TRIGGER WARNINGS: Discussions of sexual assault, harems, and comedian panels that includes scantily clad individuals and implied sexual relations.
The creator of Undead formally recognized Negan's most controversial second based mostly on the reactions he noticed on social media. Surprisingly, it's not the notorious scene the place Negan brutally hits Glenn over the pinnacle 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 12 months 2025 introduced deluxe editions of numerous Undead comics, together with a revamped model of problem #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 enduring 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 probably the most controversial a part of the collection.
Negan's Harem was probably 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 vital problem, 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 facets of its world. Essentially the most spectacular reveal, nonetheless, is the introduction of Negan's private harem. By way of the artwork of Charlie Adlard, the harem is portrayed as a bunch of scantily clad girls, wearing lingerie and lounging in an opulent front room. Throughout your dialog with Carl, Negan refers to those girls as his wives. Nonetheless, 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 principles for a newer 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. Nonetheless, he additionally explains that if a girl decides to go away and return to her husband, she is going to lose the privileges of being a part of his harem. This ultimatum makes it clear that, A technique 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 ladies's participation is much from voluntary. They're coerced into becoming a member of via numerous means – whether or not to guard a beloved one from Negan, acquire entry to extra sources and privileges, or just guarantee their survival. This coercion highlights that the state of affairs will not be totally consensual, making it deeply controversial. Negan's essential goal for sustaining the harem is to have sexual relations with a number of girls, which implies the presence of sexual assault given the facility imbalance and lack of true alternative.
Whereas the controversy surrounding Negan's harem is clear, Robert Kirkman himself confirms it as probably the most controversial side of the collection in his author's notes for the deluxe version of problem #105. Kirkman writes, “I'd say nearly greater than the rest, at the very least on social media, the harem has develop into one of many controversial facets of comics. Much more so than a few of the upcoming bits with The Whisperers, which at all times shocked 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
Predominant cowl by David Finch and Dave McCaig for The Strolling Useless Deluxe #105 (2025)
Except for the controversy, Negan's harem additionally highlights his morally complicated and twisted nature. Negan overtly condemns rapists, seeing sexual assault as one of many few actually evil acts he prohibits amongst his followers. Nonetheless, he doesn't acknowledge his personal harem as a type of sexual assault, regardless of the clear coercion concerned. Ladies are pressured into turning into his wives and agreeing to have intercourse with him in trade 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.