but you have to agree, out of all the zombie style shows and movies over the last few years, this walking dead uses almost identical style gore special effects to what Tom Savini did in many of romaro's best zombie films, i hope this sets a trend for new zombie movies that aren't just splat-stick comedy's.

Oh yeah for sure, it's a homage that Darrabont wanted to bring to the series in respect for Romero and Savini and it was a very good move imo.
Tom Savini is still the master and the orignal pioneer for horror sfx.