We've always enjoyed comparing 'The Walking Dead' to its comic roots, something originally thought to be made difficult by season 3 finale "Welcome to the Tombs" incorporating one of the largest deviations yet. As we approach season 4 however, executive producers have revealed that an upcoming episode will unfold almost "verbatim" from the books, while another may see the Governor more closely resembling his literary counterpart as well!

The Hollywood Reporter managed to get the inside scoop on a number of aspects from 'The Walking Dead' season 4, wherein EP Greg Nicotero suggested that an upcoming episode will draw heavily from series creator Robert Kirkman's original comics, "almost verbatim," perhaps the most since thee series pilot:

It's really fascinating to make those slight departures, introduce new characters and then get to a situation where you take one episode and you really stick to the source material. You'll be surprised about the way the characters lay out.

Meanwhile, the Governor (David Morrissey) remains something of a mystery in that the character has been confirmed to return as a series regular in season 4, though all promotional materials and even the five-minute Comic-Con 2013 trailer completely omitted the character. Morrissey too has his own future commitments to consider, so where does that leave the Governor in season 4?

Morrissey wouldn't offer up if the deposed Woodbury leader will have changed his look to better reflect his shaggier comic appearance, though the villain will certainly have changed by the time we catch up with him once more. Says Morrissey of the Governor's evolution:

He doesn't carry what happened at the end of season three very lightly. He was a man that recognizes a switch went off in his head and even though he's done terrible things, that ramped him up to somewhere else and he was out of control. That's a very worrying thing for him and that switch takes him into this dark place

While we await the latest details from ‘The Walking Dead’ season 4, the next run of the AMC horror-drama will introduce ‘The Wire’ star Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. as comic character Bob Stookey, and upgrade actors Chad Coleman, Sonequa Martin-Green and Emily Kinney to series regulars. The series is confirmed to have begun casting three new roles exceptionally familiar to comic fans, so let’s speculate on who dies this season to fit them in!

Check out the latest behind the scenes preview of 'The Walking Dead' season 4 below, and tell us in the comment how you think the new season will unfold beginning with October 13 premiere "30 Days Without An Accident!"

More From ScreenCrush