The Walking Dead's New Villain Is So Good, I Can't Believe They Took 15 Years To Appear

The Walking Dead's violent setting has been the perfect environment for all kinds of sadistic antagonists, but its latest villain is easily one of the franchise's best, making me all the more baffled that it took 15 years to introduce him. The likes of Negan, the Governor, and Alpha have been some of The Walking Dead's most dangerous villains over the years and, by proxy, the most memorable. Each of them had distinct personalities, with Negan being bold and charismatic, whereas Alpha was much colder and disturbing. However, they aren't the only foes to stand out.

Minor villains like Joe and Pete made big impressions in the original show despite their limited screen time, while survivors such as Jadis and Merle were some of the most compelling characters in the zombie universe despite not being full antagonists. Even The Walking Dead spinoffs have featured unique villains like Genet, the Croat, Victor Strand, and Major General Beale, but none of them can match Dead City's latest threat. Season 2 has debuted a variety of new evil factions, but one fascinating gang leader already looks like a top-tier enemy, and I wish TWD had introduced him earlier.

Bruegel Is A Top-Tier Walking Dead Villain

His Charisma & Unique Personality Helps Him Stand Out

He may have only appeared in two episodes so far, but I'm already convinced Bruegel is an all-time great Walking Dead villain. Despite not speaking in episode 1, Kim Coates' Walking Dead debut as Bruegel was extremely entertaining, as his captivating mannerisms and fancy attire made it hard not to become immediately invested in the character. We didn't learn much about him in Dead City season 2's premiere, other than that he leads one of Manhattan's most prominent gangs and runs a zombie fight club, where people bet valuable goods on who they think will win.

However, Bruegel was a much bigger part of episode 4, and his personality was everything I hoped it would be. He's clearly a complete crook - the type of antagonist that will step on others to rise to the top - yet I find myself loving the character regardless. Coates' performance is absolutely brilliant, and seeing someone so obviously corrupt acting like a gracious host is extremely compelling in a franchise like The Walking Dead. His love for art also gives him something in common with the Dama, but their desire for power is really their biggest similarity.

Behind Bruegel's friendly facade is someone who will backstab others to get what he wants, and his fight club proves this. His so-called champion is actually a human who he makes fight in order to win numerous luxurious prizes, including the museum where his gang resides. The villain is undoubtedly a bad person, but Breugel's charisma and flamboyant attitude make it hard not to like him, and seeing him kill his former bodyguard after no longer finding him useful proves he still has a ruthless side beneath his more light-hearted public demeanor, cementing his place as an elite antagonist.

The Walking Dead's Main Show Never Had A Villain Like Bruegel

Out Of All The Walking Dead's Memorable Villains, No One Feels Quite As Flamboyant As Bruegel

While the zombie series has featured its fair share of smarmy yet charismatic villains, no one comes close to Bruegel. He has such a big presence despite "Feisty Friendly" being his first major appearance, and his overall role is hard to compare to anyone else. Bruegel feels like a big deal considering he runs a large faction and is treated like royalty, yet he still has less power than the Croat and the Dama, making it clear he isn't going to become Dead City's main villain. Still, he looks more than capable of being a problem down the line.

Bruegel may be arrogant and full of confidence, but there are clearly some major insecurities underneath, as evidenced by his meltdown after one of the museum's historic art pieces was set on fire. Additionally, his secret regarding his bodyguard exposed a massive weakness and somewhat resembles the Governor's secret with his zombie daughter. However, once his reputation was on the line, Bruegel was cold enough to kill his loyal servant without hesitation, making him completely different from most other villains we've seen.

Even though we haven't uncovered every aspect of his character, it's clear that Bruegel is smart, slippery, and a true opportunist, with details like his watch acting as a weapon making him unique. As a result, I'm curious to see how he handles Dead City's New Babylon Federation when the big battle begins, alongside how his relationship with Negan develops. It's far too early to say Bruegel could become The Walking Dead's best villain, especially since he has a more secondary role, but his distinct personality has won me over, and I can't wait for his next appearance.

Bruegel Needs To Remain Part Of The Walking Dead Franchise (But I Doubt He Will)

He Would Be A Great Adversary Going Forward

Given how great his early impact has been in Dead City, I'm desperate for Bruegel to stick around in The Walking Dead long-term, but I'm not confident it will happen. Having Bruegel become a recurring character would provide constant entertainment, especially if he were to interact with original characters. Coates described Bruegel and Negan as frenemies in Dead City, suggesting that they will probably have some good chemistry and some hilarious interactions despite ultimately being on opposite sides, but this only makes me want to see him come face-to-face with other Walking Dead veterans.

Seeing him with someone much more deadpan like Daryl would be a comedic contrast, and I could only imagine what a conversation between Princess and Breugel would look like. Considering Jadis went on to become a frequent ally of Rick's despite remaining a villain throughout the franchise, there is no reason Bruegel can't do the same. Of course, the fact that he is in New York makes him less likely to appear often, and Kim Coates is a pretty in-demand actor, meaning it would be a miracle for Breugel to make it out of Dead City season 2 alive.

Still, if The Walking Dead's next new show is a crossover, it would be a lot of fun for Bruegel to be involved in some capacity. Whether it was a one-off appearance or he somehow became part of the main group, I believe he would add so much humor and charm to the series. Unfortunately, I think The Walking Dead is far more likely to kill him off or leave him in New York, rather than make him a major part of the franchise's future, which feels like a missed opportunity.