Here there be spoilers. Be warned!

Well Robert Kirkman fooled us again. After the last issue I thought for sure we would see a damaged Carl. Beaten, raped, missing limbs. Something. But here comes yet another swerve that this comic is known for.

Negan has spared Carl. Just to look like a good guy. The question of perspective returns. Rick has done some awful stuff but we know the path that got him there. Is it possible that Negan started out good and only became this due to tragedies and necessities? Not harming Carl calls into question everything he has done before. His moral code may be warped but just the fact that he has one says a lot.

I know many will see this as a “nothing happens” issue but I feel we will look back on it as one of the most important.

(Updated with more thoughts.)

Its not only Negan’s personal code that puts everything into questions, its Jesus backing it up as well.  While Jesus doesn’t know everything about Negan, he has known of him for longer than Rick has.  A tyrant cant rule on just fear.  He has to seem at times benevolent.  Otherwise each and every man woman and child would spend every waking moment thinking of ways to overthrow.  I am not saying Negan is a good person, far from it.  But maybe he’s a person who was good and has had to make a lot of sacrifices and compromises to stay alive in this new world.  I know, I cant believe I’m defending the guy that handles Lucille, and yet here we are.

Just a sign of how good this comic book is.  Here I am debating the motivations of a mad man, trying to defend them.