Ever since The Walking Dead TV series debuted on AMC in 2010, it was already quite clear that it would be impossible for the show to catch up with the comic book series it's based on, created by Robert Kirkman, since the author started the comic book series back in 2003. When Season 6 ended, the show had caught up to the 102nd issue of the comics, which marked the end of the 17th volume. Just a few days ago, the 27th volume closed out with the 156th issue, which includes a major character death. There will be SPOILERS for both the show and this new comic book issue alike, so read on at your own risk.

Comic book readers were first introduced to Negan in the 100th issue of the comics, where, just like in the Season 6 finale, he kills one member of Rick's group at random. In the comics, that victim is Glenn Rhee, portrayed on the show by Steven Yeun, but in the Season 6 finale, we weren't shown who this victim was. In the comics, Rick eventually defeats Negan and keeps him as a prisoner, before Rick encounters another group known as The Whisperers, who have survived by disguising themselves as "walkers." This group is lead by a savage female known as Alpha, who, according to NME, is killed off in this new comic issue.

This issue is very Negan-centric, and one of the few issues in the comic book's long run that doesn't feature Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln in the hit series. Before this issue, Negan managed to escape from Rick's group, settling in with The Whisperers before killing Alpha, after she admits that she's not strong, and misses her daughter, Lydia. In the comic, Lydia is the only person Alpha shows affection too, and it's worth noting that in the comics, Lydia befriends Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs). After slicing Alpha's throat open, Negan states, "Wait till Rick gets a look at you," which could likely mean that Neegan still wants to earn Rick's trust.

Of course, it will be quite some time before we see these events unfold on the small screen. To put things into perspective, the 100th issue where Negan is first introduced was published in July 2012. Since AMC has strongly hinted that Walking Dead will never end, it's certainly possible that we'll see this killing unfold on the small screen. However, the show has been known to deviate from the comic books quite a bit.

Last season, we saw the death of Merrit Wever's Dr. Denise Cloyd, who was shot by one of the Saviors, Dwight (Austin Amelio) with Daryl's (Norman Reedus) own crossbow. In the comics, it's Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz) who was killed during this sneak attack, so anything is possible when it comes to the show. We reported earlier this week that the show will have a record 20 series regulars in Season 7, but one of those will likely be revealed as Negan's victim in the Season 7 premiere. Stay tuned for more on The Walking Dead as we get closer to the Season 7 premiere.