Years after hitting it big at Marvel with his runs on “Fantastic Four” and “FF,” Jonathan Hickman remains committed to his creator owned works. The newest of which, “East of West,” sees Hickman teaming up with “FF” collaborator Nick Dragotta for what looks to be one of his grandest endeavors yet.
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Illustrated by Nick Dragotta“OUT OF THE WASTELAND”
The things that divide us are stronger than the things that unite us. A Sci-Fi Western set in a dystopian America where all hope for the future rests in the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse…who just happen to be trying to kill the President of the United States.
One of the most exciting new books of the year, this is EAST OF WEST, a brand new, ongoing, monthly comic from the award-winning team of Marvel’s FF, JONATHAN HICKMAN and NICK DRAGOTTA.
It’s official, Jonathan Hickman has reached cryptic critical mass. Known for his cosmic high concepts and big ideas, fans have come to expect a certain level of vague grandstanding in Hickman’s writing, knowing that understanding and pay off will come somewhere down the line. While his work “FF” and “Manhattan Projects” are full of heady sci-fi concepts, the real focus is on their respective cast of characters. This is in contrast to his recent work on “Avengers,” which is far more plot driven. “East of West” falls in line with the latter.
In “East of West” #1, Hickman somehow manages to tell an engaging story without giving the reader much information at all. It begins in the desert, with the apparent resurrection of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. We are then launched into the history of this world, in which the events of the American Civil War were altered by prophets, Indian tribes, and acts of God. As you can see, the scope of this book is nothing short of Biblical.
Maintaining the big picture approach, Hickman keeps us at an arm’s length from the characters he introduces, like the nondescript “Crow” and “Wolf.” Others are entirely unnamed, leaving the reader to assume their identities. Vague statements like “I’ll see you on the second day, at the Golden Bridge, on the burning plain,” litter this book, with only slightest tease of possible meeting. Latter-day revelations, the events leading to this issue, and an entire alternate history waiting to be fleshed out hover just outside the reader’s reach. It’s a testament to Hickman’s ability to weave an intriguing tale that the whole thing doesn’t come crashing down.
Even with the massive scope, “East of West” manages to find its grounding in the eerie similarities between its world and our own. While our own Civil War resulted in a reunified nation, discrimination and segregation remained. This issue’s pessimistic tagline “The things that divide us are stronger than the things that unite us,” captures this perfectly, and the world of “East of West” is even more fractured and divided than our own. This hyper-realized take on social problems isn’t new in sci-fi comics, but Hickman handles it in way that isn’t forced or heavy handed.
There’s not much yet that can be said of the protagonist of “East of West.” To say too much would spoil the climactic reveal at issue’s end. Suffice it to say this pale rider is equal parts Roland Deschain and Skinner Sweet.
As a mash up of several stylistically heavy genres (post-apocalyptic, western, sci-fi, to name a few) “East of West” dangles several hooks by which to reel in readers. Thankfully, this hodge-podge of styles flows seamlessly together in the pencils of Nick Dragotta. Moving away from the exaggerated style seen in “FF,” Dragotta’s pencils are more realistic, fitting of this gritty western setting. That’s not to say this is a photo-realistic book. Rather, Dragotta and colorist Frank Martin’s work is suitably surreal, depicting monochromatic Native Americans, robotic horses, and living eye balls.
It wouldn’t be a Hickman book without a snazzy sense of design. “East of West” features the same kind minimalistic title pages seen in “Avengers” and “New Avengers.” The upside down “triforce” logo is featured prominently in these pages and throughout the story itself. When depicting flashbacks, the edges of the panels fray and a subtle, hazy filter is applied, giving these sections a distinct visual style.
“East of West” isn’t the out of the gate success that fans would hope it to be. Even with an oversized debut issue, Hickman could’ve used more time to give the book a stronger narrative foundation. Hickman relies a little too on the “Lost method,” layering mysteries to build interest. Still, the incredible potential of the world that Hickman and Dragotta are creating is definitely on display. There are literally hundreds of stories waiting to be told about this strange alternate future, many of which are teased and seeded in this very issue. While “East of West” lacks the heart of Hickman’s other work, this first issue is an extremely fun and exciting start.
Final Verdict: 8.3 – Buy. This is a gorgeous book brimming with potential.
