Patrick Eamon Mills (born 1949) is an English comics writer and editor who, along with

John Wagner John Wagner (born 1949) is an American-born British comics writer. Alongside Pat Mills, he helped revitalise British comics in the 1970s, and continues to be active in the British comics industry, occasionally also working in American comics. ...

, revitalised British boys comics in the 1970s, and has remained a leading light in

British comics A British comic is a periodical published in the United Kingdom that contains comic strips. It is generally referred to as a comic or a comic magazine, and historically as a comic paper. British comics are usually Comics anthology, comics antho ...

ever since. He has been called "the godfather of British comics". His comics are notable for their violence and anti-authoritarianism. He is best known for creating '' 2000 AD'' and playing a major part in the development of ''

Judge Dredd Judge Joseph Dredd is a fictional character created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra. He first appeared in the second issue of ''2000 AD (comics), 2000 AD'' (1977), which is a British weekly anthology Comic book, comic. He is the ...

''.

Biography

Mills started his career as a sub-editor for D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, where he met Wagner. In 1971 both left to go

freelance ''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...

, and were soon writing scripts for IPC's girls' and humour comics. After D.C. Thomson launched ''

Warlord A warlord is a person who exercises military, economic, and political control over a region in a country without a strong national government; largely because of coercive control over the armed forces. Warlords have existed throughout much of h ...

'', a successful war-themed weekly, Mills was asked in 1975 to develop a rival title for IPC. Based in the girls' comics department to avoid the attention of the staff of the boys' department, Mills, along with Wagner and

Gerry Finley-Day Gerry Finley-Day (born 1947, Broughty Ferry, Dundee) is a Scottish comics writer, prolific from the 1960s to the 1980s, best known as the creator of "Rogue Trooper". Career He began his career at D.C. Thomson & Co., before becoming the edito ...

, worked in secret to create ''

Battle Picture Weekly ''Battle Picture Weekly'', at various times also known as ''Battle Action'', ''Battle Action Force'', ''Battle'' and ''Battle with Storm Force'', was a British war comic book magazine published by IPC Magazines from (issues dates) 8 March 197 ...

''. ''Battles stories were more violent and its characters more working class than IPC's traditional fare, and it was an immediate hit. Having made the comic ready for launch, Mills resigned as editor. He would later write the celebrated

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

series ''

Charley's War ''Charley's War'' was a British comic strip about the First World War, written by Pat Mills and drawn by Joe Colquhoun. It was originally published in ''Battle Picture Weekly'' from January 1979 to October 1986. Though later parts of the st ...

'', drawn by

Joe Colquhoun Joe Colquhoun (7 November 1926 – 13 April 1987) was a British comics artist best known for his work on '' Charley's War'' in '' Battle Picture Weekly''. He was also the first artist to draw ''Roy of the Rovers''. Biography Born in Harrow, Mid ...

, for the title. After launching ''Battle'', Mills began developing a new boys' title, ''

Action Action may refer to: * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video game Film * Action film, a genre of film * ''Action'' (1921 film), a film by John Ford * ''Action'' (1980 fil ...

'', launched in 1976. ''Actions mix of violence and anti-authoritarianism proved controversial and the title lasted less than a year before being withdrawn in the face of media protests. It was briefly revived in neutered form before being merged into ''Battle''. His next creation was the science fiction-themed weekly ''2000 AD'', launched in 1977. As with ''Battle'' and ''Action'' he developed most of the early series before handing them over to other writers. He took over the development of ''Judge Dredd'' when creator John Wagner temporarily walked out, and wrote many of the early stories, establishing the character and his world, before Wagner returned. In 1978 IPC launched '' Starlord'', a short-lived companion title for ''2000 AD''. Mills contributed ''

Ro-Busters ''Ro-Busters'' is a British comic story that formed part of the original line-up of '' Starlord''. Similar in premise to that of the '' Thunderbirds'' television series, it was created by writer Pat Mills and was drawn by Carlos Pino and Ian ...

'', a series about a robot disaster squad, which moved to ''2000 AD'' when ''Starlord'' was cancelled. ''Ro-Busters'' was the beginning of a mini-universe of interrelated stories Mills was to create for ''2000 AD'', including ''

ABC Warriors ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

'' and ''

Nemesis the Warlock ''Nemesis the Warlock'' is a comic series created by writer Pat Mills and artist Kevin O'Neill which appeared in the pages of the British weekly comics anthology '' 2000 AD''. The title character, a fire-breathing demonic alien, fights agains ...

''. Artist Kevin O'Neill was involved in the creation of all three. Another strand of his ''2000 AD'' work was '' Sláine'', a

barbarian A barbarian (or savage) is someone who is perceived to be either Civilization, uncivilized or primitive. The designation is usually applied as a generalization based on a popular stereotype; barbarians can be members of any nation judged by som ...

fantasy based on

Celtic mythology Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples.Cunliffe, Barry, (1997) ''The Ancient Celts''. Oxford, Oxford University Press , pp. 183 (religion), 202, 204–8. Like other Iron Age Europeans, Celtic peoples followed a ...

and

neo-paganism Modern paganism, also known as contemporary paganism and neopaganism, is a term for a religion or family of religions influenced by the various historical pre-Christian beliefs of pre-modern peoples in Europe and adjacent areas of North Afric ...

, which he co-created with his then wife

Angela Kincaid Angela Kincaid, formerly known by her married name of Angela Mills, is a children's book illustrator best known for '' The Butterfly Children'' series of picture books. In 1983, with her then husband, Pat Mills, she created the Celtic comics chara ...

(with whom he also created the children's series of books, ''

The Butterfly Children ''The Butterfly Children'' is the title of a series of children's books created by husband and wife team Pat and Angela Mills. The books were published during the 1990s by Peter Haddock Ltd. In 1990 a musical based on the characters was staged fe ...

''). Mills also had a hand in IPC's line of comics aimed at girls, such as ''

Chiller A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid coolant via a vapor-compression refrigeration, vapor-compression, adsorption refrigeration, or absorption refrigerator, absorption refrigeration cycles. This liquid can then be circulated th ...

'' (a horror comic), ''

Misty Misty may refer to: Music * ''Misty'' (Ray Stevens album), an album by Ray Stevens featuring the above song * ''Misty'' (Richard "Groove" Holmes album), an album by Richard "Groove" Holmes featuring the above song * ''Misty'' (Eddie "Lockjaw" ...

'' (supernatural stories) and '' Jinty'' (science fiction). In 1986 he edited the short-lived comic '' Diceman'', which featured characters from ''2000 AD,'' Mills wrote nearly every story. In 1988 he was involved in the launch of ''

Crisis A crisis ( : crises; : critical) is either any event or period that will (or might) lead to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group, or all of society. Crises are negative changes in the human or environmental affair ...

'', a politically aware ''2000 AD'' spin-off aimed at older readers. For it he wrote ''

Third World War World War III or the Third World War, often abbreviated as WWIII or WW3, are names given to a hypothetical worldwide large-scale military conflict subsequent to World War I and World War II. The term has been in use since at ...

'', drawn initially by

Carlos Ezquerra Carlos Sanchez Ezquerra (12 November 1947 – 1 October 2018) was a Spanish comics artist who worked mainly in British comics. He is best known as the co-creator of ''Judge Dredd''. Biography Early work Born in Ibdes, province of Zaragoza, Arag ...

. The title lasted until 1991 and launched the careers of talents such as

Garth Ennis Garth Ennis (born January 16, 1970) is a Northern Irish–American comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series ''Preacher'' with artist Steve Dillon, his nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise, and '' The Boys'' with artist Dar ...

, John Smith and

Sean Phillips Sean Phillips (born 27 January 1965) is a British comic book artist, best known for his collaborations with Ed Brubaker on comics including '' Sleeper'', ''Incognito'', the '' Criminal'' series of comics, '' Fatale'', '' The Fade Out'', and ' ...

. In 1991 Mills launched ''

Toxic! ''Toxic!'' was a British comic that was published weekly from March 28 to October 24, 1991, by Apocalypse Ltd, with a total of 31 issues. History ''Toxic!'' was the idea of Pat Mills, Kevin O'Neill, Mike McMahon, John Wagner and Alan Grant. Th ...

'', an independent colour newsstand weekly comic with a violent, anarchic tone, perhaps as a reaction against the politically worthy ''Crisis'', and a

creator-owned In the United States, creator ownership in comics is an arrangement in which the comic book creator retains full ownership of the material, regardless of whether the work is self-published or published by a corporate publisher. In some fields of ...

ideal. Many of the stories were created by Mills and co-writer

Tony Skinner Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leag ...

, including '' Accident Man'', an assassin who makes his hits look like accidents. ''Toxic!'' lasted less than a year, but gave a start to talents such as Duke Mighten and

Martin Emond Martin Emond (4 June 1969 in New Zealand – March 2004 in Los Angeles, California, United States), also known under the pseudonyms "Martin Fuckin Emond", "Martyfuck", "Martywood", "Mickey Martin" and "MFE", was a New Zealand cartoon illustra ...

. He has had little success in American comics, with the exception of ''

Metalzoic ''Metalzoic'' is a graphic novel () written by Pat Mills and drawn by Kevin O'Neill which was first published by DC Comics in 1986 as the sixth of the '' DC Graphic Novel'' line. Later in the same year it was reprinted in serial form in '' 2000 ...

'' and ''

Marshal Law ''Marshal Law'' is an English-language superhero comic book series created by Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill. ''Marshal Law'' was first published by Epic Comics in 1987. The series is a satire on the superhero genre as well as a deconstruction of ...

'', published by DC and Epic comics respectively in the late 1980s, both drawn by O'Neill. Mills' ''Toxic'' strips ''Accident Man'' and ''Brats Bizarre'' were reprinted as their own US-format titles (by

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops known ...

and Epic, respectively) and Mills wrote ''

Punisher 2099 ''The Punisher 2099'' is a comic book series following the account of Jake Gallows (the Punisher) in the year 2099 in an alternate Marvel Universe. The majority of the issues were written by Pat Mills and Tony Skinner, with art by Tom Morgan. T ...

'' for Marvel, ''Zombie World'' for Dark Horse, and ''

Death Race 2020 ''Death Race 2000'' is a 1975 American science fiction action film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Paul Bartel, and starring David Carradine. The film takes place in a dystopian United States, American society in the year 2000, where the mu ...

'' (reuniting Mills with Kevin O'Neill) for

Roger Corman's Cosmic Comics Roger William Corman (born April 5, 1926) is an American film director, producer, and actor. He has been called "The Pope of Pop Cinema" and is known as a trailblazer in the world of independent film. Many of Corman's films are based on works t ...

. In 1995, he broke into the French market, one of his life's goals, with ''Sha'', created with French artist

Olivier Ledroit Olivier Ledroit (born 3 June 1969) is a French comic book artist, perhaps best known for his work on the ''Black Moon Chronicles'' series. He has also worked on art designs in the ''Might and Magic'' franchise. He has also provided the art for ' ...

. He continues to write ''Sláine'', '' Bill Savage'', ''Black Siddha'' and ''ABC Warriors'' for ''2000 AD'', and also the Franco-Belgian comic '' Requiem Vampire Knight'', with art by

, and its spin-off '' Claudia Chevalier Vampire'', with art by Franck Tacito. Two new series, '' Greysuit'', a super-powered government agent drawn by

John Higgins John Higgins, (born 18 May 1975) is a Scottish professional snooker player. He has won 31 career ranking titles, placing him in third position on the all-time list of ranking event winners, behind Ronnie O'Sullivan (39) and Stephen Hendry ( ...

, and ''

Defoe Defoe may refer to: People *Defoe (surname), most notably English author Daniel Defoe Places *Defoe, Webster County, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Other uses *Defoe (comics), a zombie story *Defoe Shipbuilding Company, a former ship ...

'', a 17th-century zombie hunter drawn by

Leigh Gallagher Leigh may refer to: Places In England Pronounced : * Leigh, Greater Manchester, Borough of Wigan ** Leigh (UK Parliament constituency) * Leigh-on-Sea, Essex Pronounced : * Leigh, Dorset * Leigh, Gloucestershire * Leigh, Kent * Leigh, Staf ...

, began in ''2000 AD'' prog 1540. Mills has formed Repeat Offenders with artist

Clint Langley Clint Langley (born July 30, 1970) is a British comic book artist best known for his work on series with Pat Mills at ''2000 AD (comics), 2000 AD'' and as the cover artist for Marvel Comics' ''Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team), Guardians of th ...

and Jeremy Davis "to develop graphic novel concepts with big-screen potential" and the first project is a graphic novel called '' American Reaper'', serialised in the ''

Judge Dredd Megazine ''Judge Dredd: The Megazine'' is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in September 1990. It is a sister publication to '' 2000 AD''. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Judge Dredd's locale Mega-City One. Content Li ...

'' (2011–2015). It has been optioned by

Trudie Styler Trudie Styler (born 6 January 1954) is an English actress and film producer. Early life and family Styler was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, the daughter of Pauline and Harry Styler, a farmer and factory worker. When Styler was two years ...

's Xingu Films and Mills has written the screenplay. He has also written two ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

audio plays Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine t ...

, "

Dead London ''The Eighth Doctor Adventures'' is a Big Finish Productions audio play series based on the British science fiction television programme '' Doctor Who''. It sees the return of Paul McGann reprising his role as the Eighth Doctor from the 1996 ...

" (2008) and "

The Scapegoat A scapegoat is a goat used in a religious ritual or the victim of scapegoating, the singling out of a party for unmerited blame. Scapegoat or The Scapegoat may also refer to: Places * Scapegoat Wilderness, a Wilderness Area in Montana ** Scapeg ...

" (2009) for

Big Finish Productions Big Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays (released straight to compact disc and for download in MP3 and m4b format) based, primarily, on cult science fiction properties. These include ''Doctor Who'', the ...

, featuring the

Eighth Doctor The Eighth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. He is portrayed by Paul McGann. The character was introduced in the 1996 TV film ''Doctor Who'', a back-door pilo ...

and

Lucie Miller Lucie Miller is a character in a series of audio plays produced by Big Finish Productions for BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC7 based on the long-running British science fiction on television, science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. She is a co ...

. The first audio play was released as the first part of the second season of the

Eighth Doctor Adventures The ''Eighth Doctor Adventures'' (sometimes abbreviated as EDA or referred to as the EDAs) are a series of Doctor Who spin-offs, spin off novels based on the long running BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' and published unde ...

and the second as part of the third season. In 2010 Mills adapted a story that had been started by him and Wagner for Doctor Who in the 1980s and was produced by Big Finish as " The Song of Megaptera". In 2017 he wrote, with Kevin O'Neill, and published two novels, ''Serial Killer'' and ''Goodnight, John-Boy'', part of a planned series of four books. Also in that year, he published his memoirs, ''Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave! 2000 AD and Judge Dredd: The Secret History'' in print and as an e-book. Mills also narrated the

audiobook An audiobook (or a talking book) is a recording of a book or other work being read out loud. A reading of the complete text is described as "unabridged", while readings of shorter versions are abridgements. Spoken audio has been available in sc ...

version himself. (The title is the catchphrase of the villain in his series ''Nemesis the Warlock''.) In 2018 the film '' Accident Man'' was released, based on his comic strip for ''Toxic!'' In 2019 Mills announced that he would publish a new all-ages science fiction anthology comic called ''Spacewarp'', to be released in 2020, and that the artists would retain the copyright on their work.at Millsverse.com
29 April 2019. (Retrieved 28 June 2020.) In 2021 he can published another volume of memoirs with a focus on Slaine, ''Kiss My Axe! Slaine the Warped Warrior: The Secret History''.

Bibliography

As well as his influential role in creating and contributing to numerous of British comics, Mills has produced work in both America and Europe.

Biography

Bibliography

References

Further reading

External links