AMC is partnering with “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman and his producing partner David Alpert to create a comic book documentary series, the network announced on Tuesday.
“Heroes and Villains: The History of Comic Books” will be a six-part, one-hour documentary series that explores the stories, people and events that have transformed the world of comic books.
The series takes a deep dive into the modern popular art form. From origin stories to the untold history behind iconic characters, “Heroes and Villains” will explore a wide range of topics including pop culture, politics, race, gender and sexuality.
“We are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with Robert, David and Skybound. Beyond ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ they are prolific producers and publishers who have an amazing knowledge of comic book history and genre storytelling,” said Joel Stillerman, president of programming for AMC and SundanceTV. “We believe going deep into the history behind some of the greatest comic books will be of great interest to this audience.”
“At the end of the day I am a comic fan first and foremost. I am a lover of the medium and the stories it enables people to tell,” Kirkman added. “I’m excited to partner with AMC once again to bring the stories of some the most influential people in comics to a television audience.”
The series is slated to premiere next year.
Kirkman and Alpert will executive produce through their Skybound Entertainment banner. Co-presidents of Skybound’s Film and TV division Bryan and Sean Furst also serve as executive producers.
Overseeing “Heroes and Villains: The History of Comics” from AMC are Eliot Goldberg, senior vice president of non-fiction and alternative programming, and Kelly Nash, director of non-fiction and alternative programming.
Kirkman is not the only “Walking Dead” personality to get a new alternative show on AMC. Norman Reedus, who plays fan favorite Daryl Dixon, is set to star in his own travel series, “Ride with Norman Reedus.”
That show will see Reedus and a different companion for each episode traveling from place to place on motorcycles. That series will premiere on June 12.