The anarchic comic strip Tank Girl, featuring a punk protagonist driving a combat vehicle with a mutant kangaroo companion, established Jamie Hewlett as a dominant force in British illustration. Since his debut, he has navigated the intersection of comic art, music, animation, and fashion, evolving into a multifaceted creator whose visual identity defines distinct cultural moments across three decades.
Early Development and Tank Girl
Born in 1968 in Hawarden, Hewlett attended Tanbridge House School and Northbrook College. His professional trajectory began in the late 1980s when he joined a magazine project initiated by Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon. Alongside collaborator Alan Martin, he launched Tank Girl in the magazine Deadline. The strip garnered immediate attention for its eccentric aesthetic and unconventional narrative themes, moving Hewlett from the independent comics scene into mainstream recognition within the British media landscape.
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By 1992, Hewlett expanded his influence through collaborations with writer Peter Milligan on titles including Hewligan's Haircut for 2000 AD and Shade, the Changing Man for DC Comics. Beyond print, his diverse creative output included designing nightclub decor, illustrating for record covers like Senseless Things and Cud, and developing the fashion-focused comic strip Get the Freebies for The Face magazine. His work often served as a vehicle for cultural commentary, blending sharp satire with distinct visual design.
Gorillaz and Multidisciplinary Ventures
In 1998, Hewlett co-founded the virtual band Gorillaz with musician Damon Albarn. Hewlett provided the character design and visual direction, which transformed the musical project into a global visual phenomenon. Their collaboration extended to the stage in 2007 with the production Monkey: Journey to the West, which reinterpreted a Chinese legend through circus performance and animation. Hewlett’s creative output continued into the 2010s with gallery exhibitions like The Suggestionists and the publication of comprehensive monographs tracking his career evolution.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Hawarden
- Primary medium: Illustration and animation
- Notable co-creation: Tank Girl
- Virtual band co-founder: Gorillaz
- Education: Northbrook College and Tanbridge House School
- 2006 Designer of the Year award winner
- Collaborative stage work: Monkey: Journey to the West
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the Get the Freebies comic strip?
Published in The Face in 1996, it allowed Hewlett to critique contemporary media idols and cultural trends through the exploits of characters Terry Phoo and Whitey Action.
Did Hewlett participate in the 1995 Tank Girl film adaptation?
Hewlett had very little involvement in the MGM film, which proved to be a commercial and critical failure.
