Um.
I can't see so many similarities between Stu and Rick.
Rick's already a leader, when the world goes down the toilet.
Stu gets thrust into leadership, when the world goes down the toilet.
And their personalities are so different - Rick's highly-strung and intense.
Stu is more phlegmatic and self-contained.
They're both amazing characters, but they come from different places.
Stu comes from SK's knowledge of the human heart, paired with his ability to create characters that you can't (and don't want to ) forget.
Rick is the sum of Andrew Lincoln's 360 degree performance and 22 writers (including his creator - Mr. Kirkman, we salute you).
Millions of people have read
The Stand.
And they can all
see Stu.
Rick will always look like Andrew Lincoln (unless you read the comic first - sorry).
The Stand is the definitive post-apocalyptic novel of the late 20th century and from there on in (until somebody writes something better).
And
The Walking Dead is the definitive gut-wrenching (no pun intended, really) piece of TV of this decade.
Oops - went off on a ramble. . sorry folks!