Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire are two giants of modern comics. Lemire has done everything from a meta-commentary on stranded superheroes to a post-apocalyptic saga about a boy with antlers, while Snyder has made his mark on Batman (no easy accomplishment), introducing concepts like the Court of Owls that have now made their way into live-action adaptations. Now, they’re teaming up for the first time to make an entirely different kind of comic.

A.D.: After Death is a mix of comics, prose, and painting that explores a world where death has been cured. The series will be released in three 80-page prestige-format issues, and marks a change for both of them: It’s the first time Lemire has drawn a comic by another writer, and it’s the first time Snyder has incorporated prose into his comic work at this length.

“My favorite writers have always been the ones who seem to challenge themselves, try surprising new things project to project, and Jeff has always been one of those — he’s a huge inspiration, and I feel lucky call him a good friend,” Snyder said in a statement to EW. “I also credit him with pushing me here to try something so different, blending prose with comic work. At first I was intimidated going back to prose, but the material here is really personal, delving into some pretty deep fears and hopes, and because of that, Jeff really encouraged me to try something more daring with the format. The result has been incredibly liberating, and I’m very grateful for the experience.”

“As soon as Scott described the world of A.D. to me I was hooked,” Lemire added. “Before this I’d only ever drawn books that I also wrote myself, but the world of A.D. and the character of Jonah, and his centuries-long journey sold me. It’s not often you get to sink your teeth into a character like Jonah who straddles two worlds: the fantastic, science fiction domain of the future that Scott envisioned, but also a grounded, lyrical inner world all his own.”

The first issue of A.D. hits stands Nov. 23. Check out a preview below.

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire

Image zoom Jeff Lemire