SPOILER: 'The Walking Dead' Comic Releases Issue 100, Reveals Secrets

The Walking Dead comic book creator Robert Kirkman seems encouraged by the success of his vision's AMC adaptation, starring Andrew Lincoln (pictured), Jon Bernthal, and Sarah Wayne Callies. Kirkman is also preparing to release Issue 100 of The Walking Dead this summer, but he's giving his fans a look at the cover, by series artist Charlie Adlard, a few months early. The cover shows a sloping hill littered with dead bodies, with hero Rick Grimes standing at the top, facing away.

"You can't see it, but Rick is actually holding a birthday cake in his hand. Or, I guess, his only hand," Kirkman told USA Today, explaining the cover. Of course, the revealing cover spoils upcoming events for fans of The Walking Dead AMC series. For example, the littered bodies behind Rick include that of the evil Governor, Shane (Bernthal in the series) Lori Grimes (Callies), Rick's wife.

The 'spoiler' problem doesn't bother Kirkman, however, who also produces the AMC series. "The whole goal is to have the comic and the show exist separately so that one doesn't spoil the other." As excited as Kirkman is about the televised version of The Walking Dead, he feels like he could keep going forever on the corresponding comic books. "I really do want to do this for decades," he told the magazine. "I'm thrilled that it still feels like I have a full tank of gas."

Last month various issues of The Walking Dead took up all 10 spots on Amazon's Top 10 list of graphic novels. The Walking Dead Issue 100 will be released July 11.