The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman has joined the writers room for the Transformers franchise, according to Deadline.  He’s one of five writers signed to join Akiva Goldsman, who was brought on in March as the first of the team to develop ideas for spinoffs and sequels (see “’Transformers’ Are a Universe Too”).

Kirkman will be joined by Art Marcum & Matt Holloway (Iron Man), Zak Penn (Incredible Hulk, Avengers), and Jeff PInkner (Amazing Spider-Man 2), with more to come. 

This is the first time we can remember that Kirkman has taken a writing gig that’s not on one of his own properties, perhaps indicating a new career direction.