Embrace the despair of the rapture while learning the alphabet with The Leftovers’ ABCs book

Viewers are struggling to cope with the emptiness of waiting for The Leftovers to return for its second season, a struggle that is only slightly less bleak than the despair of those left on Earth after two percent of the population disappeared. While many are unsure of the precise date of The Leftovers’ return, much like survivors uncertain of the exact reasoning for the disappearance of so many people that fateful day, they remain hopeful for the return of their favorite (irreparably damaged) characters. Luckily HBO has found a way to help people deal with the sudden loss of the show while also promoting mastery over the alphabet.

Over on the network’s site for Leftovers, HBO has posted illustrations for a book that would come in handy to teach children in the show’s universe about their grim reality. Titled “The ABCs Of The Sudden Departure,” each letter is associated with some inevitably depressing facet of the new world order. Drawn by Argentinean artist Pablo Bernasconi, the series is an impressive visual feast that also acts as a good primer for people new to the show. For those not familiar, “Sudden Departure” is the term used by most folks in the TV series since the cause remains unknown, as it’s a Damon Lindelof show so it must have some vague central mystery (plus “The Rapture” still has that Kirk Cameron stink on it). Below are some examples of Bernasconi’s work, but visit the site for all 26 entries. So while the world awaits the return of its beloved characters like the smoking mutes, a sheriff with an incredibly distracting bulge, and Reverend Doctor Who, at least there’s a beautiful bedtime story viewers can read to their children to ensure years of crippling nightmares.