The writer of the original The Walking Dead comic series, Robert Kirkman, has revealed that the famously mocked “DON’T DEAD OPEN INSIDE” moment from the first episode of the TV adaptation was supposed to be much scarier. The sign was a meant as a twist on a terrifying moment from The Walking Dead #8, but something got lost in translation.
The Walking Dead tells the story of injured Police Officer Rick Grimes, who wakes up from a coma amid a zombie apocalypse. After waking up alone and confused, Rick stumbles through an empty hospital, searching for clues until he comes across a barricaded set of doors. In the comic’s version of the events, Rick opens the unmarked door and finds a room full of zombies. However, in the TV show, Rick pauses when he comes across a set of double doors graffitied with the words “DON’T OPEN DEAD INSIDE.” However, the words “DON’T OPEN” are spray-painted on one door, and “DEAD INSIDE” on the other, so when read from left to right, it appears to say “DON’T DEAD OPEN INSIDE.” The moment is meant to be Rick’s dark introduction to zombies, but due to the strange way the words are spray-painted on the doors, many fans poked fun at the phrase for its confusing nature.
In annotations from The Walking Dead Deluxe #1, creator Robert Kirkman comments on the moment, stating that the TV show’s writing on the door was a twist on a moment from The Walking Dead #8. During this issue, the group finds an abandoned gated community where Rick thinks they will be safe. Unfortunately, the issue ends with snow melting off a sign, revealing the message “ALL DEAD, DO NOT ENTER.” Kirkman’s comment adds additional irony to The Walking Dead‘s “DON’T DEAD OPEN INSIDE” moment, as the writing was supposed to be unclear but not in the way viewers hilariously interpreted it.
While this may not be the first time The Walking Dead’s writer has reflected on his comic, Kirkman’s annotations prove the comics handle the unclear message reveal much better than the show’s “DON’T DEAD OPEN INSIDE.” The Walking Dead #8 leaves the characters in the dark while warning fans of the dangers ahead, sticking with readers as they fear what’s to come. Although the TV version aimed for an unclear message similar to the comic’s, it ultimately falls short as the unmistakable sign of danger is unintentionally hard to read. In the TV show, the viewer’s confusion stems from poor word placement, whereas in the comic, the uncertainty comes from an alarming cliff-hanger that only the reader sees. Due to this, the unclear message reveal is much more impactful in the comics as the uncertainty comes from a genuinely suspenseful moment as opposed to a borderline humorous scene where spray paint on a door is hard to read.
Compared to the TV version, The Walking Dead #8 hides a secret in plain sight with much more success. It is interesting to see Robert Kirkman’s annotations and gain insight into one of The Walking Dead’s most mocked moments. With this added information on the “DON’T OPEN DEAD INSIDE” doors, it would be incredible to see the reasoning behind the many other changes between the show and the comic.
