An Early 2000AD Cover Mystery Solved?

By John Freeman on February 17, 2026 • ( 0 )

The artist on an early 2000AD cover, long attributed, wrongly, to Barrie Mitchell, perhaps best known for his work on Look-In and Roy of the Rovers, may at last have been identified.

2000AD Prog 14 Cover Art - Artist Unknown, possibly Mike White

2000AD Prog 14 Cover - Artist Unknown, but possibly Mike White

As we’ve previously reported, Barrie’s career is currently in the spotlight at Monkton Arts, an arts hub in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, which prompted a flurry of emails between him and the downthetubes team about the work it would feature.

During that conversation, Barrie, prompted by our report on its sale back in 2021 on eBay, let us know the cover of 2000AD Prog 14 has long been attributed to him, on various sites, was not, in fact, his work.

So who did draw it?

Barrie has kept all his old invoice books, dating back to his time at Link Studios, working alongside artists such as the late Tony Harding. Although he is long recognised as the cover artist on 2000AD Prog 5, sold at auction in 2010, the first to feature Judge Dredd, his records confirm he did not draw the “Flesh” focused cover for Prog 14.

Although the original art – in safe keeping – is drawn on similar stock board used by Barrie at the time, thanks to scans supplied by David Roach, the Roy of the Rovers artist is now sure he did not draw it.

Instead, it now appears, in all likelihood, that it is the uncredited work of the late Mike White, who, sadly, passed in 2012, whose many credits include Roy of the Rovers, Commando, 2000AD and strips such as “Hell’s Highway” and “Kids Rule OK” for the controversial 1970s comic, Action.

2000AD Prog 14 Cover Art Detail- Artist Unknown, possibly Mike White — *This scan of part of the 2000AD Prog 14 cover art provided by David Roach prompted Barrie to suggest it is actually the work of the late Mike White*

2000AD Prog 5 Cover, art by Barrie Mitchell — *2000AD Prog 5 cover art by Barrie Mitchell, featuring Judge Dredd, and the Prog 14 cover art, as it might have looked before “ageing”. With thanks to Ian Senior*

2000AD Prog 14 Cover Art - as it might have looked before "ageing" — *2000AD Prog 5 cover art by Barrie Mitchell, featuring Judge Dredd, and the Prog 14 cover art, as it might have looked before “ageing”. With thanks to Ian Senior*

Other suggestions, such as Tony Harding and “Ant Wars” artist Jose Luis Ferrer have now been discounted.

Our thanks to David Roach for his assistance in, hopefully, identifying the mystery artist, and Barrie Mitchell for joining in on the quest to identify a Mystery Artist from almost 50 years ago!

Now we just need to convince Wikipedia Barrie never drew Bunty‘s “The Four Marys”…

• Comic Cutz: The Art of Barrie Michell runs until 28th February 2026 at Monkton Arts 11 East Street, Ryde PO33 1JP | Exhibition Page | Read our News Story

With thanks to Matthew Richards of British Football Comics, here are some clips and photos of Matt’s visit to the Barrie Mitchell exhibition

• In Memoriam: Comic Artist Mike White

• Discussion on David Roach’s Facebook page about the 2000AD Prog 14 Cover Art

Here are some more scans of the Prog 14, first posted online when it was offered for sale on eBay…

Detail of the 2000AD Prog 14 Cover Art - Artist Unknown

About the Author
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John Freeman

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.