In a surprise press release from Image Comics, The Walking Dead will be returning to comic shops this July in a special one-shot titled NEGAN LIVES #1. Written by the series creator, Robert Kirkman, with art by Charlie Adlard, NEGAN LIVES #1 is an all-new story chronicling the titular character’s adventures since the events of THE WALKING DEAD #174.
This surprise one-shot is intended as a ‘thank you’ and show of support for comic shops hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdowns. The support is both symbolic and financial as all shipping costs by Diamond will be waived, and 100% of the sales go to the shops selling the book. You can read the press release in full below.
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THE WALKING DEAD WILL RISE AGAIN IN SPECIAL NEGAN LIVES #1 STORY THIS JULY
The surprise one-shot from Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard aims at generating new excitement for comic shops recovering from the COVID-19 crisis
PORTLAND, Ore. 06/18/2020 — The New York Times bestselling, award winning creative team behind The Walking Dead
phenomenon—Robert Kirkman (Fire Power, Oblivion Song) and Charlie Adlard (Vampire State Building)—returns to the beloved series for a surprise one-shot story, Negan Lives #1, which will arrive in stores this July.
This shipment arriving in July will be without financial burden to receiving retailers—with no freight cost for them to worry about. “I’ve been inspired by Steve Geppi and Diamond’s efforts to shine a light on how essential the Direct Market is to our beloved industry with their #backthecomeback campaign,” said Kirkman. “While Charlie Adlard and I had laid the series to rest, this felt like something special we could do for the store owners who made our series a success to begin with. To that end, I’m happy to report that 100% of the revenue generated from this book will go to the stores selling it. The retailer community does backbreaking work to get comics into the hands of our loving fans, we should all be doing more in these trying times to show them how appreciated they are.”
Negan Lives #1 will not be available digitally and will be available exclusively at comic book shops. Fans interested in ordering a copy can find the comics store closest to them on Local Comic Shop locator. Many comic book shops are fulfilling orders online and via curbside pickup.
Spurned by a slowly rebuilding society, Negan lives a life of desperate isolation… or does he? In the tradition of Here’s Negan, this all-new story in Negan Lives #1 gives readers a glimpse into what has happened to one The Walking Dead‘s most popular characters in the time since his last appearance in The Walking Dead #174.
As long-time readers of the post-apocalyptic survival series will recall, The Walking Dead #174 proved to be a pivotal point for Negan, as he was tracked down and confronted by a vengeful Maggie, still heartbroken and furious over the murder of her husband, Glenn, in The Walking Dead #100.
Negan Lives #1 (Diamond Code MAR208199) is a 36-page, black and white comic book, available exclusively at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 1. There are extremely rare Gold (Diamond Code MAR208201) and Silver (Diamond Code MAR208200) foil variants of Negan Lives #1 in limited quantities, inquire with your local comic shop for availability and further details.
Negan Lives #1 hits comic book shops on the same day as the Fire Power, Vol. 1: Prelude original graphic novel and the FCBD Fire Power #1 free promotional comic, both by Kirkman and co-creator/artist Chris Samnee.
