Preacher #45

Preacher #45, titled 'The Story of You-Know-Who,' was published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint in December 1998. It stands as a pivotal entry in the acclaimed series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Steve Dillon, known for its irreverent, gritty, and often controversial exploration of faith, morality, and American culture. This specific issue is renowned for focusing entirely on the tragic and gruesome backstory of the character Arseface, providing a deep, empathetic look at a figure often presented as a grotesque caricature.

The creative duo of Ennis and Dillon aimed to blend dark humor with genuine emotional pathos, a hallmark of their collaboration on the title. By centering an entire issue on a minor character's past, they subverted traditional superhero storytelling conventions in favor of character-driven narrative depth. The issue was received with critical praise for its tonal balance and remains a standout example of how the series pushed the boundaries of the comic medium during the late nineties.