The Saint of Killers

A grim, taciturn, implacable killing machine transformed into the Angel of Death.

The Saint of Killers is a fictional character who appears in the comic book series Preacher, published by Vertigo Comics in 1995. Writer Garth Ennis created the Saint of Killers with artist Steve Dillon. The Saint is described as "a grim, taciturn, implacable killing machine" with supernatural abilities involving divinity, immortality, and influence over Heaven and Hell. His goals typically center on bringing down individuals through destruction and death by the laws of Paradise. The Saint of Killers first appeared as a heartless murderer. He is transformed into the Angel of Death, tasked with collecting the souls of those who die by violence. The Saint was a primary antagonist in the Preacher series, who is ordered by Heaven to kill protagonist, Jesse Custer, due to his possession by the entity Genesis.

Quick Facts

Character name: Saint of Killers
Publisher: Vertigo Comics
Debut: Cameo: Preacher #1 (1995); Full: Preacher #2 (1995)
Creators: Garth Ennis; Steve Dillon
Species: God
Homeworld: Earth
Alliances: Confederacy
Also known as: Patron Saint of Murderers and Assassination, Death Bringer

Lore & Background

The Saint of Killers' past fought for the Confederacy in the American Civil War and was one of the most violent, bloodthirsty soldiers on the battlefield. After the war, he returned to Texas, earning money from bounties on Indian scalps. During a raid on a group of Apaches, he met a captive young lady who insisted on staying with him. They were together for a decade, had a daughter, and lived off the land.

At some point, his wife and daughter caught a fever and became bedridden, with the only medicine being a week away by horse. He was delayed in the town of Ratwater, Texas, by a gang of outlaws led by Gumbo McCready. By the time he returned home, his wife and daughter were already dead. Grief-stricken, he returned to Ratwater and went on a killing spree, hunting down each of the gang members until all but McCready were dead.

McCready took a girl hostage, but the gunslinger shot her through the head to get to his prey. However, that turned out to be his last bullet, and McCready was able to knock him out and impale him through the chest with a shovel. Due to his many murders, the soldier was sent to Hell. The freezing cold soul of the gunman caused Hell to literally freeze over, drawing the Devil out of his palace to investigate.

The Angel of Death, weary of his position, suggested a solution: the gunman would take his place, bringing death at God's will. He would wield two pistols, cast from the Angel's sword. The man agreed, and left Hell—but not before gunning down the Devil after the latter insulted him. He returned to earth and slaughtered everyone in the town of Ratwater, including McCready and the corrupt preacher who traveled with him.

No man, woman, nor child in the town was spared. Due to his dangerously uncontrollable nature, Heaven arranged for him to be put into a deep slumber, until God had need of him.

Reader's Guide

The Saint of Killers is a grim, taciturn, implacable killing machine with supernatural abilities involving divinity, immortality, and influence over Heaven and Hell. He wields two pistols, cast from the Angel's sword, which never run out of bullets. The Saint is ordered by Heaven to kill protagonist Jesse Custer due to his possession by the entity Genesis, whose power is greater than God's. The Saint's character and the nature of his evil have been the subject of considerable critical attention. Empire ranked The Saint of Killers number 43 in their 50 Greatest Comic Characters of All Time, Topless Robot placed him number 3 in their Top 10 Least Heroic Antiheroes, What Culture placed the Saint #57 on their list of the 100 Greatest Comic Book Villains Of All Time, and the character ranked #74 on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Villains compilation.

Did You Know?

Garth Ennis revealed that Clint Eastwood provided the inspiration for the Saint of Killers, specifically his character William Munny in the film Unforgiven.
Artist Steve Dillon based the Saint's face on actor Lee Marvin.
The Saint of Killers was featured in his own four-issue limited series, Preacher: Saint of Killers, which expanded on his background and motivation.
He was portrayed by Graham McTavish in the television series adaptation of Preacher.