Negan is one of the most iconic and controversial characters in The Walking Dead franchise. He is the former leader of the Saviors, a group of survivors who terrorized and extorted other communities in the post-apocalyptic world. He is also the man who brutally killed Glenn and Abraham, two beloved members of Rick’s group, with his signature weapon, a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire that he named Lucille. But is Negan dead? What happened to him after the war with Rick and his allies? And what is his role in the current events of the series? Here is everything you need to know about Negan’s fate in both the comic book and the television adaptation of The Walking Dead.
Negan in the Comics
In the comic book series, Negan was introduced in issue #100, where he made his infamous debut by killing Glenn in front of his pregnant wife Maggie, as a punishment for Rick’s group killing some of his men. He then forced Rick and the other communities to submit to his rule and give him half of their supplies, or face more deaths. Rick eventually formed an alliance with the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and the Scavengers, and waged a war against Negan and the Saviors, known as All Out War. The war ended with Rick defeating Negan and slashing his throat, but sparing his life and imprisoning him in Alexandria, as a symbol of civilization and justice.
Negan remained in captivity for two years, until he was freed by Brandon, a rebellious teenager who wanted to join the Whisperers, a new enemy group that wore the skins of walkers to blend in with them. Negan pretended to join the Whisperers, but secretly killed their leader, Alpha, and brought her severed head to Rick, as a sign of goodwill and redemption. He then helped Rick and the other communities fight against the Whisperers and their massive horde of walkers, known as the Whisperer War. He also developed a friendship with Rick, who trusted him enough to let him live in an isolated house outside Alexandria, under supervision.
Negan’s last appearance in the comic book series was in issue #174, where he was confronted by Maggie, who wanted to kill him for what he did to Glenn. Negan begged her to do it, saying that he hated himself and wanted to die. However, Maggie decided to spare him, saying that he was already worse than dead, and that he had to live with his guilt and loneliness for the rest of his life. She then left him, telling him to never come back. Negan was later seen burying Lucille, his bat, and saying goodbye to her, as a way of letting go of his past.
Negan’s story was continued in a one-shot special issue, titled Negan Lives, which was released in 2020. The issue revealed that Negan was still living in his isolated house, where he was visited by a woman named Lucy, who claimed to be a fan of his. She offered him to join her community, but Negan refused, saying that he was better off alone. He then realized that Lucy was actually a spy sent by a man named Paul, who wanted to kill Negan and take his supplies. Negan fought off Paul and his men, and escaped with Lucy, who revealed that she was actually a former Savior who admired Negan and wanted to be with him. Negan rejected her, saying that he was not the same man he used to be, and that he had no interest in her. He then left her, and continued his solitary life.
Negan in the TV Series
In the television series, Negan was introduced in the season 6 finale, where he killed Abraham and Glenn, in a similar manner to the comics. He then forced Rick and the other communities to obey him and give him half of their supplies, or face more deaths. Rick eventually formed an alliance with the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and the Scavengers, and waged a war against Negan and the Saviors, known as All Out War. The war ended with Rick defeating Negan and slashing his throat, but sparing his life and imprisoning him in Alexandria, as a symbol of civilization and justice.
Negan remained in captivity for six years, until he escaped from his cell, after Gabriel left the door unlocked. He wandered around the world, and briefly returned to the Sanctuary, only to find it abandoned and overrun by walkers. He then decided to go back to Alexandria and his cell, rather than be alone. He also developed a close bond with Judith, Rick’s daughter, who saw him as a friend and mentor. He later saved her from a blizzard, and earned the trust and respect of some of the Alexandrians.
Negan then became involved in the conflict with the Whisperers, a new enemy group that wore the skins of walkers to blend in with them. He pretended to join the Whisperers, but secretly killed their leader, Alpha, and brought her severed head to Carol, who had asked him to do it. He then helped Daryl and the other survivors fight against the Whisperers and their massive horde of walkers, known as the Whisperer War. He also developed a friendship with Daryl, who trusted him enough to let him live in Alexandria, under supervision.
Negan’s story was continued in the season 10 finale, where he was confronted by Maggie, who had returned to Alexandria after being away for a long time. Maggie was shocked and angry to see Negan alive and free, and wanted to kill him for what he did to Glenn. Negan tried to apologize to her, saying that he had changed and regretted his actions. However, Maggie did not accept his apology, and said that she would never forgive him. She then left him, saying that she would deal with him later.
Negan’s story was further explored in a special episode, titled Here’s Negan, which was released in 2021. The episode revealed Negan’s backstory, before and during the apocalypse. It showed that Negan was a gym teacher, who cheated on his wife, Lucille, with one of his students. He then found out that Lucille had cancer, and tried to make amends with her. He also tried to find chemotherapy for her, but failed. He then stayed with her, until she died and turned into a walker. He then burned down their house, and took Lucille, his bat, as a memento of her. He then encountered a group of bikers, who beat him up and took his supplies. He then met Dwight, Sherry, and the other Saviors, who helped him get his supplies back. He then killed the bikers, and took over the Saviors, becoming their leader.
The episode also showed Negan’s present situation, after the Whisperer War. He was exiled from Alexandria, by the council, who decided that he was too dangerous to stay. He then went to his old house
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