Outcast: Expanding Kirkman’s World

MANILA, Philippines – At the relatively young age of 37, comic book writer Robert Kirkman has reached that stage where when he merely whispers, people stop and strain to listen. Thanks to the runaway global success of his creation, The Walking Dead, his influence has expanded beyond the comic book world and has invaded television.

Not only as a series of graphic novels, but also as a made-for-TV cable series, Walking Dead has gone beyond mere cult status to emerge as a worldwide phenomenon. So look out world, as June 4, 9:55 p.m. marked the Fox Philippine premiere of the exorcism mini-series Outcast, penned by Kirkman and artist Paul Azaceta.

Joining hands with some chosen countries which will also debut Outcast on their respective networks, Tricia Pablo, marketing head of Fox Philippines, was proud to announce and unveil the customized mural that inspired by the artwork of Outcast, now stands by the Forum on 7th Avenue at the Bonifacio Global City.

Conceptualized as a series of murals that will transform weekly and be a teaser for each Saturday’s brand-new episode, Tricia was proud to present the Filipino artists who form the creative team behind the project and series collaboration. It’s rare to find this kind of promotional effort, but it all segues nicely with the kind of near-religious devotion fans have exhibited for Kirkman’s world. As one of the pillars behind Image Comics, Kirkman and his cohorts have helped redefine the status of the comic book and graphic novel arena.

The basic premise of the Outcast series is that we follow Kyle Barnes as — in episode after episode — he plays an unlikely hero out to uncover the mysteries behind demonic possession and lead the solitary fight against these evil forces running amuck, threatening mankind. It’s Kirkman’s new horror TV series that promises chills, thrills and the Devil’s own brand of music -— in a manner that is a departure from Walking Dead.

What is similar is that Kirkman promises this will be a dramatic, realistic interpretation of exorcism; just how Walking Dead used the tropes and stock images of zombie literature but considered how the motion and sound of TV could be harnessed to create its own world.

Prior to his role in Image Comics, Kirkman had already been making a name for himself in the comic book world. With Marvel, he is best known as the man behind Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies. And before that, there was the Battle Pope series.

But it was 2003, and his The Walking Dead that helped catapult the global fascination with zombies. With Outcast, which began as an Image Comics series in 2014, and now sees its transition to TV, Kirkman stands to be the creator of a new hit series.

Starring Patrick Fugit as Kyle Barnes, the first episode, A Darkness Surrounds Him is written by Kirkman himself. The interesting side story is that even before the comic books were written, the commitment and agreement to develop the 10-episode series for television had already been reached.