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A.D. After Death #2
A.D.: After Death Vol. 2
What if we found a cure for death? The second chapter of the haunting sci-fiepic by SCOTT SNYDER (WYTCHES, Batman, American Vampire) and JEFF LEMIRE (DESCENDER, Moon Knight, Sweet Tooth). Jonah Cooke is haunted by his long, long past, but will it be enough to push him to turn his back on eternal life? And who or what may be calling to him from the old world below the clouds?
79 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2016
5 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,780 books5,144 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 9, 2017
So, after a vague and confusing first volume (let’s call it intriguing), the second volume (of three) gets a bit more focused. As expected, we get some back-story about the world After Death, meaning after a cure for death is found, but we see that though people are eternal, their brains/memories are limited. We also explore why it is people might want to live forever—or why not. “Cycles” of experience are key, and the attendant (useful) memory loss makes this desire for living possible, as it turns out. We only can remember so much, and this makes life (and the loss of the past) more bearable. But our hero Jonah doesn’t like the set-up, even cured as he is. He doesn’t want to be immortal, and isn’t sure everyone he knows will want it, either. He wants out.
In the first volume the relationship between the illustrated prose sections and the comics was not so clear (or I just didn’t see it, so will have to reread) but in this one, those prose sections help us with back story, they work (more clearly to me) as commentary on present events depicted in the comics section.
We learn more about the world of the past and some environmental disaster, and we learn more about kleptomaniac Jonah and some of the purpose behind his thievery. The prose sections have spare, and few, illustrations; Lemire’s dramatic use of watercolors dominates the comics, which generally have few words. That tension between sections and media make it unique and interesting. I’ll have to reread all three of them together to see whether I think it is really groundbreaking. It depends what the pay-off will be. For the moment, I am moving my 3 star rating for the first volume up to 3.5ish, though both ratings could change depending on the last volume and a rerread.
In the first volume the relationship between the illustrated prose sections and the comics was not so clear (or I just didn’t see it, so will have to reread) but in this one, those prose sections help us with back story, they work (more clearly to me) as commentary on present events depicted in the comics section.
We learn more about the world of the past and some environmental disaster, and we learn more about kleptomaniac Jonah and some of the purpose behind his thievery. The prose sections have spare, and few, illustrations; Lemire’s dramatic use of watercolors dominates the comics, which generally have few words. That tension between sections and media make it unique and interesting. I’ll have to reread all three of them together to see whether I think it is really groundbreaking. It depends what the pay-off will be. For the moment, I am moving my 3 star rating for the first volume up to 3.5ish, though both ratings could change depending on the last volume and a rerread.
October 10, 2017
Snyder's prose, something that we see only in tiny bits and pieces in some of his works, gets a significant number of pages in After Death. Mixed with Lemire's watercolor based art and his trademark themes of loneliness and separation between lovers, After Death gives its readers a truly unique experience.
This book is not for everybody. I myself took a great effort to read the prose part, itching to get back again at the comic sections. The fault is clearly on my part for not seeing the beauty in those words.
Book two has so much backstory in it. This issue bridges many gaps that has been left by the previous one, explaining what happened "before death", where they are now and why the protagonist is dead serious about the listening mission. Many elements are still left untouched though, things which might be fully explained in the last volume.
After Death asks the readers for its trust and confidence, like believe that there's something important in that cow (which for some weird reason annoys me too much). I just hope that the payoff will be satisfying in the last book.
This book is not for everybody. I myself took a great effort to read the prose part, itching to get back again at the comic sections. The fault is clearly on my part for not seeing the beauty in those words.
Book two has so much backstory in it. This issue bridges many gaps that has been left by the previous one, explaining what happened "before death", where they are now and why the protagonist is dead serious about the listening mission. Many elements are still left untouched though, things which might be fully explained in the last volume.
After Death asks the readers for its trust and confidence, like believe that there's something important in that cow (which for some weird reason annoys me too much). I just hope that the payoff will be satisfying in the last book.
January 26, 2024
“Imagine it, getting to live over and over, remembering what you choose to remember, shedding everything else; all the time in the world to overcome your fears, to learn all you want to learn, to love over and over, to cycle and cycle through until you're truly satisfied and proud and...finished?”
Part two is so much more anxiety inducing because I now have a false extensional dread of living over and over again but not remembering my own life cycles? Jesus Christ…
Part two is so much more anxiety inducing because I now have a false extensional dread of living over and over again but not remembering my own life cycles? Jesus Christ…
May 24, 2017
Nice example of a story giving you more info while adding to the mystery.
April 13, 2017
A mysterious and intriguing comic with a plot that keeps you interested. Eagerly waiting for the conclusion of the story.
February 27, 2017
4.0/5.0
Full disclosure - I still feel totally lost with this story. The writing and art are both so beautiful and compelling, however, that l'm all in. I remain optimistic that the third and final volume will wrap things up in a satisfying way. And if the cow dies I will be crushed!!!
Full disclosure - I still feel totally lost with this story. The writing and art are both so beautiful and compelling, however, that l'm all in. I remain optimistic that the third and final volume will wrap things up in a satisfying way. And if the cow dies I will be crushed!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2017
Amazing backstory of epic thievery. We also find out how people stopped dying....in a fashion.
Highly recommend this!
Highly recommend this!
August 8, 2017
Book Two of three. It reveals a lot more of background on Jonah and events leading up to finding the "cure" while also in the present, as Jonah is struggling with himself and the world post-cure and ready to do something irreversible to change his situation.
Again, this series is a combo of prose and comic. Seems like the prose is more the past and the comic is the present. Like the first book, the story is disjointed, on purpose, the reader has to think to put pieces together. I think the way the story is set up, it makes it more difficult to get into it at first, but the longer I read it the more I get into the story. I felt the same way when I read Mind MGMT.
The watercolor art is light and pretty which feels like a wonderful contrast to the darker, conflicted story.
Again, this series is a combo of prose and comic. Seems like the prose is more the past and the comic is the present. Like the first book, the story is disjointed, on purpose, the reader has to think to put pieces together. I think the way the story is set up, it makes it more difficult to get into it at first, but the longer I read it the more I get into the story. I felt the same way when I read Mind MGMT.
The watercolor art is light and pretty which feels like a wonderful contrast to the darker, conflicted story.
May 12, 2017
I'm loving rediscovering the artistry of comics/graphic novels. It's helping me that Snyder includes a lot of text. I'm not sure if the gaps are things I've missed, things still to come, or flaws in the story. So I'll wait for the third book to make a final review of the series as a whole. In the meantime, I'm diggin' this.
January 3, 2017
A medium-defying book. Beautiful prose and evocative art with bits of comics pages interspersed. This was a joy to read. I love the ideas that are played with in this book and can't wait for the conclusion to be revealed.
January 2, 2017
In book two we get more information about Jonah's troubled past before he took the cure for aging and his dissatisfaction with being immortal. These are just really interesting books. Once the whole series is out, I may reread the 3 so I can get more of an idea about the time frame of each individual scene as a lot of this is told out of order. Good ideas that make me think in these.
January 19, 2017
I love this series! The artwork is wonderful and the story so far is really intriguing.
May 6, 2017
Huh??
July 25, 2021
Theft was a form of magic--I saw that now; a theft was a feat that eluded common perception and, more than this, hinted at the fallibility of the physical bonds of this world. We’re escapists, in essence, thieves and magicians, testing for holes in the system. We look for ways out of boxes, locked, sinking, air-tight boxes headed deeper into the dark. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that so many magicians throughout history had obsessions with death. Houdini swore to be the first to give evidence of life after death. David Copperfield purchased an island in the Archipelagos that's supposedly home to a fountain of youth for vegetation. Put a dead leaf in. and it comes back to life.
This is so much more than a simple graphic novel. The story is split between tradition comic depicting the present and a more structured novel telling the past. It makes it something special and I feel it was needed to fully convey the story, which is deep and complex.
Set in a dystopian future, which has to be my favourite kind, humanity has found a cure for death. But one man, who helped create this eternal life, Jonah Cooke, can't escape the ghosts of his past. We flick between his past, learning about his secret pastime of stealing for order, whilst also seeing him question the future that he inhabits.
When he receives a message from the dead world below, his mind is made up and he must leave the sanctuary of immortality and find out the truth of what has been left behind.
Go and find this, read it, and, hopefully, enjoy it as much as I did. 5 stars.
This is so much more than a simple graphic novel. The story is split between tradition comic depicting the present and a more structured novel telling the past. It makes it something special and I feel it was needed to fully convey the story, which is deep and complex.
Set in a dystopian future, which has to be my favourite kind, humanity has found a cure for death. But one man, who helped create this eternal life, Jonah Cooke, can't escape the ghosts of his past. We flick between his past, learning about his secret pastime of stealing for order, whilst also seeing him question the future that he inhabits.
When he receives a message from the dead world below, his mind is made up and he must leave the sanctuary of immortality and find out the truth of what has been left behind.
Go and find this, read it, and, hopefully, enjoy it as much as I did. 5 stars.
May 22, 2019
Well I finished the 2nd issue of this series by Mr Scott Snyder, it’s a creative endeavor and surely isn’t the usual comic book but like an independent book, and I do like these as they are more ‘life-like’ it’s nice to see that a big deal guy writing for DC and Marvel has some deeper meanings to his work as well. In the second book of AD our main character continues with his life, we learn that he became something of a thief and meets a billionaire who wants him to steal something... the book jumps from today and into the future. The main character is a man who is upset all the time, he doesn’t seem to be happy with the way things are going, I mean in the future where dying young has been eradicated somehow, meaning that 80 years old isn’t much... a sort of fountain of youth, but up in high elevations apparently. Fact is it will take all three graphic novels here to understand the whole of this matter. But like I said this book is done nicely and is certainly worth a read. Don’t look for the usual superhero type thing though, you won’t find it here... No but you just might be smitten with the nice watercolors and drama that is unfolding.
June 13, 2017
After-Death is set in the future where a cure for death has been found and one man starts to question everything.
These are brilliant works of art. Instead of being a comic, this is more works of prose with water colour paintings surrounding it. The idea seems very innovative to me.
.
The story is brilliant with a very satisfying conclusion and I can see why both Lemire and Snyder are two of the biggest names in comics at the minute.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
These are brilliant works of art. Instead of being a comic, this is more works of prose with water colour paintings surrounding it. The idea seems very innovative to me.
.
The story is brilliant with a very satisfying conclusion and I can see why both Lemire and Snyder are two of the biggest names in comics at the minute.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
June 15, 2017
After reading volume one and being as confused as hell, I was hoping that volume two would shed a little bit of light and maybe be an easier read. No such luck!
When you think of two greats like Snyder and Lemire, you want a bomb of excellence!
All I am is so confused!!
The art is still good and some of the writing is captivating but it's so long and has details that I am unsure if they aren't relevant or whether I am missing things. Who knows?!
Anyway, on to book three!
When you think of two greats like Snyder and Lemire, you want a bomb of excellence!
All I am is so confused!!
The art is still good and some of the writing is captivating but it's so long and has details that I am unsure if they aren't relevant or whether I am missing things. Who knows?!
Anyway, on to book three!
April 22, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
much much less boring than the first book, the world building intrigued me and i started to care about the main character…. I still don’t know if the art aligns with the text. It’s not like I think the art is BAD, I’m just not sure it really adds much… guess I’ll finish this up soon.
much much less boring than the first book, the world building intrigued me and i started to care about the main character…. I still don’t know if the art aligns with the text. It’s not like I think the art is BAD, I’m just not sure it really adds much… guess I’ll finish this up soon.
February 2, 2017
Truly amazing and unique storytelling at its finest.
Everything I said about Book One is applicable here.
And I stand by my statement that this story deserves to be read in a physical format. The feel of this book in had adds to the experience. And I say this as an avid e-book reader.
Everything I said about Book One is applicable here.
And I stand by my statement that this story deserves to be read in a physical format. The feel of this book in had adds to the experience. And I say this as an avid e-book reader.
January 16, 2020
Great story and worldbuilding! Lemire's minimalist backgrounds contrast with his frenetic, harried character faces, imparting to them (and the world above the poison clouds) a sad, resigned, and spent aspect.
January 20, 2017
I was a bit skeptical after the first issue but this story is really going some interesting places.
August 11, 2017
I'm still very interested in this story, but this book was a lot of exposition and not much forward motion. very curious to see where we go in book 3
August 5, 2018
This is incredible! The graphics aren't that great. The typed narrative is distraction. The idea is incredible and mind blowing.
October 5, 2018
It's definitely building into something more interesting.
July 31, 2019
Still strange and building but very good
January 16, 2020
Much like the first book, this had beautiful art and we got a lot more insight into Jonah and his life, however, it did feel a bit disjointed at times. Still liked it.
February 7, 2017
Jonah Cook and the "cure for death"--part 2.
March 15, 2017
Now we're talking! This series started off interesting enough with more sizzle and steak and this volume is exactly what Snyder and Lemire have done best in their previous work.
I never would have thought that Snyder's prose would be the most engaging part of this team up, but I could read about Jonah and his thievery all day.
I never would have thought that Snyder's prose would be the most engaging part of this team up, but I could read about Jonah and his thievery all day.
January 7, 2017
Part 2
A lot more is explained in this volume. How he came to be. The mastermind behind the cure. And that there is life below. The writer manages to reveal a lot and keep the suspense with his inevitable journey below.
A lot more is explained in this volume. How he came to be. The mastermind behind the cure. And that there is life below. The writer manages to reveal a lot and keep the suspense with his inevitable journey below.
February 24, 2017
If you're looking for a light comic, this is not the book for you. In Book Two, Snyder and Lemire continue their analysis of life and death. The thing about Snyder is that he writes in a way that suggests that these are some deep questions he was thinking about, and hey -- that would make a great story! Lemire's art matches well with the novel-esque storytelling, but acts here mostly as illustration for Snyder's writing without so much driving the story itself.
So far I'm enjoying this combination of talent, though I'm not sure it's going to be something I'll want to read again. I am curious to see how this story wraps in Book 3. Also, I hear someone signed the movie rights to this -- very curious to see how this would work on the screen.
So far I'm enjoying this combination of talent, though I'm not sure it's going to be something I'll want to read again. I am curious to see how this story wraps in Book 3. Also, I hear someone signed the movie rights to this -- very curious to see how this would work on the screen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews