Even casual fans of The Walking Dead know that the shows are based on a long-running (but recently concluded) comic series of the same name. While the show and the comics have diverged greatly over the years, major storylines and characters often have many similarities. That is true of the Whisperers and Beta, a character who is first introduced in issue 154 of the comics.
Beta's storyline in the comics is fairly similar to that of the TV series, and that includes his famous past. However, unlike the TV series, in the comic books, Beta was a famous basketball player and actor — think if Michael Jordan went from starring in Space Jam to cutting off the faces of the undead and wearing them as a mask.
This particular version of his backstory fits well with Beta's physicality in the comics. He's a very large and imposing figure who also moves quickly, skills he would have honed during his years as a professional athlete. Similar to the show, in the comic books, Beta is fiercely protective over his face mask, and kills his own allies if they catch a glimpse. In both versions, his identity is eventually uncovered, and he's recognized as the celebrity he once was.
Beta's country singer past is just one example of the intriguing ways that the multi-series The Walking Dead universe functions. Sadly, we'll be seeing less of that once the flagship show ends after its upcoming eleventh season. But, there's still The Walking Dead: The World Beyond to scratch that itch.
