Where the first volume of A.D. had a vagueness to its story, leaving lots of questions and a very tenuous grasp on what it was about, the second book is much clearer in its approach, or at least much more relevant to the story as a whole. We get an idea of the origin of this world After Death, as well as the idea of cycles and why the people in this world are so forgetful. Snyder poses questions such as why would a person not want to die (perhaps obvious) and how could one cope with such a life? The answer is in cycles. People cycle through jobs, cycle through spouses, as though living different lives, choosing to forget the harmful bits of life and remember only the pleasant. Sounds utopian.
Obviously, Jonah Cooke, the main character, is not happy with this set-up.
Just as before, Snyder alternates between prose sections and comic sections. The prose indicates flashbacks, to before the the cure for death was found, while the comics show the present moment. This time around, the prose and comic sections are more closely-intertwined. Characters and thoughts that show up in the prose come up in the comic. We learn how Jonah's penchant for thieving led him to the opportunity to live in the mountains, away from death, and we also get hints of what happened to the rest of the world. Hints of environmental catastrophe, a theme that has been showing up more and more often in comics.
Jeff Lemire's artwork is just as integral to the story as Snyder's writing. Lemire's watercolors are a unique way to paint a story, adding to the surreal quality, giving a new look to a new era in time. While the prose sections are dominated by Snyder's writing, with some small drawings of Lemire's to highlight important symbols, the comics belong to Lemire, with small pieces of dialogue written by Snyder to help move along the plot.
After a shaky, though engrossing, first issue, things are clicking much more smoothly as the story enters its final chapter. I'm looking forward to what these two have up their sleeves in the finale.
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