The Walking Dead is known for its extraordinarily well-done villains that fans love to hate. While the show and comic series center on the threat of zombies, they’ve consistently proven that the true monsters are always human. Recently, creator Robert Kirkman shared some commentary on one of these iconic villains, raising the question of whether they were based on a real-life jerk.

Released on April 16, 2025, The Walking Dead Deluxe #111 by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Dave McCaig, and Rus Wooton includes an Author’s Corner where Kirkman answers fans’ burning questions about The Walking Dead, both the comic and TV series, while also offering personal commentary on his work.

Among these insights, Kirkman reflects on his experience writing Gregory, the cowardly leader of the Hilltop Colony. While Gregory may not rank alongside villains like Negan or the Governor, there’s no denying he was a memorable antagonist, one who may have been inspired by a real-life person.

Robert Kirkman’s Commentary on Writing Gregory, the Hilltop Colony Leader

Main Cover by David Finch & Dave McCaig for The Walking Dead Deluxe #111 (2025)

Gregory is a character who appeared in both The Walking Dead comics and TV series, with his portrayal remaining relatively consistent across both mediums. Manipulative, pompous, and generally disliked by his own people, Gregory often made decisions to protect himself at the expense of others. It was this selfishness and cowardice that ultimately made him such an unlikable and villainous figure. And while fans despised him, Robert Kirkman revealed that Gregory was actually a fun character to write, noting that “s****y people always are [fun to write].”

Kirkman went on to explain that while writing lackluster human beings can be entertaining, dealing with them in real life is far less enjoyable, something nearly everyone can agree with. He followed this with a tongue-in-cheek comment: “Was Gregory based on someone real? The world will never know.” Even if Kirkman is unwilling to confirm whether the Hilltop Colony leader was inspired by a real person, most fans have probably encountered a Gregory in their own lives, a cowardly, self-serving individual who hides their flaws behind a façade of leadership.

Negan Proves That “S****y People Are Fun to Write”

Cover B Charlie Adlard Variant for The Walking Dead Deluxe #111 (2025)

Kirkman’s commentary on lackluster humans being fun to write aligns with some of his earlier statements. While it’s well known that fans love to hate Negan, Kirkman has admitted that this villain is one of his favorite characters to write. He often found himself in a state of creative flow when developing stories involving Negan, largely due to how much he enjoyed writing him. Kirkman’s remark that “s****y people are fun to write” definitely applies to Negan and helps explain why he loves writing this particular Walking Dead villain.