How did Kevin O’Neill die? Comic book illustrator cause of death Explained

Kevin O’Neill, an English comic book illustrator passed away last week following a protracted illness. Let’s see how did Comic book illustrator die and Kevin O’Neill cause of death in detail.

How did Kevin O’Neill die?

His death news was confirmed by Goshlondon. Gosh Comics shared a statement on the demise of Kevin and the statement reads,

“It’s with a great deal of sadness that we have learned of the passing of Kevin O’Neill last week after a long illness. We had worked a lot with Kevin over the past two decades and had the highest personal and professional regard for him, and of course, the impact he has had on the comics landscape cannot be overstated”. Kevin O’Neill cause of death was not revealed yet.

Gosh also shared his achievements, professional experiences, and his life stories in the statement and the statement ended as follows:

“Kevin was a regular sight here at Gosh, whether popping by to sign plates or prints, or just coming to meet Josh for a coffee or lunch. It’s always unusual when someone whom you have revered from afar becomes a familiar, friendly face, and so it was for us Gosh old-timers and Kev.”, the statement continued.

“A friendly face who happened to be one of the greatest comics artists the UK has ever produced, whose influential shadow looms large, and yet whose work is so personal and unique that it is impossible to imitate. Our deepest condolences go out to Kevin’s friends and family, and to the many, many fans around the world for whom this will be a tough loss. Rest in peace, Kevin, we’ll miss you a lot.”

Kevin O’Neill cause of death:

Last week, the comic industry lost a highly talented illustrator, Kevin O’Neill. He passed away at the age of 69 after a long illness. Kevin O’Neill died after battling a long illness. Kevin was a very creative illustrator who served many comic works.

Kevin O’Neill cause of death was a long illness. The disease or illness he suffered from has not been revealed yet.

Hugely saddened by Kevin O’Neill’s passing. One of the absolute greats. Only met once, and he was as charming as the edifices of ornate gleeful horror he produced were berserk. I love all his periods, but the frenzy of the 1980s stuff was something else. https://t.co/u387aMNrq5

— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) November 7, 2022

Who is Kevin O’Neill?

Kevin O’Neill is the British comics illustrator well known as the co-creator of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen with Alan Moore, Marshal Law with writer Pat Mills, and Nemesis the Warlock also with Pat Mills. He left school at 16 and began working at British comics publisher IPC as an office boy, he has grown through the production ranks, finally working as art director on the weekly ground-breaking comic 2000AD, before quitting to become a freelance comic artist.

Kevin said, “I prefer marching to the beat of my drum. Most of the strips I’ve worked on have been offbeat, even when mainstream, like Lobo or Batmite. Sacrificing my creative freedom for reasons of commerce is at odds with my nature. I’m content with operating at the fringes of mainstream comics.”

Kevin’s Career:

At the young age of 16, Kevin began his professional career working behind the scenes on British kids’ humor comics. O’Neill started his career by working at a publishing business IPC as an office boy for the children’s humor book Buster.

As a side endeavor, he began putting out the fanzine Just Imagine: The Journal of Film and Television Special Effects in 1975. From 1975 to 1978, there were five regular issues and one special issue. He began coloring British children’s comics such as Monster Fun and Whizzer and Chips in 1976, as well as reprints of Disney comics.

He was one of the important figures in the early years of 2000 AD, serving in both the art and editorial capacities, including the addition of creator credits. He rose to the top ranks of 2000 AD artists thanks to his work on ABC Warriors and Nemesis the Warlock.

His work on ABC Warriors and Nemesis the Warlock propelled him to the top ranks of 2000AD artists, and his idiosyncratic, enduring aesthetic served to best corrupt the brains of young British people.

Kevin and Pat Mills co-created Marshal Law after a brief dalliance with American superhero comics during the British invasion, which resulted in his famous blacklisting due to his creative approach.

Before Kevin and Alan Moore worked together on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which would later become the most important work of his professional career, this well-liked parody of superhero cliches was published in a number of miniseries throughout the 1990s.

Kevin’s notable works include Nemesis the Warlock, Marshal Law, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He won many awards including, three Harvey Awards, two Eisner Awards, Eagle Award, and Bram Stoker Award. 

DC Comics and the conflict

Although O’Neill had already illustrated several fill-in issues and short stories for books like The Omega Men, Alan Moore’s tale for the Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual No. 2 in 1986 marked his first significant work for DC.

As soon as the Comics Code Authority objected to O’Neill’s artwork, this became immediately divisive. The Authority responded that it was O’Neill’s entire approach that they found unacceptable when DC questioned what was wrong and whether anything could be changed (the narrative included scenes of a crucifixion) to gain clearance.

DC argued that his work had already been approved, but the authority insisted on their choice. DC decided to omit the Comics Code Authority stamp from the comic book.

The controversial short story set continuity markers in the DC Universe that served as the foundation for the 2009 narrative “Blackest Night.” The graphic novel Metalzoic by Mills and O’Neill was also published in 1986. One of the first creator-owned stories to be released by DC, this received widespread appreciation. Later that year, 2000AD published a revised version of the narrative.

Tributes to Kevin

Ken Olende tweeted,

Sad to hear great comic artist Kevin O’Neill has died. Apart from Nemesis and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, he memorably blew up the Comics Code by producing art on a Green Lantern story, that they found objectionable without pointing to anything that could be changed.

Grdupond tweeted,

Sad to hear the genius behind work like this Mr Kevin O’Neill has died (remember meeting him at a Glasgow convention back in the day) Might have to rake through my old #2000D s this week for some of his classic and unique work.

Jason McFee tweeted,

Rest in peace Kevin O’Neill. Another legendary artist to my generation. ABC Warriors, Rojaws and Hammerstein, LOEG, Metalzoic, goddamn Marshal Law! I used to be obsessed with Nemesis the Warlock, such a unique and unmistakable style. He will be missed.

Zac Thompson tweeted,

Good lord, losing Kevin O’Neill is a gut punch. RIP king.

Emil Friis Ernst tweeted,

Rest in peace Kevin O’Neill. This one hit me a little hard, his work was a big inspiration ever since I read TLOEG as a teen, on to Marshal Law and latest Cinema Purgatorio. If you notice a mixture of flatness and space in my works that’s him, that’s all Kevin O’Neill.

Dylan Moore tweeted,

Sad to hear about Kevin O’Neill. A wonderful artist. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen wouldn’t have worked with anyone else imo. #ripkevino’neill

Fraser Geesin @ Thought Bubble:Comixology 100B-101 tweeted,

Kevin O’Neill. These panels and others from this story broke my head open at a very young age. A lovely man too. Unspoilt by his immeasurable importance. Heartbroken.

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