A graphic novels review: By Lee Sonogan

Do not read any further if you do not want any spoilers. I can not stress that enough, the graphic novel really is worth a read. I have just recently finished all six volumes of it. I would even say it’s the best graphic novel series I have read that does not include superheroes. Preacher tells the story of Jesse Custer, a preacher in the small Texas town of Annville. Custer is accidentally possessed by the supernatural creature named Genesis, the infant product of the unauthorized, unnatural coupling of an angel and a demon. The incident flattens Custer’s church and kills his entire congregation. The series consists of 75 issues in total – 66 regular, monthly issues, five one-shot specials and a four-issue Preacher: Saint of Killers limited series.

Originally it was published under DC vertigo. The story is dark and only get more intense as you read it. Tulip O’Hare, a hitwoman has an interesting relationship with Jesse while a different relationship is formed with the vampire known as Cassidy.  The three travel together a lot in the many stories of the graphic novel. They intend to find god and make him answer for his crimes. They meet some very interesting characters on the way.  They include the klan, secret Christian society called the grail, angels, sex detectives, rednecks, mutants, demons and even god.

Stephen King has said that his comic book series The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born was influenced by Preacher. IGN declared Preacher the third-greatest Vertigo comic, after Swamp Thing and Sandman. Jesse Custer was ranked the 11th Greatest Comic Book Character by Empire magazine. The Saint of Killers was ranked at number 42 on the same list. Preacher #18 reached 50,000 monthly sales in August 1996 making it one of the most popular Vertigo single comic book issues in its history.

On November 16, 2013, it was announced that AMC will be shooting a pilot for Preacher. On November 18, 2013, BleedingCool confirmed that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg developed the series pilot with Sam Catlin and that it will be distributed by Sony Pictures Television. On February 7, 2014, it was made public that AMC is officially developing the series to television based on the pilot written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The tv show has many differences then the graphic novel. As you see below, the two characters from both stories have a wide age gap.

Overall, the ending was sad but very satisfying. You learn a lot more about the character Cass in the last volume and makes you question everything you like about him. All the characters along the way such as Arseface, God, Herr Starr, the saint of killers and even Tulip have been amazing and show great character development in each scene. Adding to its awesomeness, the references and the scene with Bill Hicks is amazing too. The style and art in the graphic novel is also impressive for its time. Thank you Garth Ennis for a great piece of dark humour and a fascinating story.

9.3/10