|
|
Post by megamaramon on Jun 2, 2015 17:31:03 GMT -5
June's book club selection is Jonathan Hickman's East of West Vol. 1 from Image Comics. We're excited to dive into this volume, especially since it was one of Melissa's top choices for last year. We hope you join us in the discussion here on the forum!
|
|
|
|
Post by thephantomwelshman on Jun 5, 2015 6:46:20 GMT -5
I don't know where to begin when it comes to East of West. It's everything I love about Jonathan Hickmans writing. Huge world building, an epic sense of history and forthcoming doom, and interesting characters with great depth. Part of me really wanted to the final incursion and end of the Marvel universe to lead into East of West, lol. The best way I can describe it is Akira set in the wild west with a 2000AD twist.
It's such great take on Death as a charcter, especially when it hits issue 4.
Dragottas art is fantastic, I found it to have a slight Manga influence and I have to give a nod to the colourist Frank Martin, as the pallet brings so much to the book
I can't say enough good things about this book.
|
|
|
|
Post by BringTheFunk on Jun 24, 2015 19:54:51 GMT -5
I'm usually way behind in keeping up with books, but I pre-order East of West trades and devour them when they're released. I kind of wish this book club covered the series up to the most recent trade... it makes me want to shout out all the really interesting developments that unfold throughout the story. So...although this is a spoiler thread, I'll hold off on spoiling the other volumes (unless megamaramon approves it). Please let us know on that. To me, one of the most interesting aspects of the story is the existence of the Four Horsemen in this strange juxtaposition of life and death, pre- and post-apocalyptic loop that is somehow perpetuated by some kind of theological, extra-worldly power. Kind of like the squid gods in Hellboy (self-incrimination... I've only seen the movies). It seems this cycle is interrupted by the birth of Death's son (I'm not sure if that spoils the other books... I don't have it in front of me). thephantomwelshman - I'm surprised you didn't compare it to Trigun. Questions for discussion here and/or on the show: 1. What is the Word? Or what do YOU think it is and where does it come from? 2. Why does Death change color and seemingly form after what looks like his assassination by the other Horsemen? 3. Who are the witches and why are they associated with Death? 4. What is the catalyst for the death and rebirth of the Horsemen (we see them at different ages at different times... but we don't know where in time it occurs)? |
|
|
|
Post by thephantomwelshman on Jun 25, 2015 2:36:38 GMT -5
To be completely honest my knowledge of Manga and Anime is very limited, I've only ever read a handful of books. Akira being one. Trigun sounds like something I should seek out though. |
|
|
|
Post by tundra on Jun 25, 2015 15:46:37 GMT -5
I don't know where to begin when it comes to East of West. It's everything I love about Jonathan Hickmans writing. Huge world building, an epic sense of history and forthcoming doom, and interesting characters with great depth. Part of me really wanted to the final incursion and end of the Marvel universe to lead into East of West, lol. The best way I can describe it is Akira set in the wild west with a 2000AD twist. It's such great take on Death as a charcter, especially when it hits issue 4. Dragottas art is fantastic, I found it to have a slight Manga influence and I have to give a nod to the colourist Frank Martin, as the pallet brings so much to the book I can't say enough good things about this book. Agree pretty much entirely with what you've said here - especially in that some bits do feel like they have a distinct 2000ad vibe. A thing I've also enjoyed in reading it month to month (no spoilers for the rest of the series though) is picking up on some of the fascinating parallels in world building between this and Lazarus, one of my other favourite current series. |
|
|
|
Post by BringTheFunk on Jun 25, 2015 17:21:08 GMT -5
To be completely honest my knowledge of Manga and Anime is very limited, I've only ever read a handful of books. Akira being one. Trigun sounds like something I should seek out though. I haven't read any Manga myself. But I love anime and many of my favorite series are based on manga. Trigun is an excellent series that I feel you would really like if you dig East of West. |
|
|
|
Post by toxicsooner on Jul 13, 2015 23:46:18 GMT -5
Just listened to this podcast today & I can't agree more with everyone's comments on this book, it's great. Hickman can be hit or miss for me but this is a huge thumbs up. I do agree with Melissa that it is better to read in chunks, you need to dive into this world and stay awhile. That's hard to do month to month... At least for me anyways.
I think it was Mara who asked about supplemental materials about the world. Comixology has a book called East of West: The World that has a history of each nation along with some short stories set in each. It may be just what you are looking for.
|
|
|
|
Post by BringTheFunk on Jul 19, 2015 19:52:01 GMT -5
megamaramon Thanks for the love on the show. I appreciate you addressing my questions and comments. I hope others found them interesting and/or compelling wrt this awesome story.
|
|
