East of West TPB Vol. 1–6 (2013–2015)
đ Genre
East of West blends science fiction, western, alternate history, and apocalyptic fantasy. The series is a genre-defying narrative where political intrigue meets mythic prophecy in a bleak yet fascinating vision of America.
đ„ Main Characters
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Death ☠️ – A pale gunslinger, one of the Four Horsemen, who turns against his brethren in search of his lost love and son.
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Xiaolian Mao ⚔️ – A fierce and strategic ruler of the House of Mao, and Death’s wife.
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Babylon đ️ – The prophesied Beast of the Apocalypse and son of Death, raised by a manipulative AI called Balloon.
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The Three Horsemen đ„ – War, Famine, and Conquest, reincarnated children determined to bring about the end of the world.
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The Chosen đ©ž – A secret council of world leaders dedicated to fulfilling the Message, a prophecy that foretells the end of days.
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Balloon đ – An enigmatic, AI-controlled floating orb that educates and manipulates Babylon.
✍️ Writer
Jonathan Hickman – Known for his intricately plotted epics (Secret Wars, House of X), Hickman crafts a dense, multi-layered tale that challenges readers with complex world-building and philosophical undertones.
đš Artist
Nick Dragotta – His stylized, expressive line work brings brutal emotion and sprawling dystopian landscapes to life, perfectly complementing Hickman’s sprawling vision.
đ️ Editor Details
Julian Totino Tedesco served as cover artist for several issues, while editorial oversight at Image Comics helped maintain creative freedom, a hallmark of Hickman’s projects.
đą Publisher and Brand
Published by Image Comics, East of West is a creator-owned title under the Image Central line, giving Hickman and Dragotta complete artistic control.
đ Release Year
The first six volumes span from 2013 to 2015, covering issues #1 through #29.
đ Brief Plot Summary
Set in a dystopian version of the United States fractured into seven nations, East of West follows the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—except one, Death, has broken ranks. As prophecy looms, the political factions jockey for power, the Chosen push forward the end times, and Death seeks to reunite with his son before the world tears itself apart. At the heart of it all is "The Message," a cryptic prophecy that seems to drive every major event.
𧩠Notable Arcs or Storylines
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"The Promise" (Vol. 1) – The foundations of the world and Death’s betrayal are laid bare.
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"We Are All One" (Vol. 2) – Tensions rise among the Seven Nations as allegiances shift.
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"There Is No Us" (Vol. 3) – Internal betrayals shake the Chosen.
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"Who Wants War?" (Vol. 4) – All-out political warfare begins.
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"All These Secrets" (Vol. 5) – Hidden truths about Babylon’s upbringing emerge.
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"The Nation Rises" (Vol. 6) – A reckoning looms as alliances crumble and war ignites.
đ§ Fan Theories or Interpretations
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The Message as Allegory đ – Many fans speculate that The Message represents religious dogma or extremist ideology, symbolizing how belief can manipulate global events.
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Death as Anti-Christ Figure đ – Death’s rebellion and personal journey has been interpreted as a subversion of traditional messianic or anti-Christ roles.
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Balloon as False Prophet đ€ – Balloon’s manipulation of Babylon fuels theories about AI being the true villain, embodying blind faith in technology.
⭐ Review Summary
East of West delivers a rich and unsettling vision of an America torn apart by prophecy and power. Hickman’s storytelling is cerebral and deliberate, challenging readers with layered plots and morally ambiguous characters. Dragotta’s art elevates the series—his dynamic paneling and brutal landscapes inject a visual poetry that captures both grandeur and intimacy. Together, they craft an epic that’s as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. A must-read for fans of dystopian sagas and mythic science fiction. đđđđ½
đ “The things that divide us are stronger than the things that unite us.” – East of West
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
