Book - AVA Evolved

The creative process behind the break-out science fiction hit movie of 2015, Ex Machina, is to be opened up in a very special book from 2000 AD this August...

Alex Garland’s directorial debut has confirmed his position as the master of indie SF cinema and artist Jock’s concept work behind the film’s robot AI and the heart of the story, Ava, is being printed for the first time in a unique showcase format.

AVA Evolved is a very special limited edition art book, that will feature loose-leafed A3 scale portfolio pieces, collecting Jock’s incredible concept art, detailing the evolution of Ava, from early mood-pieces to detailed key concept art.

This stunning sequence of drawings, paintings and collages by the concept artist behind DREDD (2012) provides real insight into the creative process behind one of the most striking SF films of recent years. The book also includes an introduction by Garland, whose directorial vision has seen Ex Machina become a sleeper hit, as more audiences have discovered the film’s incredible aesthetic, complex characters, and insightful moral questions.

A handful of special editions will also be available at the 2000 AD booth (Booth 2806) at Comic Con San Diego, 9th-12th July, where Jock will be signing on the Thursday of the event.

Jock said: “It’s been an incredible experience for me seeing Ava come to life in the final film, and the response people have had to her. I worked with Alex in the very earliest stages of production, and this portfolio contains all the images from that time, before she was handed over to the amazing VFX team at Double Negative. It was a few intense weeks trying to figure out what this machine was and I’m looking forward to people getting to look behind the scenes and see the process from the first sketch to the final concepts in this beautifully designed package from Rebellion.”

Ben Smith, Rebellion Publishing’s Head of Books and Comic Books, said: “Ex Machina continues to surprise and delight audiences, so it is a privilege and a pleasure to bring Jock’s work on Ava into the light. Ava Evolved really is a unique opportunity to see the process behind the character’s look in a showcase format, as well as learning so much about one of the most in-demand concept artists in movies today.”

The book is limited to just 500 copies and will be available exclusively from the 2000 AD webshop at http://shop.2000adonline.com/products/ex_machina_ava_evolved (currently available for pre-order) and we'll have a review of it for you soon.

Images - 2000 AD