The Life After #1
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The Life After #1

Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov Artist: Gabo Publisher: Oni Press Release Date: July 9, 2014 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 19 User Reviews: 3
8.3Critic Rating
7.7User Rating

In an infinite city built on infinite sadness, there is one man capable of breaking free. He will go through Heaven and Hell to save us all. Literally. A fantastical coming of age journey through the afterlife and beyond from Joshua Hale Fialkov (THE BUNKER, THE ULTIMATES) and breakout artist Gabo.

  • 10
    Rhymes With Geek - Kyle Overkill Apr 23, 2014

    The Life After feels familiar until the world unravels and you are faced with something that is completely its own. The first issue of The Life After is like a classy lady on a first date. She lets you get to know her and might even give you a little kiss as a reward but she wont give you the whole show and she surely wont fuck you. I got my kiss from The Life After and am already excited for our second date. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Spectrum - Adam Alamo Jul 15, 2014

    I won't reveal exactly what Fialkov has thrown us into with this story. Getting to the twist is half the fun, but part of the reason is also that I'm not exactly sure myself about what's really going on! There is plenty yet to explore and I am definitely along for the ride. Do yourself a favor and join me in giving this unique and fun title a try. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Newsarama - Edward Kaye Jul 10, 2014

    With great character designs, incredible linework and gorgeous colors, this book is just a joy to behold. Don't let this one pass you by, it's the most promising series debut since Saga. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    IGN - Jeff Lake Jul 10, 2014

    To put it simply, The Life After is pretty great. Fialkov and Gabo blow away expectation, their debut both unique and resonant. The best part -- if this debut is indicative of what's to come, we ain't seen nothing yet. Read Full Review

  • 9.3
    We The Nerdy - Jean-Luc Botbyl Jul 10, 2014

    The art, courtesy of an artist simply known as Gabo, looks great as well. The art is essential to conveying the tonal shifts present in this issue, at times even more so than the writing. It has some manga sensibilities to it, and that often will turn off many readers. However, this is something of a merging of eastern and western art styles (though it does lean a little bit more towards western art), and it looks great. It goes from being dark and grim to being light hearted and fun, and the shift in styles is seamless. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Major Spoilers - Ashley Victoria Robinson Apr 25, 2014

    The Life After #1: Early Termination is beyond neat, Joshua Hale Fialkov and Gabo have a strong hold on what they are doing, and you know you want it. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bloody Disgusting - Zac Thompson Jul 9, 2014

    The Life After is equal parts whimsical and haunting. Its brilliantly paced and expertly communicated. This debut issues shows you a world where anything is possible and teases a near limitless scope for the future of the series. As far as first issues go its a total knockout. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Geeked Out Nation - Jess Camacho Jul 11, 2014

    Overall, The Life After #1 is a fantastic read. It will grip you from the first page with how real it is. This is one of the books that I would suggest to anyone looking for something a little deeper intellectually. It's a beautiful book with a huge emotional core that will undoubtedly find huge success this year. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Multiversity Comics - Michelle White Jul 10, 2014

    This may be the vaguest review I have ever typed, but the experience of reading "The Life After" is anything but. So far as confusing comics go, this one is deliberate and deftly-constructed, playing you like an organ and relishing every note. Gabo's art is rough around the edges but compelling, proving its versatility as the issue goes on; by the end, it's impossible to imagine a different vision for this story. And while the plot has you confused by the time you get to the last page, it's a thrilling kind of confusion, asking you to make what you can of the clues while making it clear you're not figuring this out on your own. And if you take that notion as a challenge, well " "The Life After" is likely the comic for you. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Resources - Meagan Damore Jul 11, 2014

    Even though I had a sense of what "The Life After" was about, nothing could have prepared me for this startling, attention-grabbing debut. Fialkov and Gabo's promising new series will grip you tight and take you on an electrifying adventure through the afterlife. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics: The Gathering - F.D. White Jul 9, 2014

    With a solid start The Life After is going to be an intriguing series that I recommend picking up. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Jen 'Miss J' Aprahamian Jul 9, 2014

    Fialkov and Gabo introduce us to a brave new world in THE LIFE AFTER, taking on the bleakness and monotony of the afterlife, and punctuating it with tragedy and curiosity. The sadness and repetition of purgatory take on a new dimension as we see how fully-controlled the situation is -- and how interesting it's going to be when our protagonist and his famous literary companion exploit the glitches. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Coming Up Comics - David Melton Jul 8, 2014

    This is definitely a comic to look out for on a week where a lot of good stuff is being released. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Dan Pennacchia Jul 10, 2014

    Gabo is clever in the way that he inserts clues and images into the story in seemingly nondescript panels, but it makes for a good argument as to why this book should be read twice. There is a lot on the page presented in an understated way. By the end of the first issue, there will be a number of questions circling any reader's head. Fialkov and Gabo certainly deliver an impressive first chapter in their new story and it carries a significant confidence that there is much more to come. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    8CN - Matt Overstreet Jul 10, 2014

    Unfortunately, this first issue really just begins unraveling the mysteries of this world, so it's hard to say where it will lead. Still, if you're anything like me,Ghost Hemingway will pretty much be all you need. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comics Bulletin - Chase Magnett Jul 6, 2014

    var ord = window.ord || Math.floor Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Jul 9, 2014

    At once compelling and confusing, this is a decent start to what could be a fascinating story. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Bastards - Dustin Cabeal May 4, 2014

    That doesn't mean that it's not for you, so if the concepts I've listed intrigued you or you just want to know the elements I'm leaving out then check it out for yourself by picking it up at a convention or pre-ordering it for its release in July. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Major Spoilers - Chris Wilson Jul 13, 2014

    The Life After #1 is a difficult read. There is nothing inherently bad about it, in fact there are lots of good ideas. The problem is the way the story is told will frustrate readers and those looking for an easy read will be walk away. I enjoyed myself even if confused most of the way (Im still befuddled on some things). If you can go outside your comfort zone and try an unconventional book, The Life After may be a good choice. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    GeninBen Jul 15, 2014

    After just finishing The Life After #1; I don't really know how to feel. I think this comic has a lot going for it but I still think it is a little bizarre for bizarre sake. The overall feeling of this book works and the story is interesting enough to keep going but the art might turn some people away.

    The story has a quasi-Matrix feel to it. The world our main character Jude is part of seems to be controlled by a few guys in front of computer screens. The narrative voice is captured in a really cool way so that we get a feel for Jude. By the end of this confusing comic I did feel for him but I didn't really know why.

    The art feels okay to me but I wish it were a little bit stronger as to add more to this book. I fel more

  • 8.5
    Batfan Jul 18, 2014

  • 8.5
    mrDovydas Jul 17, 2014

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