Beta (The Walking Dead)

"No! There will never be another Alpha. Not now. Not ever. Alpha is no longer with us... but her words still guide us. She gave us our orders. They have crossed into our land. They have taken her life. Now they all die."

- Beta to the Whisperers about Rick Grimes' group in Issue 157.

Beta is a main character and an antagonist in The Walking Dead comic series, the second-in-command of The Whisperers, and the right hand man of Alpha. He serves as the secondary antagonist of Volume 26: Call to Arms, and the primary antagonist of Volume 27: The Whisperer War.

Appearances
Beta first appears battling Aaron and stabbing him in the gut. He is then distrustful towards Negan when he arrives at the camp.

Location Unknown
Nothing is known about Beta's life before the outbreak began.

Volume 26: Call to Arms
Beta confronts Negan, with many other Whisperers, after Negan crosses the border marking the entrance to the Whisperers' territory. After Negan expresses his wish to join the Whisperers, Beta orders the other Whisperers to take Negan to Alpha. Later that day, Beta confronts Michonne and Aaron, in search of Negan under orders by Rick Grimes of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, in the same location. Michonne attempts to explain that she means no harm and is only after a fugitive who crossed the border. Beta ignores this and with his fellow Whisperers attack the pair. Michonne and Aaron try to deflate the situation and refuse to kill any of the Whisperers. Beta takes advantage of this and stabs Aaron in the gut.

Before Beta can deliver a final fatal strike to Aaron, Michonne intercepts his strike and saves Aaron by deflecting his blades. She then slashes Beta across his face with her katana causing him to scream. After Michonne kills another Whisperer, Beta knocks her to the ground remarking that she "will make a lovely mask". Once again, Beta is interrupted before he can kill Aaron or Michonne this time by the Alexandrian militia led by Dwight. The Militia kills every member of Beta's Whisperer party with the exception of Beta himself, who escapes.

Beta returns to the Whisperer camp where upon seeing Alpha strike Negan he offers to kill him on the spot. She orders him not to do so. He then slams Negan against a tree for lying and claiming that he was unaware of the existence of the Whisperers. After commenting about Beta's impressive height and intimidating appearance, Negan says that despite his lies he has a lot to offer the Whisperers.

As Negan begins to settle into the Whisperer community, Beta starts to question his presence. Alpha asks whether he is challenging her and her commands, but Beta assures her he isn't and Alpha forgives him. Most of the Whisperers appear amazed on how skilled Negan is at killing walkers though Beta does not trust him in the least. During the night, Negan sees a Whisperer woman being raped, but ends it and tries to kill the two men trying to rape her. Beta intervenes, stops him, and informs Negan of the men's right to rape the girl and that he prevented her from being able to prove her strength. Beta informs Alpha that Negan's insult must not go unpunished, and Negan is forced to sleep by himself.

Volume 27: The Whisperer War
After Negan flees, Beta discovers the headless body of Alpha. He knows that Negan killed her and is devastated and furious at her death. Beta says that after Alpha's death, there will never be another alpha (even though he still becomes the de facto leader of the Whisperers). He declares war against Negan and the rest of the joint communities, saying that they will all die.

Panicking after witnessing the immense herd of Whisperers, Gabriel Stokes, of Alexandria, who was keeping watch in a water tower for the advancement of the Whisperers, abandons his position and begins descending the ladder, begging for help. He suddenly loses his hold on the ladder and falls, only for his right foot to become lodged on one of its railings leaving him stuck and in agonizing pain as his leg snaps. A voice addresses Gabriel's pleas which is revealed to belong to Beta, who "releases" Gabriel by slicing open his abdomen. Beta and the Whispers continue on their journey as Gabriel is devoured near to the bone by the horde.

Killed Victims
This list shows the victims Beta has killed:
 * Gabriel Stokes
 * 7 unnamed members of the Militia (3 Direct, 4 Caused)
 * 1 unnamed Whisperer
 * Numerous counts of zombies and unnamed people

Negan
"You denied her the right to defend herself."

- Beta to Negan in Issue 156.

Beta has a poor relationship with Negan. Beta wanted to kill Negan but Alpha denied it. Beta is shown to be jealous that Alpha is close with Negan. Negan is shown to dislike Beta by making jokes about his height, mocking him and calling him names. Negan is outraged at the fact that Beta defends and tolerates rapists in the camp. After Negan kills Alpha, Beta is infuriated, knowing that Negan is responsible. He declares war against him and the communities, promising that they will all die.

Alpha
"No. You are my Alpha."

- Beta to Alpha in Issue 156.

Beta is shown to have a good relationship with Alpha respecting her as their leader ("Alpha"). Its implied that he might have feelings for her. Alpha is shown to trust Beta, saying Beta stood by her for a long time. Beta disagrees with Alpha with what to do with Negan. Alpha questions Beta if he is challenging her for leadership in which Beta begs forgiveness in which he is granted by Alpha. Beta did seem to be growing jealous and angry that Alpha favored Negan over him, but his anger is not directed at Apha, but at Negan. Alpha's death greatly angered and upset Beta. In the aftermath, he openly rejects the idea of allowing someone else to take her role, showing just how deeply he trusted her leadership. However, Beta still becomes the de-facto leader of their group.

Volume 26: Call To Arms

 * Issue 154
 * Issue 155
 * Issue 156

Volume 27: The Whisperer War

 * Issue 157
 * Issue 158
 * Issue 159
 * Issue 160
 * Issue 161
 * Issue 162

Trivia

 * Negan nicknames Beta "Frowny Mctwoknives" and "Beta Mctwoknives" due to the latter wielding two large knives.
 * Beta, like Alpha, is likely a reference to social hierarchy.
 * Beta is the tallest character encountered in the comics so far, at least 7 feet in height, as he is a head taller than Negan who himself is a very tall man.
 * Even though Beta says that nobody will become the Alpha after the latter's death, he still becomes the de facto leader of the group.
 * Beta is the only major antagonist whose face has not been seen.
 * Beta is also one of three primary antagonists not to have their name revealed, the other two being Alpha and the Stranger.
 * Beta is one of the darkest villains within The Walking Dead media, along with The Governor, Thomas Richards, Gareth, Martin, The Hunters, The Marauders, Owen and The Wolves, Troy, Alpha, William Carver, the Save-lot Bandits, and the St. John family (Andrew, Danny and Brenda).