RIP John Hicklenton

[AALN-2]

John's work was totally original, entirely personal, utterly unafraid and completely in-your-face.

Brave art, from a brave artist.

It was great to work with him (and Pat) on Blood of Satanus III. Very sad today.

Alan

[Hoagy]

It was that story where Thoth goes back to kill all of TdT's incarnations throughout time, Tordel.
The past inquisition, where the original Thomas is about to execute some heretics? I thought John completely nailed the absolutely, vile piety and the sticky tear was a touch of genuine, original thinking.

[Woolly]

Rest in peace John.
You were a true original, and will be sorely missed.

[Mike Gloady]

That's another favourite moment of mine.  Saw that Simon Pegg had twittered about his fondness for John's Torque too so I don't think we're alone in thinking his Torque was one of the greats among a sea of huge talents who've worked on the character.

[Dog Deever]

RIP John.
As many others have said- this is a great loss of an interesting and unique artistic talent.

[stacey]

I have just seen this, very sad news. I watched the documentary he made about living with MS a few months ago, not easy telly to watch but important, and amazing artwork. RIP.

[Hell Trekker]

This is very sad news.  I for one loved his art and feel that unique artists like him make 2000AD what it is. 

[Emperor]

Having watched the documentary it was inevitable this would happen sooner rather than later, but knowing that doesn't make it any easier.

He never compromised with his art or his illness and never stopped fighting even right up to the end. That is the important lesson I'll be taking from this.

Plus we still have his body of work which was never less than eye-opening - in modern comics it is difficult to shock and disturb through the pure power of your art (in the same way Francis Bacon can), without resorting to cheap and shallow tricks. Kevin O'Neill managed it and so did John Hicklenton, but beyond them it is a very small list. He may not have been here as long as we'd have wished but he left a deep impression - like a punch in the mind's eye.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

[Van Dom]

Ohhhhh that sucks. I manage to get on the forum for five minutes and this is the first thread I see...

Sad news indeed.

[Cthulouis]

Rest in peace, John.

[Aero]

Good to see so many nice tributes in the forum, helps us fans to collectively deal with the loss. I know that his family are being passed on lots of lovely messages from the Animal Monday crew (the makers of that fine docu 'Here's Johnny').

Its really sad that we'll not see any more wonderful art from Johnny but he's left us a fine legacy. And on that positive vein, I'm looking forward to re-visiting his early work soon as my son and I continue to read through my entire 2000AD collection. My son is looking forward to reaching his version of Nemesis soon, so his work lives on, to be enjoyed by the next gen of comic fans.

Thanks Johnny for your unique, wierd, wonderful, grotesque, ikky, splattery, beautifully fine and detailed, visceral versions of our favourite heroes and villains.

[Noisybast]

Sad news. Rest in peace, John.

[satchmo]

Absolutely tragic news, my heart goes out to his friends and family. He was a true one off, and he'll be sorely missed.

[Emperor]

News/tributes from other sites:

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2010/john-hicklenton-passes-away/
www.bleedingcool.com/2010/03/23/john-hicklenton-leaves-us-with-100-months-to-remember-him-by/
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/23/chris-evans-as-captain-america-rip-john-hicklenton-and-the-nintendo-3ds-in-todays-twitter-report/
http://thrillpoweredthursday.blogspot.com/2010/03/127-john-hicklenton-1967-2010.html
http://hipsterdad.livejournal.com/758489.html
http://progslog.blogspot.com/2010/03/john-hicklenton.html
http://www.hypergeek.ca/2010/03/john-hinckleton-passes-away-after-a-long-battle-with-multiple-sclerosis.html
http://www.imaginarystories.co.uk/2010/03/rip-john-hicklenton.html
http://bristle.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/and-comic-artist-john-hicklenton-has-died-too/
http://www.akirathedon.com/2010/03/rip-john-hicklenton/
http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7928

The MTV Splash Page also includes some tweets:

From Andy Diggle:

Very sad to hear that artist John Hicklenton has passed away after a long battle with MS: http://is.gd/aU3Ho

http://twitter.com/andydiggle/status/10918009929

From Neil Gaiman:

@andydiggle I'm so sorry to hear it. He illustrated my very first professional comic....

http://twitter.com/neilhimself/status/10918419770

Simon Pegg:

RIP legendary 2000AD artist John Hicklenton. Loved his Nemesis The Warlock. Drew Torquemada like the ultimate big balled badass. Sad loss.

http://twitter.com/simonpegg/status/10926321282

Neil Gaiman has also retweeted this form our own Legendary Shark:

RT @LegendaryShark: Eagle Award in J Hinckleton's name for creators working despite circumstances that would defeat the rest of us Please RT

http://twitter.com/neilhimself/status/10926456364

I'll pass it on to the team at the Eagles - nominations are supposed to start next month. There is a Roll of Honour award too I believe.

[ThryllSeekyr]

I another soul I never knew, except through his work.

Even to say that is a lie, As I never bothered with cataloging evey single artist, and espeically all those involved in Nemesis the Warlock.

Was this is only work in 2000AD?

It appears so on his wiki entry.

I do remember a ailing artist who made a few video blogs, regarding his illness, and work. Not sure if it was the same person, but I have a hunch it may be. A few years ago now this was.

Now I feel almost motivated to go reading through the entire Nemesis the Warlock, Case files just to foucs on his work. I beleive I have them all.