Title: Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas
Author: Garth Ennis
First published January 1, 1995
336 pages, Comics
ISBN: 9781563892615
Rating: 4.15
Overview
Get ready for the ride of your life with Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas. Follow the journey of Reverend Jesse Custer, a small-town minister who has lost his faith and his congregation.
But everything changes when he becomes possessed by a spiritual force called Genesis, giving him the power of “the Word” – the ability to make anyone do anything he says. With this newfound power, Jesse sets off on a wild adventure across the country in search of answers from God himself.
Along the way, he encounters angels, demons, vampires, and all sorts of deviants. Packed with sex, booze, blood, and bullets, Preacher is a modern American epic of life, death, love, and redemption that is not to be missed.
This collection includes issues #1-7 of the celebrated comic series.
About the Author
In 1989, Ennis started his journey as a comic writer with Troubled Souls, a series in the British anthology Crisis, illustrated by McCrea. The comic narrated the story of a young Protestant man, who had no interest in politics, but was forced to face the violence in the Irish ‘Troubles.’ For a Few Troubles More, a sequel, was a Belfast-based comedy featuring Dougie and Ivor, two supporting characters from Troubled Souls.
These two characters later got their own American comic series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.
True Faith, another series for Crisis, was a religious satire inspired by Ennis’ school days and drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis started writing for Crisis’ parent publication, 2000 AD, and quickly moved on to Judge Dredd, the title’s flagship character, taking over from the original creator, John Wagner, for several years.
In 1991, Ennis began writing for an American comic, taking over DC Comics’s horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Ennis’ landmark work is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman, which ran for 60 issues.
Ennis wrote various other comic projects during this time period, including 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. Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics after the end of Hitman, with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to.
In 2001, Ennis returned briefly to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd. Ennis has written several other comics, including War Story for DC, The Pro for Image Comics, The Authority for Wildstorm, Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood, and 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, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite, 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.
Editoral Review
Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas by Garth Ennis is a gripping graphic novel that delves into the dark and twisted world of the American South. First published on January 1, 1995, the book has become a classic of the graphic novel genre, known for its gritty storytelling, complex characters, and inventive visuals.
Ennis is a seasoned writer and comic book creator who has worked on a number of successful titles, including The Boys, Hellblazer, and Punisher. With Preacher, he set out to create a new kind of hero, one who was flawed, violent, and deeply human.
The result is a sprawling epic that explores themes of faith, morality, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a world gone mad.
The plot of Preacher follows Jesse Custer, a small-town preacher with a dark past, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and revenge. Along the way, he is joined by his ex-girlfriend Tulip and an Irish vampire named Cassidy, as they travel across America in search of God.
The story is set against the backdrop of the American South, with Ennis using the region’s history and culture to add depth and texture to the narrative.
Ennis’s writing is top-notch, with sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a strong sense of pacing. He has a knack for creating complex characters who are both sympathetic and deeply flawed, and he uses them to explore weighty themes without ever becoming preachy or didactic.
The artwork by Steve Dillon is equally impressive, with dynamic action scenes and expressive character designs that bring Ennis’s world to life.
One of the strengths of Preacher is its willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on, including violence, sexuality, and religion. Ennis is unafraid to push boundaries and challenge readers, and his willingness to take risks pays off in spades.
The book is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to take the journey, it offers a rich and rewarding experience.
That said, Preacher is not without its flaws. The book can be overly violent and graphic at times, which may turn off some readers.
Additionally, the story can be meandering at times, with subplots that feel extraneous or underdeveloped. However, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of things, and do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
In conclusion, Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas by Garth Ennis is a must-read for fans of the graphic novel genre. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that will stay with readers long after they have finished it.
While it may not be for everyone, those who are willing to take the journey will be rewarded with a rich and unforgettable experience. I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 5, based on its strong writing, complex characters, and willingness to tackle difficult subjects.
