In The Walking Dead‘s comic book universe, creator Robert Kirkman gave fans a surprise finale that jumped ahead multiple years and showcased the remainder of Rick Grime’s ragtag group of survivors as they settled into the new world they fought tooth and nail to create. Now, five years after the comic’s official finale, Robert Kirkman teases the idea of possibly continuing the series, hyping fans up for something that very well may come to pass.

Concluding its epic undead run in 2019 after 193 issues, The Walking Dead ended in a way that gave hope for a sequel series but also buttoned things up to the point that should it never happen, “Old Man” Carl, Judge Michonne, and the rest of the people populating the Commonwealth still have a proper finale to call their own.

In the “Letter Hacks” column at the back of The Walking Dead Deluxe #100, Robert Kirkman admits that “…it’s possible we just keep going with Walking Dead Deluxe #194…,” lightly teasing fans in a way that simply cannot be ignored.

Robert Kirkman Says He Might Continue the Walking Dead When the Deluxe Editions Catch up to the Finale

The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 – 2024 (Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Dave McCaig)

When asked whether fans can “expect to see more” from the Brian K. Vaughn penned The Walking Dead: The Alien spinoff issue, Kirkman is doubtful but concedes that “you never know.” Further replying that “once Clementine Book 3 releases, there won’t be any new The Walking Dead comic book material… ever,” Kirkman softens this devastating blow by admitting, “I mean, it’s possible we just keep going with Walking Dead Deluxe #194 and beyond! Who knows what the future may hold!” officially teasing that more original The Walking Dead content may finally be in the cards for fans of the series.

Walking Dead Was Originally Created as a Tie-In to George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead

While The Walking Dead has become a major reviver for zombies in the 21st century, Robert Kirkman originally wanted it to tie into a classic film.

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What’s interesting about continuing The Walking Dead with the original characters rather than doing another spinoff or extending The Walking Dead: The Alien one-shot is simple: zombies aren’t a major threat anymore. Set over two decades after Rick Grimes’ death, The Walking Dead #193 revealed a world where, yes, the undead are still a thing, but they’re more of an inconvenience now, made clear by Hershel, Maggie and Glenn’s son, turning them into a sideshow attraction. Able to focus on the new world introduced and what Rick Grime’s legacy truly wrought, a hypothetical sequel series would be something completely fresh.

The Walking Dead Has Potential for Furthering Its Already Ended Comic Book Universe Story

Luckily for fans of The Walking Dead, the franchise is still going strong on the small screen, with multiple spinoffs of AMC’s long-lived but similarly concluded live-action series, like The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol and the second season of T he Walking Dead: Dead City, effectively continuing the spirit of the comic in ways that successfully expands upon this zombified world first introduced way back in 2003. Regardless of whether Robert Kirkman makes due on his tantalizing tease of a Walking Dead follow-up, there’s more than enough content for fans to pour over until that time arrives.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 is available from Image Comics.