Shropshire fans queue up to meet comic book legend Charlie Adlard

Fans of cult graphic novel and worldwide smash hit TV series The Walking Dead turned up in their droves to see the acclaimed Shrewsbury-based artist at Waterstones in Telford Shopping Centre.

Charlie, who lives in Shrewsbury with his wife and children, has illustrated the hugely successful monthly zombie comic for about 10 years and has also drawn a range of famous characters including Superman for DC Comics.

Now The Walking Dead – the story of survivors in a world where 99 per cent of the population have been turned into the undead – has become a hugely popular American television series with millions of fans across the world.

Charlie, 47, said he continues to be amazed by the success of the story, which he draws at his home studio to scripts sent over from America by writer Robert Kirkland.

"Who would have thought that what Robert Kirkland and I created would end up like this?" he said during a break in signing.

"I was just happy making a living doing something I enjoyed, but the success has been phenomenal. It never seems to stop.

"The sales of the comics keeps going up and up and the TV show is getting bigger and bigger. It's an unstoppable beast.

"It's nice to be living here in Shropshire away from the mania in LA. I don't feel like I'm part of this huge phenomenon.

"At a signing in New York recently I had to have security to control the queue because there were so many people there. I love getting out and meeting the fans."

Former teacher Dave Harris, 51, of Aqueduct, Telford, said the graphic novels were a great way to get young people reading.