Book Review: Preacher, Volume 8: All Hell’s a-Coming

Garth Ennis’s Preacher, Volume 8: All Hell’s a-Coming is a pivotal entry in the saga of Jesse Custer, one that shifts the narrative from high-octane supernatural chaos to a deeply introspective reckoning. At this juncture in the series, the grandiose battle between divine authority and human free will momentarily recedes, giving way to a story focused on recovery, resilience, and the emotional debts left in the wake of violence.

This volume, arguably the most meditative of the series, centers primarily on Tulip O’Hare, Jesse’s partner, whose character arc reaches a crucial point of transformation. Ennis, known for his unflinching approach to character psychology, grants Tulip a much-needed space to process trauma—not just as a reactionary figure to Jesse, but as an autonomous force. She emerges from grief and self-destruction with renewed agency, refusing to remain a passive figure in a world dominated by larger-than-life men. In doing so, Ennis subverts traditional comic book tropes, challenging the reader’s expectations of heroism and redemption.

Thematically, All Hell’s a-Coming is a meditation on what remains after belief is shattered. Jesse, presumed dead after his fall from an airplane, spends much of this volume absent—a ghost haunting the narrative rather than an active participant. This void allows the supporting cast to take center stage. Tulip’s arc is mirrored by the grotesque yet compelling Starr, whose downward spiral into self-loathing and physical ruin serves as a cynical counterpoint to her resurrection. Starr’s fate, one of the many examples of Ennis’s signature black humor, underscores the series’ ongoing critique of power structures, where every grotesque ambition inevitably devours itself.

Steve Dillon’s artwork, as always, is the ideal complement to Ennis’s writing. His clean, expressive linework ensures that even the most visceral moments of violence remain deeply human. His characters are not merely exaggerated figures in a pulp narrative but instead bear the weight of their histories in every drawn wrinkle, every clenched jaw. His ability to convey emotion through subtle shifts in facial expression allows Ennis’s dialogue to land with even greater impact.

This volume is, at its core, a prelude to the final confrontation. If the earlier installments of Preacher were an adrenaline-fueled road trip, All Hell’s a-Coming is the quiet moment before the last stand—a breath before the plunge. Ennis understands that the most explosive battles are often preceded by the most human moments of self-reflection. By allowing his characters to experience doubt, grief, and even the possibility of peace, he imbues the coming finale with stakes that are not merely cosmic, but deeply personal.

In the grander scheme of Preacher, this volume may not be the most bombastic, but it is arguably one of the most necessary. It solidifies the emotional core of the series, ensuring that when the inevitable reckoning arrives, it is not merely a spectacle, but a culmination of every broken promise, every act of love, and every moment of pain that has led these characters to their final fates.

Verdict: A masterful entry in an already legendary series, Preacher, Volume 8: All Hell’s a-Coming provides a crucial emotional bridge between conflict and climax. Garth Ennis proves that sometimes, the quietest moments carry the most weight.