The next spin-off series in the AMC The Walking Dead universe is set to premiere on Sunday, June 18 with The Walking Dead: Dead City. The show revolves around Negan and Maggie from the original series.
In Dead City, Maggie and Negan travel into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan long ago cut off from the mainland; the crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty and terror.
In order to gear up for the spin-off, we are getting in the mood by reading these eight The Walking Dead comic books prior to the premiere. Of course, the comic book and television universes are slightly different, but you should never shy away from reading The Walking Dead comic book when you have the chance!
The Walking Dead #100
Negan and his bat Lucille’s comic book debut in The Walking Dead series.
This extra-sized chapter contains one of the darkest moments in Rick Grimes’ life, and one of the most violent and brutal things to happen within the pages of this series. 100 issues later, this series remains just as relentless as the debut issue.
The Walking Dead #113
After Rick and Andrea’s unsuccessful assassination attempt in issue #112, Negan regains control of the community by highlighting his group’s superior numbers and weapons. In The Walking Dead #113, Negan escalates tensions by threatening a second Lucille lineup to crush Rick’s rebellion, but he avoids killing him to avoid turning him into a martyr.
The Walking Dead #125
In the penultimate issue of All Out War – Part Two, The Walking Dead #125, Rick finally puts an end to the war against the Saviors by seeking a peaceful resolution. He shares that his survivors are fighting for a world without Negan. Surprisingly, he agrees to Rick’s proposition to unite their people and rebuild civilization better than before. However, just when it seems like all will be well, Rick makes a sudden and unexpected move – he draws a knife and slits his throat.
The Walking Dead #126
Find out what happens when Rick attempts to put an end to Negan’s brutal rule in The Walking Dead #126. Despite being attacked and left crippled by his enemy, Rick chooses to take the high road and spares his life. Instead, he is ordered to be imprisoned for his crimes against society.
The Walking Dead #156
In The Walking Dead #156, after being freed from jail by one of Rick’s enemies, Negan joins forces with the Whisperers, a new group that emerges after a brutal attack by their leader Alpha. Though he initially pledges loyalty to Alpha, Negan later murders her and presents her decapitated head to Rick as a sign of trust. Following his redemption, he is enlisted to fight on the front lines of the Whisperer War.
The Walking Dead #174
In The Walking Dead #174, Negan, after joining the militia against the Whisperers, is forced out of Alexandria as a free man. He leads a solitary life in a remote outpost until he’s confronted by Glenn’s widow, Maggie Rhee. Despite his pleas for death, Maggie refuses to execute him, instead telling him to live with the consequences of his actions. In his final appearance, he burns his replica Lucille, showcasing his acceptance of his past mistakes.
The Walking Dead #193
After two decades, Carl Grimes still brings provisions to the isolated Negan. In the ultimate issue of The Walking Dead, a mysterious Negan is briefly showcased paying respects to his late spouse at a cenotaph.
Negan Lives #1
This The Walking Dead one-shot story consisting of 36 pages, following the character after Issue 174. It was published on July 1, 2020 in order to help local comic book shops during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dead City Bonus: Here’s Negan
Since his debut in The Walking Dead #100, the charismatic psychopath has antagonized Rick Grimes, murdered his friend with a baseball bat wrapped in barb wire (which he calls “Lucille”), and led the Saviors into war against Alexandria and the neighboring communities. But who was he before society broke down? That question will be answered here!
