#tharg the mighty

[quasar1967]

2000 AD #561-564

[all-action-all-picture]

2000AD and Tornado prog 145, dated 29 December 1979. The Mighty Tharg cover by Carlos Ezquerra. Rebellion.

[gdwessel]

ROGUE TROOPER: "Runaway" in 2000AD Prog 2362 Out Wednesday 12/13/2023

Just a quick post - tomorrow, 2000AD Prog 2362 will be out in print in the UK, digitally worldwide. It's the year-end special holiday issue, 100 pages with a whole host of stories. Including one of mine.

I was asked to write one of 2000AD's leading franchise characters, Rogue Trooper, and got paired with the master artist Simon Coleby, colorists Francesco Segala and Sabrina Del Grosso, and letterer Rob Steen for "Runaway," a 12-page one-off featuring the Genetic Infantryman and his dogchip buddies. It was an honor to be asked, and I hope I did it well. It was also a complete blast to write Rogue, Helm, Gunnar & Bagman, and I hope Tharg the Mighty will let me do so again.

Below are the first two pages of the strip.

Since last we spoke, October and November were, frankly, dogshit. Two deaths in my immediate family (my partner's mother, and one of my aunts), my car getting crashed and totalled, my new car getting smashed and broken into with a laptop and tablet stolen after only 10 days of ownership, and a bout with New York Comic Con COVID. However, as dark as those days were, the sun did eventually rise on them, and things are looking positive for the rest of this year, and 2024 as well.

I hope you enjoy this story, and if I don't post again before the New Year, have a happy holiday season, whatever it is you may celebrate, and that you are safe and relatively untroubled as we head into 2024.

Take care of yourselves.

[nicholas1673]

Damien Hirst's "For the Love of God" stands as an icon of opulence and artistic grandeur, shattering records as the most expensive contemporary artwork to date, with a staggering price tag of £15 million. The piece commands attention with its diamond-encrusted platinum skull, adorned with 8,601 crystal-clear diamonds totalling an impressive 1,106.18 carats, including a massive 52.4-carat pink diamond at the forefront. This manifestation of luxury is a testament to Hirst's unapologetic penchant for the extravagant.

Despite Hirst's bold claim of selling the piece for £50 million in 2007, recent revelations suggest that it may have never changed hands. Whether the astronomical price proved impossible, or Hirst intentionally retained a significant share for a planned global tour, "For the Love of God" remains an enigmatic masterpiece, either residing with White Cube or tucked away in undisclosed locations.

The macabre touch that defines the artwork stems from its origin—a real human skull sourced from a taxidermist, cast in platinum, and retaining its original teeth. This infusion of reality into the dazzling spectacle adds a layer of morbidity to an already ostentatious piece, provoking contemplation on the intersection of life and death.

The craftsmanship behind this diamond-encrusted marvel was entrusted to Bentley & Skinner, a royally appointed jeweller renowned for their century-long association with the British royal family. Their expertise seamlessly complements Hirst's vision, creating an artwork fit for a monarch and emphasizing the regal extravagance inherent in the piece.

Inspiration for the artwork can be traced back to Hirst's childhood, where the focal stone on the skull's forehead takes on a powerful, God-like significance reminiscent of Hirst's comic character 'Tharg the Mighty.' This autobiographical element reveals Hirst's aspiration to influence the world through his art, transcending the boundaries between the fantastical and the tangible.

The title, "For the Love of God," adds a touch of humor and irony to the piece, derived from Hirst's mother's exclamation whenever confronted with his "crazy ideas." The stark contrast between the extravagant title and its humble origin introduces a layer of irony, challenging perceptions of high art and adding a touch of humility to the opulent creation.

Hirst's fascination with death, evident throughout his oeuvre, finds inspiration in Aztec mosaic skulls from the British Museum. Drawing from the Día de Los Muertos celebration, Hirst incorporates intricate details reminiscent of these ancient artefacts, connecting the contemporary with the historical and cultural aspects of mortality.

"For the Love of God" serves as the ultimate memento mori, inviting viewers to reflect on mortality. Embracing the inevitability of death, the piece, according to Hirst, exudes a "transcendent feel," using the precious diamonds not only to symbolize mortality but also to mock it—a provocative commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the superficiality of material wealth.

In the realm of contemporary art, this diamond-encrusted skull becomes the pinnacle of commodity fetishism. Hirst's financial success, exemplified by a $201 million auction the year after creating the piece, places material excess and profit at the forefront of his artistic pursuit, reinforcing the intersection of wealth and mortality in this unparalleled artwork.

The meaning of "For the Love of God" is multifaceted. The title carries a double entendre, oscillating between exasperation and spiritual connotations. The valuable materials challenge traditional notions of wealth, engaging with themes of mortality and impermanence. The choice of platinum and diamonds emphasizes the tension between beauty and death, creating a striking visual effect that adds depth to the artwork.

Critically acclaimed yet met with scepticism, "For the Love of God" has ignited debates within the art world. Supporters applaud Hirst for challenging norms and questioning the relationship between art and commerce, while critics accuse him of prioritizing spectacle over genuine artistic expression, labelling the piece as a manifestation of commercialism and ostentation.

In conclusion, Damien Hirst's "For the Love of God" is a monumental work that transcends the boundaries of traditional art, inviting contemplation on mortality, wealth, and the intersection of life and death. Its enigmatic nature, combined with its record-breaking price and controversial reception, solidifies its status as a symbol of contemporary art and the complexities inherent in the pursuit of artistic expression.

Reference list:

Argun, E.A. (2023). 10 Facts About Hirst’s ‘For the Love of God’ | Article. [online] MyArtBroker. Available at: https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-damien-hirst/10-facts/ten-facts-damien-hirst-for-the-love-of-god?showBigButton=1 [Accessed 15 November 2023].

StudyCorgi Free essay (2023). ‘For the Love of God’ Sculpture by Damien Hirst | Free Essay Example. [online] StudyCorgi.com. Available at: https://studycorgi.com/for-the-love-of-god-sculpture-by-damien-hirst/ [Accessed 15 November 2023].

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: The Best of Tharg's Terror Tales

The Best of Tharg's Terror Tales preview. Tharg the Mighty presents the creepiest tales to ever grace the pages of the galaxy's greatest comic! #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel

[cmdr-nekomeko]

Tharg The Mighty Has Fallen

HIP 11111 5 Ring B | HIP 11111

[travisellisor]

the cover to the 2000 AD 40th Anniversary Special by Carlos Ezquerra

[comradewallpapers]

2000AD 2111

High Res

http://www.mediafire.com/view/c55bpn3b87qzkxc/2000AD-2111-%25282018%2529-%2528Digital-Empire%2529-001.jpg/file

[drhoz]

45 years ago - and John Wagner is still writing Judge Dredd

[quasar1967]

2000 AD #553-556

[judgeanon]

- Art by Chris Weston, for the 2000AD Ultimate Collection.

[kekwcomics]

ROGUE TROOPER BY MYSELF AND WARWICK FRASER-COOMBE

Just a quick heads-up that the bumper-sized Christmas 2000AD issue is up for pre-order.

Contains a stellar cast of creators and content, and includes a 10 page ROGUE TROOPER tale written by myself and illustrated by the amazing Warwick Fraser-Coombe.

[2000adonline]

JoFox - EB, James Newell - To Edmund & Alan Byrom - Edmund Bagwell Tribute for the June Art Competition

Every month you have the chance to win a 2000 AD graphic novel, as well as a chance to vote for your favourite entries! There’s also a special prize for “Tharg’s Choice” picked by The Mighty One himself!

Theme:

EDMUND BAGWELL TRIBUTE

Art Comp Rules:

- You can enter as many times as you like but bear in mind it will split your vote!

- All entries have to be constructed specifically for this competition!

Deadline:

TONIGHT JUNE 26th at MIDNIGHT GMT

Enter on the forum here or by posting on the FB wall here

[dafttom]

Best of 2000 AD: Tharg the Mighty... #2000AD #ThargTheMighty

[thisdayincomics]

February 26

Tharg is depicted as an alien from Quaxxann, a fictional planet that orbits the star Betelgeuse. He has green skin, a white mohawk hairstyle and a red device called the rosette of Sirius on his forehead. He is the narrator for the British comic anthology 2000 AD and eats polystyrene cups. He first appeared when the comic debuted on February 26, 1977. 2000 AD is a weekly British science fiction comics anthology which serialises stories in each issue. It is most noted for its Judge Dredd stories, and has been contributed to by a number of artists and writers who became renowned in the field internationally. Tharg writes the comic's introduction, answers letters, and doles out prizes to readers - winners could choose payment either in pounds sterling or in "galactic groats". Tharg speaks mostly in English, but with various pithy Betelgusian aphorisms thrown in for colour. He terms his readers "Earthlets". Tharg even appears in his own comic strips.In addition to the editorial duties in 2000 AD being attributed to Tharg all writing, art, lettering, sub-editing and PR is attributed to malcontent, feckless and long-suffering droids that appear as caricatures of their actual counterparts. When the robots "went on strike", Tharg wrote and drew a whole issue himself, but when he ran it through the quality-control "Thrill-meter", the device melted down on extreme overload. The offending issue had to be taken away, by blindfolded security guards, to a lead-lined vault where there was no danger of anyone seeing it accidentally.

[floridageekscene]

The MarkWHO42's Universe Podcast - Episode 342 - Blazing! the Trail to Kickstarter

The MarkWHO42’s Universe Podcast – Episode 342 – Blazing! the Trail to Kickstarter

The Kickstarter campaign is in full swing for the anthology Blazer! 3, so naturally, we have to chat with some of our favorite people: Steve MacManus, Ben Conan Cullis, and Brendon Wright from The 77 Publications. We discuss art, comics, science fiction, William Randolph Hearst, the 70s, and a few other crazy topics. We also remember the Kickstarter and Blazer!, the comic we were supposed to be…