In a surprise announcement Saturday during the Walking Dead panel at New York Comic Con, new showrunner Scott Gimple introduced two more additions to the cast of the hit AMC drama: Southland alum Michael Cudlitz and comedian-turned-actor Josh McDermitt.

Cudlitz followed the news by tweeting the first image of himself as Sgt. Abraham Ford, who debuted in The Walking Dead #53 with his traveling companions Dr. Eugene Porter -- the former high-school science teacher played by McDermitt -- and Rosita Espinosa (portrayed by Twilight actress Christian Serratos).

In the comic series, the three are the only survivors of a much larger group trying to make its way from Texas to Washington, D.C. For eventually becomes Rick Grimes' right-hand man.

The Walking Dead kicks off its fourth season tonight at 9 ET/PT on AMC.