A British comics icon, Kevin O'Neill got his start as an office boy at British boys' comic Buster before becoming a colorist on Disney reprints run in comics like Monster Fun and Whizzer and Chips.
Learning that IPC was working on a science fiction magazine, 2000 AD, he petitioned then-editor Pat Mills for a transfer, going on to co-create Ro-Busters, A.B.C. Warriors, and Nemesis the Warlock. Less quantifiable but no less deserving of praise, as assistant art editor, he helped establish the bolshy, antiauthoritarian tone of the new title, and pushed for credit boxes for the creators – not industry standard in the UK.
Joining frequent collaborator Alan Moore in the 'British Invasion of DC Comics, O'Neill attracted the ire of the draconian Comics Code Authority who found his art style "objectionable."
O'Neill and Mills co-created the satirical Marshal Law before he re-teamed with Alan Moore for his most fruitful project, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – the most recent volume of which concluded in 2019.
I'm so sorry to hear this. Kevin O'Neill was a brilliant stylist and so much more than "the only artist to be banned by the Comic Book Code Authority for his drawing style alone" (Although he was that too.) So many creations. RIP Kev. https://t.co/EoXD0KQOcW
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 7, 2022
Absolutely gutted to hear we've lost the great Kevin O'Neill. A passionate advocate for creator rights, a visionary artist, and an inspiration. x pic.twitter.com/GY4xPt8HaI
— Andy Diggle (@andydiggle) November 7, 2022
Ah Damn--
— Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) November 8, 2022
Goodbye to the great Kevin O'Neill, among other things co-creator of League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Another talent gone way too soon. pic.twitter.com/6yQnGBU1sB
David McKee
