“To the stars, Dave, to the stars…”
I’m very sad to report the passing of the marvellous comic artist, UFO and Rush fanatic Dave Taylor, most recently known for his outstanding work for 2000AD, who, at the time of his death, had been working on the second volume Megatropolis an alternate tale of the Judge Dredd universe, written by Kenneth Niemand.
A “Judge Death” tale by Kek-W for the upcoming Judge Death Special, out in October in the UK, was to have been one of his last published works, but unfortunately, Dave had only just started work on the strip.
Stewart Kenneth Moore was asked to take on art duties on the strip, and tells us he will be dedicating it to Dave’s fine work in comics.
His family announced his passing at the weekend, victim to a long battle with prostate cancer.
We hadn’t worked together for a long time. I wasn’t his first editor at Marvel UK – he had previously contributed to the publisher’s Zorro title, which was his first professional comics work – but back in the 1990s, I commissioned him for a “Warheads” strip on Marvel UK’s Overkill, which I was then editing, battling Editorial Director Paul Neary’s reservations at the time.
(Paul, bless him also no longer with us, had to be convinced to employ Charlie Adlard, too, so Dave was in good company!).
Dave, who I will always remember for his sense of humour, even in the worst of times, went on to draw the four-issue, never reprinted mini-series Gene Dogs, the brief to create a British X-men style series, written by me, inked by Stephen Baskerville, and pulled out all the stops to impress. It certainly impressed me.
Since then, while our physical paths rarely crossed, we kept in contact, discussing his current projects such as working on Doctor Who for Titan Comics and pitch projects, including a strip working with David Lee Roth, which I’m not sure ever happened.
In 2017, during a difficult time in his career, I pushed him toward the Hero Initiative for financial help, their support enabling him to refocus on his comics work.
It was always a pleasure to chat with him, and, occasionally, far less often than we should (editors rarely get convention invites) catch up “in the flesh”.
Dave Taylor became a pro comic book artist in 1989, initially working on Zorro for Marvel UK (which featured covers by the legendary Alex Toth). As noted above, he also drew strips for Overkill and the mini-series, Gene Dogs.
After MUK imploded, victim to the financial problems of its US parent, Dave drew two issues of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s Force Works for Marvel US, featuring Iron Man. He also drew the adult comic Tongue Lash, written by French writer Jean-Marc L’Officier, published by Dark Horse in 1996.
In 1995, he was headhunted by DC Comics to work with Matt Wagner on Batman: The Riddle Factory. That commission led to several Batman projects, including working with Alan Grant on the Shadow Of The Bat series from 1996 to 1997, designing Arkham Asylum for the “Bat Bible” and movies, Batman and Robin logos for the Warner Bros movie; and his collaboration with world-renowned graphic designer and Batman aficionado Chip Kidd on Batman: Death by Design, a New York Times bestseller (twice), first published in 2012.
After a short break from comics, working in the computer games industry, he returned with “Judge Anderson: Big Robots” for 2000AD, which he co-wrote with Alan Grant. He also drew issues of Doctor Who for both IDW and Titan Comics.
In recent years, he worked predominantly for 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, on numerous “Judge Dredd” stories and, most recently, with Kenneth Niemand on the groundbreaking best-selling series, Megatropolis.
Sadly, unknown to many of his fans, Dave, whose poor health had been a near constant frustration for a few years, contracted prostate cancer, which had a devastating impact on his life. In May, he let me know he had permanently lost the use of his legs, but seemed determined to face this and continue working, which, as I’m sure you can imagine, was wonderful news.
“I’ll still be able to help support my little family and have a relatively normal life,” he told me. Sadly, however, although, according to his friend and fellow comic creator Tim Quinn he remained stoic in adversity, and in good humour when they met just a couple of months ago, he’s no longer with us to bring us more of the art we loved.
“Dave was a fantastic artist and lovely to work with,” 2000AD editor Matt Smith commented at the weekend, in response to the breaking news. “He’ll be much missed.”
My sympathies to Dave’s family, Pauline and Hannah, and friends at this time. I count myself, albeit loosely, as one of them. You will be missed, you dog…
John Freeman
Prostate Cancer: A Cautionary Tale
Back in June, Dave gave a not so gentle reminder to guys in their 40s and 50s to go get tested for prostate cancer, asking people to circulate his story. “I didn’t in time, and my GP’s failed to notice the obvious signs and so, like so many prostate cancers, it spread into my bones. I was lucky in that it only spread into my bones. It could have gone anywhere it wanted, but … it settled in my upper spine and caused irreparable damage. Again, I was lucky that it didn’t settle higher up, which would have paralysed me completely, instead of just from my rib cage down. Bad enough, but not completely devastating.
“My point is that if I’d recognised the symptoms and pushed my GP’s into action, this nightmare of mine wouldn’t have happened. Save your life by simply telling your GP that you want a prostate cancer test (digital exam and PSA blood test). Please do it.”
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. 1 in 8 men will get it, and if you’re Black, your risk is double. Prostate Cancer UK raises awareness, funding lifesaving research, campaigning for change and providing helpful support and information. You can support them here prostatecanceruk.org
Remembering Dave Taylor: Just Some of the Many Tributes…
I’m conscious this section barely scrapes the surface of the many tributes to Dave posted in the past week. I hope it reflects, at least, the range of feelings…
“This is devastating,” commented artist Stephen Brotherstone, from the Scarred For Life project. “I went to art college with Dave Taylor in 1989-90. Even then, he was leagues ahead of the rest of the class. He was a regular at Forbidden Planet, my old workplace, for years. One of the loveliest people ever, and a ridiculously talented artist. RIP, mate.”
“I knew Dave Taylor for 30 years,” noted artist Nigel Parkinson. “He and l and Matt Smith and others were in a quiz team with the late Colin Fawcett. Dave was the first comics pro (he had just started doing Batman) who told me he liked my work. We watched Ang Lee’s Hulk on a dodgy DVD in my flat, saw The Incredibles at the pictures… Dave’s reaction: “the best movie l’ve ever seen!” and chatted about our mutual love of Carl Giles. A few weeks ago he told me he was feeling more optimistic than he had for a long time, despite being so unwell. His main concerns were looking after his family and getting back to drawing.
“And he could draw… crowd scenes never fazed him… it was his admiration for Giles.
“Ta ra then Dave, mind how you go, la, keep your cymbals shiny.”
“So, so sad to hear of the death of fabulous Liverpool illustrator Dave Taylor,” said writer Tim Quinn. “A huge talent and absolutely lovely chap. Saw him last about two months ago and despite being hit with hideous medical problems he was seemingly in good heart and resigned to his altered life. We laughed a lot. Beyond stoic and beyond heroic. Thoughts to his family as Dave takes his place in the cosmos. A real star.”
“I’m very sorry to hear of the passing of brilliant comic artist Dave Taylor,” says artist Stephen Baskerville. “I had such a good time back in the 90s, inking Dave’s amazing pencils for Marvel UK’s four-issue mini-series, Gene Dogs… I’m struck by the incredible range of styles and techniques he could use. As this was the 90s – and ‘Image-style’ was the hot look.
Gene Dogs might not be that representative of Dave’s art – but, like everything he applied his pencil to, boy, did he do it well!” The strip has never been reprinted.
“I’m sorry to hear of artist Dave Taylor’s passing,” commented fellow Marvel UK alumni Gary Erskine. “A genuine talent most remembered for his stellar work in 2000AD. His style was sublime and reminds more of classic bande dessiné and Metal Hurlant. It truly came alive with painterly colour. Discover him yourself.”
“I first met Dave Taylor in San Diego at Comic-Con in the very early noughties when he was a mere slip of a man with short hair,” noted Comicraft’s Richard Starkings. He was working on Tongue Lash with the L’officiers and I was working with Ladrönn on Hip Flask so there was an obvious Moebius connection. We had many more friends — and UFOs — in common, and often caught up at Thought Bubble in more recent years. Lovely man, and an undersung talent, track down any and all of his work on Judge Dredd, Doctor Who and Batman and lick every page. Say hello to the extraterrestrials for me, Dave!”
“Hugely saddened to hear that our friend Dave Taylor has passed away following his battle with prostate cancer,” commented the team from Lawless Comic Con, led by Sue Hadrell. “He was an immense talent and met his cancer head on with wit and sarcasm. He was a friend to many of us and a part of Lawless.”
“The news of Dave Taylor hit me harder than I’d like to admit, but that just shows what impact his character had on me,” notes fellow 2000AD artist Leigh Gallagher. “He was a GOD level comic artist. I’ve always had his ball achingly impressive Mega-City landscapes in front of me when drawing Dredd, but I still could never achieve anything close to his utter brilliance. The only thing that was equal to his talent, was his majestic rock star hair and a delicious sense of humour that I’ll always be grateful matched my weirdness, and that’s a rare thing.
“I was so looking forward to seeing him this week as I thought I’d be scanning his latest work for Tharg, with me secretly seething inside that he still draws better than me from a hospital bed! My heart breaks for his family. Seeing the mass of tributes makes me hope that we’re all remembered as lovingly as Dave. Sorry I didn’t get to see any UFOs with you dude.”
“What a wonderful artist,” notes fellow 2000AD luminary Stewart Kenneth Moore. “Anytime I saw Dave Taylor’s distinctive style advertised I knew we were in for a treat on any prog he was involved with. He was one of those artists. He always produced top-notch work!”
“I’ve enjoyed and admired Dave’s work through the years, and enjoyed communicating with him via our chats,” said friend Jim Latimer. I had thought to reach out to him earlier this week. When he let me know of his condition, I was very concerned. He brushed it away, and let me know he was working on his next project. His main concern was to provide for his family. My thoughts, condolences, and prayers for your family. I will always treasure the pieces of his art in my small collection.”
Really sad to hear of Dave Taylor’s passing,” noted 2000AD’s James Peaty. “I first became aware of Dave’s work in Batman: The Riddle Factory, a one-shot special (written by the great Matt Wagner) that came out in the summer of 1995. To my eyes, Dave’s work on that comic was a telepod-style fusion of Paul Grist and Moebius. It was a unique look and gave Batman more than a hint of the sublime surrealism that we wouldn’t really see again until Frank Quitely came on the scene a few years later.
“That Riddler story, his subsequent run on Batman: Shadow of the Bat (with the much missed Alan Grant) and his later work on World’s Finest for DC were some of the most striking mainstream comics of the mid to late 90s.
“In 2004, while working for Warhammer Monthly, I was lucky enough to be able to write a script for Dave to draw. Talk about a real ‘pinch me’ moment. Sadly, that comic soon folded and the story we worked on never saw print, but the art that was completed was as lovely as you’d expect. While we never collaborated again it was great to see Dave back in the spotlight – and back to his best! – in recent years on a variety of ‘Judge Dredd’ strips for 2000AD, on ‘Megatropolis’ in the Dredd Megazine and on Batman: Death By Design with Chip Kidd over at DC Comics. The world of comics was much richer because of Dave’s work and is now a hell of a lot poorer for his passing. Love to his family at this difficult time.”
“I’m shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of the wonderful Dave Taylor, one of the shining lights at the World’s Greatest Comic, taken from us far too soon,” said artist and archivist David Roach.
“I met Dave a few times, and we corresponded off and on, (as is the way with a fellow artist we often only meet in passing at Conventions) and he was always great company- self effacing, funny and kind. When I was putting together Masters of British Comic Art, there was never any question in my mind that he had to be in it. I felt his then current stint on ‘Fiends of the Eastern Front’ was a great example of his beautiful line work and inventive storytelling. What an artist.”
Head downthetubes for…
• Dave Taylor – Blog (Runs to 2014)
• Lambiek: Dave Taylor Profile
• downthetubes: Doctor Who and Judge Dredd artist Dave Taylor publishes “Art Of” collection
• Tongue Lash – Archived Site (Wayback Link)
• 2000AD: 2000AD Covers Uncovered: Dave Taylor on Prog 2416 – ‘That’s a LOT of perps’…
• Comic Art Fans: Dave Taylor Art
“New York Times best selling artist and famous for having the longest hair in comics, Dave Taylor [1964-2025] is best known for his work on Batman, Judge Dredd and Doctor Who. After his failed attempt at rock stardom (as a drummer) he moved into the comics world. As an artist, drawing predominantly in “The European Style”, he worked alongside some of the industries great names, including Jean Moebius Giraud, Alan Grant, John Wagner, Matt Wagner, Brandon Graham, Chip Kidd, and Ian Edginton. He also created work for the movie industry and for TV. His adult only Tongue Lash series, an extension of the Moebius universe, has been published world wide. He can prove we’re not alone in the Universe.”
• World of Superheroes: Dave Taylor Art
Interviews
• BCP Interview – Dave Taylor (2013)
• Multiversity: Stephenson and Taylor Resurrect “Nowhere Men”
• 2000AD Interview: Dave Taylor On The All-New World Of Megatropolis (2020)
• Dave Taylor on ‘Megatropolis’ – The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast
2000AD, Batman and other characters featured here © respective publishers
This obituary was last updated on 3rd September to amend information on the upcoming Judge Death Special
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries, Other Worlds
Such sad news. I first became aware of Dave’s work thanks to “Gene Dogs” (a team I always wanted to see more of in the Marvel universe – they had tons of potential!)
Over the decades I’ve been wowed by the evolution of his art. He was an incredible and inspirational talent.