Preacher: A Groundbreaking Comic Series

From 1995 to 2000, Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics, published Preacher, a comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, with painted covers by Glenn Fabry. The series, which won the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series in 1999, consists of 75 issues – 66 regular monthly issues, five one-shot specials, and a four-issue Preacher: Saint of Killers limited series. An epilogue to the series was published in Ennis’ subsequent work, The Boys, in February 2009.

The Story of Jesse Custer

Preacher tells the story of Jesse Custer, a preacher in the modest Texas town of Annville. Custer becomes host to Genesis, a supernatural entity resulting from the coupling of an angel and a demon, granting him the power of the Word of God – the ability to compel obedience from anyone who hears him. Driven to locate God and demand answers for the world’s suffering, Jesse embarks on a journey with his ex-girlfriend, Tulip O’Hare, a skilled contract killer, and Cassidy, an Irish vampire.

Key Characters

• Jesse Custer: The preacher possessed by Genesis, determined to find God.
• Tulip O’Hare: Jesse’s resourceful and deadly ex-girlfriend.
• Cassidy: A charismatic Irish vampire who accompanies Jesse and Tulip on their quest.
• Saint of Killers: A formidable and relentless supernatural being.
• Herr Starr: A key figure in a powerful and secretive organization.

The Creative Team

Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon were the driving forces behind Preacher. Ennis, born in Belfast in 1970, began creating comics with violent and darkly humorous themes. He gained prominence writing Hellblazer for DC Comics before co-creating Preacher with Dillon in 1995. Dillon, a London native born in 1962, began his professional career at age 16 and found his greatest success illustrating Preacher. Ennis and Dillon shared a strong creative understanding, forged during a late-night discussion in Dublin while sharing a bottle of Jameson.

Why Preacher Remains Significant

Preacher is celebrated for its ability to blend blasphemy, brutality, tenderness, and epic storytelling. The series draws heavily from the Western genre, incorporating elements like John Wayne as a recurring spirit guide and Monument Valley and The Alamo as significant settings. It is considered a landmark achievement in American adult comic history, pushing boundaries and establishing a unique moral compass within its characters.

Publication Details

The series has been collected in various formats, including nine original trade paperbacks, six revised trade paperbacks/hardcovers, three oversized “Absolute Preacher” volumes, and two oversized omnibus volumes. A hardcover edition containing issues #13 to #26 was published by Panini Comics in February 2026, featuring 368 color pages and all the original issue covers. The recommended retail price is €42.

Television Adaptation

A television series adaptation of Preacher aired on AMC from 2016 to 2019, comprising 43 episodes over four seasons.