John Hicklenton

John Hicklenton (8 May 1967 – 19 March 2010), also known by the pseudonym John Deadstock, was a British comics artist whose raw, ferocious style left a deep mark on the pages of *2000 AD*. He is best remembered for his work on flagship series such as *Judge Dredd*—notably the *Heavy Metal Dredd* storyline—and *Nemesis the Warlock* during the 1980s and 1990s. Born in England, Hicklenton broke into comics through the British small-press scene before landing regular assignments at *2000 AD* and its sister title *Crisis*, where his jagged, high-contrast linework and unflinching depictions of violence became his signature. He collaborated closely with writers like Pat Mills, bringing a visceral, almost punk energy to dystopian sci-fi. Beyond his comics career, Hicklenton faced a profound personal battle with multiple sclerosis; he documented his experience with the disease in an award-winning television documentary. In 2010, he chose to end his life at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland. His later years also saw him turn to fine art, producing a series of stark, apocalyptic paintings. Though his career was cut short, Hicklenton’s uncompromising visual storytelling continues to influence artists drawn to the dark, the grotesque, and the defiant.