Another comic book series is coming to life, this time going to the small screen as a television show premiering on Halloween.

The acclaimed black-and-white series The Walking Dead from Image Comics debuts on AMC Oct. 31, with a 90-minute premiere episode.

The writer of the comic, Robert Kirkman, will serve as an executive producer. This should ensure that while of course there will be some changes -- as is natural -- the spirit of the original comics will not be lost in the transition.

Some people in the entertainment industry hope that this show will revive the zombie genre, and that is certainly possible. The success of last year's zombie comedy Zombieland would seem to indicate that there is a market for more zombie stories.

Unlike some zombie stories though, the focus is not on killing and gore. Oh, that will be there. But the main focus of the comic book and upcoming series is the survival of humanity after the devastation done to the population.

The stories told will look at the survivors not only as they try to stay alive from the zombies, but also as they rebuild society, and have to survive from and with each other. Situations like this either bring out the best or the worst in people, and a good deal of the conflict will be between the survivors as they move forward.

At this time, the series is scheduled to be six episodes, but I'm sure that will be adjusted in some way if the show gets good ratings. AMC has not officially said, nor have they indicated, if the first season would be extended, or if this would simply be a short season and then be renewed. Its website does indicate that this is Season 1 so it looks like they are hoping for more.

There was a trailer introduced at San Diego Comic-Con, which can be viewed here at the AMC site. You also can see other videos, such as the panel presented at Comic-Con for the show, and some making of shorts. There also are set photos and links to other industry articles on the upcoming show.

Fans of the zombie genre should mark this on your calendars. Those who like human drama should give this a chance as well. I suspect that the show will end up being more about the characters and their survival and rebuilding than about the zombies. If the show manages to do that, I believe it has a good chance for success.