The following is an interview with Eisner Award-winning comics creator Christian Ward (Event Horizon: Dark Descent, Batman: City of Madness) regarding the upcoming release of the haunting, new sci-fi series, The Forever Home, with Oni Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Ward about the shared creative process of working with artist Sami Kivelä to bring the story and characters to life on the page, the themes that he hopes may resonate with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of The Forever Home! What can you share with us about the genesis behind this project and its overall premise?
Christian Ward: Thank you so much! The story was born out of my anxiety as a father about the world that my children are going to inherit. It’s inspired both by the growing trend in nationalism as the threat of mass immigration caused by climate change grows and by the culture of billionaire’s private escape bunkers.
The titular Forever Home is a house that was built by our protagonist, infamous billionaire Henry D’more, to withstand climate change with the sole purpose of keeping just himself and his family safe; however, they soon realise, after the closing the doors to the outside world, that not only is it immune to the climate, it’s also immune to time! So, for every 20 minutes inside the house, a year passes outside. The story is about a family who watch the world end and then regrow at the end of time.
BD: Having previously collaborated with artist Sami Kivelä, how would you describe your shared creative process, and do you feel that you have developed a creative “shorthand” for bringing this story to life on the page?
CW: We work very well together and I think it comes down to trust. He knows I will write him a fantastic script but also that I’ll give him the flexibility to stretch himself creatively. I love getting pages back from Sami because they’re always a surprise. He does the most amazing layouts and page designs. I honestly believe he’s one of this industry’s sleeping giants and with any luck, after Forever Home, his name will be uttered in the same breath as talents like Herman Sherman.
BD: What makes Oni Press the ideal publishing partner for this series?
CW: I couldn’t have nicer things to say about Oni. From editorial to Sierra and Hunter to their promotional team and the rest of the ONI team, just fabulous. I’ve been working in comics for almost 2 decades and there’s not a publisher I haven’t worked with. I’ve had many fantastic experiences and will continue to partner with many of the same companies, but ONI have been the best of the best.
They’re a company who really strive to do books that feel different and are very invested in helping you realise your very most personal and ambitious books. With Forever Home being my most ambitious book yet, it just had to be with ONI.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that this story may connect with and impact today’s readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it may inspire?
CW: The book is obviously concerned with climate change, but beyond that it’s also about how different generations communicate about that issue (and how often they don’t), so I hope it might help raise some issues and help generate discussion. But, of course, on a base level, I hope the book entertains, thrills, horrifies, makes you think and maybe just maybe cry.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
CW: I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention The Patron by myself and my good friend John Pearson. It’s my love letter to art and the most autobiographical thing I’ve ever written. Plot wise, it’s a serial killer book about an art dealer who kills his artists to increase the value of their work. #1 is out July 29th from Ignition Press.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about The Forever Home and your other work?
CW: I love writing comics and taking readers on wild unexpected journeys and I couldn’t do that without my fans, so thank you to all my fans both all and new. And if you plan on visiting The Forever Home (and you should!), remember to close the door behind you.
