Tharg the Mighty

Tharg the Mighty — known to devoted readers simply as "The Mighty One" — holds the distinction of being the fictional editor-in-chief of the British science fiction anthology *2000 AD*, a role the character has occupied since the very first issue in 1977. An alien being of considerable authority and wit, Tharg is one of only two presences to appear across nearly the full run of the comic, the other being Judge Dredd, a fact that speaks to how central the character is to *2000 AD*'s identity.

Over the decades, Tharg has featured in his own strips and editorial segments, with scripts occasionally contributed by writers of considerable standing — among them Alan Moore, Alan Grant, and John Wagner — though credits have typically appeared under the pseudonym "TMO." As a credited writer in the catalog, Tharg's byline spans work from 1987 through 2025 across more than 300 issues, with contributions concentrated in *2000 AD* proper as well as special editions including the *Free Comic Book Day* issue, the *40th Anniversary Special*, and the *Christmas Annual*.

Whether one regards Tharg as a publishing conceit or a genuine editorial personality, the character has proven a durable and affectionate fixture — a running joke and a point of pride that gives *2000 AD* a distinctive voice found nowhere else in British comics.