“Your parents will die a thousand times, Bruce. That’s a lot of pearl necklaces.” Kevin O’Neill, 2014. I had literally just finished editing The Secret History of Marshal Law, going up shortly here on Substack, when I heard the sad news of Kevin’s passing. My writing colleague and good friend Tony Skinner told me. Tony and Kevin were very close and shared a similar cynical perspective on life, so it was a tough one for Tony as well as for us all. As Tony said, ‘Why can’t cool guys live forever?’ That is so true. And Kevin was the coolest.
Big, big love to you and Lisa, Pat. My Kev pics are always up on the wall but I dug out all my other bits and pieces and have it all over the dining room table for the newbies to see, to explain what he meant to me & us. Him being gone truly means more than Jo's death to me. I don't know if Tony S. will even get a tribute out. We thought we would have more time, like everyone thinks. Stay safe and live large xxx
Thanks for writing this, Pat. Kev’s death is a real rug pull, and hearing your memories of him is steadying. If he’d been born in France he’d have been fêted as a national hero - it’s telling that Le Figaro has already run an obit, and I’m doubtful we’ll see one in the UK papers. Where Crumb received ‘validation’ from Robert Hughes calling him the ‘modern day Brueghel’, Kev hasn’t had the mainstream acknowledgment of his astonishing skill, despite obvious kinship with the greatest British talents from Gilray to Searle. I hope he gets his due respect. I still feel awed by his peerless facility with the medium, particularly in ‘Kingdom of the Blind’ - the fearless composition, powerful design, and those coloured ink lines that make the colours pop so strongly. What a ruddy master. Thank you again, and here’s to Kev.
What marks Kevin (and you too) out (as well as indisputable talent) is your generosity to other creators. So glad he managed to finish both Nemesis & Extraordinary League…Two pinnacles of a unique body of work! RIP, my thoughts are with those who knew & loved him.
You and Kevin were fundamental influences in my comics upbringing. This was a warm and wonderful tribute to his career and your partnership. Thank you for sharing. His talent will be missed worldwide, but I know you will miss his friendship more.
Great tribute to a truly unique talent,his art grabbed my imagination in a headlock at age 4, and every act of defiance in my life can be traced back to that beautiful edged line. Hes left a void that will never be filled, but by jove! What a trail he blazed!
Incredible tribute, Pat. Truly, a singular artist and clearly a fantastic human being, in a world full of ones that aren't. My heart breaks for all who knew him and loved him. Wish I could've bought him a pint. Rest well, sir.
I discovered 2000ad in 1978. I was never a fan of other comics, or football or (until much later), pop music. 2000ad was all I needed. I truly believe it shaped the way I've viewed the world my whole life, and Kevin was such a fundamentally-important part of that. that I feel as if he's in my DNA.
I am stunned by this terrible news. The universe is dimmer. Can only offer condolences. The man was a genius. Marshall Law issue 2 the only comic ever confiscated from me by parents, when I was age 10. (Of course, I got it again). I cannot express how much I love Kev's work. Very depressing. The description of yourself and Kev at work in a pub is what life should be all about.
How great to read your personal anecdotes of time spent with Mr O'neill, and to actually see the Canning Commando!
As an avid 2K reader, he was part of my life growing up, and to know we will not see his utterly unique work and humour, makes this the end of a golden era!
He was a Dash Decent guy! ;o) ...and you truly were the Dynamic Duo, love you both and wish you all the best Mr Mills.
Big, big love to you and Lisa, Pat. My Kev pics are always up on the wall but I dug out all my other bits and pieces and have it all over the dining room table for the newbies to see, to explain what he meant to me & us. Him being gone truly means more than Jo's death to me. I don't know if Tony S. will even get a tribute out. We thought we would have more time, like everyone thinks. Stay safe and live large xxx
Thanks for writing this, Pat. Kev’s death is a real rug pull, and hearing your memories of him is steadying. If he’d been born in France he’d have been fêted as a national hero - it’s telling that Le Figaro has already run an obit, and I’m doubtful we’ll see one in the UK papers. Where Crumb received ‘validation’ from Robert Hughes calling him the ‘modern day Brueghel’, Kev hasn’t had the mainstream acknowledgment of his astonishing skill, despite obvious kinship with the greatest British talents from Gilray to Searle. I hope he gets his due respect. I still feel awed by his peerless facility with the medium, particularly in ‘Kingdom of the Blind’ - the fearless composition, powerful design, and those coloured ink lines that make the colours pop so strongly. What a ruddy master. Thank you again, and here’s to Kev.
Peter Ayres
What marks Kevin (and you too) out (as well as indisputable talent) is your generosity to other creators. So glad he managed to finish both Nemesis & Extraordinary League…Two pinnacles of a unique body of work! RIP, my thoughts are with those who knew & loved him.
You and Kevin were fundamental influences in my comics upbringing. This was a warm and wonderful tribute to his career and your partnership. Thank you for sharing. His talent will be missed worldwide, but I know you will miss his friendship more.
Lovely tribute Pat,such a great loss
I think we all know how Ukko felt in that Horned God panel, am listening to his 2000ad thrill cast interview as i type
Thanks for that obituary Pat. Kevin has grown years after years to be my favorite artist of all time.
Great tribute to a truly unique talent,his art grabbed my imagination in a headlock at age 4, and every act of defiance in my life can be traced back to that beautiful edged line. Hes left a void that will never be filled, but by jove! What a trail he blazed!
Incredible tribute, Pat. Truly, a singular artist and clearly a fantastic human being, in a world full of ones that aren't. My heart breaks for all who knew him and loved him. Wish I could've bought him a pint. Rest well, sir.
I discovered 2000ad in 1978. I was never a fan of other comics, or football or (until much later), pop music. 2000ad was all I needed. I truly believe it shaped the way I've viewed the world my whole life, and Kevin was such a fundamentally-important part of that. that I feel as if he's in my DNA.
I am stunned by this terrible news. The universe is dimmer. Can only offer condolences. The man was a genius. Marshall Law issue 2 the only comic ever confiscated from me by parents, when I was age 10. (Of course, I got it again). I cannot express how much I love Kev's work. Very depressing. The description of yourself and Kev at work in a pub is what life should be all about.
My condolences Pat, Lisa. So sorry you lost your friend. I don't think we'll ever see Kevin's like again, he was truly a unique artist.
Thank you for the beautiful memories, I'll raise my glass 'heres to Kev!
Last year I put together a tribute to Kevin O'Neill on my blog. I really hope I did the man and his work justice.
https://benjaminherman.wordpress.com/2022/11/11/kevin-oneill-1953-to-2022/
How great to read your personal anecdotes of time spent with Mr O'neill, and to actually see the Canning Commando!
As an avid 2K reader, he was part of my life growing up, and to know we will not see his utterly unique work and humour, makes this the end of a golden era!
He was a Dash Decent guy! ;o) ...and you truly were the Dynamic Duo, love you both and wish you all the best Mr Mills.