Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon

Television, Movies Games and Books Comics
#1

There are nine volumes that collect all the comics in this series, which was released over a ten year period. It is very dark and bloody, but sometimes, the funniest moments come in the comics most violent outbursts, and you might end up feeling bad for laughing.

Its got it all: Preachers, angels, voodoo, cults, secret societies, the Saint of Killers, God (yes he is character in the series, and somehow it works), vampires, guns, explosions, stuff blowing up, the myth of Texas, the myth of Ireland, serial killers, and humor.

Basically, the main character, Jessie Custer, unwittingly receives a power equal to God, and in trying to understand this new power, he discovers God has quit his job. Jessie becomes determined to track God down, and make him answer for his actions.

It’s a very entertaining series, but probably not for those easily offended. I would recommend checking out the first volume and seeing if you like it, and going from there. If you read them out of order, the story will not make any sense, though there is a recap at the beginning of each volume after #3, I believe.

#2

I’ve put it on my reading list (“reading-listed”?) since you first talked about this somewhere else, Lucky.

Maybe you’ll also be interested by Therefore, Repent which is also built around the premise of messing around with Christian themes.

#3

Cool, I think you will like it GR, but I would warn you it is very heavily influenced by Westerns. Now, I know before when we tried to get you into Firefly, you were a bit apprehensive, because you weren’t sure if you could relate to the western themes. I would say westerns are still relevant today, and perhaps you just haven’t seen any worthwhile ones. To fully appreciate “Preacher” I would recommend watching the following westerns, all of which are excellent: A fistful of dollars, for a few dollars more, the good-the bad-and the ugly, True Grit, and Unforgiven.

Thing with Preacher is you’ll either love it, or hate it.

#4

Aren’t those three Italo-Westerns? I always thought the difference between Western and Italo-Westerns was that you’re supposed to sympathize with the bad guy in an Italo-Western because something horrible happens to him that’s not his fault?

Anyway, I did watch “High Noon” recently because it came up in a book about Cold War culture and I was curious.

#5

“Italo-westerns?”

Are you kidding?

There are only two types of westerns: those worth watching, and the not so much.

Eastwood’s man with no name trilogy might be considered outdated now, but I still find it awesome.

I mean, hell, here you go:

“you see, my mule don’t like people laughing. It gets him the crazy idea you were laughing at him…”

//youtu.be/JeFpM2OEWPs

3 coffins? My mistake, 4 coffins.

#6

I forgot. You call them “Spaghetti Westerns”

#7

No, just westerns.

The need to classify them, strangely, seems to typically fall to Europeans and Japanese.

But, to each their own I guess.

#8

Actually, we do call them Spaghetti Westerns, to distinguish them from their Hollywood predecessors. Although half the time you can call them Kurosawa rip-offs. That “four coffins” line is straight out of Sanjuro.

#9

Yes, but do you actually hear people refer to them as such? People that actually watch them?

Technically, there is classic, spaghetti, osterns, revisionists, acid, contempory, and science fiction, plus more.

Though I never hear people in RL actually refer to them by these names….

The movies are either fun to watch or they aren’t……

EDIT: Probably not making sense anyways. Sorry. I am actually laying in bed; sicker than all hell right now, and would you know it, watching “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

As far as “A fistful of dollars” being a rip off….i don’t know…but really how many original ideas are there really out there in literature, films, and music? I just know it’s fun to watch….

Not a big deal……

Sorry for straying off topic on my own thread. Preacher is a series worth checking out.

#10

Yup, but then I’m old.

As far as “A fistful of dollars” being a rip off….i don’t know…but really how many original ideas are there really out there in literature, films, and music? I just know it’s fun to watch….

Oh, I’m against the whole idea of intellectual property, but it was seedy of Leone not to give credit where it was due. Magnificent Seven acknowledges its debt to Seven Samurai in the opening credits.

#11

Fair enough. I am too sick, and not really feeling up to debating it. I got into westerns via my grandfather who was into them pre and post WW II. Additionally, many of my “older” friends are and were, also into them. The point being we never called them anything other than westerns, but like I said, fair enough.

As far as your RE: the rip off, I agree with everything you said. However, like I said, I still the find the MWNN trilogy entertaining, but sure, the director should have definitely credited anywhere he drew inspiration from, though honestly, it’s not that uncommon to see nowadays. It’s definitely a lot easier to respect the artist when he admits he “borrowed” some ideas.

#12

i fell in love with Preacher the moment one of the redneck cops started talking about “Martian n*****s”. there’s something so ridiculous about that kind of ignorance that you almost have to respect it.

#13

Preacher is one of my all time favorite series and I was heartbroken to see it end. It’s most definitely worth a read. Well, unless you’re easily offended then I’d really try to stay clear of it because I think the aim on this series was to offend everyone. YAY!!! Thanks Mr Ennis, I’m happy to be offended by you any day.

Now here’s my question…a long long ago there was talk about Preacher being developed for a movie/mini series. Does anyone out there know if this is still a possibility or has some network exec/producer finally read the series and figured out that it’s gonna be really hard to do?

#14

Last anyone heard it was being developed for HBO, and Ennis and Dillon were quite involved.

Something people rarely talk about though, is HITMAN by Ennis and Mcrea. It’s sort of a companion piece to PREACHER, but set in the regular DC Universe. DC’s collection policy towards it is a bit weird, but if you like Preacher, Hitman will hit a similar spot.

(I personally think it’s better than Preacher. I cried at the end of Hitman)

#15

Huh. I haven’t ever heard of Hitman, unless it’s related to the video game, but if it’s by Ennis & Dillon I’m all for it. It must have come out after my stint working at the comic store.

I shall search for it and report back!

#16

Yeah, Preacher is definitely not for those with thin skin.

#17

Speaking of Ennis, has anyone heard about his take on “The Punisher” (Welcome Back, Frank Premiere) - is that worth checking out? I’m very illiterate when it comes to Marvel stuff.

#18

It’s a comedy book, with a lot of Preacher in it. It did eentually turn into PUNISHER: MAX which is really messed up.

I enjoy them both,

#19

HBO Preacher series is a no-go:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38122

#20

This is moving up to a very high spot on my reading list. I’m so excited!