The Sci-Fi Western Comic Book Series That Could Be the Next Game of Thrones
Image Comics
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Jonathan Hickman, the writer of the beloved "Ultimate Spider-Man," and Nick Dragotta, who has been pushing DC Comics to new heights with his work on "Absolute Batman," once collaborated on an Image Comic series that is both densely plotted and beautifully drawn: "East of West."
The cover art for issue #1 (available on Amazon) features a Western gunslinger holding a revolver, but this is no simple Western tale. "East of West" blends Western elements with science fiction and the supernatural, set in an alternate history of 2064 A.D. where North America is divided into seven nations, plus an uninhabited "Burning Plain."
At New York Comic-Con 2013, Hickman and Dragotta revealed their creative process. Hickman wanted to write a Western, while Dragotta wanted to draw science fiction. They compromised, creating a space Western, a mini-genre that combines these two genres. Despite the advanced technology, including ships straight out of a space opera, "East of West" remains grounded on Earth.
The seven nations in the story bear a striking resemblance to the Seven Kingdoms from "Game of Thrones." "East of West" merges genre tropes, political squabbling, and supernatural prophecies, much like the latter series. Archibald Chamberlain, a Confederate politician and one of the main villains, believes that words and leverage shape the world, not action, a perspective that aligns with Littlefinger's scheming nature.
As streaming platforms and networks seek the next "Game of Thrones," why hasn't "East of West" (which concluded in 2019 with issue #45) gained more traction? Prime Video announced a television adaptation in 2018, but the project was later confirmed to be on hold in 2019. However, if you're a fan of Westerns, "Game of Thrones," or "Dune," "East of West" is a must-read.
The series explores a divided America through an alternate history. At NYCC 2013, Dragotta described the comic as a reflection of modern culture, highlighting the divisions within the United States. The story begins with the American Civil War, which never truly ended in the alternate history of "East of West." In 1862, Confederate soldier Elijah Longstreet becomes a prophet, and a year later, Native Chief Red Cloud unites tribes into an "Endless Nation." The war continues until an armistice is signed in 1908, when both Longstreet and Red Cloud foresaw the eventual end of the world, a prophecy fulfilled by Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of America (PRA) instead of communist China.
In the present day of the story, a cabal of "the Chosen"—power players from all seven nations—works to bring about the apocalyptic prophecies of the Message. The series intertwines religion and politics, drawing influence from "Dune" and "Game of Thrones." The gunslinger from the cover of issue #1 is Death himself, a horseman of the apocalypse, dressed in all white, reminiscent of the Book of Revelation.
While Death is a gunslinger, he is no longer interested in ending the world. He fell in love with PRA Princess Xiaolian Mao, and his goal is to rescue their kidnapped son. The suspense lies not only in whether Death can rescue Babylon but also in whether Babylon will be corrupted.
Hickman's character building is strong, and his worldbuilding is exemplary. The seven nations in the story represent ethnostates, reflecting the deepest divisions in America, where minorities hold power they don't in the real world. The Endless Nation is the most advanced country, and the Confederacy still exists, but the antebellum status quo has changed. African Americans founded the Kingdom, a new nation in Louisiana, which used oil wealth to become a powerhouse, similar to the real-life Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"East of West" is not just about politics; it also features intense shoot-outs, with Dragotta's action sequences being a highlight. He uses small, unaligned panels to emphasize action beats, a style he perfected in "East of West." Issue #31 showcases a mid-air hijacking, reminiscent of a Western train robbery, playing to Dragotta's strengths.
Dragotta's action sequences are not his only talent; he draws character and creature designs that are as striking as a gunshot. The long-legged, flashlight-headed mounts used by the Horsemen, or Famine's terrifying half-skull face, are just a few examples. Despite the apocalyptic themes, Hickman maintains an optimistic tone, ending his "Avengers" run with the statement "everything lives." Similarly, "East of West" #45 delivers a unique "end of the world" scenario, making the characters' perilous journey all the more satisfying.
