Rick Is Negan On New Cover Of The Walking Dead

We are all Negan, huh, Rick?

The leader of Alexandria and the new world of The Walking Dead has literally become Negan on a variant cover of the comic’s issue #163. Standing proudly with Lucille in his only hand and sporting a leather jacket, Rick Grimes is posing as his biggest nemesis.

Whether or not this cover teases any sort of event between the two characters is unknown. However, The Walking Dead #162 just saw Negan show the first major signs of humanity since being introduced in issue #100. After his precious Lucille bat was broken in a previous issue, he buried it as a memorial to his late wife Lucille whom he named the bat after.

“I’m sorry,” Negan said. “I never got to bury you before. I know this isn’t the same. I’m sorry you were never truly put to rest. I’m hoping…this is the closest thing I can get.”

In Here’s Negan, the 16-issue backstory mini-series, the villain’s wife reanimated as a zombie just as the world fell apart after succumbing to cancer.

“I hope you’re at peace,” Negan said. “I hope you… I hope you’re in heaven, and you fell in love with someone who treats you better than I ever did, and that they’re f—ing your brains out and then f—ing your brains right back in after that on a daily basis.”

If Negan is finally putting the past behind him, is it possible he sees a turn around similar to that of TV’s Morgan Jones and tries to repent for all of his horrible actions? Even if that is drastic and an extremely exaggerated version of what’s ahead for the former villain, Rick Grimes and his community will continue with his kill-to-survive mentality, making him and the original Negan not so different.

In any case, a new story is ahead in the aftermath of the Whisperer War which concluded with issue #162 this week. Will we be seeing a more ruthless Rick Grimes, once again?

Check out the variant cover of The Walking Dead #163 in the gallery below! You can pick up a copy of the limited cover when issue #163 hits shelves February 1, 2017. The variant cover is drawn by Charlie Adlard and colored by Dave Stewart.

MORE WALKING DEAD:

Andrew Lincoln’s Epic Reaction To Season 7 Finale / New Season 7B Key Art / Violent Takes Were Removed From Midseason Finale / Best Moments of 2016 / Negan Featured in #162 Preview / Five Worst Storylines / Who Will Be The Next Major Death? / AMC Stock Takes Hit With TWD Ratings Drops / Spoilers: How Will Season 7 End?

The Walking Dead returns for the rest of its seventh season on February 12 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. Fear the Walking Dead‘s third season does not yet have a premiere date but with The Walking Dead finale set for April 2, expectations for Fear‘s return are set for April 9. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.

(via Image)