Steve Dillon is a good artist, but his limitations in character drawing is really showing. He is utterly unable to draw unique character faces. The one-eyed woman, for example is just a Cycloped Tulip. Everyones' eyes look alike.

It's still one of the best books going, and definitely worth the read. The requisite weidness and violence is all there.


Disappointing   October 16, 1999
 9 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is not a bad story, but as regulars know "not bad" isnt really a term generally associated with Preacher. I know Garth Ennis is basically trying to write a modern-day western, but the plot is a too-transparent take on a certain John Wayne film, even down to Jesse spouting many of the same lines as "The Duke". There's some interesting revelations about the past, and several genuinely enjoyable confrontation scenes, its just that they're too padded-out with uninteresting (though well-written) dialogue. Maybe I've missed the point and Ennis is trying to say something I didn't quite get here, and obviously after all the stuff Jesse Custer has been through in the last episodes he would want to relax and kick back for a while, but I sincerely hope the storyline picks up with the next episodes. If it does, then "Salvation" will sit fairly comfortably as a middle-part "Calm-before-the-storm" chapter in the storyline as a whole. And maybe that's Ennis' intentions for it. If it doesn't pick up a bit, it will be a great pity that the series lost pace after such an awesome first forty issues. I hope Garth Ennis reads these comments, and if the story-line does get back to the heights of its earlier days, then sorry Mr Ennis and change my score for this book to *****


The best Preacher yet!   January 16, 2000
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Simply astounding that some critics feel this the least of the Preacher story arcs to date! Writer Ennis is still perfectly comfortable writing this incredible character in fascinating, if decadent situations. This time out we get to meet Jesse's delightful and utterly enchanting mother, a creature inspired by the painting of Wyeth. Other new enticements include Cindy, the female deputy sheriff; Lorie, the cyclopean girl with an unexpected perspective on the world; Skeeter, the cuddly mongrel whose loyalty and obedience to Jesse proves to be more than merely a life enhancement; and the entirely despicable Odin Quincannon, whose personal perversion intrigues, while it disgusts. Writing such complex characters at this level of sophistication is no easy feat, but Mr. Ennis does so masterfully. Steve Dillon's art perfectly catches the nuances of the characters and their setting. This is truly a virtuoso performance and truly a grand reading experience. Preacher is not for everyone, certainly; but if you love a superb story well told and are not offended by the seamier side of life, there's little better.


Another Fine Addition to the Preacher Saga   June 13, 2000
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Out of all 8 of the Preacher collections I truly found this one to be the best. Ennis and Dillon have always been great and though they may have been hard pressed to top War In the Sun, somehow they managed to succeed with a story that brought Reverend Jesse Custer back to his routes. Sure we all love Tulip and Cassidy (well, maybe not so much Cassidy any more) and even though they were abscent from the book, (along with Arseface and Starr) the Salvation storyline was a nice break from main storyline. This book contained all the violence and black humor that Preacher is known for and probably the most twisted villian Ennis has ever come up with. If you are a Preacher fan, this is a must and though the first part of Salvation deviates from the main story line, by the end, you will finally get to find out what happened to Jesse's eye at the end of War in the Sun.


Another wonderful turn from the Ennis/Dillon superteam.   September 11, 1999
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Preacher is the flagship Vertigo book, and has been ever since the demise of Sandman and the general dropoff of interest in Hellblazer (another book which Ennis and Dillon are responsible for revitalizing. Salvation is no different from the last 6 graphic novels in terms of quality, but it does offer an interesting departure from the books main theological focus. The story of Rev. Jesse Custer taking over the reigns of the law in small town Texas is definetly new territory for Ennis and Dillon. Ennis' writing as usual is above par, as is the fabulous penciling of Mr. Dillon. The addition of Pamela Rambo as the regular colorist has lent a wonderful atmosphere to the art, each panel seeming all the more real for the wonderful color's and extures she lends to the already immaculate pencils of Dillon. In general, a wonderful read if you've been into the series from the start, and works wonderfully as a jumping in point, although I can't suggest enough reading the entire series. Wonderful job, all around.