Rating: Summary: good stuff... Review: "Proud Americans," the third trade paperback volume of Preacher, collects issues 18-26 or the series. It opens with Jesse and Tulip in an airport, waiting for their flight to France, and segues into a short story about Jesse's father's time in Vietnam, as told by John Custer's friend.After that, Jesse and Tulip travel to Masada, the stronghold of the Grail, where Starr is waiting. Jesse and Tulip's relationship is developed well; Jesse can't stand the idea of Tulip in danger, especially after what happened in "Until the End of the World," while Tulip can't stand being patronized. I completely understood Tulip's point of view, of course, but I also sympathized with Jesse. Congratulations to Ennis and Dillon for making those two into real people, in the middle of their hilariously gory chaos. Eventually Jesse confronts Allfather D'Aronique, Starr, and the rest of the Grail, in his quest to rescue Cassidy. He also learns more about Genesis, the being who gives him his power, and makes a deal with the Saint of Killers. Meanwhile, God appears to Cassidy, with another message for Jesse, and further cements his impression as an asshole. The last two issues alternate between modern New York and Cassidy's memories, as he tells Jesse how he became a vampire and came to America. These books are gory, sick as hell, and often truly hilarious. I love that aspect of this series. They also have a thematic undercurrent of friendship, love, and responsibility. I like that too. A lot.
Rating: Summary: good stuff... Review: "Proud Americans," the third trade paperback volume of Preacher, collects issues 18-26 or the series. It opens with Jesse and Tulip in an airport, waiting for their flight to France, and segues into a short story about Jesse's father's time in Vietnam, as told by John Custer's friend. After that, Jesse and Tulip travel to Masada, the stronghold of the Grail, where Starr is waiting. Jesse and Tulip's relationship is developed well; Jesse can't stand the idea of Tulip in danger, especially after what happened in "Until the End of the World," while Tulip can't stand being patronized. I completely understood Tulip's point of view, of course, but I also sympathized with Jesse. Congratulations to Ennis and Dillon for making those two into real people, in the middle of their hilariously gory chaos. Eventually Jesse confronts Allfather D'Aronique, Starr, and the rest of the Grail, in his quest to rescue Cassidy. He also learns more about Genesis, the being who gives him his power, and makes a deal with the Saint of Killers. Meanwhile, God appears to Cassidy, with another message for Jesse, and further cements his impression as an asshole. The last two issues alternate between modern New York and Cassidy's memories, as he tells Jesse how he became a vampire and came to America. These books are gory, sick as hell, and often truly hilarious. I love that aspect of this series. They also have a thematic undercurrent of friendship, love, and responsibility. I like that too. A lot.
Rating: Summary: good Review: After two inspired efforts, Mr. Ennis finds himself in the unenviable position of trying to catch lightening in a bottle yet again with "Proud Americans;" capturing that delicious combination of over-the-top pathos, humour, and violence. Does he succeed? Well, not entirely, but that doesn't mean "Proud Americans" isn't deserving a respectful place on the Preacher bookshelf; it's just not that great. The book has its moments, though: a colourful, emasculated hitman (don't ask); an impossibly obese leader of the Grail; a 'chosen child' given to obsessively exclaiming, "humperdido." Ennis, by this point, knows how to create interesting characters and how to insert them in interesting scenarios. However, the book is missing a bit of the flair with which I was becoming accustomed. I think this is because of the retrospective feel of the book and that little plot is actually advanced; we have the intro story that details Jesse's father's experiences in Vietnam, and the book's latter half that comprises of Cassidy's origin. Granted, "Gone to Texas" and "Until the End of the World" were heavily retrospective, as well. However, they contained stories that, to me, were much more gripping. Honestly, Ennis' construction of Vietnam is nothing I haven't seen a thousand times before, and the Cassidy feature wasn't overly impressive. Although the part dealing with the Grail was Preacher-quality, there frankly wasn't enough of it to make this a great read. Dillon is good as usual. Not overly flashy, but really conveys the moods Ennis is hinting at. Check his depiction of the Allfather; hilarious stuff. One small gripe: my edition (4th printing) had relatively poor quality paper, not the bright sheen of the earlier editions. This correspondingly gave the art a rather drab and muddy look. Unfortunate choice, really, since Dillon's art plays such a crucial role in the whole 'feel' of Preacher.
Rating: Summary: Bloody fantastic! Review: I started collecting comics like Spiderman and Batman at age twelve. It wasn't until I was seventeen and a book called Preacher did I realize how powerful they truly are. Preacher is a "godsend", a diamond in the ruff. It is a magnificent journey into the macabre, a brilliant work that rivals anything done by Miller, David or Smith. Many people are taken aback by the blasphamous images of God that Ennis portrays. I think he has hit the mark dead-on. I can turn on the television, watch the news, and see many more horrible things that make me cringe. Preacher is a fun romp through sick, twisted minds mixed with a good sense of honor and philosophy. I reccomend all of it. Track it down, get into it and make it a part of your life. You'll be glad for it. I promise.
Rating: Summary: Damn Good!!! Review: In this book (which I thoroughly enjoyed), Reverend Jesse Custer has set out with his gun-toting girlfriend, Tulip O'Hare, to retrieve his best friend, the hard-drinking vampire, Cassidy. They wage a no-holds-barred battle against The Grail, a religious cult. Then, at the top of the Empire State Building, Cassidy reveals his life story to Jesse. I loved this book. But be warned: If you are an overly religious person, or if you dislike harsh language, you will be offended.
Rating: Summary: "Preacher" will convert you. Review: Is it blasphemous? Actually, no. The first Preacher trade showed Jesse Custer getting used to his new powers and ission. The second book dealt with his family life. This third volume deals with his nemesis, the Grail. Custer's power (he got possessed by an angel/demon spawn called genesis) is the Word of God. When he speaks with it, his eyes glow red. But this isn't a superhero comic; he only uses it when he has to. All in all, he'd rather bust someone's head in than abuse his power. Preacher loks at Christianity the way we look at Norse mythology. Let's make Thor big and dumb, and make sif a slut, sure, why not. Those with faith will be initially shocked, then intriuged with the portrayal of lecherous angels, the Saint of Killers (the meanest sumbitch since Jonas Hex), a Carpe Diem vampire, and a host of other characters. Grab your rosary and grab a Preacher. It separates the seraphi from the archangels.
Rating: Summary: Shocking Series! Review: One of the most controversial comic book series ever released can be at your finger tips for just $14.95. This 232 page book is by one of the most acclaimed authors ever: Garth Ennis. Garth Ennis as most of you who are into recent and 90's comic books know is an author who can shock you , make you laugh, inspire debates, provide social commentary and in general makes you have one hell of a time. Buy it before it goes out of print as very few copies of this book have not been sold and are in near mint condition.
Rating: Summary: A really, really, REALLY great comic book--fast paced!! Review: Preacher- proud Americans is fast paced, violent, and very funny. It is the story of Jesse Custer, and is the 3rd volume of Preacher comic book collections. Jesse, a small-town preacher with the power to make people obey his word, must find God (who has been de-throned from Heaven) and, more specifically, save his vampire friend Cassidy from the clutches of his arch-nemesis. At the same time he must keep his girlfriend out of trouble (or so he thinks). This book is funny, fast paced, suspenseful, and very original.
Rating: Summary: Prime Preacher Review: Proud Americans is a very good, and very, very funny Preacher graphic novel. It has some of the series funniest (as well as most violent) moments. This is Preacher at it's best. One thing Proud Americans is NOT is a good introduction to the story. If you've never read Preacher before, get Gone to Texas. Don't get this - you'll be really confused. The first story is that of Jesse's fathers experience in Vietnam and is contained in a single issue. That issue is one of Preacher's all-time best. The story is very, very good and well-written, and it's great seeing how like his dad Jesse is. The rest of the book focuses on the events leading up to Jesse's confrontation with The Grail and the face-off between Jesse, Starr, and the Allfather. By the way, the Allfather's fate (that's all I'll say about it) is one of the series funniest single moments. Proud Americans shows, again, that Preacher simply rules.
Rating: Summary: Prime Preacher Review: Proud Americans is a very good, and very, very funny Preacher graphic novel. It has some of the series funniest (as well as most violent) moments. This is Preacher at it's best. One thing Proud Americans is NOT is a good introduction to the story. If you've never read Preacher before, get Gone to Texas. Don't get this - you'll be really confused. The first story is that of Jesse's fathers experience in Vietnam and is contained in a single issue. That issue is one of Preacher's all-time best. The story is very, very good and well-written, and it's great seeing how like his dad Jesse is. The rest of the book focuses on the events leading up to Jesse's confrontation with The Grail and the face-off between Jesse, Starr, and the Allfather. By the way, the Allfather's fate (that's all I'll say about it) is one of the series funniest single moments. Proud Americans shows, again, that Preacher simply rules.
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