indefinite articles

A very special installment of Crisis on Indefinite Earths this week. Rather than an impending disaster, instead we take a look at a crisis averted.

With comic books swiftly executing a complete coup d’etat of popular culture, I’ve long been seeking out comics of every stripe to see the myriad approaches to the still-evolving medium. From the wide range of American comics — superhero, indie, underground — to the many vibrant comic cultures around the world — Japan, France, Belgium — I’ve tried to sample from each, at the very least. And while my list of favorite titles seems to be ever expanding, one series has stayed king of the hill the entire while: Garth Ennis’ Preacher.

A long, winding journey of an American preacher traveling the country in search for an awol God, the series blends a grotesque vision of Americana, a deranged sense of humor, and a refreshingly clearheaded sense of morality. And, of course, let’s not forget the vampire, the superpowers, and the copious bestiality with small animals. In other words, it’d be perfect for an adaptation by HBO, which is exactly what was in the works. Until it was canceled.

The extent of Preacher’s appeal: Friends and I had Zippos from the comic engraved.

Ever since hearing about the project, I’ve been a bit anxious about it, which is not to say I believe that adapting Ennis’ great American graphic novel is in itself a fool’s errand. Rather, it was the show’s executive producer, Mark Steven Johnson, the man behind the movie adaptations of Daredevil, Elektra, and Ghost Rider. In other words, he knows how to ruin a good thing. So while the Watchmen trailer has filled me with grave doubt (too much glitz, not enough shabbiness), the notion of Johnson slowly obliterating Preacher is enough to make me lose sleep at night. Even Ennis’ own involvement, Frank Miller style, didn’t ease apprehensions.

So, the cancellation comes with some relief. Unfortunately, the show was done in for all the wrong reasons. According to TV Squad, HBO head of production Sue Naegle put the order through due to the show’s extreme violence and its interpretation of Christianity, which would surely be a powder keg waiting to go off, what with its portrayal of a deadbeat-dad God. As such, the cancellation is a bit of an upsetting move from a channel that has been fearless in the face of controversy, letting its creators roam free, completely uncensored.

It’s the content, then, rather than the talent, that has brought on Preacher’s premature demise. On the grand scale of the universe, was this too great a price to pay? That is, the dismissal of Mark Steven Johnson at the cost of the entire show itself? Sadly, the sacrifice seems too little, for according to Johnson there are talks of adapting the comic book into a film. We can only hope that will die on the vine, too.