SDCC '12: The Walking Dead Season 3 trailer and international release date info

Shambling its way to the San Diego Comic-Con with a herd of creators, panelists, and loyal hungry fans excited, the people behind AMC and Robert Kirkman's highly successful zombie series "The Walking Dead" have debuted the much anticipated "Season 3 Trailer", teasing what's to come in what will be surely an intense and jaw-dropping 16-episode run that begins fall of this year! Check out what Rick Grimes and his group have in store this October, and see the debut of new faces and the return of some old ones as well!

The Walking Dead: First Look at Merle Dixon for Season 3. *SPOILER*

Those following AMC's The Walking Dead know that Season 3 is currently filming and will be released this coming October. Pictures have already slid online revealing first looks at Michonne, The Governor, and series protagonist Rick Grimes.

Now, a new photo has popped up giving fans a first look at the official return of a character who was last seen officially in Season 1 - Merle Dixon (played by Michael Rooker). SPOILERS following after the jump to see how Daryl Dixon's big brother will look come Season 3, so view at your own risk!

The Walking Dead: The Origin of Michonne by Robert Kirkman in Playboy Magazine

By now, many of you have probably seen (or not) the Season 2 Finale of AMC's The Walking Dead, which wrapped up things nicely despite some mixed reactions and comments by the fanbase over the season's pacing. With Frank Darabont no longer in as showrunner, responsibilities fell over to the other executive producers, among them Glen Mazzara, Greg Nicotero, and The Walking Dead creator himself, Robert Kirkman. Despite losing Darabont, they've remained true to keeping his vision alive and the series a certified hit among fans and viewers alike. With Season 3 due to come this October, everyone is already geared for two things: The Prison arc and the introduction of The Walking Dead comic book character and samurai sworld wielding chick Michonne to Television! She made a small cameo appearance in the finale, and to tie-in to that, Playboy and The Walking Dead comics' creators have teamed up to tell her origin in 6 pages!

Those who don't know who Michonne is, best stay away as there will be SPOILERS in the next few pages, which serves as her origin story for her comic book iteration (who first appeared in Isuue #19, which is now selling for $1850 according to Bleeding Cool)! Released in this month's Playboy magazine. "Michonne's Story" is done by the creators of the comic themselves: written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Charlie Adlard! Anyone who's a fan of TWD better not miss this, so check it out after the jump... but consider this a SPOILER ALERT and read at your own risk!

The Walking Dead Season 3 gets 16 episodes!

Announced by AMC at the Television Critics Association (TCA) last Saturday, and posted in several sites like Comic Book Movie and Superherohype, AMC's third season of their popular survival horror series The Walking Dead will be getting 16 episodes! In addition to revealing a new promo poster that reminds viewers that the 13 episode strong Season 2 will resume with Episode 8 on February 12, the channel has also stated that their international broadcast partner, Fox International Channels, will be following the 16 episode order for Season 3.