At this point in
East of West the reader should have a strong hold on where this book is heading. After the first few issues paving the way and laying down a framework of characters, allegiances and world building while establishing Death's motives we move into the rest of the surrounding world. From the riots to the rise of a prince, Hickman's ease at creating a vast world is nothing short of spectacular. There was the problem of plot however, ten issues in and it still seemed as though we didn't have a central objective. Was the rising of the nations the most crucial? The remaining Horsemen's drive to take down Death? The political backstabbing throughout? No, as we see in this issue, at its heart East of West is a story of yearning and conviction.
The start of the series introduced us to Death, one of the Horsemen, who betrayed his fellow harbingers of the Apocalypse and set course to find his one true love. Depth wise, the character seemed only like a scorned lover who only wanted to bask in the light of his inamorata for all his days. We see in issue #10 however that he is more than we could have imagined. A man possessed is an understatement. No where else is this better manifested than in Dragotta's full page spread of Death himself stating that he will go the ends of the Earth to find his son. Speaking of Dragotta, the art has been so stellar in this series that it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of the ever evolving plot. This page showcases everything that is right with Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin. The offset of blue and red between the eyes highlighted on the bleached skin with every small detail of facial hair or gaunt skin make it haunting, magnificent and terrifying.
Pacing of the series has caused some readers to be concerned. Jumping from one storyline to the next every issue can be troublesome, but when each is presented and read with such ease the reader has nearly no choice but to just enjoy themselves. This fact is on full display during the battle on the Sea of Bones. The shift in colors changes abruptly, shifting the tone of the story from one of relative peace to that of violence in the course of one panel. What seemed to be a a slower issue during the first portion shifts effortlessly to become something much more kinetic. Hickman has weaved a tale where each issue feels more important than the last and his ability to change the tone on a dime allows this title to flourish. This pacing demonstrates why this isn't just a solid trade-waiting book but instead one that deserves to be read every week it comes out, relying on the reader to go back and connect the dots of the story.
East of West #10 encapsulates everything to love about this series. Interesting characters, deep story lines, artwork that I could stare at for days and Death's core plot stitching it all together. It is a story of vengeance, a story of love, a story of yearning for what is just out of your reach. And above all, it is a story about Death acting like Dirty Harry and being a total badass.
8.5 out of 9 Panels
East of West #10
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Publisher: Image Comics
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Steven DeFeo
@Stevezie
