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Robert Kirkman, author of “The Walking Dead” comics that inspired the hit AMC zombie series, has reached a settlement over payments for the work of their original artist, Tony Moore.

The two childhood friends said they had resolved to “move on in their lives.”

Moore sued Kirkman in February, accusing Moore, a frequent comic collaborator, of tricking him into surrendering his rights to the early issues of “Walking Dead” in 2005 in exchange for payments that never came. Kirkman called the allegations “ridiculous,” and in turn sued Moore.

The gritty, realistic series — well, realistic except for the walkers — became a huge success and inspired the massive cable drama. Its third season will premiere next month.

Kirkman had made a joke months before the lawsuit was filed that Moore’s lawyer suggested could come back to haunt him if the case went to trial. In an interview for the Nerdist podcast, Kirkman was asked by an aspiring comic writer how to find an illustrator, and recommended, with tongue-in-cheek, “trickery and deceit.”

When TheWrap brought the remark to the attention of Moore’s lawyer, Devin McRae, McRae responded: “As the saying goes, in all humor there’s truth. And also, I think from my client’s perspective, Mr. Kirkman is clearly speaking from experience.”

But the conflict is buried now.

“Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore are pleased to jointly announce that they have reached an amicable agreement in their respective lawsuits and all parties have settled the entire matter to everyone’s mutual satisfaction,” the said in a joint statement. “Neither side will be discussing any details but will instead happily and productively spend their time focused on their own work and move on in their lives.”

Source: Tim Molloy, The Wrap