Priest (Hangul: 프리스트) is a manhwa (Korean comic) series created by Hyung Min-woo.
It fuses the Western genre with supernatural horror and dark fantasy themes and is notable for its unusual, angular art style.
An interview with Hyung in Priest: Volume 3 states that the comic was based on the computer game Blood by Monolith Productions, which featured a similar horror-Western aesthetic and undead protagonist.
[1][2] He has also cited the comic as a mishmash of influences from other books, movies and games,[3] elements from a culture that he felt was underground in Korea at the time.
Temozarela convinces Vascar De Gullion to give up his body to the angel to take revenge against God.
Betheal traps their souls within a powerful weapon called the Domas Porada, becoming the demon Belial in the process.
Ivan lived in an orphanage until Mr. Isaacs, a wealthy farm owner, adopted him after his wife died to be a companion for his daughter.
Fond of ancient stories and myths, he spent his time researching in his own library and with Gena Isaacs, whom he eventually falls in love.
Temozarela, realizing that Ivan could liberate him, tells Piestro to sacrifice Gena in front of the Domas Porada.
Ivan stalks the west as an undead creature sustained solely by his infinite rage; his strength directly related to his anger.
Temozarela, possessing Vascar, influences Betheal's adoptive son, Matthew, to slaughter one of the women at the monastery.
In remorse and enraged, Betheal sacrifices himself, condemns his faith, renounces God, and becomes the devil Belial.
Ivan finally begins to accept death and we see Gena in a field in front of him, before Armandiel saves him.
He first appears saving Lizzie from being hung as a witch, then subsequently hires her to help him find Isaac.
Years later, a Knight Templar called Vascar de Guillon fought in the crusades and led fearsome armies.
In his final moments before dying, Jarbilong tells Ivan that Temozarela could destroy him if he wished, but the angel has plans for him.
When Ivan kills Christine with the Belial's help, Achmode is further enraged by insults about his 'glorious past' being little more than mindless instinct.
In a bizarre twist, Armandiel grants Ivan the severed arm of Achmode to replace his, saying that it will make him more than human and bolster his power.
He is possibly the most powerful of the Fallen Angels, especially considering his status of High Priest in Temozarela's Black Sabbath.
He is depicted as a handsome young man with long, straight hair, dressed in 19th century formal wear.
Another of the Fallen Angels, Netraphim resembles a young woman and is accompanied by a giant wolf named Bendo.
Once Gena had been murdered, and the Domas Porada opened, a man arrived swathed in bandages bearing a lantern and a staff tipped with the symbol 'II'.
The head of St. Vertinez explains how he was visited by Temozarela in a dream and that he believes the archangel brought a new message from God.
Appropriately given the comic's inspiration, the game attempted to meld in elements of first-person shooters;[8] combat was real time and aiming and movement directly controlled by the player.
JC Entertainment described the game as controversial, owing to its graphic violence and religious mysticism.
[15] Priest is a 2011 action horror film loosely based on the manhwa, although the director claimed it was set in the comic's far future.
A prequel comic, Priest: Purgatory, was begun in an attempt to bridge the original manhwa with the movie, although it was never completed.
[17][18] Min Woo Hyung was largely supportive of the movie, praising the visuals, even if missing the comic's philosophical aspects.
[19] The progressive metal band Dream Theater's song "In the Presence of Enemies" features a storyline patterned after Priest's plot with lyrics directly quoting the official English translation of Volume 1.
[20][21] A character called Priest also appears in the brawler game Lost Saga by South Korean developer I.O.