Afterworks Volume 2 TP NM Falljuja Scott Morse 1st print Pixar Ted Mathot Image

Description

Afterworks Volume 2 (v. 2) Paperback
by Mark Andrews (Author, Artist), Jennifer Chang (Author, Artist), Louis Gonzales (Author, Artist), Robert Kondo (Author, Artist), Angus Maclane (Author, Artist), Ted Mathot (Author, Artist), Scott Morse (Author, Artist), Sanjay Patel (Author, Artist), Jeff Pidgeon (Author, Artist), Peter Sohn (Author, Artist), Nate Stanton (Author, Artist), Brian Larsen (Author, Artist)

From the heart of today’s animation industry in E-Ville, California, new energy is pumped into the soul of the comics world with Afterworks 2! Presented here is pure passion on the page, stories too personal to be told in any other medium than comics, stories that touch a nerve and charm the soul. From fact based accounts of Falluja missile strikes to reinterpretations of classic myth, from Tokyo excursions to flights of fantasy, from brawlers to the Devil to hopelessly romantic musicians, this is untainted storytelling that will be pulled off your shelf and reread time and again.

Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Image

Above all else the artwork in Afterworks is to die for and completely original. Every style is different, while also maintaining a clean and professional work. The stories within are a mixed bunch, but most are great and worthwhile reads.

The only downfall of this is that a given story only lasts 5 to 15 pages, leaving you hanging and wanting more. Specifically the first story especially, which builds up a renegade hero who does a deal with a mafia type organization. If this were a scene in a movie it would have been 5 minutes…and as we all know just watching the first 5 pulse pounding minutes of a movie is a real tease.

Being a fan of the original Afterworks’ concept of letting the folks at Pixar take a crack at comics, I looked forward to reviewing the sequel. The compilation of seven anecdotes in monochrome was well received, although with the limited space, one or two stories undoubtedly fell a bit short of greatness. As I skimmed through the thicker Volume 2 for the first time, I wondered if the new color visuals, though great to look at, would be a substitute for the deeply personal, humorous storytelling that made its predecessor a success.

Fortunately, I can now say that this collection surpasses the original in every way. Once again, animators from flicks and shows like Toy Story and Samurai Jack use their talents to create short stories in graphic novel formula. Some contain little to no dialogue, with visuals strong enough to speak for themselves. Others boast deep narration and thought-out plots. A few have both. There’s something for everyone in here, and every tale is illustrated with detail and personality.

None of the 20 stories in Volume 2 are continuations of the first, so there’s no need to feel lost if you never read Volume 1. Good thing too, because the writers/artists tackle some pretty heavy subjects this time around, such as the war in the Middle East, corporate advertising, and child abduction, just to name a few. It’s not all socially conscious though; expect stories about unemployed batteries and zombie first dates too. Some are done with morbid, tongue-in-cheek humor and parody, while others with realism and heartwarming undertones. “Milton’s Moustache” is an early standout in the collection. Drawn and narrated like a children’s storybook (with a few naughty words thrown in for good measure), it teaches a funny little lesson about the rush to grow up. “Hell of a Game” does a fine job incorporating Satan, public relations, and foosball all into one hilarious story. Finally, “Slanty and Roundy” deals with the normal insecurities and arguments that might come between couples on vacation. The fact that it doesn’t have a single word of dialogue, yet tells one of the most poignant stories in the book, is quite a feat. The last scene in the story is simple yet moving, and ends the book on the best possible note.

The techniques are as diverse as the tales themselves. From smooth two dimensional cartoons to thick chalk scenes that could double as mural works, every style in Afterworks is worth a second look. There’s no shortage of talent here. At the end of a few stories, artists who contributed to Afterworks create their own renderings of each other’s characters, further solidifying it as a group effort by everyone involved.

Afterworks, Volume 2 is worth every dollar. The third volume can’t get here fast enough.

Besides this though the book is well worth the money, and could compliment a great coffee table.

With the buzz growing, Image announces that AFTERWORKS 2 is expanding to almost double its original proportions, from the originally solicited 200 pages to 360 pages!

“We knew we were going to have a big book and as the word got out, more and more folks asked if they could join; of course we said yeah and before we knew it we were at 360 pages,” explains Ted Mathot (The Incredibles). “Through the creation of the book I met some awesome artists that I didn’t know previously. There’s already talk of new contributors and people returning for volume 3.”

As a collection of some of the top talent in the animation industry working at Pixar Animation Studios, AFTERWORKS 2 brings together an eclectic mix of artists and stories together into one astounding anthology.

“Having worked in animation and comics for over 12 years now, AFTERWORKS 2 has afforded me a rare chance to sort of combine those two worlds,” says Scott Morse (Noble Boy, Soulwind). “I finally get to see so many of my talented friends from the animation community produce some stories that are truly ‘theirs,’ work that is purely from their hearts. Every line is a mark of passion on the page for these people and readers are going to get a chance to experience some of the finest storytelling they’ve ever seen in comic book form. AFTERWORKS 2 is all about a pure love of comics from every person involved”.

Near mint, 1st print.