100 Months

The late John Hicklenton was one of Britain's leading comic book artists, famous for the brutal, visceral draughtsmanship he brought to the 2000AD/Judge Dredd titles and Nemesis the Warlock. His final graphic novel is a parable of environmental devastation, depicting the quest of Mara, Warrior and Earth Goddess, as she seeks revenge against the Longpig: a Satanic personification of capitalism, red in tooth and claw, whose followers, a legion of the damned, look quite a lot like us. The world of the Longpig is rich in killing fields and scenes of mass crucifixion that recall Goya, Blake, and Bacon, and represents a true crossover of the graphic novel form with fine art. John took his own life with the help of an assisted dying group, following a heroic struggle with multiple sclerosis. This book was drawn and written in foreknowledge of his imminent death, and its insight into universal themes of life, death, salvation, and damnation seems to come from a place between worlds. Its words those of a prophet, its artwork transcending the comic book form, 100 Months will redefine the adult graphic novel.

John Hicklenton (1967–2010) was a comics artist and is best-known for his work on the titles 2000 AD, Heavy Metal Dredd, and Nemesis the Warlock. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000, and took his own life in March 2010. His life, work, and illness are the subject of the documentary Here's Johnny, which premiered at South by Southwest. He finished 100 Months the day before he died. A comics writer and editor, Pat Mills is known as the "godfather of British comics." He created 2000 AD and played a large part in the development of Judge Dredd.