The 'New Yorker' Cartoon Tribute to Alan Rickman Is Exactly What We’re All Feeling

In many ways, the New Yorker cartoon paying tribute to the late Alan Rickman, whose death Thursday from cancer sent ripples through the entertainment world, says what many of the fans, friends and co-stars Rickman touched are likely feeling: the need for somber reflection. The black-and-white drawing by Benjamin Schwartz depicts Harry Potter clinking beer glasses with New York City policeman John McClane (i.e. Bruce Willis' Die Hard character). Rickman played the enigmatic professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movie series and the nefarious Hans Gruber in Die Hard. 

"Here's to the best damned antagonist a guy could ask for," the cartoon caption reads. Both Potter and McClane are perched at a bar and wear glum expressions, mirroring the world's collective response to his death. 

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Rickman died Thursday from cancer, his family confirmed in a statement. The West London-born actor was 69. 

In the immediate wake of Rickman's death, fans and co-stars of Rickman shared their surprise and regret on Twitter. "Utterly devastated," Chris Rankin, who worked alongside Rickman in Harry Potter as Percy Weasley, wrote in a tweet. "Nothing more to say at this time."

Many continued to pay tribute to Rickman on Friday. Perhaps the most touching homage were the flowers and remembrances placed at London's Kings Cross Station's Platform 9 and 3/4. The popular tourist destination boasts a plaque placed on a brick wall above what looks like a disappearing luggage trolley and is based on the fictional platform in J.K. Rowling's series.