Tharg the Mighty
| Tharg the Mighty | |
|---|---|
Tharg, from 2000 AD #1700
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Originally IPC Media (Fleetway) until 1999, thereafter Rebellion Developments |
| First appearance | 2000 AD #1 (26 February 1977) |
| Created by | Pat Mills |
| In-story information | |
| Place of origin | Quaxxann |
| Notable aliases | The Mighty One, TMO |
| Abilities | Rigellian hotshot |
Tharg the Mighty or The Mighty One is the fictional editor of the British science fiction comic 2000 AD. The character was introduced on the cover of the first issue in 1977 and is one of only two characters to appear in almost every issue of the comic, the other being Judge Dredd. Tharg rarely appears in stories but strips involving him have been written by such notable writers as Alan Grant, Alan Moore and John Wagner.
Tharg is depicted as an alien from Quaxxann, a fictional planet that orbits the star Betelgeuse. The character has green skin, a white mohawk hairstyle and a red device called the rosette of Sirius on his forehead. He is written and performed for comic effect as an authoritarian egoist. He eats polystyrene cups.
Tharg writes the comic's introduction, answers letters, and doles out prizes to readers (for artwork or story suggestions) - winners could choose payment either in pounds sterling or in "galactic groats". Tharg speaks mostly in English, but with various pithy Betelgusian aphorisms thrown in for colour.
In addition to the editorial duties in 2000 AD being attributed to Tharg all writing, art, lettering, sub-editing and PR is attributed to malcontent, feckless and long-suffering droids that appear as caricatures of their actual counterparts.
In one episode, a Tharg suit in the comic's office was explained as a skin that Tharg had shed.
The concept of using a fictional character to host the comic is comparable to the tradition of hosts in horror comics. It was commonplace in British comics in the 1970s when 2000 AD began publication. For example, Warlord was supposedly edited by Lord Peter Flint and Bullet by a character named Fireball.2000 AD's short-lived sister title Starlord used a similar device with the eponymous alien Starlord as did Tornado with Big E.
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