CYNTHIANA, Kentucky (UP) Comic book industry icon, creator and writer Robert Kirkman is known for his “no one is safe” principle in his comic books.  Whether it’s a beloved fan favorite or a seemingly essential character, Kirkman’s angel of death can pounce on anyone at anytime.  No book feels this truth’s sweet sting more than The Walking Dead.

Kirkman delivered his latest shocker in Walking Dead Issue #60.  Two pages into this issue, Kirkman killed off his longtime letterer Rus Wooton.  With a freshly sharpened pencil in his hand, Kirkman approached Wooton who was applying letters to issue #60 at his desk.  Kirkman repeatedly stabbed the unsuspecting Wooton with his #2 pencil.

As a new twist to this already frequently stunning title, The Walking Dead has wordless word balloons from page two onwards.

Penciler, inker, and cover artist Charlie Adlard was not surprised.  “This is how Robbie operates. We all knew this was possible,” he shared between sips of coffee.  When asked if he feared for his own safety, he laughed.  “Sure, no one is safe. But, come on. I do the covers, the art and inks. He’s got to draw the line somewhere.  We’ve been together for a longtime.  I think I’m in the category of passing the bubble where he could have taken me out.”  When reminded that Rus Wooton was with this team from The Walking Dead’s inception, Adlard laughed again.  “Rus? Nice guy, but he was a letterer.  No offense to the alphabet boys, but they are a dime a dozen.”

Colorer Cliff Rathburn was not so confident.  “I’m a @#%*ing colorist for a black and white comic book!  Hell yes I’m scared,” he shared.

There is no doubt that fans will take this most recent Kirkman casualty in stride.  No matter how many bodies of friends known and loved fill the graves of this title, the dead keep walking on.  And only Robert Kirkman knows who will be taking the next steps with us.