The Patron (2026)

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. Writer Christian Ward (Batman: City of Madness, Event Horizon) and artist John J. Pearson (The Department of Truth, The Infernals) put their own life’s work on the page in a highbrow thriller at the bloody intersection of art and commerce! Both creators will contribute a full series of variant covers, alongside a special incentive cover on #1 by Eisner Award-winning artist Anand RK (Deicidium, The Beauty).

Against orders, Detective Tabitha Stone has been quietly following the string of suspicious deaths that have rattled the fine arts world. News of Matty’s opening night overdose spurs her to follow the cross-country lead—and not a moment too soon, as Lucy’s grief unearths new questions about Matty’s past. Meanwhile, Mr. Cherish and Clyde get violent in their search for the source of the threatening package at their doorstep. Death is the ultimate profit driver in Christian Ward and John J. Pearson’s escalating fine arts thriller!

Clyde catches up with Lucy as she gets dangerously close to uncovering the truth behind Matty’s alleged overdose. But when Detective Stone’s investigation leads her straight to Lucy, the two women discover their paths may be more connected than either of them realized. Meanwhile, Mr. Cherish finds himself haunted by the consequences of his own bloody trail, as a ghost from his past returns to turn the tables on him.The dead don’t stay buried in Christian Ward (Event Horizon) and John J. Pearson’s (In Bloom) gripping fine arts thriller, where the hunters are about to become the hunted.

“Love the art, not the artist.” Can we look past the crimes and transgressions of artists who produce great art, but do bad things? Mr. Cherish certainly hopes so, but his murderous rampage may soon be coming to an end, as a strange figure from his past finally reveals himself. What is the truth behind Matty Barnes and his untimely demise? In fact, who is Matty Barnes and why did he choose to become an artist in the first place? Secrets are revealed as Lucy comes closer to finding out the truth in the penultimate issue of Christian Ward (Event Horizon) and John J. Pearson’s (The Smart Division) five-issue serial killer art thriller!