Preacher: Ancient History

One-sentence summary: This collection of the Preacher specials is solid, if probably unnecessary.

I haven't read Preacher in years, so I've been going through it again recently. It holds up pretty well as a series -- definitely Ennis's magnum opus.

A big part of Preacher, though, is the fascinating long-form narrative. Another equally important part is Steve Dillon, whose art is key to the story's tone. What's interesting, though, is how well these three stories work despite that. They're a reprieve from the main Preacher -- a side-road to travel -- but they're still a good read.

Well, the Saint of Killers 4-parter is a good read. Arseface's origin and a story featuring Jody and T.C. are pretty lackluster. They're a bit of cotton candy; sort of enjoyable, but there's nothing to it.

The Saint of Killers story -- there's some amazing Preacher work. Firmly entrenched in the bizarre theology of the Preacher universe, while a complete embrace-and-rejection-of the old Westerns that Ennis loves so much, it just works. It's a story that's simultaneously awesome and terrifying, over-the-top but creepy. It serves its purpose as a legend w/in the Preacher world, giving us an interesting background on the Saint of Killers that we can choose to believe or not, while giving us an interesting amoral tale. It's the key to the collection, and really what makes the book worthwhile.

That being said, I do wonder about the placement of this trade within the series. As I said, it's been awhile since I read Preacher, so I'm not entirely sure if what comes immediately after this has any relevance to the going-ons of this book, of if it just so happened that some of these issues were published during the issues in trades 3 & 5, so they threw them in here. I don't know. If they end up not having any relevance, I sort of question making them a numbered part of the set, and not just their own separate trade -- but, meh, it was worth it for the Saint of Killers story.

Punisher #59

One-sentence summary: More military intrigue from Ennis, with a guest appearance by Morgan Freeman.

Ennis does military books. It's something I don't think he really minds being known for, as he's good at them. Normally he does historical ones, but in this case he's using his military history to mix it with modern political intrigue, all centered (somewhat) about the Punisher.

I say somewhat for a reason. While this is a Punisher book, he's really as much a plot device in this as a character. This is a bit of a mixed-bag. On one hand, it allows for a story that, really, is getting wrapped up in a nice way, as well as shifting onto a character you don't know well enough to figure out. On the other, though, this is a Punisher book, and fans might want to see more of their protagonist doing more than supplying an address off panel and being tied up.

Of course, as a MAX title, it can follow a more adult story and not adhere to some of the constrains (such as the main character bit) that a normal title, due to audience, is forced into. Personally, I think the story more than justifies this, and I think that, as an arc, this has been great and is going to have a good conclusion.

Ennis writes military stories. Don't be shocked that that when he brings the military into Punisher, the Punisher takes a bit of a backseat.

Punisher #50

One-sentence summary: Barracuda's back in this bloody start of what could be a great Punisher run.

I think Ennis's Punisher is hit-or-miss, sometimes even issue to issue, let alone story to story. The last story arc I wasn't a huge fan of, as it really seemed stretched, but the one before that was good. I guess it just varies.

This, though, looks like it could be great. You have Barracuda, who's quickly becoming a surprisingly cool and resourceful villain, and a last page reveal that's actually important to Punisher. Overall, this looks like it could be a really good story, and the art all fits Punisher very well. Ennis does a good job writing the Baracuda as this crafty, ruthless man, willing to kill dozens of people to lure the Punisher out.

Great action in this, some emotions from the protagonist for once, a good villain, and an interesting twist; all of this could lead to a pretty good comic. I'd keep my eye on this story arc.

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #6 (of 6)

One-sentence summary: What a horrifyingly depressing end to an already dark and broody story.

I don't know what to say about this one. I'm tired of giving bad reviews to these comics, but I just didn't enjoy a single bit of Trail of Tears. For one, on a monthly basis, there were an awful lot of names to remember as most the art was so dark (literally, in this case) that I couldn't actually pick out faces to remember characters by.

I don't have much to say about this comic that isn't expressed by simply saying it was too dark, too depressing, and too long. Garth Ennis disappointed with this one, his usual mixture of dark comedy with a darker undercurrent gives way entirely to the undercurrent. I couldn't recommend this title to anyone.