As the greater narrative of this apocalyptic theater comes into focus, can the creative team hold their audience’s attention?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

“SONS OF PROPHECY”
Following the high crimes in the debut issue of EAST OF WEST, the fallout spreads across the broken nations of America. Forces align to stave off the apocalypse, while equally powerful ones do everything they can to bring it to pass.

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.

If you would have told me that a series set in an alternative history of the United States, which ultimately resulted in a steam-punk rendition of the west would be this compelling I wouldn’t know what to think of you and your opinion.  But thankfully the talented duo behind this makes it all work while yielding a truthfully accessible tale and leaving me utterly impressed.

The script by Jonathan Hickman is a spell-binding affair that from the first page to the final sentence will without a doubt keep you glued to your chair.  He slowly and methodically reveals political and personal intrigue which in turn gives way to some semblance of reason to the brutality seen in the inaugural outing  As the audience flips through the final moments they will undoubtedly find themselves feeling for one of these horsemen, as the author expertly pulls at just the right heart strings.

Nick Dragotta astounds with his brilliant panel work.  Each pencil stroke is handled in a way that forms not just the world but illuminates the core mechanics of the narrative.  The end result is a visual splendor that most comic books yearn for but few achieve, and for that reason I literally have no complaints about the illustrations on display here.

East of West #2 is a release that continues the outstanding streak established by last month’s launch, because of that this comic comes with the absolute highest recommendation we here at UTF can give.

5/5