic book.

"[In season 4] you meet a Tyreese you haven't seen before on many different levels—it's some jaw-dropping stuff," says executive producer Dave Alpert.

Alpert also suggests that Rick could, at some point in the TV series, suffer the misfortune that—shall we say, in the interest of avoiding spoilers—left him short-handed in the comic book.

Executive producer Greg Nicotero says that one episode in season 4 will be devoted specifically to a particular issue of the comic book, and the episode will duplicate the comic-book story essentially word-for-word.

There will always be ways in which the two narrative arcs differ, however. Andrea, for example, died on the TV series last season, but she is still alive and well in the comic book series. Her death allows the TV series to explore different plot directions, and it also serves as a warning to viewers that anything can happen on TV—even if it hasn't happened in the comic book.