East of West (Saga) - Up from the Apocalypse
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 3:46 pm
Here's a book I hope you're reading: Jonathan Hickman's Image title 'East of West'
http://imagecomics.com/comics/series/east-of-west
I just bought the first trade of East of West along with vol. 3 of Saga (which seems to have taken an eternity to come out). I was hesitant to start reading East of West because I've been getting weary of all the post-apocalyptic landscapes that dominate today's comic books straight through the Indys and the Big 3...I know there's truth in that landscape, but more and more the stories seem to 'mean' less and 'achieve' less. But I'm an idealist, an optimist, a hesitant realist...I only really believe the dark and dreary if it comes through with moments of light, epiphany and resolution.
That's why I love Saga. The first two trades took two consecutive readings (and I plan on reading them again before heading into the third) - two back to back just to realize the lift of having had a monumental weight of listlessness rolled off my heart. Suddenly, I really cared about the characters...felt completely incorporated into the story...The hype about Saga is for real. It's a book that finally transcends the necessary bleakness of modern adult comics and marks a transition into a new restoration.
After reading the beautiful first trade collection and making my way through some of the initial confusion about the plot and various storytelling convergences...I began talking with friends and learning some of what Hickman has plotted for East of West I feel like this could be another expansion along the lines of Saga. It is happening. Even Marvel has begun shifting it's tone. Amazing X-Men has been a joy to read...not just because it features the return of my favorite character in comics (Nightcrawler) - but because it's fun. Yea, it's a joy to read. It's not stupid, childish or pandering. It's got that 90's Excalibur feel and I hope that Aaron leaving title to Kyle/Yost won't dim that exuberance.
So I don't expect East of West to be swashbuckling - but I am hoping that this is a riff on Revelations that relevates. That takes the apocalypse by the horns and lifts it up to the challenge all comic writer must face...it's time to build up from the destruction, time to grow and reach beyond. Time to sweep up the ashes and tend the fields of what's to come.
Is anybody else reading this title?
If you are...you know...Death's companions...the witches...Crow and Wolf...their love bond and Death's love bond...you know that this is a BIG and BEAUTIFUL diamond of a story that has been long in the firmament...damn how it shines!
http://imagecomics.com/comics/series/east-of-west
I just bought the first trade of East of West along with vol. 3 of Saga (which seems to have taken an eternity to come out). I was hesitant to start reading East of West because I've been getting weary of all the post-apocalyptic landscapes that dominate today's comic books straight through the Indys and the Big 3...I know there's truth in that landscape, but more and more the stories seem to 'mean' less and 'achieve' less. But I'm an idealist, an optimist, a hesitant realist...I only really believe the dark and dreary if it comes through with moments of light, epiphany and resolution.
That's why I love Saga. The first two trades took two consecutive readings (and I plan on reading them again before heading into the third) - two back to back just to realize the lift of having had a monumental weight of listlessness rolled off my heart. Suddenly, I really cared about the characters...felt completely incorporated into the story...The hype about Saga is for real. It's a book that finally transcends the necessary bleakness of modern adult comics and marks a transition into a new restoration.
After reading the beautiful first trade collection and making my way through some of the initial confusion about the plot and various storytelling convergences...I began talking with friends and learning some of what Hickman has plotted for East of West I feel like this could be another expansion along the lines of Saga. It is happening. Even Marvel has begun shifting it's tone. Amazing X-Men has been a joy to read...not just because it features the return of my favorite character in comics (Nightcrawler) - but because it's fun. Yea, it's a joy to read. It's not stupid, childish or pandering. It's got that 90's Excalibur feel and I hope that Aaron leaving title to Kyle/Yost won't dim that exuberance.
So I don't expect East of West to be swashbuckling - but I am hoping that this is a riff on Revelations that relevates. That takes the apocalypse by the horns and lifts it up to the challenge all comic writer must face...it's time to build up from the destruction, time to grow and reach beyond. Time to sweep up the ashes and tend the fields of what's to come.
Is anybody else reading this title?
If you are...you know...Death's companions...the witches...Crow and Wolf...their love bond and Death's love bond...you know that this is a BIG and BEAUTIFUL diamond of a story that has been long in the firmament...damn how it shines!