What do you think?
Rate this book
East of West #7-10
East of West: The Apocalypse, Year Three
The final collection of the epic SciFi Western, EAST OF WEST, presented in a prestige, deluxe hardcover format.
Collects EAST OF WEST #30-45
Collects EAST OF WEST #30-45
512 pages, Hardcover
First published November 24, 2020
About the author
Jonathan Hickman
1,159 books1,842 followersJonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 3, 2021
With this series over, I'm having a very hard time figuring out exactly how I feel about it. On the one hand, I flew through all 3 giant volumes in less than a week, which speaks to how thoroughly readable it is. Hickman's characters are intriguing cyphers for various types of power-hungry world leaders, and the atmosphere of the comic is so specific and otherworldly that I felt swept up in it, constantly wanting to learn more about its nuances. I wanted to learn a lot more about each individual nation and why they act and believe the way they do. I wanted a much deeper understanding of the various players in this gigantic epic, and why they're carrying out their various monstrous plans. I was eating this lore up with a spoon!
But, that's where I stumble a little bit in how to review this. While this is a thoroughly interesting series that is doing a whole lot (arguable too much), 45 issues just isn't enough time to thoroughly explore its world. Honestly, this should be almost as long Game of Thrones. There's just that much potential depth to this world. There are so many factions to keep track of, and so much arcana to sort through, that it needs much more room to breathe so that it can accomplish all of that and have a rich cast of characters.
As it stands, that's the biggest flaw with this series. Every character is more of an archetype, standing in for some idea rather than being a living, breathing person. This is a story that is 100% plot with characters that are very cool to look at and have pretty clear plans (though motivations are a little less frequent), but don't offer much beyond that. There are a few standouts. Babylon, Death, Xiaolian and The Wolf all have solid personalities you can latch onto. But even their journeys feel kind of one dimensional, all part of the tapestry of Hickman's plot, rather than individuals you can truly care about.
And then there's the plot itself, which, now that it's over, also feels like it just didn't have time to really reach the heights it was aiming for. After building to a megawar for most of the series, it just kind of... happens. There's no sense of magnitude, because the series hasn't had time to really make you feel how vast and/or important the countries involved are. It's a great idea, and there are a lot of incredible moments, especially thanks to Nick Dragotta's always impressive art. But the writing of this massive series somehow manages to feel rushed. Like I'm just kind of reading a beautiful chess game.
So, all of those complaints aside, I'm still giving this 4 stars. Despite all of its problems, this is still an amazing series. The art is genuinely incredible, especially in these oversized deluxe editions. And as I said earlier, I was hooked beginning to end. I think this is a flawed, slightly messy journey that is still well worth taking, even though by the end you may wish that there was even more to it.
But, that's where I stumble a little bit in how to review this. While this is a thoroughly interesting series that is doing a whole lot (arguable too much), 45 issues just isn't enough time to thoroughly explore its world. Honestly, this should be almost as long Game of Thrones. There's just that much potential depth to this world. There are so many factions to keep track of, and so much arcana to sort through, that it needs much more room to breathe so that it can accomplish all of that and have a rich cast of characters.
As it stands, that's the biggest flaw with this series. Every character is more of an archetype, standing in for some idea rather than being a living, breathing person. This is a story that is 100% plot with characters that are very cool to look at and have pretty clear plans (though motivations are a little less frequent), but don't offer much beyond that. There are a few standouts. Babylon, Death, Xiaolian and The Wolf all have solid personalities you can latch onto. But even their journeys feel kind of one dimensional, all part of the tapestry of Hickman's plot, rather than individuals you can truly care about.
And then there's the plot itself, which, now that it's over, also feels like it just didn't have time to really reach the heights it was aiming for. After building to a megawar for most of the series, it just kind of... happens. There's no sense of magnitude, because the series hasn't had time to really make you feel how vast and/or important the countries involved are. It's a great idea, and there are a lot of incredible moments, especially thanks to Nick Dragotta's always impressive art. But the writing of this massive series somehow manages to feel rushed. Like I'm just kind of reading a beautiful chess game.
So, all of those complaints aside, I'm still giving this 4 stars. Despite all of its problems, this is still an amazing series. The art is genuinely incredible, especially in these oversized deluxe editions. And as I said earlier, I was hooked beginning to end. I think this is a flawed, slightly messy journey that is still well worth taking, even though by the end you may wish that there was even more to it.
January 3, 2021
A fitting ending to a brilliant graphic novel.
East of West is a genre-bending, character-driven story about the apocalypse, and, as a whole, it works on every level. I imagine reading single issues could be confusing, but consumed as a collected edition it's unputdownable, beautiful, and magnificent.
A thrilling read.
East of West is a genre-bending, character-driven story about the apocalypse, and, as a whole, it works on every level. I imagine reading single issues could be confusing, but consumed as a collected edition it's unputdownable, beautiful, and magnificent.
A thrilling read.
December 22, 2022
The third and final omnibus collection of Image’s “East of West” series is a stirring and EXTREMELY satisfying conclusion to writer Jonathan Hickman’s sci-fi/fantasy epic, one that – over the course of its 45 issues - has consistently managed to compellingly weave together politics, high-fantasy, and even - weirdly - family melodrama into a narrative stew that has been wholly unique and totally engrossing. With Year Three, we finally see all of the storylines and character arcs reach their end destinations, resulting in a grab-bag of payoffs, each one more satisfying than the last. Making things even better is Nick Dragotta’s art, which is EASILY the best that it’s ever been here, excising any and all of the over-starkness that occasionally plagued Years One and Two while also emphasizing Hickman’s story beats in exactly the right, most grandest of ways. It’s the kind of perfect melding of art-and-story that makes you GLAD to read comics…and believe me: in terms of sheer narrative heft, visual beauty, and overall emotional impact, “East of West” might just be among the best in recent years.
January 17, 2021
Excellent conclusion.
This third collection of the graphic novels brings all plot threads, kingdoms and characters into a final and satisfying show down. Blending biblical prophesy, cyberpunk dystopia, and a fictional U.S. history, the world created here is something remarkable. The characters are compelling with complete arcs. The pacing moves at a bold and inviting clip. The artwork is simply stunning. My only gripe is that the scope of the story and characters is so wide, that it makes the resolution seem a tad truncated. I read this series in the three, hardbound installments which I think is the right way to enjoy it.
Overall, I highly recommend this complete series.
This third collection of the graphic novels brings all plot threads, kingdoms and characters into a final and satisfying show down. Blending biblical prophesy, cyberpunk dystopia, and a fictional U.S. history, the world created here is something remarkable. The characters are compelling with complete arcs. The pacing moves at a bold and inviting clip. The artwork is simply stunning. My only gripe is that the scope of the story and characters is so wide, that it makes the resolution seem a tad truncated. I read this series in the three, hardbound installments which I think is the right way to enjoy it.
Overall, I highly recommend this complete series.
November 29, 2021
Review for whole series:
Jonathan Hickman wanted to write love story so he wrote East of West... Epic 'western' in alternative states of America, which are everything but united. Technology is mixing with myths, politics, intrigues, schemes in schemes, revenge, violence and war. At the end it's all about apocalypse, end of the world and...
Despite the Hickman's writing is not easy in some parts, it was hell of a ride. Present is mixing with past, and sometimes you'll be lost. But after a while it will start to make a sense. At least some things:) Given the fact how many lines runs though the books, and how many various themes are used hats off to Hickman. He managed to put everything together at the end, even though there are some issues that felt like series is loosing the pace, but then he hits the pedal and we are running again at top speed.
It probably wouldn't be soo good without stunning visual made by Nick Dragotta and colorist Frank Martin Jr. I loved the art, I loved the colors. Although it maybe looks simple and not very detailed it suits the fast pace of the book. Characters are well designed, and sceneries can transport you to America just in second. Paneling keeps you hooked up as it varies depending of the pace and needed focus. SFX represented as panels on some pages were also cool and nice touch.
Over and all, great, unusual series, that keeps you hooked from first to last page.
Jonathan Hickman wanted to write love story so he wrote East of West... Epic 'western' in alternative states of America, which are everything but united. Technology is mixing with myths, politics, intrigues, schemes in schemes, revenge, violence and war. At the end it's all about apocalypse, end of the world and...
Despite the Hickman's writing is not easy in some parts, it was hell of a ride. Present is mixing with past, and sometimes you'll be lost. But after a while it will start to make a sense. At least some things:) Given the fact how many lines runs though the books, and how many various themes are used hats off to Hickman. He managed to put everything together at the end, even though there are some issues that felt like series is loosing the pace, but then he hits the pedal and we are running again at top speed.
It probably wouldn't be soo good without stunning visual made by Nick Dragotta and colorist Frank Martin Jr. I loved the art, I loved the colors. Although it maybe looks simple and not very detailed it suits the fast pace of the book. Characters are well designed, and sceneries can transport you to America just in second. Paneling keeps you hooked up as it varies depending of the pace and needed focus. SFX represented as panels on some pages were also cool and nice touch.
Over and all, great, unusual series, that keeps you hooked from first to last page.
August 13, 2021
Excellent conclusion to an epic tale. One of my favorite comics ever.
March 28, 2021
A satisfying conclusion that left me with more emotion that expected.
December 31, 2020
Just finished it and wow.
Definitely in my top 5 comic of the last 5 years...
It does stand re-reading very well too since I read the original single issues comic and then each time a hardcover came out and I re-read everything up to that book.
Definitely in my top 5 comic of the last 5 years...
It does stand re-reading very well too since I read the original single issues comic and then each time a hardcover came out and I re-read everything up to that book.
October 2, 2021
Повторно прочитанная концовка слегка разочаровала, но в ней оказался задел на следующий Апокалипсис просто потому что так всегда и проиходит.
Не осталась в восторге, так как не обнаружила чего-то нового и необычного для себя.
Не осталась в восторге, так как не обнаружила чего-то нового и необычного для себя.
December 24, 2021
I remember this ending a whole lot better than it did... The middle of this run seemed completely aimless and pretentious, I don’t know why I expected the end to be any different. I remember this having some sort of meaningful resolve but I’m sorely mistaken.
I don’t really want to spend much time rambling on about all the things I didn’t like about this run. There’s a few lengthy topics to discuss on why this comic is such a failure but I really don’t have the energy to say them all on Christmas Eve, so I’ll just say this one: comic book writers need to stop with the prophecy trope. Prophecy’s are a horribly boring way to navigate a narrative because they always end up being disappointing. The characters in the story are either going fulfil the prophecy the writer has created or they aren’t and it’s going to subvert readers inherent expectations - neither are satisfying.
For all the cool and innovative things this story does like: focusing on economics and foreign relations in a post-alternate-civil-war-future, in a neo western setting, it still, at its core, just another 1 dimensional prophecy comic. Once I got used to Hickman’s style of bewildering narrative delivery, I started to see that he’s just peddling the same old fluff stories as anyone.
I love comics so much but there’s so many issues and I think a lot of it comes down to quantity over quality and ideas over execution. These ideas are great, the language and the narrative on the other hand?? Ehhh.
I still love Hickman’s work at Marvel I’ve read his X-Men and Avengers run multiple times and find enjoyment there but yeah not enjoying this one too much the second time around.
I don’t really want to spend much time rambling on about all the things I didn’t like about this run. There’s a few lengthy topics to discuss on why this comic is such a failure but I really don’t have the energy to say them all on Christmas Eve, so I’ll just say this one: comic book writers need to stop with the prophecy trope. Prophecy’s are a horribly boring way to navigate a narrative because they always end up being disappointing. The characters in the story are either going fulfil the prophecy the writer has created or they aren’t and it’s going to subvert readers inherent expectations - neither are satisfying.
For all the cool and innovative things this story does like: focusing on economics and foreign relations in a post-alternate-civil-war-future, in a neo western setting, it still, at its core, just another 1 dimensional prophecy comic. Once I got used to Hickman’s style of bewildering narrative delivery, I started to see that he’s just peddling the same old fluff stories as anyone.
I love comics so much but there’s so many issues and I think a lot of it comes down to quantity over quality and ideas over execution. These ideas are great, the language and the narrative on the other hand?? Ehhh.
I still love Hickman’s work at Marvel I’ve read his X-Men and Avengers run multiple times and find enjoyment there but yeah not enjoying this one too much the second time around.
March 13, 2021
A reread for za[sic] reading group: more and more makes sense and that final page gets better and better.
First Review:
After the crescendo reached a fever pitch, I must admit the final battles left some to be desired. And yet the true ending itself was exactly what I would want, perhaps even need.
To be clear about the perceived lack, I don’t even know what could possibly satisfy the scope of the conflict, but it did feel to me like they proved smaller than what was required. It did not seem to resolve all of the ascending conflict. I also expect the eventual reread will help to clarify and perhaps justify the choices.
As to the ending, it was exceedingly fitting and a degree of salve that I read this ending the night after Capitol Hill was stormed. I kept trying to sleep but found myself reopening and reading the final couple pages. I kept reflecting on this bizarre alternate America and its fissures, conflicts, and selfishness: perhaps more than Hickman and Dragotta even intended, I saw us. And yet there is a hope that transcends our feuds and self-worship.
Thank you, Jonathan Hickman. Thank you, Nick Dragotta.
First Review:
After the crescendo reached a fever pitch, I must admit the final battles left some to be desired. And yet the true ending itself was exactly what I would want, perhaps even need.
To be clear about the perceived lack, I don’t even know what could possibly satisfy the scope of the conflict, but it did feel to me like they proved smaller than what was required. It did not seem to resolve all of the ascending conflict. I also expect the eventual reread will help to clarify and perhaps justify the choices.
As to the ending, it was exceedingly fitting and a degree of salve that I read this ending the night after Capitol Hill was stormed. I kept trying to sleep but found myself reopening and reading the final couple pages. I kept reflecting on this bizarre alternate America and its fissures, conflicts, and selfishness: perhaps more than Hickman and Dragotta even intended, I saw us. And yet there is a hope that transcends our feuds and self-worship.
Thank you, Jonathan Hickman. Thank you, Nick Dragotta.
September 20, 2021
Never really cared about any of the characters.
June 23, 2024
The 4,43 rating gotta be a mistake.
This series, enjoyable for the first two volumes, in the third reveals it's been treading very shallow waters. With multiple characters, too many sub-plots, tonality undecided (was it serious, light-hearted, cartoonish... which was it?), it tries to wrap things quickly and in the least satisfying way.
The ending is HORRIBLE. It's something out of the high-schooler's wannabe writer mind. The whole mythology gets thrown out the window and implied mysticism or whatever that is serves Hickman only to introduce wacky inhuman characters, who btw act exactly like humans would. I guess - the regular people are too boring for Mr JH. The dialogue gets annoying and pretentious minute after minute, revealing that nothing was really going to happen and it never was supposed to arrive anywhere. I'm gonna be honest- I'm really tired of those half-baked ideas being transformed into novels spanning insane amount of issues, with not a real ending in sight. The apocalypse never comes, the child never becomes a beast - basically, anything that created any anticipation at the beginning of the story doesn't happen - but it's even worse than that - it's almost like Hickman forgot what he was writing about.
A terrible ending can kill a good story, but it can also reveal that the story was never good to begin with.
My plea is this - comic book writers - please, don't make readers buy your scrapbooks (Lemire, I'm looking at you). I don't know - maybe take some writing courses, how to follow through with grandiose ideas, how to focus on lesser subplots and how not to hide lack of a story drive behind some pseudo-mysticism.
Man. That ending was terrible.
EDIT:
I couldn't sleep, so I dreamt more things I hate about this kind of writing.
It seems like many comic book writers fell in love with a structure of failed tv-series or cash-grab movie franchises. I couldn't shake the feeling that I relived this disappointment many times over already and quickly was reminded of new Star Wars movies or Game Of Thrones basically hitting self-destruct button at the last two seasons run. It's the constant lack of respect towards, well, the core ideas that make up whatever world-building there is in the story. The shitty writer somehow has this idea that the story can go ANYWHERE. Well, it can't. You're writing a sci-fi. You set the rules. If you break them, or worse, forget them, everyone notices. If not, well - I guess you have found the audience for this kind of crap.
Second thing - I don't know how to word it properly - English is not my first language.
Let's call it - the assumption. Assuming that the reader will fill the blanks, where characterization failed. Lemire does this religiously - however, he often forces a reader to conjure up their own story, cause he's selling only the premise. Here, the premise is there, but the characters range from super-serious to comic-reliefs, to failed copies of similar heroes in other comic books (SAGA anyone? Vaughn should be suing Hickman). The worst is I'm supposed to understand the dozen of them and acknowledge that they can't be one dimensional, cause Hickman wrote for them two extra lines of vague dialogue. There are fractions taking part in a political "drama" distinguished in a way some old-school strategy video games would do. The motivation for war games is interesting, but it's never actually shown - things happen somewhere, we don't feel any impact of it. The whole religious angle and how it motivates the politics it's never realized - the chosen ones, they do nothing, there's no interactions with the four riders, it's like, they're all there in the story and it's suppose to overlap, but it never does. It's like Hickman wrote all of these ideas on a paper, but never figured out how to actually connect them in a causative manner- it's pretty much like talking about "the winter is coming" in GoT, but eventually, it never freaking comes and you leave the reader frustrated.
Subverting expectations is best done, when subtle, almost unnoticeable.
The third and biggest sin is that the only person using a medium of a comic is the drawing artist - the script writer is basically trying to write a tv-show. I hate that approach. I don't need throw-away lines of (mostly) woman characters to let me know they're strong and independent. I can already SEE they're badass. The whole page "BLAM" in one of the issues feels like almost a parody of the medium.
Ok... I gotta go.
There are great ideas in these books and the whole premise keeps you interested up until this volume.
The art is pretty fun.
But the story, well, it's not good. Who am I kidding? There's no story really. Not in a real, serious dramatic sense.
I'll finish this with another classic movie reference - you start reading it and it feels it's gonna be like "Empire Strikes Back" serious and epic. But then it actually turns out to be "The Last Jedi".
This series, enjoyable for the first two volumes, in the third reveals it's been treading very shallow waters. With multiple characters, too many sub-plots, tonality undecided (was it serious, light-hearted, cartoonish... which was it?), it tries to wrap things quickly and in the least satisfying way.
The ending is HORRIBLE. It's something out of the high-schooler's wannabe writer mind. The whole mythology gets thrown out the window and implied mysticism or whatever that is serves Hickman only to introduce wacky inhuman characters, who btw act exactly like humans would. I guess - the regular people are too boring for Mr JH. The dialogue gets annoying and pretentious minute after minute, revealing that nothing was really going to happen and it never was supposed to arrive anywhere. I'm gonna be honest- I'm really tired of those half-baked ideas being transformed into novels spanning insane amount of issues, with not a real ending in sight. The apocalypse never comes, the child never becomes a beast - basically, anything that created any anticipation at the beginning of the story doesn't happen - but it's even worse than that - it's almost like Hickman forgot what he was writing about.
A terrible ending can kill a good story, but it can also reveal that the story was never good to begin with.
My plea is this - comic book writers - please, don't make readers buy your scrapbooks (Lemire, I'm looking at you). I don't know - maybe take some writing courses, how to follow through with grandiose ideas, how to focus on lesser subplots and how not to hide lack of a story drive behind some pseudo-mysticism.
Man. That ending was terrible.
EDIT:
I couldn't sleep, so I dreamt more things I hate about this kind of writing.
It seems like many comic book writers fell in love with a structure of failed tv-series or cash-grab movie franchises. I couldn't shake the feeling that I relived this disappointment many times over already and quickly was reminded of new Star Wars movies or Game Of Thrones basically hitting self-destruct button at the last two seasons run. It's the constant lack of respect towards, well, the core ideas that make up whatever world-building there is in the story. The shitty writer somehow has this idea that the story can go ANYWHERE. Well, it can't. You're writing a sci-fi. You set the rules. If you break them, or worse, forget them, everyone notices. If not, well - I guess you have found the audience for this kind of crap.
Second thing - I don't know how to word it properly - English is not my first language.
Let's call it - the assumption. Assuming that the reader will fill the blanks, where characterization failed. Lemire does this religiously - however, he often forces a reader to conjure up their own story, cause he's selling only the premise. Here, the premise is there, but the characters range from super-serious to comic-reliefs, to failed copies of similar heroes in other comic books (SAGA anyone? Vaughn should be suing Hickman). The worst is I'm supposed to understand the dozen of them and acknowledge that they can't be one dimensional, cause Hickman wrote for them two extra lines of vague dialogue. There are fractions taking part in a political "drama" distinguished in a way some old-school strategy video games would do. The motivation for war games is interesting, but it's never actually shown - things happen somewhere, we don't feel any impact of it. The whole religious angle and how it motivates the politics it's never realized - the chosen ones, they do nothing, there's no interactions with the four riders, it's like, they're all there in the story and it's suppose to overlap, but it never does. It's like Hickman wrote all of these ideas on a paper, but never figured out how to actually connect them in a causative manner- it's pretty much like talking about "the winter is coming" in GoT, but eventually, it never freaking comes and you leave the reader frustrated.
Subverting expectations is best done, when subtle, almost unnoticeable.
The third and biggest sin is that the only person using a medium of a comic is the drawing artist - the script writer is basically trying to write a tv-show. I hate that approach. I don't need throw-away lines of (mostly) woman characters to let me know they're strong and independent. I can already SEE they're badass. The whole page "BLAM" in one of the issues feels like almost a parody of the medium.
Ok... I gotta go.
There are great ideas in these books and the whole premise keeps you interested up until this volume.
The art is pretty fun.
But the story, well, it's not good. Who am I kidding? There's no story really. Not in a real, serious dramatic sense.
I'll finish this with another classic movie reference - you start reading it and it feels it's gonna be like "Empire Strikes Back" serious and epic. But then it actually turns out to be "The Last Jedi".
May 20, 2023
Jonathan Hickman created this post-apocalyptic, pseudo-biblical, sci-fi, dystopian, horror, oriental-western.
Gory macabre tale about an apocryphal message prophesying the reincarnated Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the dynasties and political powers contriving to end the world!
Completely original concept and story-line. Unique characters... with DEATH portrayed as a pale white gunslinger on a mechanical-alien headless-canon horse.
I did not expect this series to be so captivating. Yep, it is ghastly. But it is so unique and original. Several narrative arcs are coming into their own trajectory that imply an ultimate convergence.
Politics, economics, power, law, religion, magic, tribal identity all imbue this characterization of mythical world-views regarding life, death, famine, conquest and the pre-eminence of gods.
THE best final showdown of any story, of any medium!
Fitting conclusion, who would have thought… Love wins out! ****
Redemption in its purist form. Phenomenally epic series. Well done
#30
Back into it.
“I knew it the first time I saw you. A stalking Wolf who leads man on the last hunt.” - Crow
#31
“Weapons I can do. Soldiers, I cannot.
But that’s a problem easily solved. You’re the President, let conscription become your new favourite word. Called it patriotism, that’s a hook the fish love.” - Archibald
.
#32
"Just because you can't see the strings doesn't mean you're not a puppet."
.
#33
At the funeral pyre.
“Goodbye, uncle. You are now free. Begin your great hunt.”
.
#34
"Call me vengeance.
Call me revenge.
Call me the answer to an insult." - Anon (actually 'knife of Xiaolan').
"Well, that's a bit melodramatic. Don't you think?" - Archibald
..
Better and better
#35
"This, Babylon [son of Death], is a monument to the impermanence of man."
.
#36
"When a conquering nation has no external enemies, it turns its aggression inward.
A kind of natural schism occurs .. and the enemy becomes yourself.
The old ways start to fear the new ways.
And the new ways have contempt for the ones that came before."
“Tearing something down is easy.
Holding on to it.
… building something better
… that demands more than rage.” – Prophet Wolf
#37
“Bel and the Confederate…
I’ll deal with you last.
Let my rage run good and hot..” – Lawman
.
#38
“The whims of a king are the needs of a people – and those whims are not to be questioned.”
Intense, unpredictable, savage, intriguing.
#39
“We are entering that ethereal time between primordial day and eternal night. Shadows grow long, light bends ad distorts, dreams touch earth and are given life.”
.
#40
“Blood on the ground. Ash in the sky.”
.
#41
“Yeah, well, there’s this thing people do where they assume those in power haven’t earned it.
… But sometimes what you’re looking up at is a predator, and the hill is made of bones.” – John Freeman
.
#42
THE best showdown of any story, of any medium!
“We’ll finish this thing ONCE AND FOR ALL.” – War
“Just name the place. I’ll be there.” – Death
“How’s the Valley of the Gods sound? Can you pay the toll to walk that road, old man?” – War
“You think I won’t?” – Death
“Oh, I hope you do. It’s perfect really …” – War
.
EAST OF WEST VOLUME 10:
#43
“Maybe this is what all the waiting does to me … Makes me too introspective. Clouds my prophetic vision of what will likely be, with the cost of bringing it to pass.” - Wolf
EAST OF WEST #44
“I’m not gonna lie, I am impressed with that one’s spirit.” Referring to Xiaolian
EAST OF WEST #45
“The indignity of it .. Being struck down by a do-gooder. I just might die of shame before I bleed out ..”
Fitting conclusion, who would have thought… Love wins out! ****
Phenomenally epic series. Well done.
Gory macabre tale about an apocryphal message prophesying the reincarnated Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the dynasties and political powers contriving to end the world!
Completely original concept and story-line. Unique characters... with DEATH portrayed as a pale white gunslinger on a mechanical-alien headless-canon horse.
I did not expect this series to be so captivating. Yep, it is ghastly. But it is so unique and original. Several narrative arcs are coming into their own trajectory that imply an ultimate convergence.
Politics, economics, power, law, religion, magic, tribal identity all imbue this characterization of mythical world-views regarding life, death, famine, conquest and the pre-eminence of gods.
THE best final showdown of any story, of any medium!
Fitting conclusion, who would have thought… Love wins out! ****
Redemption in its purist form. Phenomenally epic series. Well done
#30
Back into it.
“I knew it the first time I saw you. A stalking Wolf who leads man on the last hunt.” - Crow
#31
“Weapons I can do. Soldiers, I cannot.
But that’s a problem easily solved. You’re the President, let conscription become your new favourite word. Called it patriotism, that’s a hook the fish love.” - Archibald
.
#32
"Just because you can't see the strings doesn't mean you're not a puppet."
.
#33
At the funeral pyre.
“Goodbye, uncle. You are now free. Begin your great hunt.”
.
#34
"Call me vengeance.
Call me revenge.
Call me the answer to an insult." - Anon (actually 'knife of Xiaolan').
"Well, that's a bit melodramatic. Don't you think?" - Archibald
..
Better and better
#35
"This, Babylon [son of Death], is a monument to the impermanence of man."
.
#36
"When a conquering nation has no external enemies, it turns its aggression inward.
A kind of natural schism occurs .. and the enemy becomes yourself.
The old ways start to fear the new ways.
And the new ways have contempt for the ones that came before."
“Tearing something down is easy.
Holding on to it.
… building something better
… that demands more than rage.” – Prophet Wolf
#37
“Bel and the Confederate…
I’ll deal with you last.
Let my rage run good and hot..” – Lawman
.
#38
“The whims of a king are the needs of a people – and those whims are not to be questioned.”
Intense, unpredictable, savage, intriguing.
#39
“We are entering that ethereal time between primordial day and eternal night. Shadows grow long, light bends ad distorts, dreams touch earth and are given life.”
.
#40
“Blood on the ground. Ash in the sky.”
.
#41
“Yeah, well, there’s this thing people do where they assume those in power haven’t earned it.
… But sometimes what you’re looking up at is a predator, and the hill is made of bones.” – John Freeman
.
#42
THE best showdown of any story, of any medium!
“We’ll finish this thing ONCE AND FOR ALL.” – War
“Just name the place. I’ll be there.” – Death
“How’s the Valley of the Gods sound? Can you pay the toll to walk that road, old man?” – War
“You think I won’t?” – Death
“Oh, I hope you do. It’s perfect really …” – War
.
EAST OF WEST VOLUME 10:
#43
“Maybe this is what all the waiting does to me … Makes me too introspective. Clouds my prophetic vision of what will likely be, with the cost of bringing it to pass.” - Wolf
EAST OF WEST #44
“I’m not gonna lie, I am impressed with that one’s spirit.” Referring to Xiaolian
EAST OF WEST #45
“The indignity of it .. Being struck down by a do-gooder. I just might die of shame before I bleed out ..”
Fitting conclusion, who would have thought… Love wins out! ****
Phenomenally epic series. Well done.
October 2, 2021
This will be more of a reflection on modern America than a review. And so to begin, I’ll quote a few modern prophets from England.
And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make.
-The Beatles
Have you heard the message? That’s the central question that echos throughout the book, starting with Year One.
The message is a prophetic, very Bible based poem that unites the fate of a few people who each believe it to varying degrees. The message concludes with love. Which is awesome and a bit ironic because this book has a lot of blood and violence. This trippy, post apocalyptic, alternative to America, violent yet compelling, beautifully drawn book comes down to parents sacrificing for their kids. It reminds me of one of my favorite Nietzsche quotes:
Someone with a why can endure any how.
I teach in the inner city, and right now, shit is hard. Kids faces are hidden behind masks, the sirens sound outside the school with regularity, oh yeah and the corona virus continues to rage. I’ve never seen such defeated looks on teenagers, but, given the default narrative, I don’t blame them.
On the American dollar says: In God we Trust.
For many people, that is no longer true. (Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/268205/a...)
Life, as presented by the ever present black mirror (screens) is bleak. Modern values, if the primary color of your ethical kaleidoscope, are empty. If your why is power, fame, or possessions, you’re fucked. That is a false idol. Yet, that’s the golden calf that we, the new Rome, trot out as the default pursuit of happiness. And hey, it made us rich.
I think it’s important to see the light. To hear the message. To hold fast to it.
Because amidst the violence, beyond the coronavirus doomscrolling, even percolating inside the “influencers,” love is present. Love is here, it’s available now. It’s beyond the screen you’re reading on so when you finish this, do yourself a favor: go talk to someone you love. If that’s not possible, text them and just say hi. If we remind one another of our value - just that you matter and you’re enough and you are loved - we can hear the message. Not just hear it, but be the message and let it shine.
Don’t give up. Love.
And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make.
-The Beatles
Have you heard the message? That’s the central question that echos throughout the book, starting with Year One.
The message is a prophetic, very Bible based poem that unites the fate of a few people who each believe it to varying degrees. The message concludes with love. Which is awesome and a bit ironic because this book has a lot of blood and violence. This trippy, post apocalyptic, alternative to America, violent yet compelling, beautifully drawn book comes down to parents sacrificing for their kids. It reminds me of one of my favorite Nietzsche quotes:
Someone with a why can endure any how.
I teach in the inner city, and right now, shit is hard. Kids faces are hidden behind masks, the sirens sound outside the school with regularity, oh yeah and the corona virus continues to rage. I’ve never seen such defeated looks on teenagers, but, given the default narrative, I don’t blame them.
On the American dollar says: In God we Trust.
For many people, that is no longer true. (Source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/268205/a...)
Life, as presented by the ever present black mirror (screens) is bleak. Modern values, if the primary color of your ethical kaleidoscope, are empty. If your why is power, fame, or possessions, you’re fucked. That is a false idol. Yet, that’s the golden calf that we, the new Rome, trot out as the default pursuit of happiness. And hey, it made us rich.
I think it’s important to see the light. To hear the message. To hold fast to it.
Because amidst the violence, beyond the coronavirus doomscrolling, even percolating inside the “influencers,” love is present. Love is here, it’s available now. It’s beyond the screen you’re reading on so when you finish this, do yourself a favor: go talk to someone you love. If that’s not possible, text them and just say hi. If we remind one another of our value - just that you matter and you’re enough and you are loved - we can hear the message. Not just hear it, but be the message and let it shine.
Don’t give up. Love.
August 4, 2024
Jonathan Hickman's East of West is an extraordinary foray into a dystopian world where alternate history, sci-fi, and Western genres converge in a brilliantly woven narrative. Hickman’s storytelling is nothing short of genius, blending intricate political intrigue with deeply personal character arcs. Each issue layers on complexity, ensuring that readers are constantly engaged, uncovering new facets of this richly constructed world.
Nick Dragotta's artwork is, in a word, perfect. His visual storytelling matches Hickman's narrative prowess, delivering striking and memorable imagery that stays with you long after you've turned the last page. The detailed line work, dynamic compositions, and with the brilliant colorist Frank Martin (and I usually have no idea who did colors in comics) who adds vibrant yet haunting color palettes, breathes life into the desolate landscapes and diverse cast of characters.
It is my favorite story that I never wanted to put down until the last page was absorbed into my memory. Hoping one day, this phenomenal team will take their skills to another land for us again. Enjoy
Nick Dragotta's artwork is, in a word, perfect. His visual storytelling matches Hickman's narrative prowess, delivering striking and memorable imagery that stays with you long after you've turned the last page. The detailed line work, dynamic compositions, and with the brilliant colorist Frank Martin (and I usually have no idea who did colors in comics) who adds vibrant yet haunting color palettes, breathes life into the desolate landscapes and diverse cast of characters.
It is my favorite story that I never wanted to put down until the last page was absorbed into my memory. Hoping one day, this phenomenal team will take their skills to another land for us again. Enjoy
November 27, 2020
A perfect ending to a perfect story.
Finally, Year Three, the final hardcover volume of my favorite comic series of all time is out and boy, what a ride.
This time around, Dragotta’s artwork is even more stellar than usual. The attack of the pslams, the treason between the people, rebellion against the Union, Babylon’s moral conflict when he’s not sure about what to do, the war which is raging through America as Apocalypse approaches, the final fight between the Confederation and the PRA, Wolf becoming the Chief of the End of Times. Everything is just, again, so good and well written that I’m losing my words.
The ending fight between the Horsemen is just insane and so intense, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The signature of a new treaty that prioritizes peace over war and politics was a great twist and I was really expecting the world to just end. I would’ve Death to be reunited with Xiaolian and Babylon tho.. this one was a big tearjerker.
(Ps: Babylon looks kinda weird under his mask)
Finally, Year Three, the final hardcover volume of my favorite comic series of all time is out and boy, what a ride.
This time around, Dragotta’s artwork is even more stellar than usual. The attack of the pslams, the treason between the people, rebellion against the Union, Babylon’s moral conflict when he’s not sure about what to do, the war which is raging through America as Apocalypse approaches, the final fight between the Confederation and the PRA, Wolf becoming the Chief of the End of Times. Everything is just, again, so good and well written that I’m losing my words.
The ending fight between the Horsemen is just insane and so intense, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The signature of a new treaty that prioritizes peace over war and politics was a great twist and I was really expecting the world to just end. I would’ve Death to be reunited with Xiaolian and Babylon tho.. this one was a big tearjerker.
(Ps: Babylon looks kinda weird under his mask)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2021
Llega la esperada conclusión de East of West, una serie original y extraña que mezcla un mundo postapocalíptico con facciones enfrentadas en una lucha de poder por el control de norteamérica, referencias bíblicas, toques de western y diálogos y personajes muy acertados.
Me cuesta hablar en profundidad de este cómic porque no tengo los dos primeros tomos recientes, el caso es que para mi gusto el final ha sido quizás un poco abrupto, pero también tengo la sensación de que (aunque en realidad no es un cómic dificil de entender) algo me impide comprenderlo en toda su dimensión, en algún momento releeré los tres tomos seguidos porque la verdad es que es una serie que merece la pena revisitar y ahí será el momento de escribir una reseña completa y con fundamento.
Hasta entonces sólo decir que creo que esto quedará como una serie de culto, quizás no sea de las más reconocidas de la segunda década del siglo XXI y seguramente no terminará teniendo adaptación televisiva como últimamente resulta casi habitual, pero mucha gente la recordará como algo especial.
Me cuesta hablar en profundidad de este cómic porque no tengo los dos primeros tomos recientes, el caso es que para mi gusto el final ha sido quizás un poco abrupto, pero también tengo la sensación de que (aunque en realidad no es un cómic dificil de entender) algo me impide comprenderlo en toda su dimensión, en algún momento releeré los tres tomos seguidos porque la verdad es que es una serie que merece la pena revisitar y ahí será el momento de escribir una reseña completa y con fundamento.
Hasta entonces sólo decir que creo que esto quedará como una serie de culto, quizás no sea de las más reconocidas de la segunda década del siglo XXI y seguramente no terminará teniendo adaptación televisiva como últimamente resulta casi habitual, pero mucha gente la recordará como algo especial.
March 21, 2022
As with other large graphic novels this review is both for Year Three and for the whole of the comic since Year Three is the end.
Year 3 was nearly as incredible as year 1 and 2. I do feel like it meandered a bit in the middle not really sure how to wrap up. The art was still amazing. The ending felt a little hurried but fine. I also thought that the three horsemen ended up being largely anticlimactic. Chamberlain and Hu had some of the best parts of this year.
As far as the whole series? 5/5 Amazing.
The art is stunning, the characters fleshed out and interesting, the story was immense, Dialogue quick and witty and fun.
It was a weird one to get in to because you are introduced to pretty much all the characters within a few pages. Once you got the hang of it The storylines were beautifully intertwined. Hickman did a great job with the winding of the different stories keeping them similarly paced and almost always about to run into each other.
My only complaints are the 3 horsemen's story felt underdone... and I wanted more of everything from the story.
Year 3 was nearly as incredible as year 1 and 2. I do feel like it meandered a bit in the middle not really sure how to wrap up. The art was still amazing. The ending felt a little hurried but fine. I also thought that the three horsemen ended up being largely anticlimactic. Chamberlain and Hu had some of the best parts of this year.
As far as the whole series? 5/5 Amazing.
The art is stunning, the characters fleshed out and interesting, the story was immense, Dialogue quick and witty and fun.
It was a weird one to get in to because you are introduced to pretty much all the characters within a few pages. Once you got the hang of it The storylines were beautifully intertwined. Hickman did a great job with the winding of the different stories keeping them similarly paced and almost always about to run into each other.
My only complaints are the 3 horsemen's story felt underdone... and I wanted more of everything from the story.
May 2, 2024
4.5 out 5 stars.
Really strong ending. Series was amazing from all standpoints including art, narrative, journey, prose but lacks in the character department. Perhaps the complaints from other detractors on his Marvel work have a point. Given his zeal for neat world building, creativity and jaw dropping narratives the characters become left in a shadow. This is much easier to hide at the big two given the characters are well known and viewed by readers. There were barely any characters in this story that actually have a resonance with people given the world created. Perhaps players like Bel and his Lawman and potentially Death and his wolf brother. Yet both are foreign. The same can be said of Babylon. But his ending was a delight. But his helmet seems a prototype for Hickman's Marvel work. I once viewed these 'special' characters very differently; yet here this talisman definitely changes the way I view such from Hickman going forward.
Really strong ending. Series was amazing from all standpoints including art, narrative, journey, prose but lacks in the character department. Perhaps the complaints from other detractors on his Marvel work have a point. Given his zeal for neat world building, creativity and jaw dropping narratives the characters become left in a shadow. This is much easier to hide at the big two given the characters are well known and viewed by readers. There were barely any characters in this story that actually have a resonance with people given the world created. Perhaps players like Bel and his Lawman and potentially Death and his wolf brother. Yet both are foreign. The same can be said of Babylon. But his ending was a delight. But his helmet seems a prototype for Hickman's Marvel work. I once viewed these 'special' characters very differently; yet here this talisman definitely changes the way I view such from Hickman going forward.
July 31, 2022
The final volume has some great action scenes, confrontations between factions and a nice resolution that ties up most of the plot. The art is probably at its best in this final volume, which is saying something. Story wise I was expecting something slightly bigger after all the setup and being teased with the apocalypse for 40+ issues. The ending is both quietly subversive (which I like) and a bit anticlimactic at the same time. It’s definitely the ending Hickman intended and set out to write though, which I can appreciate. It doesn’t leave any plot threads dangling. I’m sad to leave this world and characters behind, because I had a great time with them. I will definitely reread the whole series at some point.
December 29, 2020
A great end to a series that I would definitely say is one of my top 5 comic series of all time. The setting alone was something that always impressed me with this series, and finally getting to see the culmination of all the conflicts between the nations was just stellar. The art especially in these final issues was on another level, and some critical character moments felt like they had an extra level of detail added. The story ended in a way I somewhat expected, but I was glad that it wasn’t as apocalyptic as it could of been for my favourite characters, which would definitely be Wolf and Crow. I hope that maybe there may be some further stories set in this world, but for now, I think it was a great wrap up, to a majority positive series.
July 12, 2021
We got there in the end - good stuff and engaging.
The saga comes to and end with all parties fighting it out for supremacy and Babylon finding his fate. It's a very long read (512 pages) and I read it on a tablet which took several attempts. It's a fitting end and nicely-produced, with good writing, although a little pompous at times, and enjoyable artwork. Obviously it's not worth reading as a stand-alone but i encourage all comic book lovers to read the whole series. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The saga comes to and end with all parties fighting it out for supremacy and Babylon finding his fate. It's a very long read (512 pages) and I read it on a tablet which took several attempts. It's a fitting end and nicely-produced, with good writing, although a little pompous at times, and enjoyable artwork. Obviously it's not worth reading as a stand-alone but i encourage all comic book lovers to read the whole series. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2023
The book stayed very good until the end. With so much going on I wish it were at least 10 issues longer to flush some things out and create more impact with the ending. I left feeling kind of emotionless which isn’t good. The art is such a highlight in this series even more so then the writing I think. Hickman did very well with the plotting here. The issue I had is making me feel something for the characters. I felt dislike for some of them, but that’s just about it. Overall it’s a very entertaining read with excellent art.
August 7, 2024
Yeah so I finished this book and it's still ok.
I wish the book would've addressed how the horsemen fit in the story or how their power/rebirth works. None of that is explained. Cut the horsemen from the book and the story still works, isn't that odd?
On the other side the leaders of the different nations are killing each other and a great unification saves America. Sure, that ending is fine, but not really exciting, when the whole book is speaking about the end times.
Art is still great.
Not my cup of tea, but it's not a bad by any means.
I wish the book would've addressed how the horsemen fit in the story or how their power/rebirth works. None of that is explained. Cut the horsemen from the book and the story still works, isn't that odd?
On the other side the leaders of the different nations are killing each other and a great unification saves America. Sure, that ending is fine, but not really exciting, when the whole book is speaking about the end times.
Art is still great.
Not my cup of tea, but it's not a bad by any means.
August 27, 2024
9/10
Never seen so many different genres tied together into one story. It's not crazy to say that this felt short even though it was 45 issues, but if Hickman really wanted to dive into the characters and ideas he was exploring this could've been twice as long. Supreme worldbuilding along with characters from so many backgrounds clashing with each other of their desired vision for the world and what their future holds. This is probably the best comic from Image I've read and wonder what can stack up to this.
Never seen so many different genres tied together into one story. It's not crazy to say that this felt short even though it was 45 issues, but if Hickman really wanted to dive into the characters and ideas he was exploring this could've been twice as long. Supreme worldbuilding along with characters from so many backgrounds clashing with each other of their desired vision for the world and what their future holds. This is probably the best comic from Image I've read and wonder what can stack up to this.
January 2, 2021
This is a phenomenal read.
Visually appealing, expressive, and as much part of the storytelling as the dialogue. It is a complete and whole story in every aspect. In no way drawn out yet it leaves no reasonable question unanswered.
The story ends. The journey is complete. The reader sated. It is as it always was to be.
Visually appealing, expressive, and as much part of the storytelling as the dialogue. It is a complete and whole story in every aspect. In no way drawn out yet it leaves no reasonable question unanswered.
The story ends. The journey is complete. The reader sated. It is as it always was to be.
July 8, 2021
This third and final volume doesn't reach the heights of volume 1, but at least it's not volume 2. The climax is rushed, a couple of deaths (no pun intended) are fan-servicy and illogical, the ending feels kinda bland. All in all, East of West is a very good read and I'm going to miss the wonderful world Hickman and Dragotta built.
August 6, 2022
Well, I was not expecting that ending. This whole series has been so imaginative, and don't even get me started on the colors. The pages are so eye-popping. I'm still a little unclear whether my interpretation of the series is correct and I'm not sure if it's meant to be. The final battle, while strongly symbolic, was also a little disappointing, but it's still a pretty great series.
January 4, 2023
Hickman ends this series with a strange payoff that seems a little non-congruent with the overall feel of the comic. Dragotta draws his butt off in the final few volumes. An enjoyable read, but not my favorite writing from Hickman. A great introduction to Dragotta's pencils, though. You will enjoy this if you like post-apocalyptic settings and villainous characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews