History ComicBook / EastOfWest

* ActionGirl: Crow, Xiaolin, and many of the female rebels in the Union.

* AlternateHistory: The series history diverges from ours around the time of the American Civil War, which in this universe In dragged on for more than twenty years. The War is ended not through a victory, but by a meteor strike in the desert where the Seven Nations of America where born.

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: John Freeman the Ninth (usually called "Nine") to Crown Prince John Freeman. Other brothers might qualify as well, but those two interact the most. [[spoiler: But for all the crap the give each other John is still heartbroken when Nine dies.]]
* AnyoneCanDie: The series racks up a very impressive body count by the end.

-->'''Death:''' If you find hell lonely... '''Wait!''' Company is ''comin' soon!''

* BadassNormal: The Ranger is possibly the most badass character and yet is one of the few without powers. John Freeman appears to be this as well, much to his brothers' dismay.

* BeastOfTheApocalypse: In this story, it's [[spoiler:Death's son]].

* BigDamnHeroes: Following [[spoiler: the Endless Nations' victory and subsequent conquest of the Republic of Texas, they decided to solidify their victory by [[PublicExecution hanging the leaders of the Republic.]] But just as they are going to hang Governor Bel Solomon, the Ranger [[ShootTheRope shoots the rope]] just as Solomon was about to take a long drop on the rope while his mechanical dog creates a distraction, allowing Solomon and The Ranger to escape amidst the chaos.]]

* CoolOldGuy: Chamberlain and Bel. Especially the former.

* CurbStompBattle: The battle between Death and his allies versus the army of Mao quickly becomes this. As Mao's forces are quickly overwhelmed by the combined might of Death and the witches from the Endless Nation.
** To call the war between [[spoiler:The Endless Nation vs. The Republic of Texas a curb stomp battle would be a gross understatement. Curb stomp ''slaughter'' would be a more accurate description.]]
*** This one is actually somewhat [[ZigZaggedTrope zig-zagged]] in that while [[spoiler: the battle was a swift and decisive Nation victory, the Republic [[CurbStompCushion still managed to inflict heavy enough casualties]] that the Nation has to tread carefully for the remainder of the series.]]

* TheDeterminator: Death and The Ranger. One can only hope they eventually fight each other.
** They did. And it was as awesome as you can expect it to be.

* {{Dominatrix}}: Doma Lux uses her status as such to [[{{Squick}} insert some things into a politician's body]].
** [[spoiler: It's actually a bomb, which goes off during a critical meeting between the leaders of America that ends up sparking a war between the Republic of Texas and the Endless Nation. The reason? Doma Lux was turned as a DoubleReverseQuadrupleAgent by the People's Republic of America, and was acting on their behalf to destabilize the other nations.]]

* EatTheBomb: Doma Lux uses this to further her goals during the meeting of the nations.

* EliteMooks: The Rangers from the Republic of Texas.

* FanDisservice: It would be really nice if Antonia Levay would wear more clothes. And even worse is the sight of [[spoiler:Doma Lux and a fat politician engaging in BDSM activity.]]

* GirlFriday: Doma Lux is a darker version of this trope. She is every bit as cruel and sadistic as her Boss, President Antonia Levay.

* TheGunslinger: The series is ''filled'' with these. But the two who stand out the most are Death, and The Ranger. The Ranger from what we have seen from is a definitive example of a trick shot. Meanwhile Death is a combination of both a trick shot, and a solid Vaporizer.

* IncorruptiblePurePureness: President to be Samuel Wayne Williams was this. Loyal, honest, and answers to no one but his conscience. Even when face to face with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse he refused to become a pawn in their scheme. He was so incorruptible that even Conquest couldn't help but be impressed by him. Unfortunately for him [[spoiler:this leads to his death at the hands of said Horsemen.]]

* ImprobableAimingSkills: The Ranger can snipe his target from about couple of mountain ranges away (specifically he kills a target 96 kilometers away or 59~ miles-he had to be up in a mountain to actually see that far). He still needs his sniper rifle for that. Death on the other hand can shoot through same distance with his revolver without scope, though he's not quite as accurate-he hits his target but its one of the rare instances where he doesn't kill them, wounding the Ranger in the shoulder. The Ranger (who just shot that far with his super science robo-dog/gun) whispers that Death's feat couldn't be possible. In short, The Ranger is the greatest human marksman alive, armed with cool gadgets, whereas Death is an inhuman killing machine.

* IronLady: President Antonia Levay. And now the new leader of the Peoples Republic of America, Xiaolin.

* LadyOfWar: Xiaolin. ''Very much so'' in her case. Carries herself with a sense of grace that not even 10 years of imprisonment could damper. A War Master by the age of sixteen. And by the age of 20 a [[OneManArmy one women army]] who single handily killed ''one hundred men in a single day''. Did we forget to mention that she is also the women who ''conquered death''?

** Death, The Ranger, Conquest, War, Famine.
** And as of volume three [[spoiler:Babylon]].

* NoNameGiven: The Ranger, Crow, and Wolf's real names are never revealed. In the case of the latter two, it can be presumed that those ''are'' their real names.
* OhCrap: The reaction of the tracker when he realizes just who has walked into his bar. Violence ensues.
** The look on Mao's face as he witnesses Death and The witches ''annihilating'' his troops.
* PetTheDog: When The Horsemen of the Apocalypse finish slaughtering an entire village full of pilgrims Conquest decides to spare the lone surviving infant. He even adopts the child and raises him as his own-Babylon's robo friend Balloon mentions Conquest has done this a few times in their long life.

* PrecisionFStrike: Delivered by a rather pissed off protestor to President Levay.
* PresidentEvil: The newly elected President of The Union; Antonia Levay.

* RetiredBadass: See KnightTemplar.

* RobotBuddy: [[spoiler:Death's son Babylon has Balloon who doubles as both a companion and a mentor. However, it is also a darker variation of this trope. As Balloon's knowledge is meant to influence the child's world view so that he may become the beast of the Apocalypse and bring upon the end of times.]]

* ShaggyDogStory: the entire [[spoiler: rebellion in the Union side-story. The rebels manage to prevail, capture and execute Antonia LeVay... only for the Endless Nation to swoop in and conquer the Union lock, stock, and barrel. The leader makes an impassioned speech refusing to bow down to the Nation, deeply impressing the leaders... who then have her executed anyway.]] All the toil and sacrifice achieved was furthering someone else's agenda. [[ShootTheShaggyDog Ouch.]]
* SharpDressedMan: Chamberlain; combined with his polite manners, southern hospitality, and unflappable sense of grace is the quintessential example of this trope.
* SiblingRivalry: Xiaolin and Hu with particularly nasty consequences. Apparently this is also the case among all of the king's sons in the Kingdom of New Orleans, not that it bothers John Freeman.
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Like most of Hickman's work, the series is extremely cynical. Complete with oppressive governments, power hungry rulers, and manipulative schemers all working together to bring upon the end of times. And just about any character who shows the ''slightest'' hint of idealism is quickly dealt with in some horrific fashion. However, the series never slips into [[TooBleakStoppedCaring being too bleak for its own good]] [[spoiler: and its ending is on the sweeter side of [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]]]].

* SmugSnake: Antonia Levay has the dubious distinction of being both [[HateSink the most loathsome]] member of [[ApocalypseCult the Chosen]] and the least competent.
* SniperDuel: In interesting variation of this occurs in the duel between The Ranger and Death. In this case one of the snipers was using a ''revolver.''
* SouthernGentleman: Chamberlain, as head of the southern union, fits this trope perfectly.
* SpellMyNameWithAThe: A trope Hickman seems particularly fond of.

* YouCantFightFate: A major theme as the prophetic message predicts very specific things that seem destined to happen, but then again, as War notes, interpretation is often tough.

Now, in the future (the series starts in 2064), the United States is anything but united. It is divided into the constantly warring Union, the Confederacy, the Kingdom of New Orleans, the People's Republic of America (formerly California), the Texas Republic, and the Endless Nation. The apocalypse approaches quickly as leading members of each nation have secretly formed a cabal of the Chosen, [[ApocalypseCult a group who works to bring about the end times]]. Meanwhile the Four Horsemen walk the earth and gather power. But one single man stands in the way of the Chosen, one who should be at their helm: the horseman Death. Betrayed by his brethren, Death is on a quest for vengeance. Something of value has been stolen from him and nothing will stand in his way to get it back.

* EquippableAlly: The Ranger has a RobotDog that doubles as a [[CoolGuns sniper rifle]] and Death rides a weaponized [[MechanicalHorse robot cannon-horse]].

* BittersweetEnding: One that leans more on the sweet side. [[spoiler: Villains like the Three Horseman, Chamberlain, and LeVay are dead, and Justice completes his kill list. The "End of the World" comes not via an apocalypse, but through a dissolution of the old status quo -- the remaining nations sign a second armistice. The narration notes this new status quo was prosperous and while it didn't last forever, this is presented in a neutral light; no nation lasts forever, but love does. While Death dies saving Babylon, the boy reunites with Xiaolin and finally sees the real world, recognizing it as something worth preserving.]]

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Played with. On one hand, you have John Freeman, Bel Solomon, and Xiaolin, who are all in high positions of authority. With the latter two being heads of state and the former being a prince. All of whom possess incredible combat prowess and are among the series' most lethal characters. On the other hand, the leaders of the other nations rely more on their wits and manipulation of others as opposed to their actual fighting ability.

* CoolPet: The Ranger has a RobotDog that doubles as a [[CoolGuns sniper rifle]] and Death rides a weaponized [[MechanicalHorse robot cannon-horse]].

* FlamingSword: War's WeaponOfChoice, which can also be [[RetractableWeapon retracted]] allowing him to easily conceal it and carry it with him.

* WhipSword: In a flashback, Conquest can be seen using one of these as his WeaponOfChoice. He eventually brings it back for the climax.

* RunningGag: Everytime we see the Atlas bar, we know the Tracker is gonna get bullied into cooperation in more and more severe ways and/or someone is going to get horribly murdered and the place ransacked. By the time we are there for the last time, [[spoiler: the Tracker has been killed and none is left but decomposing corpses]].