Gods' Man: a Novel in Woodcuts by Lynd Ward

The World’s First Graphic Novel

Lynd Ward was a pioneer of the modern graphic novel. In 1929, he created Gods’ Man, a wordless novel told entirely through woodcut illustrations. Inspired by European artists like Frans Masereel, Ward carved each image by hand, crafting a dark, expressive story of ambition and fate. The book’s success proved that visual storytelling could be just as powerful as text. Gods’ Man paved the way for future graphic novels, influencing artists and writers who explored new ways to blend art and narrative. Ward’s work helped establish the graphic novel as a serious literary form.

What is Woodcut?

Woodcut illustration is a traditional printmaking technique. Artists carve designs into wooden blocks, leaving raised surfaces to hold ink. They apply ink to the block and press it onto paper, creating bold, textured images. This method dates back centuries and remains popular for its striking visual style. Each print is unique, shaped by the artist’s skill and the wood’s natural grain.

Into the Public Domain

National Public Domain Day celebrates works whose copyrights have expired, making them free for public use. Each year on January 1st, books, films, and music enter the public domain, allowing artists, scholars, and the public to share and adapt them without restriction. In 2025, Gods’ Man by Lynd Ward joined the public domain. This means anyone can now publish, remix, or distribute the book without needing permission. Its entry marks an important moment for graphic novel history, ensuring Ward’s groundbreaking work remains accessible to new generations of artists and readers.

Presented in its Entirety

When I found the story online and saw the images, I knew I wanted to share it with you. It’s not the happiest story, but the artistry alone is enough to enjoy at least once. The original format is one print per page, to make it easier to read I have included two to three prints per page. I will say that there are female breasts shown a couple of times in chapters 2 and 3. In case there are children around. But they’re woodcut breasts, so… pretty artsy.