There are those stories that just grab you from the outset and don’t let go, The Patron by Christian Ward and John Pearson is just that. Ward and Pearson waste no time tugging at the heartstrings and pull them completely out in a chilling story where art and death cross paths in brutal ways and leaves the mystery palpable.
All the great artists have one thing in common… they’re dead.
A true patron of the fine arts, Mr. Cherish has dedicated his life to scouting and supporting emerging artists, launching countless unknowns from obscurity into industry superstardom. Unfortunately for these young artists, the secret to Cherish’s success is their untimely demise. Nothing makes a work of art more desirable and valuable to collectors than the passing of its creator, and Cherish has refined his ability to orchestrate spectacular tragedies without leaving a trace… before selling his dead protégés’ oeuvres for massive profits.
Painter Matty Barnes is primed to become Cherish’s next “hit” — but when the script is flipped on this latest murder, a posthumous twist calls the artist’s fate and legacy into question putting the patron’s empire in the dueling crosshairs of law enforcement and a merciless third-party connoisseur.
Now, I am all for stories that take no time get jump in, but damn, The Patron wastes no time in setting up characters which we want to root for and then just pulls out the rug from beneath us. Ward takes a unique concept and pushes it just far enough to make me interested in what is going to happen next, but also emotionally drained with what takes place in the first issue. Only a few pages in I was cursing at Ward, but honestly, in the best possible way.
The Patron‘s debut is something that hits hard and doesn’t seem to want to let up. This first issue is an emotional roller coaster that all leads to a mystery that is begging to be told. While the death of each artist is the foundation of the story, it’s the mystery we see at the end of the premiere that really has you itching for more. The Patron is a murder mystery, but really with a twist and while we know something like it was coming after reading the description, the ride we took to get there in the first issue allowed it to land with great force.
This concept and plot is something I was looking forward to, but it’s the artwork by Pearson that may have even stolen the show. Pearon’s brush strokes are beautiful, yet dark and moody. His use of color to project the vibe and feeling of each panel is perfect and allowed for a more immersive reading experience. The care and passion to paint each panel is shown and makes the story hit even harder, which I should’ve expected from such a talented artist. The layouts and design, plus the lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou round out the first issue wonderfully.
The Patron was a serious roller coaster of emotions, wasting no time in getting going, and hit harder than expected. Christian Ward crafts an eerie mystery filled with emotional gut punches, while John Pearon’s delivers stunning paintings that make every moment all that more enjoyable. The Patron is a blend of beauty and brutality that somehow exists on the same page and if the rest of the series is anything like this first issue, we are in for a story that could contend for comic of the year.
The Patron #1 hits local comic shops on July 29, 2026 from Ignition Press.
The Patron #1 Preview
