'The Walking Dead' Season 4 First Image Released (Photo)

Following a record-setting third season of "The Walking Dead," AMC is already building excitement for next season by releasing the first image from Season 4.

In the photo, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) hangs out in the woods while a zombie creeps behind him.

Is this a hint of a surprise attack to come? Probably not. At this point, the remaining survivors are able to herd the walking dead like cattle, so it's a safe bet that Rick is fully aware of the danger slowly shuffling toward him.

Also read: 'Walking Dead' Breaks Audience Record Again, Claims Lead in All Scripted Shows

Season 3 ratings bested every other scripted program on television earlier this year. The finale scored 12.4 million total viewers during it's first showing on a Sunday at 9 p.m., and even beat History's conclusion to Mark Burnett's highly-successful "Bible" miniseries, which aired the same night.

Production on the fourth season began in Atlanta on May 6. "The Walking Dead" returns this October with three new regulars: Tyreese (Chad Coleman), Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Beth (Emily Kinney).

Here's your very first look:

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