Kal (Comic Series)

"Stop right there! This doesn't have to escalate. You have no idea what's on the other side of these walls... Believe me when I say you will not survive this."

- Kal to Negan and the Saviors.

Kal is a character first encountered in Issue 95 of Image Comics' The Walking Dead and is a resident living in the Hilltop Colony who was seen patrolling the metal wall.

Overview
Kal is the gatekeeper at the Hilltop Colony and is extremely loyal and protective of its people. His care for the Hilltop is very high and he cannot bear the thought of losing it, as evidenced towards his actions to outsiders and the whole idea of war against The Saviors. In the first of these instances, Kal is hesitant to allow Rick's group entry into the Colony, even after Hilltop's recruiter, Paul Monroe, orders him to. Kal later betrays Paul, after being informed by him that he plans to use to Hilltop to fight against The Saviors, telling Paul that his actions would endanger everyone at Hilltop. However, Kal is eventually persuaded by Paul to fight against The Saviors and joins in an attack on The Sanctuary. However, before the attack even begins, Negan reveals that Gregory has sided with him and that all members of the Hilltop need to leave. Kal reluctantly uses this opportunity to leave the battle, yet again fearing for Hilltop's safety.

Location Unknown
Nothing is known about Kal's life before or as the outbreak began. It is possible that he lived in or near the Hilltop Colony.

Hilltop Colony
Kal's job is to guard the Hilltop's main gate and alert the colony if danger arises that him and his partner, Eduardo, can't handle. Eduardo and Kal are seen using spears as their weapons as the colony has run out of bullets.

A Larger World
Kal was first encountered standing on the Hilltop Colony wall. Kal was having a discussion with another Hilltop survivor, Eduardo, about Eduardo's girlfriend, Mandy. Kal hears someone on the other side of the wall and tells Eduardo to be quiet. Kal and Eduardo both pick up a spear, aiming, but Paul Monroe orders them to stand down. Kal then argues with Paul to disarm Rick and his group or he won't open the gate. Paul then reminds Kal of his position of being in charge of who enters Hilltop. Kal opens the gate and Rick, Paul, Andrea, Glenn, Michonne, and Carl enter Hilltop.

Kal later escorts Ethan to the main building after he returns alone from a drop off to The Saviors and tries to reassure him that he is safe now. He listens as Ethan explains to Gregory that the others are dead and Crystal has been captured, and that she will only be returned if he delivers a message to Gregory. Kal watches in shock as Ethan stabs Gregory. As Rick tries to subdue Ethan, Kal and several others gather around Gregory, and Kal calls out for someone to get Carson before Gregory bled out. As he helped Carson try to treat Gregory, Kal watched in horror as Rick was forced to kill Ethan and then pulled a gun on Eduardo and another guard when they tried to take his weapon. Jesus got everyone to stand down, and Kal helped carry Gregory inside for further treatment.

The next day, Kal carried some supplies out to Rick's groups van, helping them load their vehicle up as payment to help deal with The Saviors. Kal then returned to the Hilltop with Jesus.

Something To Fear
Kal is later seen in Issue 101, killing zombies with Eduardo. Kal informs Eduardo that Earl Sutton had stopped making spearheads for all the guards at the Hilltop Colony and that he would have to retrieve the one he had used to kill a zombie. Eduardo begins to complain, but Kal is distracted by Rick and the others approaching the Hilltop in a van. Kal and Eduardo then proceed to give them access into Hilltop.

March To War
In Issue 109, Paul informs Kal of the plan to take Negan down. And asks him to give him an estimate on how many soldiers the Hilltop can spare. Later when Paul was supposed to meet him again, he is told by Earl Sutton that Kal had gone out "patrolling" in which Paul realizes that Kal has betrayed them.

Later, in Issue 110, Paul catches up with Kal who is hiding in the woods. Paul notices a disturbance, and Kal throws a spear at Paul. The spear is broken, and Kal reveals himself. Forgetting about the group of Saviors who had received the flare message, the two nervously make up a new story, which ends up with Paul receiving a punch to the gut. Kal leaves with Paul, asking if he can keep it a secret from everyone else.

Kal is later tasked by Paul to gather 10 of the Hilltop's best fighters in the coming war with Negan. Kal tries to talk to Paul, but is cut off when Paul infers that he has not yet forgiven him for his attempted betrayal.

All Out War - Part One
Kal is seen with Paul, Rick, Andrea, Michonne, Ezekiel, and Richard discussing the battle plans for the attack on The Sanctuary. He is later seen alongside one hundred other people from The Kingdom, Hilltop Colony, and Alexandria Safe-Zone marching upon The Sanctuary. Kal watches in horror as Negan brings Gregory out of Sanctuary and makes him say that the Hilltop now stands with The Saviors. Kal is demoralized by this and as such he and seven other men from the Hilltop leave Rick's forces to journey back to Hilltop in fear of their friends and family's safety.

After Maggie rallies an army to rebel against Gregory, Kal joins her and is one of the soldiers she travels to the Safe-Zone with in order to help fight back against the Savior attack.

All Out War - Part Two
Kal is seen on the wall at the Hilltop, threatening Negan and his Saviors to turn around and do not initiate an attack, or else they will be killed. Kal is shot in the head by one of the Saviors, on Negan's orders.

Killed By
Kal was able to alert the others of the incoming Savior attack on the Hilltop, he then attempted to stop the Savior's attack, verbally warning Negan. Negan ignored his warning and ordered him to be shot, he was then shot in the head by an unnamed savior, killing him instantly.
 * Negan (Caused)
 * Unnamed Savior

Killed Victims
This list shows the victims Kal has killed:
 * Numerous counts of zombies.

Eduardo
Kal and Eduardo guard the gate to the Hilltop Colony together and are seen to be very good friends. Eduardo is upset when he is told that he isn't allowed to go to the Sanctuary with Kal.

Paul Monroe
"That's not something you'll ever come back from, Jesus."

- Kal warning Paul about taking on the Saviors.

Paul and Kal have been living together at the Hilltop for an unspecified amount of time. Paul trusts Kal, choosing him as one of the few individuals to be in on the planned attack of Negan. However, Paul's judgement of Kal is flawed, as Kal later betrays Paul. Later, when Paul catches up with Kal and gets into a hustle with Connor, Kal asks for forgiveness and receives a hard stare.

Negan
Kal is seen to be fearful of Negan and even attempts to warn him of the attack planned by the Alexandria Safe-Zone, the Hilltop Colony, and the Kingdom; so as to not be seen as an enemy by him.

Appearances
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Volume 21: All Out War - Part Two
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Trivia

 * Kal betraying Paul (Jesus) might be a biblical reference to Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus Christ to Caiaphas. In this case, Kal betrays Paul to Negan, who essentially "reigns" over Hilltop and the other communities.
 * Kal is the first named Hilltop resident to die in All-Out War.
 * Kal is so far only character to make an appearance on a standard cover after the death of the character.

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