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The Coffin
Since the birth of man, eternal life has been one of the species' greatest dreams. For Dr. Ashtar Ahmad, it has been more than a dream; it's been a lifelong obsession. And while he has not conquered death's rule over the body, he has found a way to keep the soul alive - a complex suit that houses the inner being of the deceased and allows them to go on living. When a group of unknown assailants come of Ahmad's research, the doctor is caught in the crossfire, and his only chance at survival is an untested prototype of his most prized invention. But when the megalomaniacal tycoon responsible for the break-in kidnaps Ashar's daughter to use as a bargaining chip in acquiring the groundbreaking discovery, the good doctor must discover how to stop his enemy and keep his soul intact. Can he make up in death for his misdeeds from life? A mix of classic science fiction and superhero comic books, The Coffin points in the direction of the bold new future of the genre-driven graphic novel.
112 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
148 people want to read
About the author
Phil Hester
916 books64 followersThis Eisner Award-nominated artist was born in eastern Iowa, where he went on to study at the University of Iowa. His pencilling credits include Swamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch (nominated for the 1997 Eisner Award for Best New Series), Aliens: Purge, and Green Arrow.
Since graduating from the University of Iowa, he has been in the comics industry for over 15 years.
Since graduating from the University of Iowa, he has been in the comics industry for over 15 years.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 25, 2021
I'm always curious about indie comics, because they often seem to take more chances, and explore more creative ideas than mainstream western comic series. The premise of a ghost in an Iron Man suit squaring off against a megacorporation sounded like it had a lot of potential, despite being told in one self-contained volume. Plus, the monochrome art caught my eye, since that's something you usually see more of in manga. The end result was...okay, I guess.
Dr. Ahmad is your archetypal Scientist with a capital S--completely absorbed in his research, oblivious to the feelings or needs of his family and colleagues, etc. Until one day, his wealthy patron decides his usefulness is at an end, and decides to destroy everything that matters to him and steal his tech. But Dr. Ahmad manages to survive long enough to seek refuge inside the impenetrable super suit he's built--a suit so impenetrable that it can capture a person's soul upon death. From there on out, the story is about his revenge and redemption, but it's told in a way that's by turns heavy handed and unsatisfying.
Regarding the former, Dr. Ahmad's shortcomings and "sins" are just plain laid out in front of him. Instead of coming to his own realizations about what a self-centered and uncaring human being he's been, he's just told, and then told he needs to repent, now that he's gotten a second chance. And he more or less just willingly goes along with what he's told.
Similarly, his quest is unsatisfying, because the obstacles in his way all come down without much effort. People he's mistreated, or who've suffered because of him come around to his side with just a little back and forth arguing--hell, even outright adversaries who have no reason to listen to him sometimes agree to help him. And the physical conflicts don't fare much better, largely because the suit can do whatever Dr. Ahmad needs it to do, from one scene to the next. Even toward the end, when there's a major choice that he needs to make, that seems like it'll carry lasting and grave repercussions, the gravity gets sucked out of the situation on the very next page, because the choice he doesn't make gets wrapped up anyway.
Still, Coffin isn't all bad. The art is pretty good, and reminds me of old school illustrations from White Wolf RPG books--lots of heavy shadows, interspersed with finer details in the line work. The premise had legs, and on the surface, some of the characters seemed interesting. It's just that the execution wasn't there. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't anything noteworthy, either.
Dr. Ahmad is your archetypal Scientist with a capital S--completely absorbed in his research, oblivious to the feelings or needs of his family and colleagues, etc. Until one day, his wealthy patron decides his usefulness is at an end, and decides to destroy everything that matters to him and steal his tech. But Dr. Ahmad manages to survive long enough to seek refuge inside the impenetrable super suit he's built--a suit so impenetrable that it can capture a person's soul upon death. From there on out, the story is about his revenge and redemption, but it's told in a way that's by turns heavy handed and unsatisfying.
Regarding the former, Dr. Ahmad's shortcomings and "sins" are just plain laid out in front of him. Instead of coming to his own realizations about what a self-centered and uncaring human being he's been, he's just told, and then told he needs to repent, now that he's gotten a second chance. And he more or less just willingly goes along with what he's told.
Similarly, his quest is unsatisfying, because the obstacles in his way all come down without much effort. People he's mistreated, or who've suffered because of him come around to his side with just a little back and forth arguing--hell, even outright adversaries who have no reason to listen to him sometimes agree to help him. And the physical conflicts don't fare much better, largely because the suit can do whatever Dr. Ahmad needs it to do, from one scene to the next. Even toward the end, when there's a major choice that he needs to make, that seems like it'll carry lasting and grave repercussions, the gravity gets sucked out of the situation on the very next page, because the choice he doesn't make gets wrapped up anyway.
Still, Coffin isn't all bad. The art is pretty good, and reminds me of old school illustrations from White Wolf RPG books--lots of heavy shadows, interspersed with finer details in the line work. The premise had legs, and on the surface, some of the characters seemed interesting. It's just that the execution wasn't there. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't anything noteworthy, either.
May 23, 2019
The design work on the titular Coffin is really strong and the artwork is mostly on point. The dark, moody style with the heavy inking is really evocative.
The problems with this book are mostly related to the story, character development, and overall pace of the series.
A lot of people have bemoaned the slower pace of the decompressed style of comics that arouse in the early to mid 2000s but this book definitely could have benefited from, at least, a couple of extra issues to flesh out the plot and character motivations. I just don't think four issues was sufficient to tell this story. The plot moves along at a breakneck pace and because of that the reader is really only given the essence of a character and his motivations. The character developments that are present really aren't overly convincing thus rendering the finale a bit empty.
In addition, I just don't feel as though the sci-fi elements mixed with the spiritual elements of the story very well. One solitary word balloon stating that theories in physics support the existence of a soul is not enough for me to buy into the premise.
The problems with this book are mostly related to the story, character development, and overall pace of the series.
A lot of people have bemoaned the slower pace of the decompressed style of comics that arouse in the early to mid 2000s but this book definitely could have benefited from, at least, a couple of extra issues to flesh out the plot and character motivations. I just don't think four issues was sufficient to tell this story. The plot moves along at a breakneck pace and because of that the reader is really only given the essence of a character and his motivations. The character developments that are present really aren't overly convincing thus rendering the finale a bit empty.
In addition, I just don't feel as though the sci-fi elements mixed with the spiritual elements of the story very well. One solitary word balloon stating that theories in physics support the existence of a soul is not enough for me to buy into the premise.
September 8, 2011
Thrilling, smart, and full of big ideas about life and death. I flew through this book. The characters aren't given a ton of time, but what they're given works. The exploration of the soul comes across very manga, and pulls a lot of emotion and introspection out of a potentially trite idea. The plot moves swiftly, not wasting time with too much exposition. It's all laid out, and all you have to do is go along for the ride.
June 9, 2017
The premise is pretty basic, but the execution is very respectable. A scientist's research allows him to gain immortality. His financier wants it, even if he has to kill the scientist, but is defeated in the end. There are emotional moments in the book, primarily when the doctor analyzes his new state. There is basis in real-life science, but ultimately the story is sci-fi in nature, with some drama thrown in. It's fast-paced to keep pretty much anyone interested and has black and white, but dynamic artwork.
Ashar Ahmad has been developing a strong, impermeable polymer. He is a brilliant, but cold man who cares little for his own child. This fact upsets the child's mother, also the doctor's assistant. The research is valued greatly by the man who finances it, Mr. Heller, a man who has undergone multiple translants to extend his life. He sends a man to appraise Ahmad's willingness to remain in his service and finds that the doctor is ready to defect. His research can be picked up by other, more loyal, scientists, so he sends his hitmen for the doctor. In the last moment of his life, Ahmad is shown the true afterlife: custom hells to punish each type of sinner. He also meets his wife's spirit - she was killed by the hitmen - whose only thought is the child she left behind. With his last breath, Ahmad is able to get to the side project he has been working on: a construct made out of his polymer that mimicks the human body, called the coffin.
Ashar Ahmad has been developing a strong, impermeable polymer. He is a brilliant, but cold man who cares little for his own child. This fact upsets the child's mother, also the doctor's assistant. The research is valued greatly by the man who finances it, Mr. Heller, a man who has undergone multiple translants to extend his life. He sends a man to appraise Ahmad's willingness to remain in his service and finds that the doctor is ready to defect. His research can be picked up by other, more loyal, scientists, so he sends his hitmen for the doctor. In the last moment of his life, Ahmad is shown the true afterlife: custom hells to punish each type of sinner. He also meets his wife's spirit - she was killed by the hitmen - whose only thought is the child she left behind. With his last breath, Ahmad is able to get to the side project he has been working on: a construct made out of his polymer that mimicks the human body, called the coffin.
July 9, 2012
The artwork was what really drew me to this book: amazing imagery!
The story is what I give 4 out of 5 stars to. I think the underlying concept is pretty interesting (and the main villain reminds me of Kurzweil with his obsession with living forever haha) but I feel like the story could have been taken farther. In some ways, I have to consider that this is a very short book: only 4 comic-book issues long, so there's not a whole lot of room for in-depth explorations or lengthy story... So its a give and take.
I know this might sound picky, but I didn't find myself swept away with the interpretation of death which this book offered-- I know it's a lot to ask that some very deep chord-striking, chilling but true-sounding vision of what death is really like is a lot to ask-- but I feel like that's exactly the ground this book was treading on, and this is kinda what I would most ideally expect from works treading on that ground. Oh well. It makes me think on Swamp Thing, a comic in which, much like this work, a scientist dies and his body comes back to life through the experiment he had been working on-- in Swamp Thing, I found this ultra-amazing exploration of psyche and subconscious going on, at the moment where that transition between human and plant is happening. A moment between soul and machine occurs in Coffin, and the author makes an effort to illuminate that boundary with words-- but I just didn't feel swept off my feet like I would have liked :)
August 26, 2015
The artwork is stylish, stylised in a realistic, mature way; no balloon-breasted women and steroid-abusing men here! The story is...fine, but it suffers from a samey feeling. It feels like something you have read or seen before (for me it drew Darkman to mind). It was a pleasant read but it's not going to set the world on fire.
November 9, 2010
Well executed - amazing art - thoughtful story - original concept.
I want to give it 5 stars - but -- i can't - I'm a hard man.
I want to give it 5 stars - but -- i can't - I'm a hard man.
May 30, 2019
An arrogant genius is mortally wounded, only to survive in a revolutionary exoskeleton of his own design, allowing him to bring the wrongdoers to justice and rediscover his humanity. Sounds a lot like Iron Man, right? But Phil Hester’ and Mike Huddleston’s “The Coffin” is a far weirder, more philosophical take on the hero-in-a-super-suit genre. Drawing inspiration from gothic revenge tales like “Spawn” or (on the more indie side of things) “The Crow,” grim EC-style horror fables, and Mike Mignola’s arcane “Hellboy” comics (if “Hellboy” was a little more steampunk-y), “The Coffin” is much like its titular character: a finely-calibrated package containing a tender, vulnerable core.
Dr. Ashar Ahmad has only one all-consuming passion: proving, to the detriment of everything and everyone else in his life, that the soul exists. Having designed an elegant new polymer that mimics real musculature, powered by impossibly small nanomotors, he’s built what he believes is a suit capable of containing the human soul at the moment of death. Heller, the mortality-fearing head of the multinational conglomerate sponsoring Ahmad’s work, gives him a premature excuse to try out his prototype: convinced Asher is going to flee with his inventions, Heller has Ahmad killed and his research stolen. Dead yet still “persisting,” Ahmad uses his new suit to protect the friends and family that he’s neglected for too long, in particular his daughter, Billie. Hester’s taken a fairly standard superhero origin story and injected it with a tremendous amount of pathos and poetry. While the life-and-death ruminations in Todd McFarlane’s “Spawn” always felt kind of superficial and - honestly - pretty hokey, Hester’s writing is remarkably thoughtful, chewing over what it means to live as opposed to merely existing. But as good as Hester’s script is (and it’s very, very good), Mike Huddleston’s art is even better. Heavy on dramatic silhouettes and energetic Nate Powell-esque slashy inks, the panels in “The Coffin” are breathtaking. Every page has a heaviness or an ominous quality that perfectly suits the book, except when Huddleston depicts wayward souls that feel at times terrifying and at other times beautiful, but always completely ethereal. Hester’ and Huddleston’s work in “The Coffin” is all strengths and absolutely no weaknesses.
This 10th anniversary edition of the graphic novel has some pretty nifty extras, such as Hester’s original pitch proposal, a robust sketchbook section, and a pinup gallery with contributions by Huddleston homies like Jim Mahfood (yay!) and Scott Morse (sweet!). It’s the kind of collection that a superb comic like this one deserves. “The Coffin” is the real deal.
Dr. Ashar Ahmad has only one all-consuming passion: proving, to the detriment of everything and everyone else in his life, that the soul exists. Having designed an elegant new polymer that mimics real musculature, powered by impossibly small nanomotors, he’s built what he believes is a suit capable of containing the human soul at the moment of death. Heller, the mortality-fearing head of the multinational conglomerate sponsoring Ahmad’s work, gives him a premature excuse to try out his prototype: convinced Asher is going to flee with his inventions, Heller has Ahmad killed and his research stolen. Dead yet still “persisting,” Ahmad uses his new suit to protect the friends and family that he’s neglected for too long, in particular his daughter, Billie. Hester’s taken a fairly standard superhero origin story and injected it with a tremendous amount of pathos and poetry. While the life-and-death ruminations in Todd McFarlane’s “Spawn” always felt kind of superficial and - honestly - pretty hokey, Hester’s writing is remarkably thoughtful, chewing over what it means to live as opposed to merely existing. But as good as Hester’s script is (and it’s very, very good), Mike Huddleston’s art is even better. Heavy on dramatic silhouettes and energetic Nate Powell-esque slashy inks, the panels in “The Coffin” are breathtaking. Every page has a heaviness or an ominous quality that perfectly suits the book, except when Huddleston depicts wayward souls that feel at times terrifying and at other times beautiful, but always completely ethereal. Hester’ and Huddleston’s work in “The Coffin” is all strengths and absolutely no weaknesses.
This 10th anniversary edition of the graphic novel has some pretty nifty extras, such as Hester’s original pitch proposal, a robust sketchbook section, and a pinup gallery with contributions by Huddleston homies like Jim Mahfood (yay!) and Scott Morse (sweet!). It’s the kind of collection that a superb comic like this one deserves. “The Coffin” is the real deal.
September 24, 2022
Unlike any other graphic novel I have read. The art makes great use of the format. Images of a Hell, a Christmas Carol-esque lesson of the responsibilities of parenthood and invention, and an exemplary case for vengeance are strengths in this story. It is graphic and some parts strain believability, but the illustrations and text were never out of sync. Black-and-white was a good choice for the color scheme.
The premise is one of the best parts, but so far-fetched as to be ruinously laughable. As in, can humans make a polymer so airtight--down to the molecular level--that if surrounded by it, the soul cannot escape the body? Further, can a man survive 144 years, leaching off organs via transplants of his victims, in order to live forever? If you can accept some of the more ludicrous presuppositions of The Coffin, you can enjoy this cerebral, even existentialist-questioning, look at the afterlife, the quest for immortality, and a daughter's trust in her absent father.
The premise is one of the best parts, but so far-fetched as to be ruinously laughable. As in, can humans make a polymer so airtight--down to the molecular level--that if surrounded by it, the soul cannot escape the body? Further, can a man survive 144 years, leaching off organs via transplants of his victims, in order to live forever? If you can accept some of the more ludicrous presuppositions of The Coffin, you can enjoy this cerebral, even existentialist-questioning, look at the afterlife, the quest for immortality, and a daughter's trust in her absent father.
October 4, 2024
My rating might seem a bit harsh, and it is, but I rate books on here based on my level of enjoyment so this is how I feel.
I loved the illustrations, and I theoretically liked the ideas behind the story very much, but the entire thing was pretty much told through dialogue which I didn’t find engaging. I found the narrative execution of this idea rushed and lacking heart despite the beautiful imagery. It almost would have worked better without as much dialogue or writing at all. It’s a very short story but it took me months and months to read because it wasn’t enjoyable, and I would procrastinate it. This is a real shame because it’s probably the first graphic novel (would you even call it that?) that I’ve read that I haven’t LOVED. Sad news.
I loved the illustrations, and I theoretically liked the ideas behind the story very much, but the entire thing was pretty much told through dialogue which I didn’t find engaging. I found the narrative execution of this idea rushed and lacking heart despite the beautiful imagery. It almost would have worked better without as much dialogue or writing at all. It’s a very short story but it took me months and months to read because it wasn’t enjoyable, and I would procrastinate it. This is a real shame because it’s probably the first graphic novel (would you even call it that?) that I’ve read that I haven’t LOVED. Sad news.
January 27, 2026
Great art, okay story. A narcissistic scientist as built an artificial body which can capture a person's soul at the time of death. Then he gets attacked and manages to get himself inside the suit. The rich guy who funded the research wants the suit for himself and pursues it. And, now that he's dead, the scientist wants to be a better person.
Way too much text in the beginning hurts the pacing. The topic of consciousness separated from the physical body does come up, but is not explored. I don't buy some of the internal logic.
The art is fantastic. Black-and-white with heavy inks, with some gray tones. Moody and dramatic.
Way too much text in the beginning hurts the pacing. The topic of consciousness separated from the physical body does come up, but is not explored. I don't buy some of the internal logic.
The art is fantastic. Black-and-white with heavy inks, with some gray tones. Moody and dramatic.
February 13, 2020
Really really well done look at life, what a soul means, and a simple scientist vs bad benefactor type plot. The black and white artwork is beautiful!
May 26, 2024
Cool premise, with great art and solid writing. 4 issues was far too few for this storyline, though. Things start feeling rushed after the halfway point. 6 issues would have been perfect.
October 4, 2016
This story was very interesting and the idea behind it was good, it just almost felt like there were parts of the story that were rushed, but i can understand why otherwise their would be an entire issue that would talk about Heller's making of his 'Coffin Army'. But it still felt weird and kind of rushed.
I still really enjoyed this graphic novel and would recommend it to anyone who's into the medium as I know that this stand alone novel as somewhat of a cult following, and I will probably read it again myself, but some of it for sure felt rushed. Also some characters accepted situations almost right away, where normally people probably wouldn't. An example of this would be when Ahmad goes to visit his old partner for help while he's already in the coffin that he created, and his old partner just accepted it right away and didn't ask any questions in regards to if his partner's soul was really trapped in the robot in front of him, or if it was just someone trying to deceive him.
I did really enjoy watching Keen backhand Heller's head off his shoulders though. That was super sweet.
I still really enjoyed this graphic novel and would recommend it to anyone who's into the medium as I know that this stand alone novel as somewhat of a cult following, and I will probably read it again myself, but some of it for sure felt rushed. Also some characters accepted situations almost right away, where normally people probably wouldn't. An example of this would be when Ahmad goes to visit his old partner for help while he's already in the coffin that he created, and his old partner just accepted it right away and didn't ask any questions in regards to if his partner's soul was really trapped in the robot in front of him, or if it was just someone trying to deceive him.
I did really enjoy watching Keen backhand Heller's head off his shoulders though. That was super sweet.
December 21, 2011
You know, I'd never heard of this graphic novel, and according to librarything, not that many people have it-so I didn't have too high of hopes for it. Although, I was very happy when my mom surprised me with a graphic novel from a library book sale-that doesn't happen very often!
Anyway, the plot here is an interesting one-the main character is a scientist working on how to be immortal. More specifically, he's making a suit that you go in before you die, and when you die, it traps your soul in it-so you body dies, but your soul stays in this "coffin" suit. Well, the scientist thinks it's a great idea, until he actually experiences it. This graphic novel is about death, the fear of death, life after death, and living up to what we did while we were alive, etc. (Yes, reminiscent of Mr. Freeze in Batman, a bit.) Plus, the tagline mentions Frankenstein-and I can see the comparison in some ways-and we all know I love Frankenstein (or, you should know that if you do indeed know me :p) It's interesting and well done, with interesting characters as well, in my humble opinion. The drawing is decent, but layouts were even better-and shading was good, too-some very neat visuals of the world we experience after death, for sure. Overall, I was pleasantly impressed and will be keeping it on my shelves! :D
Anyway, the plot here is an interesting one-the main character is a scientist working on how to be immortal. More specifically, he's making a suit that you go in before you die, and when you die, it traps your soul in it-so you body dies, but your soul stays in this "coffin" suit. Well, the scientist thinks it's a great idea, until he actually experiences it. This graphic novel is about death, the fear of death, life after death, and living up to what we did while we were alive, etc. (Yes, reminiscent of Mr. Freeze in Batman, a bit.) Plus, the tagline mentions Frankenstein-and I can see the comparison in some ways-and we all know I love Frankenstein (or, you should know that if you do indeed know me :p) It's interesting and well done, with interesting characters as well, in my humble opinion. The drawing is decent, but layouts were even better-and shading was good, too-some very neat visuals of the world we experience after death, for sure. Overall, I was pleasantly impressed and will be keeping it on my shelves! :D
September 1, 2011
I had originally read this book approximately ten years ago when it was first collected into a softcover trade paperback book, but this new 10th anniversary hardcover edition was definitely worth borrowing from the library in order to read "The Coffin" a second time. There is a brilliant narrative voice that runs through the entire story, the author wants you to hear what he has to say as much as the artist wants you to see and feel the texture of the objects he's drawn. Even though this comic book is done in simple black & white, the expression and substance on the pages comes to life as vividly as anything done in color that I've ever seen. The philosophical study of "life after death" and "what makes a man" is analyzed within here to a great extent but not so much to the point that it becomes overwhelming. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book to both read slowly & thoroughly while also taking to time to examine the artwork on each page. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in picking up a great sci-fi/horror comic book who also enjoys some "heavy" reading mixed in with their pulp-type story setting.
August 30, 2014
Doctor Ashar Ahmad has spent his life seeking a way to cheat death. With the revelation that his polymer suit technologies can capture the soul at the moment of death, Ahmad's usefulness to his employer is over. Forced to return in his steampunk bodysuit upon the destruction of his entire lab, Ahmad must come to grips with an existence beyond life - and the continued safety of a daughter he has never known. Intriguing premise that could use the chance for a lengthier leg stretch.
January 4, 2012
This one has everything going for it. A compelling premise, exceptional storytelling and pacing and very good drawings. The black and white coloring gives the art even more depth and impact. Very good.
April 29, 2013
Really, really good. Excellent graphic storytelling and a perfect length for an origin story. It's been 10 years since the 4-issue arc was published, so this is beginning and ending. That is the only thing wrong with this amazing book.
June 27, 2014
This book was just so....imaginative, weird, odd, enthralling, crazy, and endearing. This truly blew me away. I haven't read a lot of comics but these mos def has reached the tops of my list. This was entirely too short and the perfect length at the same time. Great art, great everything.
Want to read
December 30, 2010Ni idea de por qué to-readeé este libro pero la tapa parece bonita, así que queda ahí hasta nuevo aviso.
April 3, 2011
This book should average 5 stars and maybe more. Anything less is criminal. It's the most emotionally powerful illustrated story that I've ever read.
July 4, 2012
11.95
September 10, 2013
Wonderful art combined with a rousing pulp story populated with great characters. The ending seemed a bit rushed though.
Read
March 12, 2013"Really, what's the good of being a power-mad tycoon of you don't have the toys to match?" - Heller. Very dark. I like
April 21, 2015
Original concept, great execution, and character development. The art is laid out beautifully and it is done in a very original style. I also really liked the movie.
October 5, 2011
Immediately joined the ranks of my favorite graphic novels of all time.
July 3, 2018
gorgeous artwork, plotline engaging and philosophical
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews