books & writing

Just Fantastic: Preacher, vol. 3

Summary: We learn about Cassidy’s back story, which revolves around an Irish-English conflict. We see John Custer’s (Jesse’s father) Vietnam experiences. Jesse meets Genesis’ father, an angel, which was being held by The Grail. We meet the AllFather (head of The Grail) and the current descended of Jesus. Jesse rescues Cassidy. God shows up again. The Saint of Killers shows up again. There is a huge blood bath. Starr is coping with his new desires, which is freakin’ hilarious.

This issue is somewhat dated. The Grail, a secret organization of emence power existing solely to protect the bloodline of Jesus Christ has been re-used several times, some before and some after this work was oringally published. I’m sure everyone remembers The DaVinci Code, (I’ll never forget reading that piece of shit book on a Saturday afternoon while working tech support). This incarnation is more interesting, in fact I haven’t seen a better present day version.

Inside The Grail there is a split caused by ideology. The conservative sect- they’ve forced the inbreeding of Christ’s descendents for 2,000 years and don’t intend to stop. The reformative sect best summarized by a quote from Starr “Son of God or son of man you can’t fuck your sister and expect any good to come of it” [sic]. The main players are the AllFather (conservative) and Starr (reform). They are bluntly at odds with each other, with the AllFather holding most of the cards and Starr sneaking around trying to end what he believes is corruption through Jesse. The plan isn’t entirely detailed but it amounts to using Jesse as the second coming of Jesus and hoping people change their ways. Jesse doesn’t know, he’s pissed at Starr and The Grail because they shot at Tulip and were holding Cassidy prisoner.

This is a representation of religion at its most bureaucratic and legalistic. It’s representative and Ennis makes a startlingly fresh move by avoiding real life specifics, which would make him appear to take sides. Instead he offers a choice: religion with money and power (AllFather) or religion with zeal and faith (Starr). It’s worth noting that Starr’s movement is shown to be more liberal due to his personal needs, such as whores. Ennis lets them duke it out; it started in volume two and has a sort of conclusion in volume 3. In the end both sides fail. Jesse shows up with power comparable to that of God, an odd sort of a Christ figure that came down on their sacred ground like a thief in the night. The Saint of Killers, whose sainthood is authenticated in volume 4, joins with Jesse under interesting conditions. God appears on the sacred ground, talks only to Cassidy, takes care of business, and leaves.

Ennis shows an interesting, if not refreshing, sub-textual perspective on religion: any organization is wrong by its limitations and God is indifferent. Real faith and power (Jesse) seek the face of God and do what is right at all times- with or without a church. It puts a different flavor on the story to see Jesse as a man of faith or a man of God in these terms. Considering what could have happened with the Divine presence—I won’t spoil it, but the world could have been a different place entirely if God had sided with the AllFather or Starr.

Compounding the issue is God’s desire to not meet Jesse; his appearance to Tulip in volume 2 and Cassidy in volume 3. However, I’m only part way through volume 4, and without knowing the outcome of that meeting I can’t begin to comment or interpret the situation.

Print This Post Print This Post

Discussion Area - Leave a Comment