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I just got done reading the graphic novel series Preacher and have to say, I was impressed.
It falls somewhere between satire and western. The main plotline is the story of a struggling Texas preacher named Jessie Custer whom, through a series of divine events, is given the power of the Word of God, which can enable anyone to do anything. In the sense that one of the characters is "super powered," I guess you could call it a "superhero comic book," but it departs from the medium in every single other way. Jessie is not your regular superhero. He struggles with his faith and his past, he drinks, he smokes, he swears, is none too fond of Yankees or Europeans, and if you suggest that he's a damn Okie he's liable to slug you. His conscience appears to him as John Wayne and, like his hero, he never cries. Jessie doesn't toss the Word around, either. His Texas upbringing put a strong moral streak in him, and he feels restraint is usually the best of choices.
Upon receiving the gift of the Word, Jessie learns something is amiss in Heaven: the Good Lord abandoned creation long ago and has fled. No one knows where he is. Not even the angels who are now running the show.
Jessie, along with his girlfried Tulip, who is a hitman/women who hates guns, and Cassidy, a hundred year old alcholic Irish vampire, sets out to find God and make him account for what he has done to the world and the suffering he has caused.
Clearly, this comic book is not for everyone. Along with its agnostic/atheistic viewpoints, there's quite a bit of swearing (largely upon the part of Cassidy), obscenity, and violence. However, if you can stomach all that, the series is enormously entertaining. I laughed out loud repeatedly, squirmed in my seat, was heartbroken, and was awed, all in the process of several hours.
Easily the coolest character in the story, however, is the Saint of Killers, a clear homage to every Clint Eastwood movie ever made. The Saint of Killers is the Angel of Death, only he appears as a gun toting, ruthless gunslinger, carrying colts whose hammers never fall on empty chambers, whose shots never miss, and are always fatal. Indestructible and merciless, Heaven uses him as an assassin whenever Paradise is threatened, and soon he's killing his way across creation, hot on the trail of Jessie Custer.
Maybe it's because I just love Westerns, but I found the mixture between Jessie's staunch Southern morality and the Saint's legendary viciousness to be fascinating to watch. One of the most amusing scenes in the book is when the Saint squares off against an army of tanks and a stealth bomber when authorities become aware as to exactly how dangerous the Saint is. Seeing a lone gunsliner, a single figure on the desert horizon, gunning down an armored column is one of the most impressive things I can think of.
The book is written by Garth Ennis, of Hellblazer and Punisher fame. I loved his work with Hellblazer, which was why I bought it, and I think I can actually say that I find Preacher to be better. I wouldn't suggest Preacher unless you know Garth Ennis or are into graphic novels first. It's quite something though. Definitely something I'm going to be rereading.
Posts: 2258 | Registered: Aug 2003
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[i[Preacher[/i] is one of my favorite series ever. Garth Ennis, in his own gruesome way, is probably one of the best storytellers in comics. I'm really pleased you've found it.
quote: I just got done reading the graphic novel series Preacher and have to say, I was impressed.
It falls somewhere between satire and western. The main plotline is the story of a struggling Texas preacher named Jessie Custer whom, through a series of divine events, is given the power of the Word of God, which can enable anyone to do anything. In the sense that one of the characters is "super powered," I guess you could call it a "superhero comic book," but it departs from the medium in every single other way. Jessie is not your regular superhero. He struggles with his faith and his past, he drinks, he smokes, he swears, is none too fond of Yankees or Europeans, and if you suggest that he's a damn Okie he's liable to slug you. His conscience appears to him as John Wayne and, like his hero, he never cries. Jessie doesn't toss the Word around, either. His Texas upbringing put a strong moral streak in him, and he feels restraint is usually the best of choices.
The 'word of God' doesn't enable people to do anything, it forces them to do whatever Custer says.
As far as I know, Custer does not struggle with his faith, since it was forced on him by his evil grandmother in Louisiana (where he was raised, after she killed his father). He does, after all, want to confront God and hold him accountable for the evil in the world. And don't forget that the way God is potrayed in Preacher, and the God Jessie knows, is as a spoiled child, and one who isn't above killing or torturing Jessie's friends to get a point across, with the result that no love is lost between Custer and God.
You also forgot that Jessie is a Bad Ass, able to outshoot and outfight any man.
quote:
Upon receiving the gift of the Word, Jessie learns something is amiss in Heaven: the Good Lord abandoned creation long ago and has fled. No one knows where he is. Not even the angels who are now running the show.
This actually happens over some period of time in the series, but o.k..
quote: Jessie, along with his girlfried Tulip, who is a hitman/women who hates guns, and Cassidy, a hundred year old alcholic Irish vampire, sets out to find God and make him account for what he has done to the world and the suffering he has caused.
Clearly, this comic book is not for everyone. Along with its agnostic/atheistic viewpoints, there's quite a bit of swearing (largely upon the part of Cassidy), obscenity, and violence. However, if you can stomach all that, the series is enormously entertaining. I laughed out loud repeatedly, squirmed in my seat, was heartbroken, and was awed, all in the process of several hours.
No Mormon should come within fifty feet of this comic book at risk of their immortal soul. Saying there's 'quite a bit' of the above is like saying there's a lot of water in the ocean.
quote: Easily the coolest character in the story, however, is the Saint of Killers, a clear homage to every Clint Eastwood movie ever made. The Saint of Killers is the Angel of Death, only he appears as a gun toting, ruthless gunslinger, carrying colts whose hammers never fall on empty chambers, whose shots never miss, and are always fatal. Indestructible and merciless, Heaven uses him as an assassin whenever Paradise is threatened, and soon he's killing his way across creation, hot on the trail of Jessie Custer.
There is a one-shot book about the Saint of Killers. I think you'd like it.
quote: Maybe it's because I just love Westerns, but I found the mixture between Jessie's staunch Southern morality and the Saint's legendary viciousness to be fascinating to watch. One of the most amusing scenes in the book is when the Saint squares off against an army of tanks and a stealth bomber when authorities become aware as to exactly how dangerous the Saint is. Seeing a lone gunsliner, a single figure on the desert horizon, gunning down an armored column is one of the most impressive things I can think of.
It is great.
quote: The book is written by Garth Ennis, of Hellblazer and Punisher fame. I loved his work with Hellblazer, which was why I bought it, and I think I can actually say that I find Preacher to be better. I wouldn't suggest Preacher unless you know Garth Ennis or are into graphic novels first. It's quite something though. Definitely something I'm going to be rereading.
I picked up one issue of a Garth Ennis Hellblazer...and it has to have the most gruesome way of killing yourself since Stephen King had a character kill himself by shoving his arm down a garbage disposal unit.
Posts: 43 | Registered: Nov 2004
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Yeah, I meant to say it commands people to do anything. Enable = force. Didn't expect to get my post dissected like that, but I'm glad to see there's another Preacher fan out there. I think he struggles with his faith at the start (since that's where I wanted to start with discussing the story), particularly with his frustrated efforts in dealing with the less-than-divine population of Annville, but after he becomes a one man ride for Genesis, I think it's safe to say that his faith is entirely blown out of the water. Didn't want to ruin it, though.
No, it is certainly true that most Mormons would not enjoy this book at all, and would experience severe headaches when looking straight at it. But there's more than just Mormons on here, as the long past "Do you believe in God?" thread proved to my surprise. I figure if there's anyone out there who's faith is up in the air and enjoys a lot of black humor, Preacher is a good choice. I sat down and couldn't stop reading it.
I did manage to find the Saint of Killers story. Man, that guy's awesome. I'd love to get one a Saint medallion with him on it. Doubt if they make them, though.
I'd also like to get my hands on a **** Communism lighter.
And, finally, John Wayne is the man.
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