TALENT DESERVING OF GREATER RECOGNITION:
#8—CHRIS WARD:

“Yeah, the Wizard [letter column] guy but we won’t hold that against him. He’s laboring in semi-obscurity now but that won’t be the case much longer. Sharp, funny and creative. It’s just a matter of time. -Keith Giffen, Comic Book Resources“

Upon reading one of his articles in Wizard Magazine (The Guide to Pop Culture, Comics and What Have You), an extremely irate reader once called Chris Ward a “Loose Cannon” over the phone, and actually meant it.

Think about that for a second.

Suddenly, a phrase reserved for the likes of Tango, Cash and anything starring Gary Busey was generously applied to a man who once made his living mocking Spider-Man comics and putting words in the mouths of action figures for ToyFare Magazine’s “Twisted ToyFare Theatre.” So, how exactly has Ward earned this loose cannon status (besides refusing to turn in his badge and gun)? 

…such as Eva Mendes and Mr. T on whether or not they think a hot dog is a sandwich (Mendes: “No.” Mr. T: “yes”), run red lights with American Splendor’s Harvey Pekar on the streets of Cleveland, mixed it up with Jennifer Garner, at least one Wayans brother, Bruce Campbell, Rob Zombie, Hostel director Eli Roth, and countless other actors, directors and screenwriters in high-profile interview and profile pieces. For years, Ward was head Writer/Editor of “Magic Words,” the decade long Wizard Magazine letter column where he bugged top comic book talent like Ethan Van Sciver, Alex Ross, Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, Todd McFarlane, Brian Michael Bendis, Greg Rucka and someone named Stan Lee on a regular basis. 

Shown: Two nice Chris Ward interview subjects, and one sexy bitch

His Presidential Comic Book Project…

…about the life of Barack Obama is getting nationwide appeal from Bluewater Productions. Clearly, because Ward’s good name, not Obama’s, is thrilling the world AND the tri-state area:

For Performing Songwriter Magazine…

…Ward has had Post-Waffle House Brawl exclusives with Kid Rock, told dirty jokes to Willie Nelson, and tangoed with the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Band of Horses, Girl Talk, Bright Eyes, “Nevermind” Producer Butch Vig, Interpol and many more. Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo admitted to Ward that he probably could not beat him at Guitar Hero, and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo is definitely right on the money about that assumption. Ward has John Oates on speed-dial.

Shown: Two talented Chris Ward interview subjects, and one Tilt-O-Whirl operator

…sealed Ward as a hire for the Village Voice Media’s long-running “Game On” video game column, and Joystick Division.com website (where he often appears sans pants). He is an occasional contributor to #1 geek hangout Topless Robot.com, and his stories have been linked multiple times to #1 Video Game site Kotaku.com, a Digg.com favorite.

 Shown: Cause and effect of Ward’s need for rare Pac-Man videogame memorabilia. 

Hi there …

Are you still reading this? What kind of person are you anyway? Some nutjob completist?!? Fine, then you’d probably be glad to know that he’s written for Geek Monthly, and penned a few sold-out comic books alongside his hero Keith Giffen, which some called:

“innovative…funny…Highly recommended for those with a sense of humor and those who would like to grow one.”-Ain’t It Cool News

 Hey, you can check out some of those comics online FOR FREE!

He’s Cherry Picked…

…the world’s worst cartoon moments for you, the reader, in popular “blog” form at www.worstcartoonsever.com, which enjoyed thousands of visitors under Ward’s Webmaster/Editor status and international recognition from the UK Guardian thanks to never-before-seen content like this gem from his personal collection of awfulness:

Ward joins you right here each week to take readers on a journey through a veritable Pandora’s Box of cultural trash for your enjoyment…it’s like a crap candle, burning bright. Drop him a line at worldofwardcrap@gmail.com for suggestions/writing inquires/news tips/recipes and more!