Acclaimed Artist Reveals Agent Grant Ward’s Secret History

Marvel Television is proud to announce Eisner-nominated artist Emma Rios (Osborn, Pretty Deadly) as the newest recruit for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Art of Level 7, a new initiative uniting top artists from around the world to celebrate the final six episodes of the series’ inaugural season (airing Tuesdays, 8|7c on the ABC Television Network).

“The artwork is meant to be seen as ‘Ward & Buddy: it’s impossible not to love a lonely guy with a dog,’”said artist Emma Rios.

In the final episode before the epic season finale, viewers will get a glimpse of Agent Grant Ward’s troubled past and learn what made him turn against S.H.I.E.L.D. and his closest friends! Meanwhile, Coulson’s team infiltrates Cybertek in order to learn the secrets behind Hydra, but this is one mission that leaves no one unscathed as Garrett accelerates his deadly endgame.

“Every villain in the Marvel Universe has a reason for what they do and this is the episode where you learn just what makes Ward tick – and then go boom,” said Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel TV. “We knew this job required someone special to bring this tragic and brutal backstory to life and Emma Rios was our first choice to interpret the hardships of Grant’s past and what is to come.”

 Due to popular demand, the first three posters in this exclusive art series have sold out. Emma Rios’ Ragtag will be available at http://www.marvelstore.com/ArtOfLevel7 beginning Friday, May 2 at 1:00am PST. These individually numbered prints are strictly limited to 100 copies and once they’re sold out – they won’t be available again from Marvel.

Ragtag airs Tuesday, May 6 at 8/7c on the ABC network, leading up to the explosive season finale on Tuesday, May 13.

For more information on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., please visit marvel.com or www.abc.com. Join the conversation on Twitter and get all the latest updates with @AgentsOfSHIELD and @Marvel.