<p> Lynd Ward, an American Expressionist artist, and &ldquo;father of the graphic novel,&rdquo; helped shape the conventions of contemporary artists&rsquo; books. His legacy has influenced the direction beyond the graphic novel in areas such as the use of Expressionism and printmaking in the artists&rsquo; book, breaking graphic conventions, and using the artists&rsquo; book to convey a socio-political commentary. This paper will explain his influence and legacy by comparing his work to four contemporary artists&rsquo; books. Ward&rsquo;s work, however, has only recently been recognized as a significant influence on graphic novels and has yet to be fully acknowledged as an influence on American artists&rsquo; books.</p>