The Walking Dead creator says Negan survived in the comics due to artist’s decision – digitalspy.com

The Walking Dead's creator has explained why Negan survived in the original comics.

Robert Kirkman recently returned to the world of The Walking Dead for spin-off Negan Lives, which continues the story of the infamous villain.

Negan made his final appearance in the main comics series in issue #174, where Maggie Rhee spares his life and tells him to "live with what [he's] done" over the death of Glenn.

Writing in the Letter Hacks column ending Negan Lives issue #1, Kirkman revealed that the original plan was to kill him off, but artist Charlie Adlard was responsible for keeping him alive.

"Negan was supposed to die in issue #174," he wrote (via ComicBook.com). "I even wrote the full issue script, ending with Negan's death. Charlie Adlard saved his life."

Kirkman went on to share an email from the artist, where he admits he's "a bit unconvinced by the way Maggie shoots him."

"Are you trying to say that this is some sort of 'id' thing where deep down inside, that's what she wants to do, even though she's being convinced she doesn't have to shoot him," Adlard writes.

"It just feels a bit forced. As I said, the more I got to know Negan especially over these last few years the more I wished he'd stayed around till the end. I wish redemption would've worked for him."

He continues: "Because the majority of us find the death penalty therefore an eye for an eye adage abhorrent, we carry it out in fantasy. Hardly any western villain gets away with not dying at the end.

Related: The Walking Dead star reveals Jesus had a boyfriend in season 9 deleted scene

"We, as an audience, always demand the ultimate punishment for our fantasy bad guys. It's a shame we didn't break the mould with Negan... the baddest of bad guys, but very far down the road to redemption and forgiveness, who pays the usual ultimate price death. Imagine, if he lived, what we could say about our society?"

Meanwhile, one of The Walking Dead TV show's directors recently revealed that one scene between Negan and Carl Grimes almost played out very differently.

The Walking Dead's season 10 finale will air as a special episode later this year on FOX in the UK. You can also catch up on the show via NOW TV. In the US, the show airs on AMC.

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The Walking Dead creator says Negan survived in the comics due to artist's decision - digitalspy.com

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