History ComicBook / EastOfWest

* NiceHat: Death wears a cream white hat to go along with his white suit.

* LotsAndLotsOfCharacters: While Death is ostensibly the main character, the cast grows exponentially through the members of the seven nations, the horsemen, and various one-off characters. While it may seem a little off-putting at first, it eventually settles into something of a ''Series/GameOfThrones'' style ensemble piece.

* SkunkStripe: President Antonia Levay has one of these running down her very long hair.

* 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.]]

* BigDamnHeroes: Following [[spoiler:The Endless Nations' victory and subsequent conquest of The Republic of Texas. They decide 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. Meanwhile his mechanical dog creates a distraction. Allowing Solomon and The Ranger to escape amidst the chaos.]]

* CardCarryingVillain: Conquest, Famine, and War. Befitting their nature as the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, they are very proud of they're cruelty towards humanity. And often partake in random atrocities for the sake of cruelty.
* TheChessmaster: Each leader of the Chosen, to varying degrees. Of particular note is Chamberlain, who has [[spoiler:orchestrated the assassination of his own president (to take the job himself), put out a hit on Xiaolin (unsuccessful, but Chamberlain tied up every loose end), and started a riot that led to the death of Ezra and the near-death of the other Chosen). He has also managed to help kill Antonia Levay.]]

* CoolPet: The Ranger has a [[RobotDog robotic dog]] that doubles as a [[CoolGuns cool gun]]. Death rides a weaponized [[MechanicalHorse robot cannon-horse]].

* CowboysAndIndians: An integral part of the setting although twisted to its far future setting. And what's more by volume 4 [[spoiler:The Republic of Texas and The Endless Nation actually ''have'' gone to war.]]

* DeepSouth: The Confederacy. One of the seven nations of America. Complete with soldiers wearing Confederate themed uniforms.
* DemonicPossession: [[spoiler:Cheveyo to Bel. Who under his possession forces Bel to murder one of the representatives from the Endless Nation. Which kickstarts a war between The Republic of Texas and The Endless Nation.]]

* DividedStatesOfAmerica: One of the comic's central plot points. As it presents an alternate history in which the Civil War led to the separation of the United States and the formation of the Seven Nations of America.

** [[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.]]

%%* PragmaticVillainy: Chamberlain.

* RobotBuddy: [[spoiler:Death's son Babylon has one of these which doubles as both a companion and a mentor. However, it is also a darker variation of this trope. As the robot'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.]]

* 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.
** For all that the series never slips into [[DarknessInducedAudienceApathy being too bleak]] [[EightDeadlyWords for its own good]] [[spoiler: and its ending is on the sweeter side of [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]]]].

** For all that the series never slips into [[DarknessInducedAudienceApathy being too bleak for its own good]] [[spoiler: and its ending is on the sweeter side of [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]]]].

* WhipSword: In a flashback, Conquest can be seen using one of these as his WeaponOfChoice. Interestingly enough, he has not been seen using one since.

* ManInWhite: Death himself. His color scheme is meant to indicate a change in character and his near death experience.

* BadassGrandpa: Bel Solomon, Premier Mao and Chamberlain. Especially the former.

* TooCleverByHalf: This is what ends up getting [[spoiler:Archibald Chamberlain]] killed. He manages to arrange a three-way ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly''-style MexicanStandoff as his final encounter with [[spoiler:Solomon and the Ranger, and then manages to secretly empty Solomon's pistol way in advance to improve his chances.]] And then he ruins it [[spoiler:by deciding to shoot ''Solomon'' first [[EvilIsPetty out of sheer spite]], which allowed the Ranger to blow Chamberlain away.]]

* 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 TrickShot, and a solid Vaporizer.

-> ''"What divides us is stronger than what unites us"''

* AndIMustScream: The fate of [[spoiler: the oracle. Eyes ripped out and trapped underground forever unable to die.]]

* ArtificialLimbs: [[spoiler: Xiaolin's hands]] which are now capable of incredible strength. She uses them to [[spoiler: crush Hu's skull]]. NiceJobFixingItVillain indeed.

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

--> '''Chamberlain''': Boy, I have known ''War'' all my life. ''Conquest'', I am a conquistador. ''Famine?'' Well...lean times are for the peasants, aren't they? And do I look like a man whose wants have long surpassed his needs? All I fear...is one thing. And it's the same thing you do. ''Death.''

--> '''Messenger''': In the city are the ''armies of Heaven.'' The House of Mao's Dragons and the Great State's Widow makers. Each child appointed at conception. ''Selected'' for service. They are born to ''serve'' and bred to ''die.''

--> '''Death''': Good. 'Cause that's what happens next. ''Me.''

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

* BodyHorror: [[spoiler: Ezra]] is shot while holding a creature from the void. The creature merges with his arm to become a tumorous-looking, tentacled (and toothed) growth. By the third volume, the beast is the size of an elephant and [[spoiler: Ezra]] is attached to its chest by his arm.

--> '''Death''': Don't sing it. Just bring it!
* BullyingADragon: When [[spoiler: Conquest, Death, and Famine chase after Death's son Babylon. Conquest is the first to find the boy and in a display of overconfidence makes the mistake of insulting Babylon, even though he is well aware that Babylon is the Beast of the Apocalypse, though the Horsemen don't buy that much. Suffice it to say it doesn't end well for them. This event convinces them otherwise.]]

* TheChessmaster: Each leader of the Chosen, to varying degrees. Of particular note is Chamberlain, who has [[spoiler: orchestrated the assassination of his own president (to take the job himself), put out a hit on Xiaolin (unsuccessful, but Chamberlain tied up every loose end), and started a riot that led to the death of Ezra and the near-death of the other Chosen). He has also managed to help kill Antonia Levay.]]

* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: Chamberlain is silky smooth and gives off a veneer of pleasantry to everyone. However, when the chips are down, it is clear that his only loyalty in the world is not to the Chosen or even his [[spoiler: former]] president: Chamberlain's loyalties lie with ''Chamberlain.''

--> '''Death''': Doesn't your kind have a code? Never give up a contract?
--> '''Barman''': Doesn't your kind have experience with men selling their souls just to breathe one more time? Honor gets buried with the body. ''I wanna live''.

* CowboysAndIndians: An integral part of the setting although twisted to its far future setting. And what's more by volume 4 [[spoiler: The Republic of Texas and The Endless Nation actually ''have'' gone to war.]]

** 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.]]

* DemonicPossession: [[spoiler: Cheveyo to Bel. Who under his possession forces Bel to murder one of the representatives from the Endless Nation. Which kickstarts a war between The Republic of Texas and The Endless Nation.]]

--> '''War''': '''You dare?'''
--> '''Chamberlain''': Oh indeed I do. What is there to fear here? ''You?''

** [[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.]]

* EyeScream: The Oracle [[spoiler: removing Death's eye via her tentacled sockets]] is shown in particularly gory and explicit detail.
* 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.]]
** Issue 22 has [[spoiler: Lady Xiaolin]] entirely naked for the duration of the issue. She's very attractive, but the fact that she is fighting for her life and splattered in blood takes away any appeal.

* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Bel Solomon joined the Chosen not because of religious fervor but because he thought it would protect Texas. Eventually [[spoiler: he quit when it became clear this was not the case]].
* 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.]]
** Ditto President Burkhart of Confederacy. Knowing nothing about the Chosen and the Horsemen, he immediately sides against the war with the other states that are immune to their influence, even rebuking Chamberlain (who is trying to make him think otherwise) in the process. [[spoiler: Chamberlain kills him two pages later.]]

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

* PragmaticVillainy: Chamberlain.

--> '''Ezra''': How unsettling it most be to have such a quick rise to power and knowing that that power is dwarfed by an even greater power.

--> '''Barman''': You, ah, appear to be a bit underage.
--> '''Conquest''': Oh I'm ancient. Older than the world.

* SayMyName: While Death won't let the barman say his name, he makes a big deal of [[spoiler: The President]] saying it. It's hinted he wants (or even needs) people to say it before he kills them.

* TitleDrop: "Born of the East, child of the West. The one true son of America." is one of the cryptic verses from the message. Seemingly it refers to [[spoiler: Death's son who is indeed born from the East and West]].

--> '''Bel Solomon''': I joined the Chosen because I figured selling my soul was worth protecting my nation...''saving them'' from the ambitious and power mad.

** [[spoiler: War convince his brothers to try to defy the Message by killing Babylon, who is supposed to become the Beast of the Apocalypse and their leader. This ends up fulfilling the Message to the letter, as Babel escapes them and his father (who was coming to release him) at the same time and is therefore able to start setting his own destiny in motion.]]
* YouHaveFailedMe: When an assassin organization fails to [[spoiler: kill Xiaolin,]] their leader promises his benefactor that the next time will be better. Unfortunately for him, [[spoiler: Chamberlain isn't willing to ''give'' him a "next time," and promptly has him [[DisproportionateRetribution and his entire organization]] killed off.]]

* SmugSnake: Chamberlain, as a [[PragmaticVillainy pragmatic villain]] can wriggle out of just about anything with impunity. Both sides know he is completely without morals, but both sides are still manipulated by him. Even The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are no match for his wits.

* ScienceFantasy: Witches and prophets intermingle with spaceships and robots. Yep.

* 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''

* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: While the Horsemen are clearly supernatural beings with supernatural powers, they seems to exert their will mainly through intimidation and violence, sometimes dealt with weapons and tools that may not be magical after all. [[spoiler: Conquest, for example, does not seem to have any special power to force people to do his bidding, and resort to use some kind of strange parasite when he wants to enslave some poor fella he bumped into.]]

* {{Stripperiffic}}: The Crow's clothing consists of a bra, a pair of boots some ceremonial accessories and a barely there loincloth. Suffice it to say. It leaves very little to the imagination.
** That said, she is kept out of MsFanservice territory by being portrayed primarily as a pure black silhouette. In other words, despite being nearly naked, there's a little left to the imagination after all.

Now, in the future, 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.

Now, in the far future, the United States is anything but united. It is divided into the constantly warring Union, the Confederacy, the Kingdom (formerly 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.

* ActionGirl: Crow, Xiaolin, and many of the female rebels in the Union. Averted by Antonia Levay.

* ArtisticLicenseBiology: In the world of ''East of West'', eyes extracted by the orbit not only are not destroyed, but continue to function, and [[spoiler: they can even be grafted into someone else's body in a matter of a second, although it's possible that, while The Hunter is clearly using some kind of contraption to allow one of his eyes to work this way (it's still not explained how the eye can "live" out of it), the Oracle can snatch an eye from Death and claim it as her own as they are both not quite, or no longer, human]].
** [[spoiler: Later, we learn that the Hunter's removable eye originally belonged to the Oracle, and, apart from being able to survive outside of her body, her eyes even got a personality of some sort and are able to talk. This still does not explain how the Oracle is able to rip an eye out of Death (which is never mentioned being anything different from an ordinary one) and use it herself however. It's still possible that, since the Oracle was associated with the Knights before being betrayed by them, they somehow share the same biology, and origin]].

* InfantImmortality: Seemingly averted in Issue 32 as [[spoiler: The Ranger's robot dog is killed by Chamberlain]].

* 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 brother's dismay.

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

--> '''Barman''': Doesn't your kind have experience with men selling their souls just to breathe one more time? Honor gets buried do with the body. ''I wanna live''.

* EyepatchOfPower: Literally, the Tracker's eyepatch conceals a powerful talking eyeball (only a BigLippedAlligatorMoment at first).

* TheGreatWall: The Peoples Republic of America has one of these as their main defense against outside forces. Unfortunately their great wall isn't enough to keep out the Death.