Preacher Book Two
In the second volume gathering the late-1990s comic-book sensation, malevolent former German special forces soldier Herr Starr, who plans to exploit his God-given supernatural abilities to stage an overthrow of the Grail, an ancient religious cult that seeks world domination, pursues the title character, Jesse Custer. Also, some 70 years of backstory for Custer’s sidekick, hard-drinking Irish vampire Cassidy, are filled in. While Preacher’s original popularity was likely most due to its taboo-breaking outrageousness, it owes its lasting appeal to Ennis’ keen characterization, especially the deep and convincing bond between Custer and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Tulip, and Dillon’s effectively understated artwork. --Gordon Flagg