|This article is about the Comic Series character. You may be looking for his TV Series, Road to Survival, No Man's Land, Our World, or Fear counterparts.|
- "We have the advantage here, Rick. We could take their leader down right away. Everything would fall into place without her. People here would thank us. You know that. This is how it has to be. We have to do this."
- —Dwight while holding Pamela at gunpoint, shortly before being executed by Rick.[src]
Dwight is a main character and an antagonist first encountered in Issue 98 of Image Comics' The Walking Dead as well as the deuteragonist of Here's Negan. He is one of the original members of the Saviors who was formerly married to Sherry, until the latter decided to marry Negan for the chance of an easier life. During the war against the Saviors, Dwight acted as a double agent with the desire to dethrone Negan.
Following the end of the war, Dwight became the leader of the Saviors for two years before resigning and leaving the group. Later on, Dwight took charge of the Alexandrian military, becoming Rick's trusted adviser and right-hand man until his demise. He served as the secondary antagonist of Volume 17: Something To Fear and the primary antagonist of Volume 31: The Rotten Core.
Upon his introduction, Dwight is established as a ruffian and a rogue, willing to do whatever is required of him to survive. He's a man of few convictions and no loyalty but to the well-being of his wife and himself. He's a no-nonsense individual. Dwight also struggles to maintain relationships with people, as he constantly finds himself at odds with people he once called friends or even family. He attributes this to him focusing on the negative to the point of driving people away.
Despite her frequent betrayals, Dwight deeply loves his wife, and continues to do so even after she leaves him for another man (after the war). He always sees the best in her and doesn't seem to hold her responsible for her actions, preferring to place the blame on others or himself. His wife's safety was the driving factor in his decision to betray Negan, and her death almost caused him to betray Rick.
After the timeskip there is an ostensible change in Dwight's character. He is emotional and self-deprecating, his self-esteem at an unprecedented low. Once again, Dwight shows little concern for others and is consumed by his own feelings, as evidenced when he leaves the Sanctuary despite the potential repercussions, doing little to ensure the stability of the Saviors upon his departure. His confidence seems to grow once he moves to Alexandria and assumes, albeit reluctantly, the leadership of the Militia. He becomes resentful towards Rick when the latter kills Sherry, even threatening to overthrow his friend. Once Laura leaves him, however, he feels remorse for his actions and starts to accept that Sherry's actions weren't his fault. He apologizes to Laura and Rick and, with Laura's help, starts focusing on self-improvement.
Over the years, Dwight has developed a strong sense of justice, and seems to view the world in "black and white" terms. He is, thus, disgusted by the way the Commonwealth operates and is willing to go to war to "save" the people living in it whom, in his eyes, are being oppressed. This attitude ultimately leads to his demise.
Little is known about Dwight's life prior to or as the outbreak began, other than he was married to Sherry and was a soldier. It can also be inferred that he had some experience with wielding crossbows, seeing as how it became his weapon of choice early in the apocalypse.
At some point after the outbreak, Dwight runs into Negan alone in the woods, asking him for some of his meat and offers him company. When Dwight leads Negan to his camp, it's revealed that Dwight was the leader of a small group which would eventually be transformed into the Saviors under Negan. Over a short time, Negan begins to take the group over, much to Dwight's dismay.
Life at the Sanctuary
Sometime after arriving at the Sanctuary, Sherry marries Negan to make life easier for both herself and Dwight. Though Dwight initially accepted this, neither he nor Sherry knew how much they would miss each other and started an affair behind Negan's back. When Negan found out, he punished Dwight by burning the left side of his face with an iron, horrifically scarring him and seemingly ripping off one of his eye lids, causing Dwight's eye to be constantly irritated. After this, Dwight did Negan's bidding without question and rose through the ranks to become one of his lieutenants.
Dwight is a survivor with a half burned face who wields a crossbow. Dwight killed Abraham Ford with his crossbow and took Eugene Porter as a hostage with his fellow Saviors. At the Alexandria Safe-Zone's gates, Dwight tries to get in with many of the other Saviors. However, Eugene bites his crotch and Rick Grimes' group begin to open fire at the Saviors. Dwight retreats with many other Saviors with his crotch bleeding.
Dwight returns at the end of Issue 101 as a hostage of the Alexandria Safe-Zone members, having been captured by the Alexandrians after their skirmish outside the Safe-Zone. Dwight yells at Andrea and Rick, saying that when Negan finds them he will kill them. Andrea punches Dwight in the face. Rick debates what to do with Dwight. Carl tells him to kill Dwight to show that the Safe-Zone is not to be messed with. Rick talks to Michonne about the matter and she agrees to not attack, so Rick decides to let Dwight leave Alexandria, much to the anger of Holly, Andrea, and Carl. Rick then tells Paul Monroe to follow Dwight to get as much intelligence on the Saviors as possible.
Dwight is then seen on the highway, grinning that he got out unharmed and gave away no information about the Saviors. However, unknown to him, he is being followed by Paul. Paul throws a zombie off an overpass and Dwight overhearing it fall, turns around, but, doesn't see anything. Brushing it off as nothing, he continues onward.
Later on at a Savior outpost, Dwight is met by a savior who tells him that he was being followed. Dwight doesn't believe it until the other Savior has Paul brought before them. Dwight recognizes him and realizes that the Alexandria Safe-Zone isn't going to co-operate like they agreed to. He has Paul tied up and intends to bring him back to Negan, saying that he's "going to have a lot of questions for you."
Once the Saviors reach their base, an abandoned foundry, Dwight realizes that Paul has escaped. Afraid of what would happen if Negan found out, Dwight urges the other Savior with him to not say a word about this to Negan. Negan then comes out and is surprised to see Dwight since he was informed that the latter had been killed during the attack on the Safe-Zone. Dwight claimed that the rumors 'were grossly exaggerated', but, Negan insults him by saying that 'there's always a next time I suppose.' Dwight is then seen attacking Carl after he had ambushed and killed several of the Saviors, but, Negan tells him to stop. During the 'ceremony' of Mark getting his face burned after having an affair with Amber, Dwight and Sherry are seen looking at each other, implying that Dwight had this happen to him as well. After the 'ceremony' he stops Amber from following Mark, saying that she could make it worse for both of them if all the Saviors were aware of what really transpired. Sherry tries to talk to Dwight, but, he is angrily rebuffed and leaves. Later on, Negan is seen challenging Dwight to a game of ping-pong, but, the latter declines. Negan claims that it was getting boring anyway and proceeds to grab Sherry and talks about how he'll have sex with her, claiming that he'll 'ping pong my dick all over these titties.' This apparently was the last straw for Dwight, for he is later seen traveling to speak with Ezekiel at the Kingdom.
When he arrives at the Kingdom, he informs Ezekiel, along with Rick and Paul, that he'll tell them everything they want to know about Negan and the Saviors. Initially Rick doesn't believe him and points out that he serves Negan and led a Savior group against their home that resulted in the death of Abraham; Dwight claims that he never fully trusted Negan to begin with. When asked why he would help them after everything he's done, Dwight tells them about how he got his facial scars: when they first joined The Saviors, his wife Sherry agreed to become one of Negan's wives in order to better her and Dwight's situation. One night while Negan was away, Sherry went back to Dwight and slept with him. Negan was furious when he found out and punished Dwight by ironing him. He even offers to kill Negan himself, saying "I'll bring you that asshole's head on a silver platter... and this nightmare will, at long last, be over." Dwight is able to convince Rick and Paul to form an alliance between him and Ezekiel to take down Negan. While Rick and the others attack Negan outright, Dwight will work on the inside to get close to Negan and take him out when he least expects it. Dwight then leaves the Kingdom and returns to the Sanctuary. He keeps a low profile during the following days and weeks as to not draw suspicion towards himself (when Rick asks during the planning if they've heard back from Dwight, Ezekiel says that he must stay hidden until the opportune moment presents itself).
Dwight does not appear in this volume. However, he is mentioned several times throughout the course of the volume.
Eventually Rick, Paul, and Ezekiel's army arrives at the Sanctuary and the war between the two sides finally begins. During the fight, Negan grabs Dwight and orders him to round up the men at the outposts to draw the army away. Dwight agrees, but looks away from Negan and hesitates to immediately act. Later on, Dwight inquires to Negan why the firefight has stopped; Negan reveals the large herd of zombies approaching the fence and tells the former "I hope you're wearing your shitting pants." Soon afterward, a truck driven by Holly (the former girlfriend of Abraham) smashes through the fence, drawing roamers inside the perimeter. Negan orders Dwight to make sure the zombies are kept out and to get everyone inside.
He is later seen alongside a group of Saviors watching Negan interrogate Holly for information. Holly recognizes Dwight, and reminds him that he was the murderer of Abraham, however, he just stares at her and does not respond. He is later seen with Negan attempting to clear a massive herd of zombies from the Sanctuary's courtyard, however this plan fails and along with the other Saviors, Dwight retreats inside.
Dwight is later seen alongside Negan and many other Saviors, attacking Alexandria in retaliation to the attack on Sanctuary. Dwight is among those who are armed with grenades and orders the Saviors with him to spread out. When one of the tossed grenades is caught and thrown back by Paul, Dwight is knocked backwards and three of the Saviors he was with are blown to bits, including Gary. Blinded, Dwight orders the survivors to cook the grenades before throwing them in order to prevent any more being thrown back. When one stammers about how long they should hold them, Dwight changes his mind and decides on a new strategy; he pulls a gun from behind his back and shoots him as well as the rest of the Saviors he was with. Paul rushes over and wonders why Dwight killed them; Dwight reminds him that he is on their side and tells Paul that he'll lie to Negan, saying they were attacked and that Dwight was the lone survivor. Finally, wanting the Safe-Zone (and Rick) to trust him, Dwight tosses the belt containing the remaining grenades to Paul and has him pass them on to Rick.
After the destruction of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, Dwight leaves with the rest of the Saviors to the Sanctuary, helping capture Eugene and his bullet-crafting team on the way back. He is later seen assisting Negan and Carson in the torture of Eugene, slyly glancing at Carson when Negan leaves the room.
As Negan and Carson both leave, Dwight returns to Eugene's cell. The latter insults Dwight and says that as long as his mouth is free, "you know I'm still dangerous" (harking back to their first encounter.) Dwight asks if he's through and says that he can get them out of Sanctuary. Eugene doesn't believe him and Dwight reveals his role as a double agent working against Negan. Before he can go any further, Dwight turns around and sees Carson standing behind him. He tries to come up with an excuse, but Carson says he heard everything. Afraid that he might tell Negan this, Dwight is shocked when Carson says he'll join Dwight's cause to remove Negan from power. Dwight is later seen watching the Hilltop next to Negan while the latter orders to attack the community at sundown.
Once the group arrives, Negan demands Rick shows himself. However, Kal tells Negan that if wants to speak anyone, he will have to speak with him. Negan takes this as an insult and has Kal shot through the head. After this, Dwight and the rest of the Saviors break through Hilltop's main gates and start to open fire on the people inside. Negan orders Dwight to infect his arrows with the bacteria; Dwight argues that he can't alter the weight too much "and they're called bolts." Dwight and Negan separate away from the rest of the Saviors and manage to kill a few Hilltop fighters. The two then take cover behind a wall and Dwight loads another arrow, hoping to possibly kill Negan while they are separated from the rest of the group. Before he can, Negan notices Rick, Aaron, and Nicholas in front of them, the trio not noticing Dwight and Negan's presence. Negan sees this as an advantage and orders Dwight to shoot Rick, hoping the arrow will hit Rick and infect him. However, Dwight hesitates and glances at Negan, momentarily questioning his orders. Negan screams at Dwight, telling him to fire at Rick immediately. Through great reluctance and the need to keep his act-up to Negan, Dwight shoots an arrow at Rick and hits him in the side. However (unbeknownst to Negan), the arrow Dwight shot into Rick wasn't contaminated by the bacteria, thus ultimately sparing Rick from being infected.
Later on while waiting for whoever is now in charge to come out and surrender, Negan gets impatient and says he wants to go back in; Dwight (knowing that Rick is still alive) tells him to be patient. Soon enough, Rick comes out to deal with Negan. Bowled over with shock to see him still alive, Negan turns towards Dwight for an answer but Rick tells him to "look at me". After seeing Rick slash Negan's neck and the two starting to fight, Dwight holds the other Saviors back. Then, Michonne and Paul's team attack, killing many more of the Saviors. After saving Ezekiel and witnessing Negan pass out, Dwight approaches both Negan and Rick. Andrea aims her rifle at him, tearfully telling him to stay back, but Dwight says he's on their side and grabs Lucille. He orders the Saviors to stand down, proclaiming both Negan's rule to be over as well as the war between the two sides. He appoints himself as the new leader of the Saviors and rallies the remaining Saviors to follow him. Seeing the looks on several of their faces, Dwight assures them that they do not need to be afraid of Negan or his rules anymore and asks that they give him a chance to prove that things will be better now. He orders them to pack up the camp and journey back to The Sanctuary.
Andrea mentions that Dwight and the Saviors are part of the trade community between the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and Alexandria.
Dwight appears by frightening Rick, Heath, Aaron and newcomer Magna with his crossbow arrow before coming out when Rick knew it was him. While the others went off to give the Saviors their share, Rick and Dwight have a quiet talk about their lives, how Sherry found someone better than the latter. He also asks Rick that he feels unfit to keep staying leader and wants him to find a new one. But Rick tells him to have an election.
Dwight and the Saviors have learned of the situation with the Whisperers. As they are returning to the Sanctuary, a Savior named Laura suggests that he stay back and help Rick with their situation, to which he replies he no longer wants to be leader. Laura tells him that he can't quit, as his people need him.
Later at the Sanctuary, Dwight continues to express self-doubt and his wish to leave. Laura tells him that they need a leader, and he can not quit now. She then kisses Dwight, much to his surprise and admits her feelings for him. However, he leaves her, having already made up his mind on what to do. Taking Lucille, he leaves the Sanctuary. Laura follows suit and informs him she'll always support him, and they take off to Alexandria. They arrive as Rick is announcing that he plans to form a militia to deal with the Whisperers, and Dwight is among those cheering for Rick at the end.
Dwight is seen with the rest of the Militia shooting roamers to practice for the war with the Whisperers. He saves Rick from a roamer and properly leads the army into killing them all. He then talks with Rick who tells him while he doesn't want to be leader, it's what he has to be. Dwight then returns to Alexandria with the rest of the Militia. Later, he is shown teaching Gabriel how to kill walkers, worrying how it will play out after Gabriel realizes that they're about to kill other survivors.
He later leads a team out into the open. Gabriel is attacked by a walker, but Dwight saves him just in time. Laura asks him why he has Lucille, to which he responds that she represents a lot to him, including oppression, misery, and authority, and he wants to change what she represents to positive aspects. He says that nobody in the Sanctuary should take her and start waving her around, like she was a prize.
The militia then find Michonne, being attacked by Beta. Dwight saves her life just in time, however Beta escapes. Dwight tells Michonne to get Aaron to the Hilltop. Michonne urges him to track down and kill Beta, to which he responds that he will. However, when she rides off with a dying Aaron, he tells the militia that they must go back. On the way back, they stumble upon a zombified Brandon Rose (who Negan previously killed) at the border. Dwight puts him down, visibly panicked. In confusion, the Militia question him. He tells them that they crossed the Whisperer's border, and that they have just committed and act of war.
Dwight is seen patrolling with Laura, Magna and Heath. Suddenly, they spot Negan approaching, a bag slung over his shoulder, with some liquid dripping out of it. Dwight wants Magna to shoot him immediately, but she refuses. When it is clear that he is unarmed and not hostile, they agree to take him back to Rick. Negan tries to grab Lucille from Dwight's back, but Dwight doesn't let him, and Negan teases him, saying "You're going to fucking give her to me." Dwight is later seen talking to Rick, who comments that the Whisperer War will be different, and that they will have the advantage. He also comments on how he doesn't trust Negan, and asks Dwight to keep an eye on him. Dwight is later seen devising a plan with the Militia, discussing where the best place to set up would be. When asked by Laura why Negan is standing at the back of the room, Dwight says he isn't letting Negan out of his sight.
Dwight and the Militia are later seen setting up at a water tower. Dwight asks Laura how long she thinks it will take Gabriel to climb the water tower, to which she replies "Another thirty minutes". As Gabriel reaches the top, he spies a large group of Whisperers approaching. Meanwhile, Dwight is patrolling with Negan, who asks Dwight for a weapon. Dwight refuses, so Negan proceeds to taunt Dwight about Sherry. Dwight shouts at him to shut up, just as Laura runs towards them, telling them that they've got movement. Dwight shouts at everyone to get in position as he looks through his binoculars, to see a herd of zombies and Whisperers approaching. The militia begin firing, however Dwight orders them to fall back as the herd draws closer. After Negan retrieves a gun from a fallen soldier, Dwight says that he doesn't have a choice to trust Negan, under the circumstances. The fight continues, with many of the soldiers of the Militia being picked off by Whisperers. At this, Dwight begins to panic, saying "Dear God.. There's so many of them!". Later, Dwight is flanked by Beta, who attempts to kill him. However, Dwight is saved by Negan, who strikes Beta and promises to kill him. During Negan fight with Beta, Dwight throws him Lucille. After Negan's accidentally break Lucille during his fight with Beta, Dwight will yell at him to get over Dwight will later kill a whisperer and will wear the skin. Designed as whisperers, Dwight and his ground go into a herd and killed any real whisperer they find. They found a whisperer who gave up, only for Dwight to execute him. After the fighting Dwight will return back to Alexandria, informing Rick about what happened. Leaving Rick to worry that the fight isn't over.
Dwight and Rick overhead a large herd, Dwight and along with group of riders go out in hopes of drawing the herd away from Alexandria. Spiting into groups Dwight, Heath and Laura led a group of walkers away from Alexandria. As Dwight Heath and Laura take care of there herd they were rescued by Sherry and the Saviors. They take them back to Alexandria back as hostages, where they demand to not be a part of communities. When the Saviors were distance from seeing Negan, Dwight attacks Mark stealing his gun, aiming it at Sherry demanding her to stand down. Rick orders Dwight to stand down, and go to talk with Sherry alone. After hearing Rick calling out for help, Dwight runs to him, finding Sherry dead. Rick explains himself to Dwight, but he just looks at Rick with anger. Dwight later begins working on repairing Alexandria.
Rick will ask Dwight to go on the trip to met with the group Eugene is talking to. Dwight refuses, Rick asks why and defends himself about what happened with Sherry. Dwight tells Rick he wants to take over. Rick threats Dwight about this, leaving him alone. Dwight will later oversee Negan as he packs supplies and takes him to the gate. Dwight watches Rick visits Andrea grave, and Laura steps at Dwight leaving him.
Dwight later visit Laura apologies for his behavior and asks if he still has a chance with her. Later when Pamela Milton arrives with the Commonwealth, Dwight prepares the Militia. He confronts the Governor with the Militia behind him, but is told to stand down by Rick.
When traveling to the other communities, Dwight and Rick apologize to each other for their behavior and are now back on good terms. Dwight later joins Rick as they travel to the Commonwealth.
While in the Commonwealth, Dwight is disgusted at the way the community operates. He first requests Rick put him in charge of the Commonwealth. When Rick denies his request, Dwight is outraged. He later starts trouble and gets himself imprisoned to prove that the population of the Commonwealth would support him and Rick in his planned coup. He is released the next day and accompanies Rick and Pamela on one of her "hunts", disgusting him even further. Dwight and Rick accept Michonne's invitation to a secret meeting, where she tries to convince them to work with Pamela instead of overthrowing her. When Rick agrees, Michonne reveals that she invited Pamela to the meeting as well, whereupon Pamela bursts into the room with two armed guards. She ultimately orders Dwight's arrest, which prompts Dwight to pull a gun on her. Dwight is willing to kill Pamela, as he believes it would solve all of the Commonwealth's problems. Before anything can happen, Dwight is unceremoniously shot in the head by Rick.
- Killed By
During a secret meeting between them, Pamela is invited by Michonne. Unfortunately, she shows up with armed guards and orders her men to arrest Dwight, which prompts him to pull a gun on her.
- Himself (Caused)
- Rick Grimes
While keeping Pamela at gunpoint, Dwight is suddenly shot in the head by Rick.
This list shows the victims Dwight has killed:
- Abraham Ford
- Betsy (alongside his fellow Saviors)
- Charles (alongside his fellow Saviors)
- Mr. Orson (alongside his fellow Saviors)
- Mrs. Orson (alongside his fellow Saviors)
- Orson children (alongside his fellow Saviors)
- Gary (Indirectly Caused)
- Brandon Rose (Zombified)
- Himself (Caused)
- At least one unnamed Hilltop resident
- At least five unnamed Saviors
- At least eleven unnamed Whisperers (3 Confirmed, 8 alongside with his fellow survivors)
- Numerous counts of zombies and possibly unnamed people
- It is confirmed in Issue 166's Letter Hacks that Dwight wasn't originally going defect to Rick's side, since Negan was supposed to be killed off in Issue 108.
- Dwight is the figure featured on the cover of Issue 101.
- Both of Dwight's tear ducts appear to be fully functional, despite the scarring on his face. However, it is possible that the one in his left eye is irritated or damaged due to the burns, which could explain why his left eye is usually seen tearing up. As a result of this, Dwight is regularly seen applying water drops into his left eye.
- His left eye has also never seen blinking even when his right is. It is possible that his left eye lid was ripped off when Negan ironed his face, which would also explain why his left eye is constantly tearing up, and why Dwight has to apply water drops to his left eye.
- Dwight, along with Negan, were the first Saviors to be named.
- He was the first Savior to appear and then be named.
- With Dwight's death, all the named Saviors (besides Negan) who were introduced in the volume "Something To Fear" are now either deceased or have an unknown status.
- Since the timeskip, Dwight has been missing tattoos on his right arm.
- As of Dwight's death, all of his family is now deceased.
- Interestingly enough, both him and his wife Sherry were killed by Rick.
- Dwight's death is somewhat ironic, as he was killed in a similar manner as his first known victim, Abraham. Both were unexpectedly shot in the head, without ever seeing their demise coming.
- Dwight's the first named character Rick Grimes killed willingly since Issue 77, when he killed Peter Anderson. All of his kills after Issue 77 had been accidental, in self-defense or zombified.
- His death also marks the final character that Rick kills before his untimely death.
- Dwight is one of three named characters who has shot Rick Grimes, the others being Reggie and Sebastian Milton.