Stories about the Storm

A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge by Josh Neufeld. Published by Pantheon, Reprint edition, 2010.

This comic book emerged from interviews from half a dozen people who were in New Orleans around the time of Hurricane Katrina. Neufeld was careful to document their stories accurately and got regular feedback from his interviewees during the creative process. We meet Denise and her family, who are awaiting evacuation. Leo, who lost his prized comics collection in the flood. Abbas and Darnell whose bad choices put them in a dangerous situation during the storm. Kwame, who was displaced and forced to continue his studies in another state. And the Doctor, who was involved in the relief efforts immediately following the storm. The book has no dialogue in the opening chapter, only the storm. Each story is beautifully crafted in its own different colour. It paints a picture of the pain and loss, and also of the strength and resilience of the people of New Orleans. Their lives are turned upside down and they work to rebuild their communities and city.