Walking Dead’s Creator Shares the ‘Original Name’ of Negan’s Saviors (Here’s Why It Had to Change)

Negan’s villain group “The Saviors” were one of the most memorable factions in The Walking DeadAlthough as revealed by Robert Kirkman, their “original” name was much less evocative, but somehow still oddly fitting, considering the quixotic sense of humor that their leader would become famous for throughout the rest of the comic’s run.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #96 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard – is a full-color reissue of the original black-and-white issue, first published in 2012. The updated issue also includes what became a staple of the Deluxe Reprint, Kirkman’s section “Cutting Room Floor”.

Analyzing his own handwritten notes for the issue, Kirkman noted that his placeholder for the name of Negan’s people is simply “The bad group“- commenting that it”Has a nice ring to it“ Although ultimately it was likely for the best that the author went with something more specific.

Before they were “The Saviors,” Negan’s crew was “The Bad Bunch”

The Walking Dead Deluxe #96 – Written by Robert Kirkman; Art by Charlie Adlard; Color by Dave McCaig; Lettering by Rus Wooten

The appeal of Robert Kirkman’s annotations to The Walking Dead Deluxe Was the wealth of insight he shared with fans in the evolution of the comic’s history. Kirkman revealed details about his dynamic creative process, which involved plotting far ahead and constantly planting seeds of arcs for the future, while also being very flexible when it came to altering plans and changing directions as dictated by the story itself. Case in point: While Kirkman had the idea for Negan and the Saviors early on, their character concepts were still taking shape just issues before their debut.

The Walking Dead #96 represented a major turning point for the series in more ways than one, and none was more evident than when it heralded the imminent arrival of Negan. The Saviors are perhaps the franchise’s stand-out antagonists, and Negan himself would continue to be one of The Walking Dead’s Most memorable characters, even earning the prestige of Robert Kirkman’s favorite. Before their identity was established, however, the author had a short hand for the evil faction, as he explained in the author’s notes to The Walking Dead Deluxe #96:

Hey… The Saviors were originally called “The Bad Group.” Never really meant to be their name, but it has a nice ring to it.

As Robert Kirkman explains, “The Bad Group” was never going to be the final name for the Saviors on the page – but even he admits that it wouldn’t have been totally inappropriate for them, either. What makes this particularly noteworthy, however, is the way it highlights how even a single, seemingly minor decision can change the trajectory of a story. In other words, introducing Negan leading a band of marauders called “The Bad Group” would have changed the tone of the series, a shift that would have a ripple effect as the comic progressed.

Even Robert Kirkman suggests “The Bad Group” would fit Negan’s sense of humor

The Walking Dead Deluxe #96 – Available now from Image Comics

Robert Kirkman’s comment that “The Bad Group” as a name for Negan’s faction “Has a nice ring to it” could have been in jest, but it could also strike the reader as a tacit acknowledgment that the name would be congruent with the character of Negan as fans would come to know him. The Walking Dead Not entirely humorless through the first hundred issues of its run, Negan’s arrival introduced a dimension of almost-perverse levity to the series.

Notably, this wasn’t “comedic relief,” but rather another layer of tension and discomfort for both characters and readers to contend with. In a sense, there was a certain line Robert Kirkman would not cross when it came to humor The Walking DeadAnd calling Negan’s men “The Bad Group” would have straddled that line, if not outright overshadowed it. That is, it could have suited Negan’s sense of humor, and perhaps Robert Kirkman’s, but no The Walking Dead’s.

“Suspension of disbelief”—on which all stories depend, to some degree or another—is an endlessly tricky thing. It often seems as if any given story can only ask so much of its audience. With its zombie outbreak premise, The Walking Dead requires a great deal of suspension of disbelief from the reader up front; As strange as it may sound, Something as simple as calling her new villains “The Bad Group” would have risked testing the limits of readers’ investment in the story.

The “Saviors” name for Negan’s “Bad Group” fits the tone of The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead #96 marks the first use of “parables”

More than a matter of humor, the name of Negan’s “bad group” – and no group at all The Walking Dead – was about fidelity to the tone of the series, which remained consistent throughout its run. Calling Negan’s people “the bad group” would have represented a shift, or perhaps it is better to say a compromise of the story’s tone, which could have given birth to others, in the process changing the comic by degrees each time. Robert Kirkman’s comment that this was never actually considered the final name of the group suggests that he recognized this at the time.

While fans can only speculate about the “what-if?” of The Walking Dead So much so, Kirkman’s annotations in the Deluxe Releasing Safely serves as a prompt to do so. It also gives the reader the opportunity to examine the decisions Kirkman made in a larger context. By identifying what makes “The Bad Group” not work as a name, a clearer picture of what makes “Saviors” so much more appropriate.; That is, it also contains Negan’s trademark bad humor, but in a way that matches The Walking Dead’s Own style.

Introduced as the saviors in Go Dead Deluxe #96, it is immediately clear that they are anything but. Even before his introduction in The Walking Dead #100, this is the first hint at the dark irony that was so central to Negan’s character. His official introduction, and the brutal killing of fan-favorite character Glenn, would reinforce the idea that the name “Mshualim” is a macabre joke. On this, it managed to be unusual, was not as useless as “the bad group”.

The introduction of the Saviors was the sharpest turning point of The Walking Dead

Visit Negan’s entrance The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 – Available November 6th

Considering how big Negan’s presence looms The Walking Dead franchise, it can sometimes be forgotten that he arrived more than halfway into the comic’s run. The Walking Dead #96 represents the conclusion of the final arc before Negan’s arrival, meaning that it closes the door on one era of the series, and opens the door to another. Robert Kirkman’s comments in the Deluxe Reprint of the issue say as much, and It is certain that his notes over the next few issues will be heavy with the weight of what is to come.

For fans of The Walking DeadThe Deluxe Reuse is an indispensable resource; For those who did not follow the comic issue-by-issue during its original release, this is an opportunity to do so in full color, while for long-time fans, it is a chance to relive the experience. For both, Robert Kirkman’s commentary on his iconic series is endlessly fascinating. with The Walking Dead Deluxe #100, and the introduction of Negan, coming soon, the releases of The Walking Dead is sure to shift into an even higher gear, just like the series itself.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #96 is available now from Image Comics.