In the second volume of Jonathan Hickman’s alternate-Western/Sci-Fi operatic epic, more deadly troubles are revealed, more hell comes a knocking, and Death pays a price for a little info. The politics of the weird world grow more and more strange, as nations build for the coming war. All the while, Death’s kid sits, deep inside a cyber-dungeon, waiting for the time when he can rise and become an instrument of apocalypse.
By this stage in the story, there are so many threads, so many characters. It really does feel like a grand epic. Not only is it big storytelling, writ on a huge, Western inspired canvas. But it’s also high emotional drama about families, dynasties, rivalries, revenge, and zealotry.
East of West revels in the format, telling a massive, cinematic, operatic story in lush color and stark imagery. I can not wait to see how this tale develops. If the ending can live up to the beginning, this should stand alongside other great epics with no shame. It’s a must read, and another reminder that companies outside of the Big Two are producing some swell graphic literature.
East of West Volume Two
Author: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Publisher: Image Comics
ISBN: 978-1-60706-855-6
My review of volume 1 is here.
-Matthew J. Constantine
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