As a long-time fan of the Preacher comics, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment when watching the TV show adaptation. The quirky and hilarious Cassidy, who once held such an integral role in the story, has been reduced to a shadow of his former self.
In August 2024, when the hit AMC dark fantasy series “Preacher” became available on Netflix, fans of the well-known graphic novel were eager to see more development for the character Proinsias Cassidy (Joe Gilgun). However, the television adaptation seems to underutilize this beloved character from the comic book series, making him appear much less powerful than readers are accustomed to experiencing. While adaptations often make creative adjustments to tell a story effectively and dramatically, it’s intriguing that Cassidy in “Preacher” has become secondary in the show.
With “Preacher” now available on Netflix, five years after its AMC finale, a fresh wave of viewers are discovering that the captivating Irish vampire Cassidy is not identical to the charismatic supernatural character from the Garth Ennis comic books. As more and more people tune in to the show on this streaming service, it’s worth examining how Cassidy’s on-screen persona compares to his literary counterpart and understanding why the roguish vampire seems less menacing in the adaptation.
What Is Preacher About?
In simpler terms, the TV series titled “Preacher” is an American show that blends elements of supernatural action and adventure. Created by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Sam Caitlin, it’s adapted from the renowned comic book series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The main character, Jesse Custer (played by Dominic Cooper), is a former troublemaker who has found sobriety as a preacher in Annville, Texas. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he mysteriously gains extraordinary powers that allow him to control the actions of others. With these new godlike abilities, Jesse strives to maintain a strong moral compass amidst his newfound powers.
As the story unfolds, Jesse encounters one challenging trial of faith following another, leaving him at a pivotal moment of moral decision. To aid him and guide him towards a path of redemption, the Preacher seeks help from his closest companion, Cassidy – an Irish vampire with a zest for life, known for his witty humor, spontaneous adventures, and memorable, vibrant dialogue. Cassidy is a standout character in the comic books, offering amusing comic relief, unexpected escapades, and vivid dialogues that linger in memory.
Key characters besides Jesse include Tulip O’Hare, his volatile wife portrayed by Ruth Negga; Sheriff Hugo Root, played by W. Earl Brown, along with his devout son Eugene “Arseface” Root (Ian Colletti); and guardian angels DeBlanc (Anatol Yusef) and Fiore (Tom Brooke). In the series, Jesse, Cassidy, and Tulip encounter adversaries such as the Killer of Saints (Graham McTavish) and Herr Star (Pip Torrens), malevolent supernatural forces seeking to corrupt mankind. However, unlike in the original comics, the role played by Cassidy in the TV adaptation is rather unimpressive at best and unsatisfying at worst.
Who Is Cassidy in Preacher?
English actor Joe Gilgun portrays Proinsias Cassidy throughout the entire 43-episode run of Preacher, airing from 2016 to 2019. However, fans of the Preacher comic books who were watching on Netflix for the first time were taken aback to discover that such a significant character was relegated to a minor role, lacking many of his literary talents and powers as depicted in the source material. In the comics, Cassidy is portrayed as a stylish Irish vampire, often seen wearing sunglasses to conceal his bloodshot eyes indicative of his supernatural nature. The sunglasses serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose in the storyline, enabling Cassidy to hide his vampiric transformations and making decisions based on this crucial aspect of his character.
In the series, we see that Cassidy’s sunglasses are mostly removed, revealing ordinary human eyes – a hint that his character has been altered and weakened from his comic book roots. Upon his arrival in Texas, Cassidy becomes entangled with various vices, leading to substance abuse problems that further tarnish his image. In the comics, Cassidy employs his supernatural abilities to rescue Jesse and Tulip from danger on numerous occasions, acting as a redeeming force against evil. Unfortunately, in this adaptation, viewers may find Cassidy’s portrayal to be less formidable than they are accustomed to, particularly those watching for the first time on Netflix.
Cassidy Was a Fan-Favorite in the Comics
In the world of comics, Cassidy possesses extraordinary abilities such as supernatural strength, swiftness, and raw power. Despite lacking formal fighting instruction, his vampire fangs and sharp claws enable him to dismember opponents with ease. Although he can feel pain, Cassidy is able to endure fatal injuries and recover quickly. Adhering to the legend of vampires, consuming human blood aids in his healing, but sunlight poses a significant threat to him. Unlike traditional beliefs, Cassidy doesn’t have a compulsion to eat human flesh or find pleasure in drinking blood. Instead, he only does so sparingly when needed, opting for alcohol as his preferred beverage of choice.
In the captivating world of comics, Cassidy’s powers are downright formidable and awe-inspiring. Yet, in the enchanting TV adaptation, he seems to lack that same intimidating presence, which has left comic enthusiasts like me slightly dismayed. A vibrant Reddit discussion, titled “Was Cassidy Less Impactful in the Comics?” has sparked lively debates online, with the general consensus echoing my sentiment: Cassidy is far more impactful on the pages of a comic book than he appears on our screens.
The original poster opens the discussion by stating:
I’ve reached the midpoint of Season 2, and Cassidy is becoming more grating and seemingly pointless as a character for me. Despite his frequent apologies for supposedly acting like a jerk and constantly apologizing to Jesse and Tulip, he hasn’t really demonstrated any behavior that supports this claim. Previously, I thought of him as amusing and unique, but now it seems like he lacks substance in the plot, merely existing instead.
Agreeing with the sentiment, another fan responded:
“Comic-Cassidy definitely played the comic relief with his accent and folksy wisdom, but felt like more of a dangerous, capable vampire than a drug-fueled clown.”
“The Most Useless Vampire in History”
Reducing Cassidy’s character and storyline on screen doesn’t do justice to his lively and unpredictable nature in the written form. Instead of showcasing the impulsive vampire with a knack for creating blood-splattered action and awkward humor, he is often portrayed as a passive sidekick, mainly serving to strengthen Jesse and Tulip’s relationship rather than offering much to the overall narrative.
In another Reddit post, someone else questioned whether Cassidy’s character from the comics was just as ineffective as he appears on the show. They further commented that the show portrays him as the most inept vampire ever, with both Jesse and Tulip demonstrating more combat prowess against the Son of Koschra.
Joining the debate, a fervent Redditor echoed feelings about Cassidy’s ineffectiveness, adding:
He’s been around for a century without acquiring any notable skills or abilities, which is quite surprising given his status as a vampire. His combat skills are weak, and he seems to lack many essential talents. It’s worth noting that while the first episode suggested some initial enthusiasm from Cassidy, as portrayed in the comics, this zeal hasn’t been consistently demonstrated over time. A significant aspect of his character is his knack for understanding people, charisma, and social skills. However, when it comes to achievements, he has little to boast about after a century. This lack of progress has even been acknowledged by him in the series.
Cassidy Is Drastically Underpowered
Furthermore fueling their discontent, Cassidy is informed by Eccarius during Season 3 of the widely-acclaimed vampire series that he could enhance his supernatural abilities by consuming vampire blood – granting powers such as flight, hypnosis, and shape-shifting. However, on-screen, Cassidy seldom (if ever) exhibits these augmented abilities, leaving comic enthusiasts even more disheartened. As one disappointed fan complains, “I recall him fighting alongside Jesse in the comics, including when Jesse first discovers he’s a vampire.
Despite the fact that Cassidy saves the day by averting the apocalypse in the final episode of Preacher, fans have observed that his character is significantly less powerful throughout the series compared to his comic book counterpart. This notable disparity has left many questioning why this memorable character was diminished so dramatically. In the end, Cassidy’s sacrifices come too late and fall short, thereby losing much of the impact he had in the original source material.
Preacher is available to stream on Netflix.
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2024-09-13 00:01