By Patrick KelleyChristian Ward, venerated Eisner Award-winning artist known for his work on “Batman: City of Madness,” “ODY-C,” and “Ultimates 2,” has embarked on a new artistic venture with the release of his hardcover art book, “MANY WORLDS: The Art of Christian Ward.” The launch took place today on Zoop, an online community of creators – a virtual Eden teeming with primeval creativity.

His career in the comic industry started 15 years ago. He reminisced about his childhood days in the UK, particularly Wolverhampton, where being a comic book artist seemed as far-fetched as morphing into a rock star or Hollywood actor. Yet, the bold spark of a dream outshine the dull throb of reality teemed with potential from its very inception.

Ward trod the path of an illustrator, with a particular interest in children’s book illustration. Interestingly, life’s curveball turned him into a school teacher, where for around 10 years he employed comics to teach the core mechanics of art to students. His teaching wholly evolved into a covert operation, where under the guise of drawing manga and superhero comics, children subconsciously gulped down the essentials of proportion, composition, and design.

But the comic book lover in him couldn’t be subdued forever. Ward’s journey into the comic world galvanized into action when a student mockingly dared him to venture into it professionally – an ambrosia cloud in the form of an adolescent jibe. His initial foray into digital artwork, still rudimentary at that time, led him straight back down the yellow brick road to his original passion – comics.

Ward’s career skyrocketed via comic forums like Jinxworld, opening doors for him to work on his first few books like “Olympus” at Image and “Infinite Vacation.” It culminated in him quitting teaching to devote himself to comics full-time, a marriage that has been thriving for over a decade now.

Asking about WHY he chose to materialize “The Art Book” now, Christian mentioned its chronicle of his journey as an artist over the past 15 years. He proudly paraded three of his independently published art books, which made their way into the public gaze via conventions and occasionally, a webshop. These little troves of art always showcased his favorite covers and personal pieces over the past few years, offering fans a unique, intimate snapshot of his career. Unfortunately, they also had a habit of rapidly reaching their sell-out dates, leaving many fans bereft.

The realization that he had been in the industry for exactly 15 years somehow coincided with the occurrence of three sold-out books. That’s when it struck him – he could amalgamate art from all three into one colossal masterpiece: a hardcover art book. The timing was fortuitous; Jordan from Zoop knocked on Ward’s door at New York Comic Con, asking him about potential crowdfunded ideas. And thus, their ideation found a perfect match.

The art book aims to show his audience the unseen, the deeply personal. And while about 70% of the Art Book is composed of personal pieces, it also houses a surprising amount of never-seen-before works. From sprawling canvas paintings exhibited in art shows to works conceived purely out of a love for art, the book also gives a sneak peek into the original concepts that laid the groundwork for some of his comic works. In essence, it is the most genuine reflection of Christian Ward’s creative journey.

In a sweet twist of fate, the introduction to the Art Book is written by Sam Lake, known for his work on “Alan Wake” and “Control.” The mutual admiration between Ward and Lake led to their friendship and eventual collaboration. Last year, the duo worked together on an Alan Wake DLC, a new challenge that Ward found fascinating.

Throughout the interview, Ward frequently underscored the significance of his fans in his artistic journey. His aim at conventions was never making money; instead, it was about making each interaction valuable for his fans. The same principle flowed into the creation of his art books and the present Zoop campaign. Even the reward tiers for his present project reflect this sentiment, offering fans a chance to acquire personal signatures, sketches, and other unique tidbits.Overall, it’s a reflection of how much he appreciates their support. It’s something tangible they can hold, a piece of his heart offered on a platter.

Don’t miss out on Ward’s campaign now live on Zoop, a confluence of his odyssey in the comic world, all buckled up in a hardcover book. It’s a one-of-a-kind artistic journey you wouldn’t want to miss and can now accompany from the comfort of your own home.