The Word

The Word is Jesse Custer's power. Anything he says will automatically be done by those to whom he is speaking. The only exceptions are those individuals who are protected by God (and presumably Satan) and animals that 'don't know American'. Early on in the Preacher chronicle, Jesse says that he feels the moral obligation to use The Word in an entirely responsible manner, since he is on a mission to force God to face up to His responsibilities. However, in recent issues, we can see that this high moral standard of Jesse's has slipped a bit. In any case here's the comprehensive list of Jesse's use of The Word, either in the pages of Preacher, or directly referred to instances. In each case, The Word worked effectively and the resultant action was taken in the most literal sense, unless otherwise noted.

(1/37): "Drop the guns, all of you, and let us go." to Sherriff Root and his deputies.
(3/4): "Fuckin' quit it" to Cassidy, when he's drinking from a victim.
(4/9-10): "Enough! Back in the holster, fucker!" to the Saint of Killers, referring to his gun.
(4/11): "Get 'em here now." to the Saint of Killers, referring to the Adephi.
(4/12): "Cut the shit, will you?" to DeBlanc in all his heavenly glory.
(4/13): "Tell me the truth." to DeBlanc.
(4/17): "Get lost, asshole." to DeBlanc.
(4/17): "You're gonna go fuck yourself." to Sherriff Root (ouchie!!).
(7/15): "Fuckin' die!" to Cassidy's buddy, Si, a.k.a. the Reaver-Cleaver.
(7/16): "Don't you point that fuckin' thing at me." to Detective John Tool, referring to his gun.
(7/17): "Now give it here." to Detective John Tool, again referring to the gun.
(8/12): "You assholes get --" to Macavoy and his henchmen; interrupted by Jody.
(8/13): "Drop the gun." to Jody. Uh-oh, it doesn't work.
(8/14): "Goddamn you Jody. You drop that fuckin' gun." Oh shit. It still ain't working.
(11/21): "Point that fuckin' thing somewhere else, willya?" to T.C. referring to his gun. hey, it works again!
(11/21): "Drop it!" to T.C., referring to his gun again.
(12/5): "Burn, you fuckers!!" to Jody and Gran'ma's thugs.
(13/19): In reference, Jesse used The Word to rob a bank and steal the bank manager's Trans Am.
(13/23): "No!" to Cassidy, about to drink from a victim.
(16/6): "Eat it." to DeSade's midget henchman who happens to be holding a gun.
(17/2): "Sure you will." to Featherstone and Hoover to make them talk about the Grail.
(17/9): "Featherstone! You come on out here, girl!" right after she jumped from a moving car. She doesn't because she's covering her ears.
(17/10): "Get to it." to Hoover, telling him to count three million grains of sand on a beach.

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