Is the 'Walking Dead' Spinoff Going to Be a Prequel?

Forget the virus that caused the zombie apocalypse in The Walking Dead — does AMC have a case of prequelitis?

A few months ago, we learned that AMC was working on a The Walking Dead spinoff, with the network saying the new show would "develop an entirely new story and cast of characters" and Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman adding that the spinoff would "create a new corner of The Walking Dead universe."

According to a TVLine report, the spinoff may be a prequel.

There’s increasing buzz that the offshoot will be a prequel of sorts, one that would chronicle the early days of the epidemic and the effort to contain it.

A prequel, you say? Hmmmm, this sounds familiar ... AMC developing a prequel series ...

Ah yes, Better Call Saul, the Breaking Bad spinoff that could wind up being both prequel and sequel. As I said in a recent Pop-Ed, TV is quickly becoming the home of sequels, prequels and spinoffs, which are great ways to keep characters we love around, but a poor way to develop exciting new shows.

What would a Walking Dead prequel be like? In The Walking Dead's first season, we saw that science really had no clue how to stop the zombie apocalypse and the military was little helping in fighting the walkers back. A prequel would also give the franchise the chance to bring back fan favorites in cameos.