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, Babe. Lisa was in tears reading your message this morning and I wasn’t far behind. They were the happiest days of Kevin’s life when he was hanging out with you all. I’d never seen him so happy before or since. You were all on the same counter-culture wavelength, kindred spirits, far away from the deeply conservative world of the comic establishment, that often jealously voiced its disapproval of you all having so much fun. I remember one sad comic artist with pink hair (!) actually finger-wagging me on the subject. I think what freaked me about it was someone half my age telling me off like he was my grandfather. FFS! But such is often the world of comics. You must’ve been like such a welcome breath of fresh air to Kevin.
So it would be a pity if Kevin’s life was only recalled as 2000AD, Marshal Law and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, important as they all were to him. Because there was so much more and so much happiness in his life that needs recording.
Thinking back to some of those happy memories, the first repeatable one that comes to mind was your Elvis Seance Party where we were all in Elvis costume and a stick of salami doubled as the King’s member and the idea was to raise him from the dead. We all of us gathered in a circle to make contact with him to a chorus of ‘Uh-huh huh’ It was a hilarious night, although I don’t remember much about it now and what happened next! I know I wore an Elvis costume and wig from the King’s Vegas era and I can still recall the look of shock on Kevin’s face when he saw me! I don’t think anyone took any photos of that night and perhaps it was just as well! As with so much in life, it was not a spectator sport!
Kevin would often talk about you, especially, with lasting and great affection. And I so often see you depicted in the pages of his comic work.
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.
Valuable thoughts, Peter. Le Figaro explains why all my French colleagues have already been in touch to give their condolences. I was wondering how they knew. The New York Times is preparing an obituary today, but I’m not aware of any British mainstream media having anything in the works, thus far at least.
Why Britain is so culturally backward is open to debate. It’s a deep-seated malaise that began with creators not even being credited. Kevin changed that forever. But there is still such a long way to go.
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
THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF KEVIN’S LIFE
Thanks, Babe. Lisa was in tears reading your message this morning and I wasn’t far behind. They were the happiest days of Kevin’s life when he was hanging out with you all. I’d never seen him so happy before or since. You were all on the same counter-culture wavelength, kindred spirits, far away from the deeply conservative world of the comic establishment, that often jealously voiced its disapproval of you all having so much fun. I remember one sad comic artist with pink hair (!) actually finger-wagging me on the subject. I think what freaked me about it was someone half my age telling me off like he was my grandfather. FFS! But such is often the world of comics. You must’ve been like such a welcome breath of fresh air to Kevin.
So it would be a pity if Kevin’s life was only recalled as 2000AD, Marshal Law and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, important as they all were to him. Because there was so much more and so much happiness in his life that needs recording.
Thinking back to some of those happy memories, the first repeatable one that comes to mind was your Elvis Seance Party where we were all in Elvis costume and a stick of salami doubled as the King’s member and the idea was to raise him from the dead. We all of us gathered in a circle to make contact with him to a chorus of ‘Uh-huh huh’ It was a hilarious night, although I don’t remember much about it now and what happened next! I know I wore an Elvis costume and wig from the King’s Vegas era and I can still recall the look of shock on Kevin’s face when he saw me! I don’t think anyone took any photos of that night and perhaps it was just as well! As with so much in life, it was not a spectator sport!
Kevin would often talk about you, especially, with lasting and great affection. And I so often see you depicted in the pages of his comic work.
Thank you for making him so very happy.
Pat xxxx
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
Valuable thoughts, Peter. Le Figaro explains why all my French colleagues have already been in touch to give their condolences. I was wondering how they knew. The New York Times is preparing an obituary today, but I’m not aware of any British mainstream media having anything in the works, thus far at least.
Why Britain is so culturally backward is open to debate. It’s a deep-seated malaise that began with creators not even being credited. Kevin changed that forever. But there is still such a long way to go.
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.