The Walking Dead Creator Attributes One of Negan’s Most Notable Errors to Stan Lee

In a recent reflection on The Walking Dead comic series, creator Robert Kirkman openly discussed both his achievements and missteps as a writer. Notably, he has drawn attention to a particular instance he humorously refers to as his equivalent of a “Stan Lee moment.”This reference stems from Kirkman’s own admission of reusing a line of dialogue, raising questions about originality in writing.

Walking Dead Deluxe #103, Negan saying 'little pig, little pig, let me in' through iron bars

Kirkman’s nod to Stan Lee alludes to the legendary Marvel creator’s famous forgetfulness, which often led to the unintentional creation of similar character names, such as Bruce Banner and Peter Parker. This narrative device within the comic industry speaks to the eventual impact these patterns can create within expansive stories.

Kirkman Reflects on His Own “Stan Lee Moment”in a Key Negan Scene

While some fans might dismiss these similarities as mere coincidences within the storyline, they reveal the extensive narrative landscape that Kirkman navigated while crafting The Walking Dead. In his acknowledgment found in The Walking Dead Deluxe #103, he recalls a moment that echoes Stan Lee’s forgetfulness:

Yes, this is a bit of a Stan Lee moment for me. Negan arrives saying, “Little pig, little pig, let me in.”I didn’t remember at the time that I’d had a random group of marauders do the exact same thing about 20 issues prior. Is it believable two people would do that? Sure. Was it intentional? Definitely not.

This parallelism might be seen as a fun anecdote by fans, despite Kirkman’s initial discomfort. Some readers may even suggest that the earlier marauders could be retconned into Negan’s future Saviors, further adding depth to the world-building in the series. This situation is a humorous reminder of the complexities associated with a long-running project like this.

Negan’s Impact Is More Than Just a Repeated Line

The Value of Storytelling Recurrences

Kirkman’s admission reflects the reality that minor errors, repetitions, and plot inconsistencies happen in extensive series like The Walking Dead. He concluded his remarks about the “little pigs” echo in Deluxe #103 with a candid note:

Try as I might to keep 103 issues (eventually 193) straight in my head… I’m only human.

For readers, this incident can be viewed less as oversight and more as an indicator of Kirkman’s emotional connection to the story—one that resonated with him strongly enough to be remembered throughout his writing journey.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #103 is available now from Image Comics, offering fans a new lens through which to appreciate this long-standing series.

Source & Images