TRIGGER WARNINGS: Discussions of sexual assault, harems, and comedian panels that includes scantily clad folks and implied sexual relations.
The creator of Undead formally recognized Negan's most controversial second primarily based on the reactions he noticed on social media. Surprisingly, it's not the notorious scene the place Negan brutally hits Glenn over the top along with his beloved bat, Lucille. Earlier than persevering with, please word the set off warnings on the high of this web page.
...it's instantly clear that this isn't a narrative of mutual love or consensual polyamory.
The yr 2025 introduced deluxe editions of numerous Undead comics, together with a revamped model of situation #105. Together with vibrant remastering and recoloring by colorist Dave McCaig, Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard Undead #105 (2012) now options commentary from Kirkman himself.
On this commentary, the creator of the long-lasting comedian ebook collection – which has since been tailored into an much more well-known TV present – shares fascinating insights into Undead custom. Amongst these revelations is the startling declare that Negan's Harem is essentially the most controversial a part of the collection.
Negan's Harem was essentially the most controversial element within the collection
The comedian web page comes from Undead #105 (2012) – Artwork by Charlie Adlard
Undead #105 stands out as a very important situation, providing followers their first detailed have a look at Negan's Sanctuary and the internal workings of his base. This comedian primarily focuses on Negan giving Carl a tour of the Sanctuary, revealing numerous features of its world. Probably the most spectacular reveal, nonetheless, is the introduction of Negan's private harem. Via the artwork of Charlie Adlard, the harem is portrayed as a gaggle of scantily clad ladies, wearing lingerie and lounging in an opulent lounge. Throughout your dialog with Carl, Negan refers to those ladies as his wives. Nevertheless, it's instantly clear that this isn't a narrative of mutual love or consensual polyamory.
Negan discusses the dynamics of the harem in a dialog with considered one of its members, reaffirming the foundations for a more moderen addition. He emphasizes that membership in his harem is “utterly voluntary” and insists that he doesn't need anybody there in opposition to his will. Nevertheless, he additionally explains that if a girl decides to depart and return to her husband, she's going to lose the privileges of being a part of his harem. This ultimatum makes it clear that, A method or one other, the ladies are coerced into staying, exposing the manipulative and transactional nature of Negan's association.
Why is Negan's Harem so controversial in Undead?
The comedian web page comes from Undead #105 (2012) – Artwork by Charlie Adlard
The extra particulars emerge about Negan's harem, the clearer it turns into that girls's participation is way from voluntary. They're coerced into becoming a member of via numerous means – whether or not to guard a cherished one from Negan, achieve entry to extra sources and privileges, or just guarantee their survival. This coercion highlights that the state of affairs is just not completely consensual, making it deeply controversial. Negan's important goal for sustaining the harem is to have sexual relations with a number of ladies, which implies the presence of sexual assault given the ability imbalance and lack of true selection.
Whereas the controversy surrounding Negan's harem is apparent, Robert Kirkman himself confirms it as essentially the most controversial side of the collection in his author's notes for the deluxe version of situation #105. Kirkman writes, “I might say virtually greater than anything, at the least on social media, the harem has grow to be one of many controversial features of comics. Much more so than among the upcoming bits with The Whisperers, which at all times stunned me.” Kirkman's perspective on the social media response to this scene highlights how controversial it's, particularly if it surpasses the horrors related to The Whisperers by way of viewers response.
Negan's Harem exemplifies his ethical complexity and twisted character
Primary cowl by David Finch and Dave McCaig for The Strolling Lifeless Deluxe #105 (2025)
Apart from the controversy, Negan's harem additionally highlights his morally advanced and twisted nature. Negan overtly condemns rapists, seeing sexual assault as one of many few actually evil acts he prohibits amongst his followers. Nevertheless, he doesn't acknowledge his personal harem as a type of sexual assault, regardless of the clear coercion concerned. Ladies are pressured into changing into his wives and agreeing to have intercourse with him in alternate for sure privileges, making his justification deeply hypocritical. This backwards, twisted logic exemplifies the complexity of Negan's character and solidifies his place as one of many The strolling useless extra fascinating and morally ambiguous figures.