Gart Ennis' The Preacher

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FullerH

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Nov 25, 1998
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It was suggested that I might enjoy the Garth Ennis series of graphic novels, "The Preacher". I have read the first two and find them funny. Does anyone else see them that way?
 
As a former comic book junkie, this series is one of the few I've kept for myself. I have the entire series, from the first issue to the last, and find it extremely entertaining. Over the top, extremely anti-pc, very in your face, and one of the best series to come out. It might insult some people, it treats God in a bad light, but this Catholic has no problems with the comic. Hugh, once you meet the Saint o' Killers, he'll be your new favorite character. I recommend this series for all knife nuts, pirates, and yes, even mall ninjas. The main character is a stand up guy, in several of the issues you might even cheer for him. You'll find yourself hating and loving the vampire buddy from time to time. The preachers girlfriend is one tough woman, and she goes through hell for her man.

I'm a terrible reviewer, just go and read the entire series. If you can, pick it all up in graphic novel format, you'll love it. Just don't read it at work.


Lets see what it has...

I was going to list the characters, but you should have some fun being introduced to the "family". Some of the best writing I've seen, especially with Jesses father and his fathers friend in Nam. Just a great comic.
 
Well, as I say, I've read the first two and found them to be very good. I had really enjoyed the Garth Ennis written "Hellblazer" issues and the fellow at the comicbook store suggested that I might enjoy "The Preacher". although he was a bit taken aback when I bought the first two. He had wanted me to buy only the first, "Gone to Texas".

But, SKS, did you find anything humorous about them? I have found the forst two to have a sort of mutinous black humor about them that appeals to something in my sense of humor and I am wondering if it is really there or if I am just weird.
 
I read all of these several years ago, and one of the things that appealed to me was the humor, black or otherwise. I think it is a great read and a well done series.

Mike
 
Garth Ennis is an amazing writer with a wicked, cutting wit.

His two bits (one is a one-shot, and the other, a 3 or 4 issue story) about Kev, the ex-SAS soldier with Earth-shatteringly bad luck are some of the funniest dark humor comics I've read.

He also wrote my favorite Hellblazer storyline: Dangerous Habits.



B.
 
My job pretty much revolves around graphic novels, but it's unfortunately been a while since I read Preacher. I do recall laughing a lot, though. :D

Them's gotta be a reread sometime soon.

Next time you're in a book store, browse Warren Ellis's Transmetropolitan. Not nearly the same feel as Preacher and Hellblazer, but definitely the same over-the-top, anti-PC, dress-like-Jesus-and-rape-your-gramma sensibility. Think "Hunter S. Thompson in the Twenty-First Century". Might be worth a look.
 
arawn said:
He also wrote my favorite Hellblazer storyline: Dangerous Habits.
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Dangerous Habits was the one with the natural spring of sacramental wine, right? 'Cause Constantine was _brilliant_ in that one. :D The only other Hellblazer I've read is Red Sepulchre, which had more of the same occult-detectivery. Any other books in the series stand out?
 
In the course of reading one graphic novel, you will laugh, vomit and possibly cry. The stories are that good.
 
Grover_Cephas said:
Dangerous Habits was the one with the natural spring of sacramental wine, right? 'Cause Constantine was _brilliant_ in that one. :D The only other Hellblazer I've read is Red Sepulchre, which had more of the same occult-detectivery. Any other books in the series stand out?
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Grover,

That's the one.
That amazing story where he thwarts Lucifer to save his buddy's soul. It was also one of the 3 or 4 story lines they interwove in the movie: Constantine. And, despite the fact that the film simply wasn't British enough for me, I thought they did a nice job.

I'll have to think about what other Hellblazers are standouts for me.

Good call on the Transmetropolitan. It's Ennis in his element, throwing punches at everyone and anyone, all with a sense of style.


B.
 
arawn said:
Grover,

That's the one.
That amazing story where he thwarts Lucifer to save his buddy's soul. It was also one of the 3 or 4 story lines they interwove in the movie: Constantine. And, despite the fact that the film simply wasn't British enough for me, I thought they did a nice job.

I'll have to think about what other Hellblazers are standouts for me.

Good call on the Transmetropolitan. It's Ennis in his element, throwing punches at everyone and anyone, all with a sense of style.


B.
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Ennis didn't write Transmetropolitan, did he? BTW, never read the book.
 
I very much liked the original Jamie Delano and then Garth Ennis versions of Hellblazer, but I was not at all taken with the Brian Azzarello version.
 
If you like Preacher, check out Garths take on the Punisher, the first series he did. I have no idea which year it came out. Polar bears factor in nicely ;).
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Ennis didn't write Transmetropolitan, did he? BTW, never read the book.
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oops, good call.


Warren Ellis, another writer of comics/graphic novels with amazing talent.
For a cool, slightly raunchy piece from Warren Ellis, give Switchblade Honey a try.


B.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
If you like Preacher, check out Garths take on the Punisher, the first series he did. I have no idea which year it came out. Polar bears factor in nicely ;).
Click to expand...


He wrote an amazing Vietnam war era Punisher prequel called Born.
I don't know what other Punisher title's he's had a hand in.



B.
 
I finished the 9 book series and enjoyed them all. What a subversive sense of humor that guy has!
 
I've not read any of the Preacher books but they sound as if they're worth a look.
As to Hellblazer, I bought it as it came out for a while and the Jamie Delano stories stand out for me, that said, the one that really got under the skin was the Hellish Grant Morrison story of a small town commiting suicide;"Early Warning".
Any one read the Robert Kirkman/Tony Moore books "The walking Dead"? If not Check it out, lovely artwork, engaging characters and a compelling story and I've only read book one so far. Also anyone like the "Thirty days of Night" books?
 
Walking Dead is a great book, but when they switched from Tony Moore to Charlie Adlard, it was a bad move. I've never been a fan of Charlies artwork, but the story is pretty good, and Charlies art has started to lend itself to the story and feel of the book.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Walking Dead is a great book, but when they switched from Tony Moore to Charlie Adlard, it was a bad move. I've never been a fan of Charlies artwork, but the story is pretty good, and Charlies art has started to lend itself to the story and feel of the book.
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LIke I said, I've only read the first book and one of the things that sold it to me was the artwork, I'll definately be buying the later books 'cause I enjoyed the first installment so much, I hope the change of artist is'nt too jarring. That's my only gripe with the otherwise superb Sandman books, the variable quality of the artwork.
 
I have found that the varying artwork in the Sandman stories contributes to their individuality and to their moods. I suspect that the artists were selected with that in mind.
 
FullerH said:
I have found that the varying artwork in the Sandman stories contributes to their individuality and to their moods. I suspect that the artists were selected with that in mind.
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I know what you're saying, but to me some of the Keith and Dringenberg work in the early issues looked a bit sloppy, whereas for me, Michael Zulli's work on the wake is the best of the series.
 
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