Now that the dust has settled from the Season 6 finale let’s dig into that leather jacket-wearing sweet-talking Lucille-swinging maniac Negan. Right off the bat, Negan is BY FAR the most infamous villain of The Walking Dead. Below we’ll give you a spoiler-free rundown explaining everything you need to know about him.
Who Is Negan?
First introduced in the pinnacle Issue 100, Negan serves as the notorious leader of The Saviors, a group of rebels who rule with fear. He forces nearby communities like The Hilltop to surrender their supplies in exchange for (sometimes) not killing them. As ego-maniacal as he seems, Negan abides by a strict set of guidelines that, if not met by his inferiors, will result in SEVERE repercussions (You should see what he can do with an iron).
Comic fans have sometimes voiced concern that Negan will be changed in the show, but fear not! Here are comic comic/show comparisons that should put any of those worries at ease:
Negan’s Backstory
So where does Negan come from? Has he always been a deranged lunatic or was he once a working-class adult like the rest of us? Although the comics barely touch on his past, we revealed in February that we’ll be releasing Negan’s backstory through a serialized 48-page series via Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog and IMAGE+, a monthly collection of previews and sneak peaks. Each month you’ll get 4 pages of brand new Negan goodness from Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. (Learn more about the Negan prequel here). Here’s the first page of the backstory:
What His Arrival Means
Well, two things. One, his appearance on the show spells (almost certain) death for one of our beloved characters. Just like in the Season 6 finale, in the COMICS (show typically deviates), he proves his power/instills fear by capturing Rick’s group against their will and beating one of their own to death after a horrific game of eeny-meeny-miny-moe. Negan intentionally keeps the rest alive so they can soon work for him, providing supplies from Alexandria to The Saviors.
Number two, this could result in an ongoing struggle between Rick and Negan. In the comics, the head-bashing scene ignites a conflict between The Saviors and Alexandria referred to as “All Out War.” For spoiler reasons we can’t divulge too much but know that if it happens in the show it’ll be one of the most climactic story arcs YET. Here’s a taste of that battle:
So there you have it! Negan’s the new sheriff in town and no one is safe. What do YOU think will happen in Season 7 and which comic storylines would you like to see come to fruition? Let us know that and more in the comments below!
I wish JDM’s take on Negan was a little more energetic and charismatic. I know the show and comics are two different things, but it’s Negan. And shave that scruff…
I can’t agree more. I think his beard is a nice touch, but not having one in the comics is what makes him differemt among all other characters. It distinguishes him from the Saviors and gives him a leader aspect. So I guess he should shave too.
When he looks at abraham he smirks, touches his beard and says “huh, I need to shave this shit.”
how am i supposed to get my hands on these 4 pages a month? like where do i pick this image plus up? my LCS? can i have it delivered to my casa?
LCSs can get it. It’s also available online. See my comment on the linked post above.
wtf and i can subscribe to TWD???
my dude, always holding it down!
good shit!
thanks. i appreciate the response. i would like to get the actual comic books.
thanks. i appreciate the response. i would like to get the actual comic books. and does the show go from 100 right to 154 or are there comics in between those? thanks
I think Negan is also one of the most misunderstood characters in the comic. I hope the show tweaks that so there’s less doubt about WHAT he is. And I agree with seanmathews1… JDM is great but I keep seeing a good guy trying to be bad. Something about his eyes, I think. It would definitely help if he was cleaned up (shave) & if he laughed maniacally!
and does the comic book go from 100 right to 154 or are there comics in between? thanks
Great choice! I would recommend you support an LCS (Local Comic Shop) if you could. You can check with this:
http://www.comicshoplocator.com/Home/1/1/57/575
If you don’t have one, like me, & want to subscribe, I’d go with Image Direct:
https://subscriptions.imagecomics.com
If you want to buy prints but not subscribe and/or want comics by other publishers like Marvel or DC, look at this:
http://www.tfaw.com
And as for the number sequence, yeah, the comic has 101 – 154 & on.
Hope this helps!
great thanks. i will check in to a local comic shop.
I think JDM should have shaved..Negan never looked scruffy
I’m looking at JDM and comic Negan side by side makes me wonder how comic Negan wasn’t based on JDM than Henry Rollins. JDM looks exactly like Negan than Henry Rollins imo.
Not really… Like, not at all. JDM is a good fit but he does not naturally look like Negan. You’re looking at an image of JDM where he’s been made to look like Negan as much as he possibly could. Henry Rollins looks like a lot more like him naturally and if they had cast him and dressed him as Negan he’d almost be a dead ringer.
I still think Patrick Warburton is the spitting image, though. Now that man would be a perfect duplicate of Negan in real life.
I can see what you mean about Patrick Warburton, but I’d never be able to take him seriously as Negan. To me, Warburton’s voice is iconic as Kronk from Disney’s Emperor’s New Groove. I’d never be able to get that out of my head, so I doodled a quick Kronk/Negan.
My bad, the image didn’t attach. Here you go:
Dude, that’s an amazing doodle! Holy shit, nice!
And I know what you mean about Warburton. But on the other hand, I think his goofiness would actually help him play Negan because Negan is goofy. You have this guy busting heads, gutting people, burning heads, etc. And yet he’s got the humor of an immature high schooler. It’s all “fucks” and “dicks.” He’s like an overgrown manchild with power.
DAMN!! LOVE!!!
I know this much… Can I please buy that All Out War picture in a poster format? Would look awesome on my wall.
JDM is a bad ass Negan. I like that he has a beard. Its the apocalypse, nobody has time to stay clean shaved :P. One gripe about his outfit is that they forgot his knife belt. His knife is just as important as Lucille. Hopefully it’ll show up in Season 7. He’s gonna need it to gut Spencer or somebody else at Alexandria since the show doesn’t stick to the comic deaths >:^).
I own the original artwork for the death of Spencer page its one of my prized possessions 🙂
I’d say Negan would be the exception to the clean shave rule. He wouldn’t want any of his gorgeous face covered up.
I really need that prequel but really don’t want to subscribe to some service for it. Yet, I can’t wait for these pages either.I’m considering it…
$1.99. You know you want to.
I’m from The Netherlands.
Are these comics going to be released only in USA or also in The Netherlands?
And if yes, where can i get them, at the usual comic store?
I think you can get them online.
JDM was definitely a good pick for Negan. Hopefully though he does get more charismatic. In the comic when he kills Glenn, it’s like he is happy to be there. He doesn’t like it, but at the same time he loves it. He has so much confidence because he knows he is the baddest man left on the planet. Negan seems relaxed because he knows nobody can touch him. JDM’s Negan seems like he is trying to convince everyone. I love the show though and Negan. I can’t be too picky.
JDM as NEGAN: FABULOUS choice. Megan has to be completely iresistable. He must have that littleffect glint of “come closer, you know you want me. I know you do!” and his voice and facial expressions, his entire being has to convince the viewer that HE is THE MAN. HE is as dangerous, powerful and mesmerizingly seductive as a very famous villain. One who has a way with women, who convinces even good people to go ahead, be BAD!!!! Know who I mean?
Why none other than the all-time soul destroyer of all time, Lucifer, the Great Satan. Of course, Negan really doesn’t concern himself with any body’s soul, but he is seriously working to own as many as he can, to do his evil bidding. The comparison could be argued unendlingly, but let me say this : If it were the end of life as we know it, the dead reanimating and relentlessly roaming the planet with only an absolute and complete NEED to eat every bit of flesh they come upon, most especially human meat, and this man, this Negan, in the form of the tall, sultry, dimpled Jeffrey Dean Morgan, all bedroom eyed and so charming that even the Walkers drop their drawers – introduces himself to me and despite the fact I had a home, safety. some guy to warm my bed he asks me to take up his business, go collect ” the insurance ” payments from every single human group, slaughtering and beating anybody who balks and then provide for the Savior community and become one of his wifely harem, existing only because he allows it…. (taking a breath) WOULD I SAY YES? You bet your last sweet free moment I would. Yes, sir, one little curve of his lip, a peep of dimple, and a transfixing look into my eyes from THAT guy. “Jump, why, of course Sir , how high?” Oh and you want me to do what with you? REALLY??? where and when,b I’ll be there.”
Yeah, you see, there is a certain quality possessed in limitless amounts by men like JDM that renders us all- male, female canine or feline-into co-dependant, masochistic cult joining slaves. And sometimes, that’s not such a bad thing. NEGAN, THE MAN himself, is exactly this type of character. In a parallel universe, he could very well be a guy just trying to keep his people alive. Exactly like Rick. I wonder if Shane had survived would the group be his workers? Praising his name for keeping them alive? Would he be heading the group, now a gang of marauders who have learned that it is much better to follow the party line, than risk Shane’s special iron treatment or worse , Lucille?
Just saying. “-)
Dang idiot spell check. Turning Negan into Megan while I was on a roll.
Pfft.
That’s happened to me to lol
I love Jeffrey dean Morgan… I think he fits negan perfect!!
Love u negan… Sorry love to hate u!!lol
Love walking dead and fear the walking dead