Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin continue the science fiction saga set in a dystopian western in the second complete volume of East of the West, published by Norma Editorial
After a start that at the time consecrated the series as one of the great affirmations of Image Comics and that his screenwriter put in, Dr. Jonathan Hickmanin the center of all eyes, now Editorial Standard publishes the second compiled volume of East of West. Wars, conspiracies, biblical references and much more Western post-apocalyptic in this volume that comes with the promise of surprising readers.
War and Politics
The most human and earthly part of this second volume will focus on politics and war, which as many like to say is nothing more than an extension of the first. During the first volume the pieces of the board were placed and, as per a version of game of Thrones We were talking about weapons, now it’s time to see how betrayals happen, how alliances are created and how pacts are broken. And, of course, all this will end up being paid for by the lower strata of the population in the form of death…
The truth is that the comparison with fiction emerged from the head of George R.R. Martin It is not gratuitous, but many similarities can be established between the two stories. It is not just a matter of mixing fantasy elements with the most banal plots that have found an echo in our history or of having strongly characterized characters that go beyond life, whose decisions affect millions of lives. Furthermore, the narrative tone is often what we found Westand here too it is used very successfully.
After the failed negotiations in the previous volume, the shadow of war darkens this divided continent and we begin to see changes in the borders of the map. It is surprising that the authors generally do not enjoy showing large war scenes, something in which the brilliant Nick Dragotta they could work miracles, and while they manage to ensure that this is not necessary for the narrative pacing to work and the story to be understood perfectly, they miss out on a little more mass action to highlight the scope of the conflict.
Death and the Knights
On the supernatural side of the story we find Death in the role of the main character (perhaps this is saying a lot, given that the narration constantly changes the focus of the story making everything very choral), following the path of his son, the Beastalso known as Elected the Babylonvirtually raised and fed by machines, as was done in Matrix, as he prepares for the terrible mission that fate has reserved for him.
On the other hand we will see what the character of Lux House takes on importance when it is sent by the president of the UnionMrs. Antonia LeVay (who appears to be under the orders of Hunger, Victory And War), as a diplomat to negotiate peace with the Eternal Nation.
It should also be highlighted XiaolianDeath’s beloved, mother of the Beast and leader of the Mao’s Housebecause one of the most beautiful chapters of this volume will be centered on her. It is an episode narrated almost without dialogues in which she will be the target of an attack in which the artistic team gives everything to achieve excellence through a narration that is very reminiscent of the style of Frank Miller.
To these we should add the ever-witty Archibald Chamberlainto the intrepid and the young John Freemangrand prince heir to the throne of New Orleans, already future great king and best gunslinger Ezra Orionwhose interaction with what we know as Message It will have great, terrible and threatening repercussions. This will be one of the key points that at the end of the volume will leave everything ready so that the next volume, which will be the last, will be eagerly awaited by all those who have not yet read this story…
A pretentious delight
As for the drawing, it is the work of the artist Nick Dragotta and the colorist Frank Martin It is worthy of praise. Its subtle evolution for the better from the first volume is palpable and, while it is true that there are points where there is room for improvement, such as the background design, we now see characters characterized with much more strength and expressiveness, as well as some truly spectacular, if rare, moments of action.
If anything characterizes Hickman’s stories, it is the grandeur he gives them, and this is no exception. The meticulousness that overflows every panel and the feeling that every line of dialogue is taken from a book of lapidary phrases gives the comic an aura of excellence that is at the same time its greatest virtue and its greatest defect, since at times it can seem that we are faced with a more pretentious script than it should be. Fortunately, given the intensity of the events narrated, pretentiousness is not a bad thing for East of the West…
This edition presented by Editorial Standard It is available in hardback format without dust jacket with a page size of 17 x 26 cm and contains the translation of the original edition of issues no. 16 to no. 29 of the series East of West in addition to the special The world and a final section full of extra material. The volume contains 424 pages in color. The suggested retail price is €45 and went on sale in August 2024.
East of West – The Apocalypse: Year Two
THE SECOND ACT OF JONATHAN HICKMAN’S GREAT APOCALYPTIC SAGA
Death continues to search for Babylon while the other three horsemen of the Apocalypse pursue him. All this in a divided America where conspiracies multiply.
Dr. Jonathan Hickman And Nick Dragotta They continue to amaze with the second part of this fantastic series from Image Comics.
Authors: Dr. Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta And Frank Martin