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Ascender
Ascender, Vol. 2: The Dead Sea
The hit fantasy series from powerhouse creative team JEFF LEMIRE and DUSTIN NGUYEN continues!
After a bruising escape attempt from the planet Sampson, Andy finds himself in the clutches of the militia, which means the murderous Mother can't be far behind. Meanwhile, Mila has booked passage on a ship piloted by none other than the irascible Captain Telsa. And while vampires may rule this strange galaxy, they're no match for Kanto, the Blood Scrapper-the most badass vampire hunter in the universe!
Collects ASCENDER #6-10
After a bruising escape attempt from the planet Sampson, Andy finds himself in the clutches of the militia, which means the murderous Mother can't be far behind. Meanwhile, Mila has booked passage on a ship piloted by none other than the irascible Captain Telsa. And while vampires may rule this strange galaxy, they're no match for Kanto, the Blood Scrapper-the most badass vampire hunter in the universe!
Collects ASCENDER #6-10
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2020
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,291 books3,722 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
September 2, 2020
I know I'm probably all alone with this, but I actually like Ascender even more than Descender. And I really loved Descender.
Again, I think I may be in the minority here, but I thought this volume was fantastic! There were a lot of interesting new things being introduced into the storyline.
Andy & Effie, Mother & her sister, Telsa & Dr. Quon, Driller, Bandit...and where the hell is Tim 21?!
It may not be for everyone, but love the switch from sci-fi to fantasy and the melding of magic and machines.
I've got so many questions and I can't wait to find out the answers. Gah! I wish I could say more but I can't think of a way to talk about this volume without giving spoilers.
Highly Recommended!
Again, I think I may be in the minority here, but I thought this volume was fantastic! There were a lot of interesting new things being introduced into the storyline.
Andy & Effie, Mother & her sister, Telsa & Dr. Quon, Driller, Bandit...and where the hell is Tim 21?!
It may not be for everyone, but love the switch from sci-fi to fantasy and the melding of magic and machines.
I've got so many questions and I can't wait to find out the answers. Gah! I wish I could say more but I can't think of a way to talk about this volume without giving spoilers.
Highly Recommended!
August 31, 2020
4.5 stars! I love this new series. But this one was a bit sad in some parts 😕
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
July 28, 2020
Just a glance at some of the reviews already posted for this second volume of the sequel? extension? of the highly successful Descender series by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen (who are listed as co-storytellers) reveals a kind of unanimity: The shift from sci-fi in Descender to fantasy (and horror) in Ascender, the challenge of creating new characters while reaching back to integrate characters from the original series, keeping all the back story plates spinning on all those sticks, well, it slows things down.
But I have to say: This is highly ambitious epic space opera storytelling, with a very wide reach, even as its main appeal (as with Star Wars, its central inspiration) is a YA audience. The artwork by Nguyen is the ongoing centerpiece of the work, with warm watercolors and a nod to Lemire's sketchy artistic approach (call it minimalist, maybe?). But the challenge is to make the shift to fantasy/horror as we head to the Mothers' Coven and a battle for power in the vampire-controlled universe.
Okay, the overall storyline doesn't move too much forward, but at the same time, there are a couple of Big Deaths to pretty major characters that happen here. We see Andy trying to find Mila, who is on a ship with Telsa and a new character and Telsa admirer ("once my captain, always my captain") Helda. We get a cameo appearance from series favorite Driller the Killer. Oh, and just for random fun: Werewhales? It's maybe not running on all cylinders yet, but it's still one of the best series out there.
But I have to say: This is highly ambitious epic space opera storytelling, with a very wide reach, even as its main appeal (as with Star Wars, its central inspiration) is a YA audience. The artwork by Nguyen is the ongoing centerpiece of the work, with warm watercolors and a nod to Lemire's sketchy artistic approach (call it minimalist, maybe?). But the challenge is to make the shift to fantasy/horror as we head to the Mothers' Coven and a battle for power in the vampire-controlled universe.
Okay, the overall storyline doesn't move too much forward, but at the same time, there are a couple of Big Deaths to pretty major characters that happen here. We see Andy trying to find Mila, who is on a ship with Telsa and a new character and Telsa admirer ("once my captain, always my captain") Helda. We get a cameo appearance from series favorite Driller the Killer. Oh, and just for random fun: Werewhales? It's maybe not running on all cylinders yet, but it's still one of the best series out there.
July 15, 2020
More 3.5 stars, I suppose. But I haven’t quite made up my mind about this series.
There were a couple of flashbacks to fill in the gaps between Descender and Ascender. That’s something I was hoping for, as I loved that series and its characters, and I need to know what happened to them in the ten years that lie between those two. At the same time Lemire has to do a lot of worldbuilding to explain this new fantasy-setting that has replaced the SciFi world of its predecessor. It doesn’t leave him with a lot of room to move the actual plot forward.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m enjoying this quite a bit. But a huge factor in that are the characters that I know from a different series and the occasional look back to that world. And the thing I’m still most excited about is for more of those characters to show up here, and to find out what has happened to them in the meantime. Of course this is part of the appeal, as this is the follow-up to Descender after all. But almost all of the new characters leave me rather cold. Except maybe for Mila. And the backstory for Mother, which we got here, was so confusing that Lemire lost me somewhere along the way. Add to that the glacier-like plot progression at this point, and it becomes a little hard to give this volume another 4-star-rating.
There are some developments, though, that had quite an impact on me. And Nguyen’s artwork is still something special.
Oh, and werewhales! So, yeah, 3.5 stars it is.
There were a couple of flashbacks to fill in the gaps between Descender and Ascender. That’s something I was hoping for, as I loved that series and its characters, and I need to know what happened to them in the ten years that lie between those two. At the same time Lemire has to do a lot of worldbuilding to explain this new fantasy-setting that has replaced the SciFi world of its predecessor. It doesn’t leave him with a lot of room to move the actual plot forward.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m enjoying this quite a bit. But a huge factor in that are the characters that I know from a different series and the occasional look back to that world. And the thing I’m still most excited about is for more of those characters to show up here, and to find out what has happened to them in the meantime. Of course this is part of the appeal, as this is the follow-up to Descender after all. But almost all of the new characters leave me rather cold. Except maybe for Mila. And the backstory for Mother, which we got here, was so confusing that Lemire lost me somewhere along the way. Add to that the glacier-like plot progression at this point, and it becomes a little hard to give this volume another 4-star-rating.
There are some developments, though, that had quite an impact on me. And Nguyen’s artwork is still something special.
Oh, and werewhales! So, yeah, 3.5 stars it is.
August 20, 2020
Came here for the color story, stayed for the space vampires.
Thoroughly enjoyable volume in this universe!
Thoroughly enjoyable volume in this universe!
August 5, 2024
Enjoyable action and adventure surrounds a side trip for the secret origin of the major villain, and it looks like we're on the road to getting the band back together for the big finale.
It really helps knowing that there are only two short books left in this series. And they're queued up on my bookshelf for the next two days.
It really helps knowing that there are only two short books left in this series. And they're queued up on my bookshelf for the next two days.
June 21, 2020
More familiar faces come back to play as Andy and Mila attempt to escape from Mother, even if it means asking people they never wanted to see again for help. There's still a lot of world building going on, as the post-Descender world becomes more apparent - there's an entire issue devoted to Mother's backstory which I really enjoyed, for example, but it does mean that the main plotline feels like it's moving along at a glacial pace. It's still great reading, of course, but it's also a tad frustrating. Nguyen's art remains beautiful, but it definitely relies a lot on blank space.
July 6, 2020
Driller!!
September 29, 2022
Ok, guess I’m binging these then. All the authors’ fault. They just had to go and make these books irresistible.
The adventure continues. What’s interesting is that while the Descender series were firmly science fiction, the Ascender veers is all sorts of directions. Because so much of the world/worlds has been reduced to primitive-like, pre-technology conditions, there are strong elements of fantasy here. You got vampires (so many vampires), and werewhales (which is just awesome AND fun to say) and witches and magic and all that.
So there’s a sort of science meets magic and how do you distinguish the two. It’s fascinating to contemplate when science seems like magic and vice versa.
Certainly brings that famous quote to mind, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”.
Anyway, on to book three.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
The adventure continues. What’s interesting is that while the Descender series were firmly science fiction, the Ascender veers is all sorts of directions. Because so much of the world/worlds has been reduced to primitive-like, pre-technology conditions, there are strong elements of fantasy here. You got vampires (so many vampires), and werewhales (which is just awesome AND fun to say) and witches and magic and all that.
So there’s a sort of science meets magic and how do you distinguish the two. It’s fascinating to contemplate when science seems like magic and vice versa.
Certainly brings that famous quote to mind, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”.
Anyway, on to book three.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
August 1, 2020
First, it must be said: Werewhales. Who knew?
It can be difficult to edge back into an ambitious-but-not-quite-established story after months away, and the quick-cut episodic style doesn't help, especially when we're also juggling jumps back in time. I did appreciate the nods back to the Descender series to help pull together backstory with present, but it's an encouraging sign that the extra aid seems less essential as the narrative establishes itself independently. Frankly, I'm not sure I care about the dark creatures' game of thrones and , but the images have incredible power of mesmerism, so I don't mind as much as I would otherwise.
I could gaze at Nguyen's art for ages, and that goes almost equally for the grotesque as well as the emotive. His use of color and stroke is not only what anchors me in these imagined worlds but also lures me to linger.
Mila is still the star, and thus far is underserved. Here's hoping we spend more time with her in next chapters.
It can be difficult to edge back into an ambitious-but-not-quite-established story after months away, and the quick-cut episodic style doesn't help, especially when we're also juggling jumps back in time. I did appreciate the nods back to the Descender series to help pull together backstory with present, but it's an encouraging sign that the extra aid seems less essential as the narrative establishes itself independently. Frankly, I'm not sure I care about the dark creatures' game of thrones and , but the images have incredible power of mesmerism, so I don't mind as much as I would otherwise.
I could gaze at Nguyen's art for ages, and that goes almost equally for the grotesque as well as the emotive. His use of color and stroke is not only what anchors me in these imagined worlds but also lures me to linger.
Mila is still the star, and thus far is underserved. Here's hoping we spend more time with her in next chapters.
November 16, 2020
3.5🌟 Doesn't have the same magic the original series had. Let's face it I fell for Tim 21. I'm still happy there is a continuation of story though. The end reveal has a certain series favourite returning. I feel like I had to round up since the art remains beautiful and is so unique. I think it's worth pointing out you need to start with Descender before you pick this series up.
July 17, 2022
Muy buen volumen. Buena trama e ilustración genial.
Aparecen personajes principales de la saga anterior y da la impresión de que se avecinan tiempos interesantes.
4,5⭐
Aparecen personajes principales de la saga anterior y da la impresión de que se avecinan tiempos interesantes.
4,5⭐
September 11, 2020
Somehow, the mixture fell in all the wrong places.It's not a bad comic, but it's not memorable also. Still, art is the strong card of these series, as it was with its prequel, Descender.
August 6, 2020
Magic has taken the place of technology. The story is really starting to gain momentum and the artwork is top notch. Darker and rawer than Descender.
October 2, 2020
Great storytelling from Lemire, more great art from Ngyuen, what more is there? The story is humming along nicely and I love all the gaps in time, it creates a vast world with little mysteries unfolding. The relationships are always the best parts, Lemire knows family stories and he runs you over with them (In a good way). The addition of magic and magical creatures is just icing on the sci-fi cake.... love it all. BUT I was waiting for someone....someone or someTHING... and I was not disappointed at the end!!!! FINALLY my boy is back ! HELL YES
knocked a star because I felt the beginning was a slow boil..... but it paid off for sure.
knocked a star because I felt the beginning was a slow boil..... but it paid off for sure.
July 22, 2021
As long as Dustin Nguyen keeps making astonishing art, I will continue to read this series.
December 8, 2021
Not as great as the first volume but as a whole I like this series/world even more than Descender.
July 6, 2020
I loved reading this book for the (familiar) characters, the storyline (what’s going to happen to those characters), and especially the artwork which is a beautiful and evocative kind of water coloring. I don’t even want to find fault with this but I suppose my only complaint is that I wish the overall story would move faster, but that’s my impatience for more story and I must admit that Lemire does have several threads he’s weaving at once and a fair amount of world-building to accomplish.
August 10, 2020
This installment of the Ascender graphic novel series is slow. The story doesn't move forward much, and characters from the original Descender series keep making an appearance. I like the loose watercolor illustration style and color palette. There are poignant moments, yes, but I for one look forward to getting to know "Kanto, the Blood Scrapper-the most badass vampire hunter in the universe!"
October 31, 2022
I enjoyed this continuation of the Ascender series. I love the artwork even if sometimes the story gets a bit convoluted. The characters are really interesting and this comic made me want to finish out this 4-part cycle after having loved the previous cycle Descender so much.
June 27, 2020
Still not hitting the highs of Descender
February 3, 2021
A bit of a whiplash since much of the first volume focused on new people and magic to shift back to a tech storyline and characters we know and care bout.
June 18, 2020
Základom je neporovnávať to s Descenderom, ale brať to ako samostatnú vec. Potom človek nemá pocit, že Descender bol lepší/výraznejší/akčnejší/emotívnejší. Aj táto séria má niečo do seba, stále ma skvelé momenty, skvelé zvraty a hlavne myšlienka toho celého a ako sa ten dej posúva je neskutočne skvelý. V tomto volume sa toho stalo naozaj veľa, zase nám nejaké postavy zomreli, zase sa nejaké (aj staré!) vrátili. Kresba je (stále) geniálna, vodovky ľúbim, takže je radosť na to pozerať.
December 13, 2020
excuse my French, but why the fuck would Jeff hurt me like that
April 29, 2021
*3.5
Trivella alla fine è l'unica cosa che ha salvato il volume, per il resto tutto un po' meh
Trivella alla fine è l'unica cosa che ha salvato il volume, per il resto tutto un po' meh
December 25, 2022
Bullet Review:
Andy isn’t dead after all…as is Effie. Telsa takes Mila to her ship in an effort to leave the planet. Also we get a bit more backstory to Mother.
Huh, when you sum it up, it sounds a lot less than I found it. It was a quick read (for me), and rather enjoyable.
On to volume 3 before it’s due!
Andy isn’t dead after all…as is Effie. Telsa takes Mila to her ship in an effort to leave the planet. Also we get a bit more backstory to Mother.
Huh, when you sum it up, it sounds a lot less than I found it. It was a quick read (for me), and rather enjoyable.
On to volume 3 before it’s due!
July 30, 2023
At this point there isn't much more to say.
It's just too good. A must read series.
Beautiful artwork.
It's just too good. A must read series.
Beautiful artwork.
July 31, 2023
Hooray, unexpected friends return. The magic is strong, but the robots aren’t completely gone.
August 26, 2020
I love this story and its artwork. It’s as good as Descender if not better. Can’t wait for the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews