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TV Media Weekly | May 21 - 27, 2016 — a lovely pair of slaughterhouse magnates, local benefactors and proud supporters of the Ku Klux Klan. Fans of the comic have been eagerly awaiting the series' arrival since it was announced back in 2013, no doubt in a mixed state of anticipation and apprehension, as limited/lesser-known comics have something of a rough history when it comes to adaptations (just look at 2005's "Constantine" starring Keanu Reeves, and last year's NBC series of the same name). "Preacher" was a comic infa- mous for its dark, edgy content. In fact, part of the reason it's taken so long for a TV series to happen is that many networks were turned off when they realized how little Jesse Custer practiced what he preached. In 2008, HBO passed on the series because of the comic's cynical attitude after almost two years of development. Despite all of this, "Preacher" showrunner Sam Catlin, who spearheaded the series' AMC re- vival alongside actor/comedian Seth Rogen ("Knocked up," 2007) and Rogen's longtime partner-in- crime, writer/producer Evan Gold- berg ("This Is the End," 2015), promised fans in an April inter- view with Collider that, regardless of any changes they make to the content, the show definitely won't be "Preacher-lite." By Brian Craddock TV Media R ecently, it seems, television has developed a love affair with series based on comic books. From Fox's "Gotham" to CW's trifecta of "The Flash," "Arrow" and "DC's Leg- ends of Tomorrow," some would say that there are too many of them — even online streaming services are jumping on the comic book bandwagon, with Netflix's "Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones" proving immensely successful. The list of comic-based shows grows a little this week, when AMC (which is already home to the juggernaut that is "The Walking Dead") airs the premiere episode of "Preacher" — based on the DC Comics/Vertigo series of the same name — on Sunday, May 22. The "Preacher" comic series is relatively unique in that its entire run spanned only five years (1995 to 2000). Written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Steve Dillon, the often vulgar comic book told the story of Jesse Custer, a small-town Texas preacher who somehow finds himself possessed by a heav- enly being named Genesis, who in- forms him that God has all but abandoned his creations. Incensed, Custer sets off in search of an audi- ence with God, which proves to be just as difficult as it sounds. Dominic Cooper, who recently starred in another comic book-in- spired series, ABC's "Marvel's Agent Carter," plays the epony- mous preacher in the new show, and he's not the only cast member with a history of starring in comic book series — Ruth Negga of "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." plays Custer's ex-girlfriend, Tulip O'Hare. Rounding out the main cast is Joseph Gilgun, who starred in the British hit "Misfits" and re- cently appeared on the big screen in "The Last Witch Hunter" (2015). The BAFTA-nominated actor is set to play Cassidy, an Irish vampire who, through a bizarre chain of events, falls in with Custer and O'Hare. While on their quest for an audi- ence with God, the trio goes up against a bevy of bizarre people: To start, there's the racist, conspiracy- spouting sheriff named Hugo Root, played by "Deadwood's" W. Earl Brown, and his son, Eugene (Ian Colletti, "Rake"), a deadbeat teen rockstar left deformed after a botched suicide attempt. There's also the Quincannons: Vyla and Odin, played by Elizabeth Perkins ("Weeds") and Jackie Earle Haley ("Watchmen", 2009), respectively Joseph Gilgun as seen in "Preacher" AMC goes to Texas with its adaptation of Garth Ennis' 'Preacher' 2 | Cover story Tipton Ford 3 x 10" A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" 455-2700 3833 S. LaFountain • Kokomo, IN 46902 www.norrisinsurance.com • Home • Auto • Business • Life Call for a FREE Quote! Serving You For Over 50 Years Bill Neher WIN $ 1,000 www.kokomotribune.com/rules MAY 1 to JUNE 28! KOKOMO TRIBUNE Cover all the numbers 6 Ways to Win! With Exciting 1st to cover 4 Corners Win $25 gift card 1st Horizontal Win $25 gift card 1st Vertical Win $25 gift card 1st Diagonal Win $25 gift card 1st T (for Tribune) Win $100 gift card 1st to Cover Win $1,000 SPONSORED BY AT Wildcat Creek KOKOMO, INDIANA 1500 W. Markland Ave NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open to U.S. residents 18 years or older, excluding residents of RI. Sweepstakes will run between 12:01 am EST on 5/1/16 and ends at 5:00 pm EST on 6/28/16. Limit one entry per person. Certain restrictions apply. See Official Rules at kokomotribune.com/rules for details including odds and prize description. Sponsor: Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc., the Kokomo Tribune and JCF Residences at Wildcat Creek. Void where prohibited. Game boards available at the Kokomo Tribune & JCF Residences at Wildcat Creek after May 1, 2016

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