preacher comes to hbo

preacher, one of my favorite comics of all time, is being developed into a series for hbo. fans have long heard rumors of preacher adaptations, but they always fell through. this could be the one... and judging from the quality of hbo's other programming, i believe they can do it right.

The pay cable network is developing a one-hour series based on the popular 1990s Vertigo comics series. Mark Steven Johnson, the writer-director behind comic adaptations "Daredevil" and the upcoming "Ghost Rider," is writing the pilot, while Howard Deutch is attached to direct. Johnson and Deutch will executive produce along with Michael De Luca, George Agusto, Chris Bender and JC Spink.

"Preacher," which ran from 1995-2000, told the story of a down-and-out Texas preacher possessed by Genesis, a supernatural entity conceived by the unnatural coupling of an angel and a demon. Given immense powers, the preacher teamed with an old girlfriend and a hard-drinking Irish vampire and set out on a journey across America to find God -- who apparently had abandoned his duties in heaven -- and hold him accountable for his negligence.

The series was created by Irish-born writer Garth Ennis and British artist Steve Dillon, who will serve as co-executive producers. Ken F. Levin, who reps the duo, also will serve as co-exec producer.

if you're not up on your "who's who in hollywood", i've linked to imdb profiles for all involved who have them. (i can't find a thing on george agusto, whoever that is.) some of the producers have their names attached to some pretty good movies, and howard deutch, of course, is best known for directing pretty in pink. i'm a bit skeptical about mark steven johnson, but i'm willing to suspend my disbelief for the time being.¶