PreacherVol 1: Gone to Texas
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion
1996
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 2: Until the End of the World
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion
1997
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 3: Proud Americans
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion
1997
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 4: Ancient History
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Richard Case, Carlos Ezquerra and Steve Pugh
1998
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 5: Dixie Fried
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion
1998
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 6: War in the Sun
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion and Peter Snejbjerg
1999
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 7: Salvation
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion
1999
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 8: All Hell's A-Coming
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion and John McCrea
2000
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
PreacherVol 9: Alamo
Written By Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillion
2001
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
Yeah. It's kinda hard for me to write about Preacher in a completely dispassionate way: I remember when I first read the first volume of Preacher way way back when I was a teenage boy (I'm sorry - these things happen) and I remember thinking that it was one of the most awesomely amazing things ever made. So it has this sorta strange dual position in my mind where on one hand it was one of the first comics that showed me what it meant to be kinda 'adult' whilst at the same time - when I look back over it - it feels like something a little bit childish and immature (which is because - it is eg. one character's entire arc is predicated on him looking like a giant penis - and believe that is by far the only example that I could use). But then I know that if I pick up and read Vol 2 "Until the End of the World" (by favourite book of the whole series) I'm going to be gripped and entralled and sold totally on it's massive dips and highs it's probably the best example I've ever come across of knocking a character down and then building him back up again: and one of the few times I've read a book and realised halfway through that I've made up a soundtrack in my head for it and am kinda singing it along to myself as I read: think big John Williams style strings and bombast (with added Hans Zimmerisms).
Packed full with violence, top swearing and over-blown situations of an adult nature Preacher is the far-reaching and groundbreaking saga of good old country boy Jesse Custer, his take no-prisoners ex-girlfriend Tulip (the best name they could think of?) and his best friend - the hard-drinking Irish vampire Cassidy (Favourite quote: "Awww fuckin' great... I mean... blessed are the meek"). Written by Garth Ennis (who at his point of his career was still writing like a really smart 16 year old boy) and taking in every single American archetype under the sun (cowboys, voodoo, astronauts, War War II, Vietnam, rock stars, Elvis, Bill Hicks etc) it's funny, thrilling and full of great over-the-top characters. Supposedly the big theme tying it altogether is "responsibility" - but it's really male-friendship that closest to it's heart and with it's sly caustic wit it will worm it's way into yours. And even if the big picture doesn't all hang together in the way you may hope [1] - there are countless scenes and moments of evil blaspheming brilliance.
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[1] I mean the end nowhere near as disappointing as Lost [2]: but you should know that (like Lost) it's more about the characters than the quest (and it's probably best if you don't think about how everything all connects together too much - just - you know - enjoy the memories of the journey along the way).
[2] And for more on that sort of thing then you should really check out this super-excellent Big Other essay: “The Ending as Wish-Fulfilment in The Tree of Life, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, and Lost.”
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Links: PopMatters Article: Crisis of Faith: The Struggle to Believe in Preacher, The 11th Hour Review of Vol 1, Walker of Worlds Preacher Re-Read Vol 1, Grovel Review: Vol 1 / Vol 2 / Vol 3 / Vol 4 / Vol 5 / Vol 6 / Vol 7 / Vol 8 / Vol 9, Spill Review, Hooded Utilitarian Article: Garth Ennis: Anti-Messiah, Or Just A Very Naughty Boy?
Further reading: The Boys, Hitman, Punisher MAX, Chosen, Just a Pilgrim, Y: The Last Man, Scalped, The Sword.
Profiles: Garth Ennis.
All comments welcome.
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