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Preacher Deluxe
Preacher, Book 6
In this final PREACHER volume, Jesse Custer makes amends with his girlfriend, Tulip, then seeks revenge against his formerfriend and compatriot Cassidy for the things the Irish vampire did to her when they both believed the Preacher to be dead.The final chapter in the Preacher storyline and the conclusion of Jesse Custer's quest to literally find God and take Him to taskfor the world's injustices. As the Preacher's crusade draws to an end, all of the players converge at the Alamo for a final show-down. With the love of his life, Tulip, by his side, Jesse makes his last stand against all of his enemies, including the Irish vampireknown as Cassidy, whom he used to call friend. But as the dust settles in the Texas desert, you won't believe how this epic battleof good versus evil will end.Collects #55-66 plus the TALL IN THE SADDLE .
380 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,501 books3,033 followersEnnis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
April 3, 2018
This was perfect.
Preacher is easily in my top 5 favorite graphic novels, and possibly my favorite all-around.
I'm pretty sure it isn't for everyone but this is the best comic title from start to finish that I've ever personally read.
These guys just...ah! How can I begin to explain how much I loved each and every one of them?
Everything, everything that happened in this last book was simply the optimum version of what I didn't even know I was secretly hoping for. There isn't one thing about the ending that I would change, and that in itself is pretty miraculous.
You know, I never would have pegged Garth Ennis for a hopeless romantic, but I think the man went and wrote the greatest love story of our time. <--and this is coming from a chick whose comic book collection is only rivaled by her trashy romance novel collection!
If Elizabeth and Darcy were a bit more stabby, they'd have a romance almost as legendary as Tulip and Jesse.
Almost.
So what happened?
The characters did what they inevitably had to do, and the loose ends got tied up. Some people got incredibly happy endings and some didn't, but most got what they deserved.
And I smiled a lot.
This was an epic journey from start to finish, and I'm so glad I finally decided to take the plunge and read it. It's been one of those graphic novels that have been recommended to me over and over again through the years, but it just looked weird and nonsensical.
And it is. <--a preacher and his girlfriend take off across America with a vampire to hunt down God?
But this is weird and nonsensical in the very best kind of way.
Highly Recommended!
Preacher is easily in my top 5 favorite graphic novels, and possibly my favorite all-around.
I'm pretty sure it isn't for everyone but this is the best comic title from start to finish that I've ever personally read.
These guys just...ah! How can I begin to explain how much I loved each and every one of them?
Everything, everything that happened in this last book was simply the optimum version of what I didn't even know I was secretly hoping for. There isn't one thing about the ending that I would change, and that in itself is pretty miraculous.
You know, I never would have pegged Garth Ennis for a hopeless romantic, but I think the man went and wrote the greatest love story of our time. <--and this is coming from a chick whose comic book collection is only rivaled by her trashy romance novel collection!
If Elizabeth and Darcy were a bit more stabby, they'd have a romance almost as legendary as Tulip and Jesse.
Almost.
So what happened?
The characters did what they inevitably had to do, and the loose ends got tied up. Some people got incredibly happy endings and some didn't, but most got what they deserved.
And I smiled a lot.
This was an epic journey from start to finish, and I'm so glad I finally decided to take the plunge and read it. It's been one of those graphic novels that have been recommended to me over and over again through the years, but it just looked weird and nonsensical.
And it is. <--a preacher and his girlfriend take off across America with a vampire to hunt down God?
But this is weird and nonsensical in the very best kind of way.
Highly Recommended!
October 2, 2016
It's all over. All over.
I can't even.
I can't even.
May 8, 2017
“You know
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that?”—Rick Springfield
“Do you understand what it means to be a human being?” –Jesse, to Cassidy
“Remember the Alamo.” (Where the epic ending battle takes place)
“They eat horses, don’t they?”—Napoleon Vichy, who likes to eat premium horsemeat. (bizarre side story, but as they always are, it’s strange and funny)
So this is the Big Finish, and it does NOT disappoint.
Interesting dimensions:
* The comically evil Herr Starr returns, the Allfather of the Grail, who’s mean even to grannies. Starr, who became a monster, first to save the world (to give it religious—Christian—order, through the Genesis project), and then for vengeance (to try and kill Custer). The resolution does not disappoint!
*The joint venture of The Saint of All Killers and The Preacher. They both have a bone to pick with God. And again, this resolution does not disappoint! (A kind of existentialist resolution, I thought).
And Jenny is a bit bitter about how God may have treated her, too, since her sister was killed: Can you get angry at God for the misery of the world? Ennis says yep.
*Jesse asks Cassidy if he knows what it means to be a human being, to be a man.
“I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none.” –Macbeth
Ultimately, this series, underneath the outrage and silliness and partying and violence is about what it means to be human, asking questions about love and friendship and loyalty and betrayal.
*Jesse Custer. . . JC, oh, wait . . . Jesus Christ… ?? Hmmm.
*Beating up a woman (or women) (or the general abuse of women) becomes the (unforgivable?) sin for Jesse, in the fight with Cassidy, in their epic battle, but they don’t actually talk much of the central betrayal, Cassidy’s betrayal of Tulip; the excuse is that Cassidy and Tulip thought Custer was dead, so Cassidy could take advantage of Tulip’s grief, but this doesn’t quite fly with me. And there is also a suggestion that Custer had a crush on Jenny, Tulip’s best friend, but I guess the point here is that Custer did not act on his feelings, not did Jenny. But the resolution of the fight between Jesse and Cassidy? Does not disappoint!
*So, in fact there is the series-log-promised confrontation with God, the reason for the 6 volume road trip. But in the end it is Cassidy, not Custer, who meets Him. And Cassidy makes a deal. . . which for me does not disappoint.
*And the great sweeping western love story, between Tulip and Jesse, sweet and not simple. Again, the resolution of this relationship does not disappoint!
*We even get a satisfactory resolution for the Arseface story, aw, with Lorie, whose interesting visual disorder makes her view Arseface as actually handsome.
This is one of the greatest comics series ever, with an ending (or series of endings) that comes through for you.
Oh, and one more thing:
*McSorley’s Ale House (of which I personally have fond memories from when I lived in Manhattan) in the East Village of Manhattan is the second most featured bar in this series (see previous reviews for Ennis’s favorite bar, but it is gone now, anyway, and McSorley’s, the oldest Irish pub in NYC, and at 150+ years strong, is one of the oldest (and coolest) in the country.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/mcsorleys-ol...
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that?”—Rick Springfield
“Do you understand what it means to be a human being?” –Jesse, to Cassidy
“Remember the Alamo.” (Where the epic ending battle takes place)
“They eat horses, don’t they?”—Napoleon Vichy, who likes to eat premium horsemeat. (bizarre side story, but as they always are, it’s strange and funny)
So this is the Big Finish, and it does NOT disappoint.
Interesting dimensions:
* The comically evil Herr Starr returns, the Allfather of the Grail, who’s mean even to grannies. Starr, who became a monster, first to save the world (to give it religious—Christian—order, through the Genesis project), and then for vengeance (to try and kill Custer). The resolution does not disappoint!
*The joint venture of The Saint of All Killers and The Preacher. They both have a bone to pick with God. And again, this resolution does not disappoint! (A kind of existentialist resolution, I thought).
And Jenny is a bit bitter about how God may have treated her, too, since her sister was killed: Can you get angry at God for the misery of the world? Ennis says yep.
*Jesse asks Cassidy if he knows what it means to be a human being, to be a man.
“I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none.” –Macbeth
Ultimately, this series, underneath the outrage and silliness and partying and violence is about what it means to be human, asking questions about love and friendship and loyalty and betrayal.
*Jesse Custer. . . JC, oh, wait . . . Jesus Christ… ?? Hmmm.
*Beating up a woman (or women) (or the general abuse of women) becomes the (unforgivable?) sin for Jesse, in the fight with Cassidy, in their epic battle, but they don’t actually talk much of the central betrayal, Cassidy’s betrayal of Tulip; the excuse is that Cassidy and Tulip thought Custer was dead, so Cassidy could take advantage of Tulip’s grief, but this doesn’t quite fly with me. And there is also a suggestion that Custer had a crush on Jenny, Tulip’s best friend, but I guess the point here is that Custer did not act on his feelings, not did Jenny. But the resolution of the fight between Jesse and Cassidy? Does not disappoint!
*So, in fact there is the series-log-promised confrontation with God, the reason for the 6 volume road trip. But in the end it is Cassidy, not Custer, who meets Him. And Cassidy makes a deal. . . which for me does not disappoint.
*And the great sweeping western love story, between Tulip and Jesse, sweet and not simple. Again, the resolution of this relationship does not disappoint!
*We even get a satisfactory resolution for the Arseface story, aw, with Lorie, whose interesting visual disorder makes her view Arseface as actually handsome.
This is one of the greatest comics series ever, with an ending (or series of endings) that comes through for you.
Oh, and one more thing:
*McSorley’s Ale House (of which I personally have fond memories from when I lived in Manhattan) in the East Village of Manhattan is the second most featured bar in this series (see previous reviews for Ennis’s favorite bar, but it is gone now, anyway, and McSorley’s, the oldest Irish pub in NYC, and at 150+ years strong, is one of the oldest (and coolest) in the country.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/mcsorleys-ol...
January 7, 2023
4.25 stars. The was a nice finale to this journey. Jesse got the closure he wanted with Cassidy, as brutal as that was. Things with Herr Star was settled in a satisfying manner. A deal with the Saint of Killers was made that paid off. Hell, even Arseface got a nice conclusion. The end had me worried for a minute that this would go a way I wasn’t gonna like but it ended up bringing on some watery eyes and ending on a conclusion I could agree with. If you haven’t read this one, highly recommended.
December 15, 2016
And so it comes to a close. Preacher is done. Well...that was one crazy fucking ride.
This volume basically closed all loose strings..knots...whatever. It closed shit up. CASE CLOSED (I'm so bored...) The best part is the showdown between Cassidy and Jesse. I mean you knew it was coming, especially after what Cas did. It's both heartbreaking and amazing. The moment in the bar till the actual fight, it's damn heartfelt and wonderful. As someone who's lost close friends to fights the last few lines in this fight are perfect.
You finally see God, the almighty son of a bitch, and man oh man the ending is near perfect for him. It's a bit of a twist but I think it still works. Feathbitch and Starr all make you laugh. Like a lot. Their whole ending storyline felt a bit rushed but none the less I was smiling when certain things happen.
Oh and last but not least, Arseface...his story ends sweetly. I mean it's disgusting cause his face still looks like a asshole but still, it's nice ending.
I enjoyed it all, and sure some stuff didn't end the way I wanted, but it fit Preacher. That was the most important thing. Preacher was always wild, weird, crazy, over the top and it never stopped till the end. For that I give Ennis a lot of credit. This was worth reading till the end!
This volume basically closed all loose strings..knots...whatever. It closed shit up. CASE CLOSED (I'm so bored...) The best part is the showdown between Cassidy and Jesse. I mean you knew it was coming, especially after what Cas did. It's both heartbreaking and amazing. The moment in the bar till the actual fight, it's damn heartfelt and wonderful. As someone who's lost close friends to fights the last few lines in this fight are perfect.
You finally see God, the almighty son of a bitch, and man oh man the ending is near perfect for him. It's a bit of a twist but I think it still works. Feathbitch and Starr all make you laugh. Like a lot. Their whole ending storyline felt a bit rushed but none the less I was smiling when certain things happen.
Oh and last but not least, Arseface...his story ends sweetly. I mean it's disgusting cause his face still looks like a asshole but still, it's nice ending.
I enjoyed it all, and sure some stuff didn't end the way I wanted, but it fit Preacher. That was the most important thing. Preacher was always wild, weird, crazy, over the top and it never stopped till the end. For that I give Ennis a lot of credit. This was worth reading till the end!
April 9, 2017
Not quite the ending I was expecting, but that's ok. It tied up all of the loose ends, although the Cassidy wrap-up was probably more satisfying than the Starr one.
This entire series was incredibly unique with an amazing blend of genres and commentary. Just about every plot point was an excuse for Ennis to say something about people or society. As long as you can handle the violence, profanity, and sexual references and misconduct, it's a must read.
This entire series was incredibly unique with an amazing blend of genres and commentary. Just about every plot point was an excuse for Ennis to say something about people or society. As long as you can handle the violence, profanity, and sexual references and misconduct, it's a must read.
June 18, 2015
The adventures of Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy come to a conclusion in this final volume, and it's certainly not the ending I was expecting, considering all that came before it.
The opening Tall In The Saddle one-shot was a nice addition to really flesh out Jesse's cowboy aspirations as well as explaining what happened to Amy between Tulip's flashback issues and today.
Then the final storylines begin as Jesse tries to find out about Cassidy's past whilst the other pieces of the puzzle move around the board in time for the final few issues that resolve everything. It's actually a fitting ending, but it's a hell of a lot happier than I expected given everything that had happened up to this point. It's still got me thinking about it now nearly 24 hours later, so that's a definite win in my book. It's clear why Preacher is held on the pedestal that it is, because it definitely deserves it.
The opening Tall In The Saddle one-shot was a nice addition to really flesh out Jesse's cowboy aspirations as well as explaining what happened to Amy between Tulip's flashback issues and today.
Then the final storylines begin as Jesse tries to find out about Cassidy's past whilst the other pieces of the puzzle move around the board in time for the final few issues that resolve everything. It's actually a fitting ending, but it's a hell of a lot happier than I expected given everything that had happened up to this point. It's still got me thinking about it now nearly 24 hours later, so that's a definite win in my book. It's clear why Preacher is held on the pedestal that it is, because it definitely deserves it.
January 18, 2018
A kick-ass ending to a kick-ass series. Oh my god, how good was that! Preacher is one of the best series I've read, and it managed to stay absolutely bonkers and awesome during the whole run. There are not too many long-running series that can boast that. Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, you are geniuses. Thank you for this incredible trip.
November 28, 2016
Just fucking fantastic.
September 5, 2017
I only have few words to say about this book...well thats a lie, I really have pages I could write about how absolutely wonderful this series is. But alas I'll keep this brief.
There is an empty space in my heart after finishing this last volume. Its like losing a close friend, but the good thing here is I can go back to the start and go through it all again.
Everything about this series is mesmerising; the crazy but loveable characters and their development throughout the journey, the unfolding evolution of the story as it seamlessly tells one of the coolest, most intriguing road trip tales ever told, and lets not forget the gorgeous art. Dillon's work is so beautiful, and the fact that not one of the #66 issues had a stand in artist is something I thoroughly enjoyed.
If you're looking for something different, something a little wacky, but ultimately loveable in every way, then you NEED to check this out.
There is an empty space in my heart after finishing this last volume. Its like losing a close friend, but the good thing here is I can go back to the start and go through it all again.
Everything about this series is mesmerising; the crazy but loveable characters and their development throughout the journey, the unfolding evolution of the story as it seamlessly tells one of the coolest, most intriguing road trip tales ever told, and lets not forget the gorgeous art. Dillon's work is so beautiful, and the fact that not one of the #66 issues had a stand in artist is something I thoroughly enjoyed.
If you're looking for something different, something a little wacky, but ultimately loveable in every way, then you NEED to check this out.
June 22, 2024
What a story! Can’t wait to watch the show, finally.
The ending was very good and satisfying. I think the writers did a great job at making me care about the characters but not too much. There’s a definitely a healthy mix of side stories and the main plot that kept me entertained throughout. The story definitely has its ups and down but overall it was very good!
The ending was very good and satisfying. I think the writers did a great job at making me care about the characters but not too much. There’s a definitely a healthy mix of side stories and the main plot that kept me entertained throughout. The story definitely has its ups and down but overall it was very good!
October 5, 2016
SERIES REVIEW:
It is complete. When I began this series, I must have been either still in high school or fresh out. Needless to say, I was not yet a member of the adult world. Many children go through an "edgy" phase around the time puberty fully takes hold, seeking out more disturbing books, bloodier films and angrier music to consume. I guess you could call me a late bloomer. When I read the first volume of Preacher, I absolutely loved it. It had sex, violence, and a generally fucked up sense of humor! I was getting more into reading comics at the time, and I had never read any comics that had entertained me in the same way. I really wanted to read the rest of the series as soon as I could. But things didn't turn out that way.
Funny how the years can change a person. Maturity comes with cynicism, and suddenly you begin to question if the love you felt was ever love at all. A viewing of Sucker Punch single-handedly destroyed my love of watching movies just because they featured very attractive women. Cannibal Holocaust did the same for fucked up movies. I began to look at things with an increasingly critical eye. And all this time, Preacher was still out there. I really wanted to find out what happened to Jesse Custer, his girlfriend and that Irish vampire guy I remember thinking was so cool.
A few months ago, I finally returned to Garth Ennis' series. I was super excited to finish this series I knew I would absolutely love. After all, it's a very highly regarded series, and very few negative things have been said about it! Well, it sure was a wild ride, going from action, drama, romance and horror almost every issue. The main problem is how it balances it. A lot of the time, it doesn't. Preacher was written in a time when cynicism and edginess were as mainstream as they would ever be, and sometimes the series feels like it was written with a man with two heads, one ranting about the PC movement and getting the wrong ideas from Tarantino movies, and another that's a hopeless romantic.
When I returned to the series, I took out the 6-book deluxe anthology series rather than the regular 9-book series. Not too sure what the differences between the two are, but in regards to the version I read... The series often seems to avoid it's own main plot as much as possible. All through the 3rd and 4th volumes especially, we are "treated" to origin story after origin story. Sure, they usually end up providing the reader with information that becomes important later in the story, but filling entire issues of the comic with origin stories seems a little over the top. By the time readers are shown just how "Arseface" got his name (even though we're told enough right at the start of the series), I felt as cynical as a Preacher side character.
Cassidy, the Irish vampire, gets a surprisingly dull origin tale, even though he's actually one of the most interesting characters in the story. His origin is mainly just a syrupy Irish immigrant story in the end, with a couple references to being an immortal vampire thrown in. Ennis is a Northern Irish immigrant himself, so he probably put a lot of his personal experience into this part of the comic. Unfortunately, it still comes across as overly sentimental. As does having not one but TWO Vietnam stories featuring Jesse's father that basically have nothing to do with the story at all. The Saint of Killers' origin story goes in the other direction, just aiming for edginess. And don't even get me started on "The Good Old Boys". The most successful origin story is Tulip's, because it goes back and forth between the present and the past, and has very little of the random tangents Ennis likes to fall back on so much.
The three main characters are by far the most interesting in the series. I was disappointed with the direction they took with a lot of the side characters. Both Arseface and Starr become running jokes that outstay their welcome. The Saint of Killers is admittedly pretty badass but has one purpose only. And a lot of characters seem to have no point other than being fucked up villains, like Odin Quincannon. I was probably the most impressed with what they did with Tulip and Cassidy as characters. Even though the comic definitely has a ridiculous streak, Tulip came across as more than just a typical "strong female character". And Cassidy somehow becomes the villain without any evil for the sake of being evil, but just because he's a terrible person. If the comic was more focused, I would probably rate it higher just for the two characters alone.
I was disappointed by Preacher in the end, but I still think it's a decent comic. Not sure if i could really recommend it, but I don't recommend against it either. I was satisfied with the ending, even though it was as sentimental as expected. Even a cynic like me becomes, well, cynical about cynicism and just wants to see a happy ending sometimes.
3/5
It is complete. When I began this series, I must have been either still in high school or fresh out. Needless to say, I was not yet a member of the adult world. Many children go through an "edgy" phase around the time puberty fully takes hold, seeking out more disturbing books, bloodier films and angrier music to consume. I guess you could call me a late bloomer. When I read the first volume of Preacher, I absolutely loved it. It had sex, violence, and a generally fucked up sense of humor! I was getting more into reading comics at the time, and I had never read any comics that had entertained me in the same way. I really wanted to read the rest of the series as soon as I could. But things didn't turn out that way.
Funny how the years can change a person. Maturity comes with cynicism, and suddenly you begin to question if the love you felt was ever love at all. A viewing of Sucker Punch single-handedly destroyed my love of watching movies just because they featured very attractive women. Cannibal Holocaust did the same for fucked up movies. I began to look at things with an increasingly critical eye. And all this time, Preacher was still out there. I really wanted to find out what happened to Jesse Custer, his girlfriend and that Irish vampire guy I remember thinking was so cool.
A few months ago, I finally returned to Garth Ennis' series. I was super excited to finish this series I knew I would absolutely love. After all, it's a very highly regarded series, and very few negative things have been said about it! Well, it sure was a wild ride, going from action, drama, romance and horror almost every issue. The main problem is how it balances it. A lot of the time, it doesn't. Preacher was written in a time when cynicism and edginess were as mainstream as they would ever be, and sometimes the series feels like it was written with a man with two heads, one ranting about the PC movement and getting the wrong ideas from Tarantino movies, and another that's a hopeless romantic.
When I returned to the series, I took out the 6-book deluxe anthology series rather than the regular 9-book series. Not too sure what the differences between the two are, but in regards to the version I read... The series often seems to avoid it's own main plot as much as possible. All through the 3rd and 4th volumes especially, we are "treated" to origin story after origin story. Sure, they usually end up providing the reader with information that becomes important later in the story, but filling entire issues of the comic with origin stories seems a little over the top. By the time readers are shown just how "Arseface" got his name (even though we're told enough right at the start of the series), I felt as cynical as a Preacher side character.
Cassidy, the Irish vampire, gets a surprisingly dull origin tale, even though he's actually one of the most interesting characters in the story. His origin is mainly just a syrupy Irish immigrant story in the end, with a couple references to being an immortal vampire thrown in. Ennis is a Northern Irish immigrant himself, so he probably put a lot of his personal experience into this part of the comic. Unfortunately, it still comes across as overly sentimental. As does having not one but TWO Vietnam stories featuring Jesse's father that basically have nothing to do with the story at all. The Saint of Killers' origin story goes in the other direction, just aiming for edginess. And don't even get me started on "The Good Old Boys". The most successful origin story is Tulip's, because it goes back and forth between the present and the past, and has very little of the random tangents Ennis likes to fall back on so much.
The three main characters are by far the most interesting in the series. I was disappointed with the direction they took with a lot of the side characters. Both Arseface and Starr become running jokes that outstay their welcome. The Saint of Killers is admittedly pretty badass but has one purpose only. And a lot of characters seem to have no point other than being fucked up villains, like Odin Quincannon. I was probably the most impressed with what they did with Tulip and Cassidy as characters. Even though the comic definitely has a ridiculous streak, Tulip came across as more than just a typical "strong female character". And Cassidy somehow becomes the villain without any evil for the sake of being evil, but just because he's a terrible person. If the comic was more focused, I would probably rate it higher just for the two characters alone.
I was disappointed by Preacher in the end, but I still think it's a decent comic. Not sure if i could really recommend it, but I don't recommend against it either. I was satisfied with the ending, even though it was as sentimental as expected. Even a cynic like me becomes, well, cynical about cynicism and just wants to see a happy ending sometimes.
3/5
February 2, 2015
I love the Preacher series, full of amazing characters, some you'd like to meet in real life, many you wouldn't! This is a horror comic series, certainly not one for the faint of heart, I think if they ever make Preacher into a movie, it would need something like a 21 age rating! But I love the story running through this, and it manages to surprise you every step of the way, you never see it coming. Unpredictable, exciting, gross, and fills my heart with joy at the same time! Kevin Smith said it right, Preacher, 'more fun than going to the movies'. This is fantastic!
April 29, 2016
Ka is a wheel. Karma is a circle. I am the Alpha and Omega. What a great series. Unexpected, yet thoroughly appropriate conclusion.
November 15, 2017
Decent series. Massively overrated. Seemed stretched: a lot of boring filling.
3/5, wouldn't recommend.
3/5, wouldn't recommend.
January 22, 2018
3.5 stars. A fairly lackluster, Hollywood-type ending for what was overall a magnificently depraved, hilariously inventive series.
August 7, 2016
Finished the entire Preacher. Twas an awesome ride. :)
January 6, 2019
3.5
Preacher has been a fun series, even if I feel that the hype never delivered to my expectations. Garth Ennis did create a long and very unpredictable series, but in the end it failed to deliver on the overall storyline. I felt some of the stories were treading water, filling up time until the last issues were getting ready to fall. The support characters were fun, but unlike the Preacher, no one provided the presence he did and when the story was starting to head to the conclusion, it never turned into that race towards the end, it was setup after setup.
Ennis created a memorable series, which is now living on as a Tv show. The problems I had from the story here, wasn't from the book itself, it was more from volume 5 backing itself into a corner. I wanted to enjoy this series, it is one of the most loved comic series of all time and had I read it at the time of publishing, the review could have been different. Ennis is a great storyteller and this book attempts to keep things twisting towards the end, but one of the biggest issues I had was the conclusion. The conclusion is a happy ending. I feel this goes against everything the series was creating, but just my opinion.
Why the 3.5?
The only part of the conclusion I liked was the final panels that wrapped the series up. The happy ending with everybody coming back to life was annoying and did not suit. The twisting of the storyline was okay, but everybody having the chance to be free left a bad taste in my mouth. This wasn't the ending I felt the series deserved, while it is hard to close out after years of storytelling, ending it like this was an odd way. It just wasn't my thing.
Preacher has been a fun series, even if I feel that the hype never delivered to my expectations. Garth Ennis did create a long and very unpredictable series, but in the end it failed to deliver on the overall storyline. I felt some of the stories were treading water, filling up time until the last issues were getting ready to fall. The support characters were fun, but unlike the Preacher, no one provided the presence he did and when the story was starting to head to the conclusion, it never turned into that race towards the end, it was setup after setup.
Ennis created a memorable series, which is now living on as a Tv show. The problems I had from the story here, wasn't from the book itself, it was more from volume 5 backing itself into a corner. I wanted to enjoy this series, it is one of the most loved comic series of all time and had I read it at the time of publishing, the review could have been different. Ennis is a great storyteller and this book attempts to keep things twisting towards the end, but one of the biggest issues I had was the conclusion. The conclusion is a happy ending. I feel this goes against everything the series was creating, but just my opinion.
Why the 3.5?
The only part of the conclusion I liked was the final panels that wrapped the series up. The happy ending with everybody coming back to life was annoying and did not suit. The twisting of the storyline was okay, but everybody having the chance to be free left a bad taste in my mouth. This wasn't the ending I felt the series deserved, while it is hard to close out after years of storytelling, ending it like this was an odd way. It just wasn't my thing.
January 8, 2021
It's a hell of a ride, isn't it?
This volume of Preacher is the end, and man does it have everything. Over the course of it we reflect on the journey our unholy trinity have been on, the choices they've made over the course of it, and we're forced to really do some deep digging into just who these characters are. The last volume saw Jesse really dig deep and come to terms with who he is, and we saw some of Tulip do the same. This volume sees both of them make some hard choices and eventually truly face up to themselves.
Oh, and there's also the little problem of Cassidy.
The handling of Cassidy is some of the most interesting examinations of character that I've ever read. It's easy to fall for him, the reader falls for him as easily as Jesse did after all. The coming to terms with who he is happens to the reader just as it does to Jesse and we're forced to really, well, deal with it. It's interesting, it's difficult, but at the end of the day... it's satisfying in a way few things are. Is it possible to be a good person if you've done terrible things? Contrasting Gunther and Cassidy would be an interesting thing to examine. Some things can't be forgiven, so, can Cassidy be forgiven? Does he deserve to be?
Anyway, I think it's easy to say that everybody got the ending you didn't even know you wanted them to get, and that's a pretty cool thing to see. Sitting back and really looking at it... well. Preacher has held up beautifully, and I think to some degree it always will. Yeah, it was best when it first came out, but reading it sure puts you right back in that mood, doesn't it?
Not sure I'd really change a thing.
This volume of Preacher is the end, and man does it have everything. Over the course of it we reflect on the journey our unholy trinity have been on, the choices they've made over the course of it, and we're forced to really do some deep digging into just who these characters are. The last volume saw Jesse really dig deep and come to terms with who he is, and we saw some of Tulip do the same. This volume sees both of them make some hard choices and eventually truly face up to themselves.
Oh, and there's also the little problem of Cassidy.
The handling of Cassidy is some of the most interesting examinations of character that I've ever read. It's easy to fall for him, the reader falls for him as easily as Jesse did after all. The coming to terms with who he is happens to the reader just as it does to Jesse and we're forced to really, well, deal with it. It's interesting, it's difficult, but at the end of the day... it's satisfying in a way few things are. Is it possible to be a good person if you've done terrible things? Contrasting Gunther and Cassidy would be an interesting thing to examine. Some things can't be forgiven, so, can Cassidy be forgiven? Does he deserve to be?
Anyway, I think it's easy to say that everybody got the ending you didn't even know you wanted them to get, and that's a pretty cool thing to see. Sitting back and really looking at it... well. Preacher has held up beautifully, and I think to some degree it always will. Yeah, it was best when it first came out, but reading it sure puts you right back in that mood, doesn't it?
Not sure I'd really change a thing.
March 13, 2020
I don't really know what to say.
This series is so great and the characters feel so painfully real. They break your heart and pick it back up. Everything that happens just feels so inevitable and like, you just have to live with it. It's one of the best representations of real life as being uncontrollable and chaotic I've read. And beneath all the edgy cynicism and just disturbing scenes it has some genuine great moments of storytelling. It's one of those things that feels like it didn't NEED to go on as long as it did but the creators take full advantage of every page of every issue to make it a meaningful story.
I highly recommend it but definitely be prepared for that edginess.
This series is so great and the characters feel so painfully real. They break your heart and pick it back up. Everything that happens just feels so inevitable and like, you just have to live with it. It's one of the best representations of real life as being uncontrollable and chaotic I've read. And beneath all the edgy cynicism and just disturbing scenes it has some genuine great moments of storytelling. It's one of those things that feels like it didn't NEED to go on as long as it did but the creators take full advantage of every page of every issue to make it a meaningful story.
I highly recommend it but definitely be prepared for that edginess.
July 2, 2022
Final Perfecto para la saga, el libro 6 de convirtió en el cierre que no sabía que quería pero que necesitaba leer.
Preacher volumen 6 es el final de la historia del reverendo Jesse Custer. El grial lo esta buscando, Cassidy sigue suelto y el propio dios y el santo de los asesinos estan por ahi acechando.
Despues de tanta muerte y tragedia Jesse le pone un punto final a todas las subtramas que se habían empezado desde el volumen 1 y Garth Ennis logra crear un guion más que perfecto para darle fin a su Western satírico con toques de fantasía.
El volumen 6 fue una muy satisfactoria lectura después de un par de años de lectura desde que empeze la saga, lo recomiendo bastante. Preacher no podía tener otro final que no fuera este...
Preacher volumen 6 es el final de la historia del reverendo Jesse Custer. El grial lo esta buscando, Cassidy sigue suelto y el propio dios y el santo de los asesinos estan por ahi acechando.
Despues de tanta muerte y tragedia Jesse le pone un punto final a todas las subtramas que se habían empezado desde el volumen 1 y Garth Ennis logra crear un guion más que perfecto para darle fin a su Western satírico con toques de fantasía.
El volumen 6 fue una muy satisfactoria lectura después de un par de años de lectura desde que empeze la saga, lo recomiendo bastante. Preacher no podía tener otro final que no fuera este...
January 27, 2022
This is the most funny weird flying pages I`ve ever read :)
May 17, 2023
so how do i remake the preacher series keeping the perfect casting of dominic cooper, ruth negga and joe gilgun as the unholy trinity but elevating the story to the same level as its source material?
August 29, 2019
Ennis’ writing is iconic for its edgy humour and shocking visual gags, both of which are synonymous to the Preacher series. If you had a taste and liked it, you’re likely to enjoy the rest of the books. Conversely, if you didn’t, you might just dread reading these thick instalments.
Side observation: Ennis seems to like using one-eyed characters for the grisly impact.
Starting off the book after a long break, I felt keen to revisit all the characters and see what they’re up to. I felt the book was paced and poised well, it was all put together in nice sequences (both Timespace & character jumps involved). Throughout the six books, I’ve gotten invested in the characters and it’s interesting to keep up with even the side characters.
Ennis does a smashing job manipulating the emotions of the audience. We go through all these feelings alongside Jesse and towards the end, my emotions definitely got toyed with.
It was a beautiful, well-crafted and bold ending. Would definitely re-read the entire series again. Preacher may be a little tough to break into because the interior art is very “regular” with “practical” colours and heavy text but it definitely goes down smoother the more accustomed you are to it and it is worth breaking in. Although it does have strong Western undertones, it don’t bother me none.
I’m real sad it ended and that’s how you know it was a great adventure.
Side observation: Ennis seems to like using one-eyed characters for the grisly impact.
Starting off the book after a long break, I felt keen to revisit all the characters and see what they’re up to. I felt the book was paced and poised well, it was all put together in nice sequences (both Timespace & character jumps involved). Throughout the six books, I’ve gotten invested in the characters and it’s interesting to keep up with even the side characters.
Ennis does a smashing job manipulating the emotions of the audience. We go through all these feelings alongside Jesse and towards the end, my emotions definitely got toyed with.
It was a beautiful, well-crafted and bold ending. Would definitely re-read the entire series again. Preacher may be a little tough to break into because the interior art is very “regular” with “practical” colours and heavy text but it definitely goes down smoother the more accustomed you are to it and it is worth breaking in. Although it does have strong Western undertones, it don’t bother me none.
I’m real sad it ended and that’s how you know it was a great adventure.
March 14, 2023
God, what a fucking ending
There’s so much I want to talk about but I’m not sure just talking about it can do this story justice.
Before I comment about the ending, I’ll go over everything I disliked. And that was all the Her Starr and Arseface scenes, and I’m glad we didn’t see them in the end cause they’re boring as fuck.
Now I got that off my chest I’ll talk about the ending. This is the one time I won’t analyze and spoil something, because I want whoever is reading this to experience it for the first time without knowing anything, because it is fucking perfect. Like another user on here said, it’s the best goddamn love story ever written.
But I do want to talk about the overall point of preacher. Yes, it’s violent and degenerate, but it’s really a story about love, redemption, and humanity. We’re better than god, we don’t need god, because we have ourselves. We make life what it is, and we don’t need anyone telling us different or how to live it. We are what makes us human, not some prick in the sky.
Volume overall: 4/5
Series overall: 8.5/10
There’s so much I want to talk about but I’m not sure just talking about it can do this story justice.
Before I comment about the ending, I’ll go over everything I disliked. And that was all the Her Starr and Arseface scenes, and I’m glad we didn’t see them in the end cause they’re boring as fuck.
Now I got that off my chest I’ll talk about the ending. This is the one time I won’t analyze and spoil something, because I want whoever is reading this to experience it for the first time without knowing anything, because it is fucking perfect. Like another user on here said, it’s the best goddamn love story ever written.
But I do want to talk about the overall point of preacher. Yes, it’s violent and degenerate, but it’s really a story about love, redemption, and humanity. We’re better than god, we don’t need god, because we have ourselves. We make life what it is, and we don’t need anyone telling us different or how to live it. We are what makes us human, not some prick in the sky.
Volume overall: 4/5
Series overall: 8.5/10
April 22, 2015
The Preacher series comes to a conclusion with a bang. All of the story lines are wrapped up nicely, probably a bit too nicely in a few instances. But when you're wrapping up a story that was as big as this, that is to be expected.
I love that a series based on someone hunting down God for crimes against humanity could go on for this long. The fact that God is actually killed in the end raises more questions than it answers but definitely doesn't take the easy way out.
A fantastic series that I'm sorry to see end. On the bright side, it's about to be adapted for AMC so lets hope that doesn't suck.
I love that a series based on someone hunting down God for crimes against humanity could go on for this long. The fact that God is actually killed in the end raises more questions than it answers but definitely doesn't take the easy way out.
A fantastic series that I'm sorry to see end. On the bright side, it's about to be adapted for AMC so lets hope that doesn't suck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
I can't believe it's over. This is still one of the most profane and violent (sometimes disgustingly so) graphic things I've ever read, and yet I admit I cried at the end. I'm going to miss Jesse, Tulip, Cassidy, Arseface, and all the rest. I am thankful that the plot went back on track here after a filler-laden volume 5, and that it tied up every loose end, and I can't say I disliked any of the fates assigned to the characters, which is a rarity. Overall, a fitting conclusion to a memorable series. Great art, as always. Long live the Preacher crew.
July 31, 2018
Ennis's final volume of Preacher is solid, but not perfect: Jesse remains too moral despite some moments harsh justice, Tulip's sole motivation is the love of Jesse, and Herr Star becomes a cartoonish monster. The theological allegory becomes heavy-handed, and the body count seems extreme. For ultra-violent satire, it works but as a story with cohesive character growth, only Cassidy and the Saint of Killers actually have proper character arcs. All the loose strings are tied up and killed, sometimes literally, and the everything does cohere, but in a way, it felt a bit underwhelming.
October 29, 2019
This was the weakest of the six deluxe editions. The conclusion was a bit of a dud.
However, overall, the series was fantastic and would be recommended! I dont think I've anything as irreverent as this work! :)
However, overall, the series was fantastic and would be recommended! I dont think I've anything as irreverent as this work! :)
Read
March 17, 2020Well, it's done. I finished it. I think if I had to sum it all up in one word, I'd say I was underwhelmed with how it all wraps up. I guess I'm in the minority here, probably because most people who felt like I did by book 4 wouldn't have gotten this far. If you're reading this and care about spoilers, I don't understand you, but I respect your right, so...
And at least the art remained consistently good.
And at least the art remained consistently good.
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