Missionary Man (comics)

Missionary Man is a British Western comic strip created by John Wagner and Alan Grant, and primarily drawn by Frank Quitely (credited as Quietly during the strip's initial run). It appeared in the anthology comic Judge Dredd Megazine between 1995 and 2002.

The strip follows Preacher Caleb, a former Judge from Mega-City One who resigns after becoming disillusioned with the system. Haunted by his past actions within the authoritarian regime, Caleb travels to the lawless frontier of Texas City, a sprawling and violent settlement built on the ruins of modern-day Texas after a devastating nuclear war.

As a "Missionary," Caleb aims to bring justice and redemption to this brutal landscape through a combination of faith and force. He carries a Bible and a custom-made Lawgiver pistol, using both to uphold his own interpretation of the law and deliver his own brand of justice to outlaws, corrupt officials, and other threats to the innocent settlers of Texas City.

The series is known for its gritty realism, morally ambiguous characters, and exploration of themes such as faith, redemption, justice, and the legacy of violence. While Caleb espouses religious principles, the comic often questions the effectiveness and morality of his methods in a world where violence is often the only language understood. The artwork, particularly Quitely's stylized and often unsettling depictions of characters and landscapes, further contributes to the strip's unique and impactful tone. Missionary Man offered a darker, more nuanced take on the Western genre within the context of the Judge Dredd universe.