Author of
Moon’s Ostrich (Amulet / Abrams, 2026)
Gwan Anthology Volumes I & II (Forward Comix, 2018 & 2020)
Nowhere Man Volumes I & II (Forward Comix, 2018)
Jerome Walford immigrated from Jamaica to the United States with his immediate family in the mid 1980s. After attending public school in Brooklyn, New York, he went on to be the first in his family to attend college. Jerome graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA) and as a Merrill Presidential Scholar, with concentrations in Painting, Printmaking and additional studies in computer graphics.
Through his early career, Jerome worked with some of the top ad agencies in New York, and started his own marketing consulting practice. His versatile career led him back to his love for illustration and storytelling. In 2012, Jerome launched Forward Comix, an independent imprint, publishing a series of comic titles including “Nowhere Man” and “Gwan Anthology”. He finds inspiration in taking characters, stories, or genres down an unexpected path. His work has been recognized by The Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Independent Publisher Book Awards, The Glyph Comics Awards, and many others.
Jerome is also an adjunct professor at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) teaching courses in character illustration and interactive media.
Jerome Walford
Books by Jerome
Moon’s Ostrich (Amulet / Abrams, 2026)
Jerome’s next feature-length graphic novel is set in a steampunk world. It follows Moon Wright, a spunky young girl who wants to be an engineer like her father, though her mom desperately wants her to attend a fancy boarding school. Completing her ostrich mech and winning the science fair was sure to prove she has what it takes - even as a brewing international conflict threatens their Pacific island home. With the help of her friends, Moon fights to save the ostrich, overcome many obstacles and to keep her family together.
Gwan Anthology, Volume II (Forward Comix, 2020)
The Gwan Anthology is a collection of creator-owned short stories, centered around themes of foreign lands, the immigrant experience and cultural fusion. This anthology highlights and celebrates comic creators who produce work with a sense of the immigrant/expat perspective, expressing both the joys and challenges of such a journey. The anthology includes multiple genres: sci-fi, fantasy, and slice of life, covering both real and imagined experiences. Gwan features 30+ artists, representing 15+ countries from around the world.
PRAISE
Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, Illustration West, Bronze Award Winner (Cover art)
Gwan Anthology, Volume I (Forward Comix, 2018)
The Gwan Anthology is a collection of creator-owned short stories, centered around themes of foreign lands, the immigrant experience and cultural fusion. This anthology highlights and celebrates comic creators who produce work with a sense of the immigrant/expat perspective, expressing both the joys and challenges of such a journey. The anthology includes multiple genres: sci-fi, fantasy, and slice of life, covering both real and imagined experiences. Gwan features 30+ artists, representing 15+ countries from around the world.
PRAISE
Gold Medal of Excellence winner, Independent Book Publisher Awards
Glyph Comics Awards, Best Cover Nominee
"...a striking variety of fantasy, sf, and metaphor lends intellectual depth and texture." - Library Journal
Nowhere Man, Volume II (Forward Comix, 2018)
Summary and/or Praise: Being the only person who fully knows what happened that day, Detective Rose Yancey attempts to carry one of Jack Maguire’s dark secrets. As Zade, the time travel operative, seeks to regain control things are really going to get Jacked Up! Jack Maguire must find the hero within as he stands as the last line of defense against agencies armed with militarized future technology.
PRAISE
“takes the concept of superhero-realism forward” - Bleeding Cool.
Series nominated for five Glyph Comics Awards
Glyph Comics Awards, Best Male Character (2012)
Nowhere Man, Volume I (Forward Comix, 2018)
Haunted by his father’s death, an ambitious NYPD detective, Jack Maguire is eager to prove himself. His actions often place his own life and others at risk, but Jack has a few tricks on hand. With the help of technology from the future, this flawed son of a 9/11 first responder could emerge as the first super hero of our time.
PRAISE
“visually striking” - Comic Book Resources (CBR).
“A great mix of crime, sci-fi and horror that is rarely seen in comics.” - Afronerd Podcast.
Series nominated for five Glyph Comics Awards
Glyph Comics Awards, Best Male Character (2012)