I'm all about being pushed as a reader, but I just don't see the story sustaining itself without Rick.
This has even concerned me regarding the TV show. Let's say they get 3-4 more seasons, plus this new spinoff. The show is going to start outpacing the book in regards to story lines, and I'd imagine we'd see some type of resolution or ending when the series concludes at a point when we're barely over 200 issues.
This is all within the context of the book keeping the same format. It's such a massive cash cow for Image/SkyBound, that I'm sure we'll start seeing spinoff titles and the overall growth of the WD universe. I'm OK with them doing this, but we all know it may be good, but it won't be the same.
All the more reason why pre-100 (and really pre-48) art will be coveted down the road.