Walking Dead Creator Calls Negan’s Arrival “An Atomic Bomb”

The Walking Dead‘s midseason cliffhanger confirmed viewers’ speculation that the notorious Walking Dead comic villain, Negan, will soon be joining the cast.

In the comic book series, Negan unleashes all manner of torment on the core group of survivors. In an interview with EW, creator Robert Kirkman confirmed that this theme will carry over to the popular AMC series:

“Negan is kind of an atomic bomb that’s going to be dropped on the show, and the show will never be the same after that. So buckle up, I guess?”

Negan’s group is called “The Saviors,” but they are anything but good samaritans. Kirkman discussed the Saviors with EW:

“I think the Saviors are dangerously organized. The Wolves were psychotic, the Hunters [the group from Terminus] had a lot of weaknesses. When it comes to the Saviors, and Negan in particular, the way I’ve always thought about this in the comics is this is a group that’s led by a guy who’s had his morality dial a few clicks away from Rick toward the darker aspects of his personality, but is still an intellectual and capable leader who’s kept his group alive against all odds just as long as Rick has. It’s really the best encountering the best. When these two forces come head to head, things are gonna get interesting. This is a much different group than they’ve ever encountered. The Saviors are a group they’re not really prepared for.”

The Walking Dead returns to AMC February 14th, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the role of Negan.