Well first and foremost I think I’ll start my review by stating the obvious. This comic, Preacher, is arguably the best, and in some areas, most important comic that’s been published in the past 20 years. It has raised the bar as to what comics could do and where they’re going – and have gone. Take a look around your local shop today…..

So I’ll embark you with my history of Preacher.

It all started by uttering these four words out of my very mouth, “I’ve never read that”. Followed closely by a friend aggressively asking “Are you fucking serious?” or “Why the fuck not?” – both are acceptable replies. I have relived this moment over and over again. It’s where the adventure and experience of Preacher always begins. As it should be. I myself have been on the other side of that coin, many a time, as I send a friend down the 66 issue Route that is Preacher. I’ve also been known to lend all 9 trades (to a new reader) at a time, because “I don’t want you calling me at 2:30 in the morning asking for the next book”. Yes, this has happened. Yes, it will happen to you – if you’ve never read the book before.

Thus, I promise if you haven’t read Preacher before, there is no wrong way to read this book. You could buy all the issues. You could get the 9 trades. Or you could start right here and pick up this luscious Hardcover edition. But beware on the later. Because I dare any new reader to get this HC, only read the 12 issues that are within, and then have to be forced to wait for the next HC to come out (which by the way isn’t even slated yet). It can’t be done. You will NEED to know what happens next.

But onto the HC edition itself

Pros: I must say it is very gorgeous. It comes with a very crisp dust jacket that hides an absolutely stunning black hard-bound book with Gold foil printing pressed into the book itself. Looks very slick.
The book does contain a slight upgrade on the paper stock quality, compared to the issues and/or trade paper back editions. It also has several upgrades on the coloring – if only minor and in a few spots. You’d have to go through it with a fine tooth comb to notice all the differences, but they are there – such as at the end of issue #12’s last page with Jesse and Tulip kissing in front of the fire – The fire looks alot sharper, etc.

Cons: Mostly I’d say price. This edition has a list price of $39.95 compared to many other deluxe sized editions coming out over the past year, all listed at between $24.95-$29.95 (such as Y the Last Man & Ex Machina). I’m finding it very hard to understand DC/Vertigo’s reasoning and justification for this. I know we can all find these books cheaper at places such as In Stock Trades, Amazon, etc. But it’s still more expensive then the other books I’ve mentioned. To further this point, you can almost purchase the first 3 tpb’s (which contain up to issue 26) for the price of this one book. Although I suppose that’s not what these HC editions are really all about. They’re meant to be a little over the top, price and looks wise.
My only other real beef with this release is the size. It should have been put into a deluxe size (or even better – absolute size) edition. It makes upgrading from your current versions, worth doing. This just seems more like a lateral move if you already own the tpb’s, which share the identical page size with this HC.

Need to Know: This edition only contains the first 12 issues of the series as opposed to the first 2 tpb’s which go to issue 17. I know I’ve read many posts from people stating this HC edition houses all the same issues that the first 2 tpb’s do. This is an incorrect assumption.

All in all, this may not be the place to start for the brand new Preacher fan. But if price and waiting for the next volume(s) isn’t an issue – be my guest.

Tough day at the office? Life getting you down? Movies not quite what they used to be? Try Preacher. It’s one, gun toting, action pact, sex filled, edge grabbing, bar brawling, booze infested, cussin’ good time…..with the occasional vampire

Preacher. Except no substitute