Understanding the Inexplicable Popularity of Negan

The premiere of The Walking Dead‘s seventh season finally provided fans with who was killed by the show’s newest villain, Negan. While he was introduced in the finale of season six, this was the moment in which he was truly revealed. The brutal murder of not one, but two beloved characters along with his demented psychological torturing of Rick Grimes showed just how depraved this man truly is. Both executions were shown in graphic detail while Negan cracked some truly terrible jokes and laughed at the suffering of the show’s protagonists.

Yet the response to this character has been overwhelmingly positive. While many fans were sickened by the actions taken in the premiere, there is a genuine buzz of excitement surrounding the continued presence of Negan on the show. This isn’t a new phenomena either. When Negan was introduced in the comics series, along with a similarly gruesome first execution, the letters page was filled with both outrage over the death and fascination with the new bad guy. He became a central presence after The Walking Dead #100 and has been a focal point for fandom since.

So how do we reconcile the abhorrent actions of the most violent and destructive antagonist in both the comics and television series of The Walking Dead with fandom’s love for him? Why do readers and viewers alike keep calling for more of this man, along with dressing as him for Halloween and conventions, and buying up toys of his baseball bat, Lucille?

We have a few thoughts as to why Negan’s popularity isn’t quite as inexplicable as it may seem on paper.

*BEWARE! SPOILERS INSIDE*

The Aesthetic

Simply put, Negan looks good. Artist Charlie Adlard’s depiction of the character in The Walking Dead made him stand out from the very first panel in which he appeared. He combines a fine leather jacket with plenty of zippers with boots and slicked back hair into a fashion that could be best defined as “Post-Apocalyptic Greaser Chic”. In a world filled with bedraggled survivors and unwashed masses, Negan is someone who takes care of his physical appearance. Even when imprisoned in Rick Grime’s basement, Negan’s hair was always in place. This not only makes him stand out visually, but makes him a lot more fun to cosplay and watch. As bad as the zombie apocalypse was, it truly did wonders for this gym coach’s wardrobe.

And now on the television series that sense of style has been elevated by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan who exudes charm like a long-distance runner sweats on a hundred degree day. The way he sports the show’s version of the leather jacket and his own carefully groomed stubble makes the maniacal character appear charming in spite of everything he does. Morgan’s costuming and makeup are always on point, even when spattered with blood. No matter how awful Negan may behave, he’s a joy to watch both on screen and in the comics.

The Villainy

If there’s one thing The Walking Dead has been lacking for its past several seasons, it’s a great bad guy. Not since The Governor, as portrayed by David Morrissey, was killed mid-way through season four has the show featured a villain capable of standing up to Rick Grimes and his companions. Even his minions last season seemed to tumble like Stormtroopers in front of the program’s heroes. While there have still been plenty of challenges, the story was in dire need of an imposing foe, and now it has one.

The death of Glenn was a make-or-break point for many readers of the comic, driving them off the series or re-invigorating their interest. It seems like that may be true for viewers of the television adaptation as well. If the horror of Negan’s introduction doesn’t overwhelm you, it’s probably because of the opportunities he injects into the narrative. Like any great villain, he raises the stakes and provides seemingly impossible barriers to protagonists. Even compared to The Governor, Negan’s actions and strength seem overwhelming. He is a monster unlike anything seen before in The Walking Dead.

It’s not just what he can do with a baseball bat either. Negan makes for a compelling villain both because of his personality and organization. He is a vocal antagonizer who is clear in his motives for cruelty and creative in his methods. Combine that with a daunting group of followers, all of whom will gladly follower their leader to the death, and you have a potent cocktail of villainy. Those are the elements that will lead to many favorable comparisons to other great TV and comics foes.

The Joy

The single biggest reason for Negan’s popularity though is the joy he displays. This may seem like a bizarre statement, but bear with me. The Walking Dead is not a story filled with many joyous occasions. The conclusion of this season’s premiere showed a dream of a family dinner that seemed horribly out of place. Most of the series’ characters spend most of their time brooding, crying, and generally displaying lots of negative emotions. So Negan presents a welcome change of pace.

Negan smiles. Negan laughs. Negan cracks jokes. Even in the midst of murder and torture, these attributes present a welcome change of pace in The Walking Dead. He may not be doing anything we want to see, but Negan is still providing an emotional response far outside of the norm. For better or worse (well, definitely for worse), Negan is exactly the sort of person who would thrive in this terrible scenario. As long as we are engaged with watching that scenario play out, it is enjoyable to watch literally anyone have a good time. The Governor may have been a great bad guy, but he was just as tragic as those he hunted and killed. Negan is a horror villain in the tradition of Freddy Krueger, capable of cracking wise with terrible jokes and making audiences enjoy his behavior no matter how terrible.

Whatever your thoughts on Negan are, you can’t dispute that he’s unlike anyone to appear in The Walking Dead so far. His sense of style, comprehensive villainy, and simply ability to smile make him an antagonist capable of shaking up a story after 6 seasons or 100 issues. He’s a big deal and for good reason. In a world where the dead rule, Negan is one of the few characters capable of making things lively again.

Are you a fan of Negan? What do you think explains the love of this character in comics and on TV? Tell us what you think in the comments below.