Rating: 
Summary: The most worthless comic purchase ever
Review: I love the Preacher series. I love the dark humor, the pathos of the characters, the dichotomy of the overblown story set next to a really simple plot; the love triangle. What I didn't like about the series was this book. "Ancient History" single-handedly brought down my faith in the first three graphic novels. It destroyed completely the momentum and the feel of the Preacher series, and it cost me fifteen dollars in the process. The backstory, aside from the Saint of Killer's story, is completely irrelevant. And even the Saint of Killers doesn't really need to be explained; we all know he's a homicidal badass, right? My advice; save your money and your time and move straight in to Dixie Fried.
Rating: 
Summary: This one doesn't cut it
Review: I'm a fan of the preacher series but I didn't like this book. I don't have a big problem with the part about the Saint of Killers except that Ennis directly stole a lot of it from "The Unforgiven". The Arseface section was ok too. I hated the section on Jody and his deranged buddy. This book is seriously lacking when you compare it to the first graphic novels in the series. I've read the first 8 graphic novels in the Preacher series and this one was my least favorite.
Rating: 
Summary: From incredible to so-so
Review: If you first read "Preacher" as a series of graphic novels, as I did, you may be a bit disappointed to find that this fourth installment doesn't actually move the story forward. Instead, it pauses to give backstory on some of the supporting cast, and that backstory ranges from as good or better than the regular "Preacher" fare to a chapter that really didn't need to be included at all. Collected here are the "Saint of Killers" miniseries and the two one-shots, "The Story of You-Know-Who" and "Good Old Boys." "Saint of Killers" is the closest comic books have come to producing a masterpiece in the western genre. The story of the saint is infuriating, tragic, heartbreaking and horrifying all at the same time, and the blending of western themes with the usual theological quandries of "Preacher" is seamless. "You-Know-Who" also provides backstory, this time on the series' strangest and most hideous character. An interesting tale, to be sure, but not really something necessary for the overall story. To be frank, I could have done without "Good Old Boys." Ennis takes time to tell a story of a pair of villains who, at that point in the story, are dead anyway, and which really sheds no new light on them or the main story. It's interesting as a parody of action films, but nothing more. Overall, this collection is worth picking up for "Saint of Killers" alone.
Rating:
Summary: Near Perfection
Review: In an interesting diversion from the story that "The Preacher" has been looping back and forth through, Mr. Garth has decided to give us three stories focusing on minor characters in the series. Only one of the three disappointed me. In "Gone To Texas" we met Arseface, and although his situation was grotesque, it always carried some degree of twisted, twisted humor. However, with "The Story of You-Know-Who", Ennis removes all traces of humor, stripping away his trademark irony to show us a truly depressing, somehow unoriginal and after-school-special-like origin of his strange monster. But, even if though I was disappointed by this story, I couldn't say enough about the other two. The Origin of the Saint of Killers is astonishing. We finally get an intense, sad, strange, gorgeous explanation for the presence of this creature. And there are moments in it (such as the saint turning his guns on a certain, very powerful fellow) that are some of the finest of the "The Preacher" thus far. And then, after two very depressing, low key tales, we are given "The Good Old Boys", one of the funniest comics I have ever read. It's enough that Ennis takes us back to the Bayou, where we meet the ugly, fish-loving cousins from book 1. But, somehow, he got the idea to suddenly invade their swamp with characters from some terrible, direct to video action film. I don't mean that the characters are shallow or stupid. They actually scream lines like "I'm a cop with a dangerous secret!" Ennis takes these living cliche's, and then throws them into the muck with two men we know to be sicker than any within a thousand miles. The result is truly disgusting and really quite brilliant. Ennis is a real life artist. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Near Perfection
Review: In an interesting diversion from the story that "The Preacher" has been looping back and forth through, Mr. Garth has decided to give us three stories focusing on minor characters in the series. Only one of the three disappointed me. In "Gone To Texas" we met Arseface, and although his situation was grotesque, it always carried some degree of twisted, twisted humor. However, with "The Story of You-Know-Who", Ennis removes all traces of humor, stripping away his trademark irony to show us a truly depressing, somehow unoriginal and after-school-special-like origin of his strange monster. But, even if though I was disappointed by this story, I couldn't say enough about the other two. The Origin of the Saint of Killers is astonishing. We finally get an intense, sad, strange, gorgeous explanation for the presence of this creature. And there are moments in it (such as the saint turning his guns on a certain, very powerful fellow) that are some of the finest of the "The Preacher" thus far. And then, after two very depressing, low key tales, we are given "The Good Old Boys", one of the funniest comics I have ever read. It's enough that Ennis takes us back to the Bayou, where we meet the ugly, fish-loving cousins from book 1. But, somehow, he got the idea to suddenly invade their swamp with characters from some terrible, direct to video action film. I don't mean that the characters are shallow or stupid. They actually scream lines like "I'm a cop with a dangerous secret!" Ennis takes these living cliche's, and then throws them into the muck with two men we know to be sicker than any within a thousand miles. The result is truly disgusting and really quite brilliant. Ennis is a real life artist. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Actually is DOES cut it...here's why
Review: In Ancient History, Garth Ennis departs from Jesse Custer's quest for God almighty only to write up extensivley on the background of the Saint Of Killers, whos orgin written in the snowy wild west a century ago will tie into the the major storyline and help justify the explosive conclusion of the series. Regrading certain plagurism-police waving their finger at the serie's creator for borrowing ideas (Ennis openly admits to being inspired by nearly all westerns in the series introduction, what can I say but for God's sake...not everything can come straight from one mans head. And it's not as if Ennis batlantly copies anything word for word for crying out loud. Similarities can be drawn but come on...enough is enough. The second two chapters in the book, both considerabley shorter than the Saint story stand decently on their own, but woulden't be much without the chilling western miniseries that takes place before them. The second of the three tales is "The Story of You Know Who" a sometimes comical, sometimes disturbing look at Arseface, one of Preacher's most ludicrously ingenius characters. The art is exceptional here, moreso than the Saint storyline because it's almost like a cousin to the immensly popular artwork Steve Dillon inked for Preacher. The third story and weakest of the three, is a laugh filled fun little romp through the swamp with the Good Ol' Boys: Jody and T.C. Carlos Ezquezerra (who recently worked again with Ennis on the miniseries Just a Pilgrim...great stuff) draws the two maniacle rednecks better (in this reviewer's opinion) than Dillon himself. The comical, wacky, almost Loony Toons look of some of the panels fit the tounge in cheek satirical spin on action movies storyline of the third, and final chapter to the book. All in all, not only are you getting crucial background information on one of the series's most key characters...but you're also getting two other stories that will keep you loving Ennis's constant wit and genius. Ancient History is much like getting three books in one, if you don't like one story, you'll love the other two, or if you don't like two, you'll say "at least that one was worth it." I hope you follow, and I also hope you pick this up. Highly recommended for people who can't get enough Preacher.
Rating: 
Summary: yummy
Review: is good. muy bien. i think ill talk about the stories one by one. hows that, kids? first of all, i must say that i think the saint of killers story is actuallly the worst in thr book. but this book is filled with some of the best writing comics have seen in a long time, so its still great. i found much of the plot to be cliche. and the art is the worst of the three stories. next is our buddy arseface. good dark humor. he reminds me of many of my friends. yeah. good art. that hollingsworth fella is my favorite colorist in the biz. i wrote the review to talk the good ol boys. this is just freakin hilarious. i seriously have never laughed out loud reading a comic until this. ennis is supremely talented, i only wish steve dillon had been along, he is the only person who should draw anything preacher related. adios
Rating:
Summary: Really Ancient History
Review: It's flashback time. So to make this even happening, let's keep our regular mad writer and bring three different artists to make this story work out. Guess what? They do make it work out! Garth Ennis takes us back in flashback sequence one four major characters of his Preacher series to make us see, what makes them tick. Saint of Killers, TC and Jody and last but not least the well named, Arseface. The story of the Saint of Killers is perhaps in this three part trade paperback in the ever popular Preacher series. You never would have guessed that a cold hearted killer was really human. Heck you might never even guess what this guy's true function in this life is really all about, until you read this for yourself. Anything I say can be considered a spoiler. The art works well. I can't see Steve Dillon's work working well here so it was great having Steve Pugh filling in. His art is grittier and darker and makes this character just a teensy weensy meaner than anything you've ever seen. Arseface comes in next. This guy is just plain old out of this world. You would never even believe he was human before, but it turns out that he really was. This is the most human of the stories depicting the origin of the character and what makes him who he really is rght now. The way Ennis makes him talk and ctually have the translation for you is unbelievably insane. TC and Jody's story is fun. These guys are whacko. They have always been whacko ever since they were first introduced. So unlike the other stories, this one would be the goriest of them in terms of things done to people that you never thought can be done. TC's fetish for making out with creatures really is turned up a notch here. Despite the inconsistence of the art, the 4the volume of the Preacher series stands as an important part. The telling of the origin of these characters makes them more accessible to the reader. It was good for Ennis to talk about these characters. Dillon or no Dillon, Ennis continues to fight the good fight.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT STORY
Review: Overall, I would say that this was an enjoyable, but ultimately forgettable volume. As some other readers have said, this is most notable for the origin story of The Saint of Killers. It is brutal and raw, and certainly has the dark humor of the rest of the series. I personally feel that the Saint of Killers, especially as exemplified in this story, is the template which Ennis drew from when creating the title character to his new comic, "Just A Pilgrim." The Arseface story was good as well, and a little more sentimental than the usual Preacher stories. My least favorite was the TC & Jody storyline. It was entertaining for a bit as a parody of the Hollywood action-movie archetype, but the joke got a bit old after a while. If you are just starting the Preacher, I wouldn't say skip this, but don't expect much in the furthering of the story of Jesse, Cassidy, and Tulip.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good, but not great.
Review: Overall, I would say that this was an enjoyable, but ultimately forgettable volume. As some other readers have said, this is most notable for the origin story of The Saint of Killers. It is brutal and raw, and certainly has the dark humor of the rest of the series. I personally feel that the Saint of Killers, especially as exemplified in this story, is the template which Ennis drew from when creating the title character to his new comic, "Just A Pilgrim." The Arseface story was good as well, and a little more sentimental than the usual Preacher stories. My least favorite was the TC & Jody storyline. It was entertaining for a bit as a parody of the Hollywood action-movie archetype, but the joke got a bit old after a while. If you are just starting the Preacher, I wouldn't say skip this, but don't expect much in the furthering of the story of Jesse, Cassidy, and Tulip.
|
