Artist Portfolio Christian Ward
ImagineFX|June 2019

Britain’s hottest comic book artist talks to Garrick Webster about his Eisner winning Black Bolt series, creating surreal worlds and his artistic inspirations…

Artist Portfolio Christian Ward

Thor!” shouts Christian Ward down the phone line. It’s a blustery morning and he’s out walking in a London park.

Clearly, this is not the ideal time for an interview with ImagineFX. “I’ve got a dog called Thor, by the way,” Christian says. “I’m not shouting at a Norse god.”

There will be no prizes for guessing who the artist’s favourite superhero is. However, this rising star in the world of comic art should probably reappraise that choice. Although he’s done a short run on Thor with Jason Aaron, it’s his work on Black Bolt that is winning all the plaudits. In June last year, Christian and writer Saladin Ahmed won the Best New Series Eisner at San Diego Comic-Con, and the achievement has given his career a tremendous boost.

EXTRA EXPOSURE

“They send you this globe when you win and it’s weirdly heavy,” Christian says, excitedly. “But it’s a thing – a real thing! And I’ve really noticed a bit of an up-kick in my exposure and the amount of projects that I’m doing since winning. I don’t know whether it’s just because more people have seen my work because of Black Bolt, or whether the award does carry more kudos.”

The book itself offers something truly different for readers. Black Bolt, a member of the Inhumans, was a marginal character in the Marvel Universe… until Christian turned him into a mysterious and enigmatic hero. “One of the reasons I wanted to draw Black Bolt is because he can’t talk. Well, he can talk, but his power is in his voice, so even a whisper can destroy cities,” says Christian.

Denne historien er fra June 2019-utgaven av ImagineFX.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2019-utgaven av ImagineFX.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA IMAGINEFXSe alt
PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK
ImagineFX

PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK

Warhammer illustrator THOMAS ELLIOTT shows you how to create an epic science fiction fight scene with this step-by-step guide

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025
CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS
ImagineFX

CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS

Daria Anako demonstrates her process for creating a whimsical piece of art with some spellbinding touches

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025
First Impressions
ImagineFX

First Impressions

We discover the early influences that inspired the artist

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2025
ZBrush for iPad
ImagineFX

ZBrush for iPad

GAME CHANGER The desktop version of popular 3D sculpting software ZBrush has been redesigned for iPad - and it's brilliant

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
BenQ GW2786TC
ImagineFX

BenQ GW2786TC

GET AN EYEFUL Don't scrimp out on your health with a monitor that's kind on the eyes and good for creative tasks

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
Huion Kamvas Pro 19
ImagineFX

Huion Kamvas Pro 19

TABLET WARS An attractive pen display does an excellent job of balancing price and performance as it sets out to challenge its rivals in the mobile marketplace

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
DRAGON OFORCEC
ImagineFX

DRAGON OFORCEC

Legendary D&D artist Larry Elmore explains the keys to crafting timeless fantasy art.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025
DUNGEON MASTERS
ImagineFX

DUNGEON MASTERS

ImagineFX marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the launch of Dungeons & Dragons with a look at its rich tradition of illustration

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2025
Erik Ly
ImagineFX

Erik Ly

Gamer's haven Why the artist enjoys a maximalist aesthetic more than the minimalist approach.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging
ImagineFX

2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging

Interdimensional As VFX and animation evolve and tools become more accessible, Tanya Combrinck asks whether the separation between the mediums is reducing

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025