Early Nemesis the Warlock art by Kevin O’Neill offered for sale

By John Freeman on August 26, 2024

2000AD artist Kevin O’Neill‘s original artwork for a Nemesis the Warlock cover he did for the fanzine, Fantasy Express, back in 1983, is currently being offered on eBay.

Bids are already at £820 and counting for this unique, signed A3-size item by the late co-creator of the popular 2000AD character, which is being sold by cartoonist and comic archivist Lew Stringer, who published the fanzine and is a much-valued supporter of downthetubes.

“I’m reluctantly selling this superb piece of original artwork by Kevin O’Neill but needs must,” Lew says. “Kev drew this for the covers of my fanzine Fantasy Express No. 3 back in 1983. He also designed the logo.

Nemesis the Warlock made his debut in 2000AD Prog 167 in 1980, co-created by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill, and proved an instant hit.

“A percentage of the winning bid will go to Cancer Research UK.

“It features Nemesis the Warlock, Torquemada, Grobbendonk, and a fierce battle against the hordes of Termight. A perfect example of Kev’s work of the 1980s and a unique piece that’s only been published as the covers to Fantasy Express.”

Drawn in black ink on sturdy Bristol Board, signed ‘O’Neill’, the artwork is A3 (420mm wide by 297mm high) and is offered for sale here on eBay

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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.