Negan’s comic story comes to life in new TWD episodes?

A season 10 bonus episode suggests an exploration of Negan’s backstory

When AMC announced the details of the 6 extra season 10 episodes due to air in February, many Walking Dead fans were particularly excited to see that episode 10×22 is titled “Here’s Negan.”

“Here’s Negan” is the title of the spin-off volume from The Walking Dead comic book by Robert Kirkman which explores Negan’s backstory, and it’s safe to assume the episode will tell the same or similar story. It is a massively popular aspect of the comic world and fans were itching to see it come to life.

Showrunner Angela Kang had promised, when the season 10 bonus episodes were announced, that comic fans would see something they’d long been waiting to see. And with the recent casting announcement that Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s real-life wife Hilarie Burton Morgan had been cast to play Negan’s wife Lucille, it was clear Negan’s backstory was making its way to our screens very soon.

The 16-issue stand alone comic, which came out in 2016, tells the story of Negan from before the apocalypse, when the philandering, bullying gym-teacher finds out his wife Lucille has terminal cancer.

We then follow him as he loses his wife just as the world turns, and on his journey in the days after. The story shows how Negan befriends stranger after stranger only for them to die mere hours or days later, hardening Negan further and further after each subsequent loss.

These losses, and the weaknesses Negan sees in the dead, lead to him adopting a very different attitude to those around him, as he begins to find himself a natural leader.

Events progress in the comic until Negan meets Dwight, forms the Saviors, and becomes the man we met in season 6.

It seems likely we’ll see a similar story play out in the bonus episode bearing the comic’s name, though presumably without the contribution of Dwight – who is currently otherwise engaged in FearTWD.

While there will be a lot in this episode for comic fans, there will also no doubt be plenty for every other viewer. Seeing the married Morgans’ chemistry on screen as they play out the complex marriage in the story, whilst Burton Morgan plays Lucille’s health failing, in parallel to the world’s crumbling, feels like a potent mixture.

Negan’s backstory being explored is also not the only draw to this episode. From the description we can see that Carol will play some kind of part in this episode, which is more good news for the audience.

Ever since Negan appeared on screen fans have been clamoring to see him interact with Carol. The idea of master manipulator Carol coming toe-to-toe with bluster-buster Negan was always a delicious concept to envision.

And in season 10 we finally got our wish when it was revealed that Carol had released Negan from prison, in order to get close to and ultimately kill Alpha.

From the flashback scene of Carol coming to Negan’s jail cell, to Negan presenting Alpha’s head to Carol, it was abundantly clear that these two acting powerhouses have the chemistry the audience always hoped they would have.

The opportunity to see more of Melissa McBride and Morgan working together on screen is tantalizing in itself, however it’s only made even more intriguing when you look at the parallels in their characters.

Having Negan relate the story of his past to Carol would be a smart move on behalf of the writers, given that these two characters began so differently yet have been using a similar coping mechanism through their pain.

Both have taken on personas that are not them, and both have attempted to harden themselves to loss by not getting close to those around them. Negan achieved it by surrounding himself with yes-men and women that he didn’t actually care about, that he would pity rather than love. Carol, meanwhile, created fake personas and tried to only form surface level relationships, whilst pushing away the ones she loves.

They have trod similar paths of inuring themselves to the violence they have had to dish-out in order to stay alive. Though Carol’s violence has come largely from protecting the ones she loved, Negan’s has – in the time we’ve seen him on screen – come from wanting to protect his position.

However, in recent times we have seen that changing as Negan’s position and mind-set changed. Having Negan been in a place where he feels able to deal with his past, the mistakes he’s made and the lessons he’s learned is a huge leap forward for the character.

Negan working through his issues with his wife and marriage, and who he was in the past is something that would not only be a thrilling ride to watch for the former villain, it would also be fascinating if he is able to pass some of that revelation on to Carol.

If it is Negan who is able to get through to Carol that she can’t keep pushing people away, and that hardening herself to the death and violence they experience will only lead to more pain, it may be important for her future and his own.

With Maggie back on the scene, Negan is more than ever in need of an ally to convince the others that he has changed. If he is able to impart his learned wisdom to Carol, touch her life and help her move forwards, it may be his best advantage in gaining acceptance from others.

No matter how the events in “Here’s Negan” impact the future for the characters featured in the episode, there’s no doubt that what we’ll see will be gripping and deeply emotional. And that this much loved comic story is in very safe hands with Jeffrey Dean Morgan at the helm.