Hugo Root
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Hugo Root is a fictional character in DC Comics title Preacher.
Root was introduced as the mean-hearted father of Arseface. Hugo is characterized as a stereotypical racist redneck, who refers to marauding “Martian Niggers” as the source of America's ills. He also readily believes most conspiracy theories about aliens and government.
Root is the sheriff of an un-named county in Texas. He used his job ( as well as his son ) as a means to take out his frustrations on how unhappy the state of his life turned out. Once his son shot himself, and in the process deformed his face, his wife soon left him, Leaving behind a scathing "Dear John Letter," in which she berated both Root and his son.
The turning point in Root's life came after his first encounter with Jesse Custer, who used his "Word of God" power to order him and all deputies on the scene to drop their weapons. Shortly after, the Saint of Killers appeared also, and slaughtered nearly all his fellow deputies, but inexplicably spared Root. His account of what happened there was discounted by a federal investigator that was at the sheriff's office, and Hugo was dismissed for the day. Later on that night, he received a tip as to Custer's whereabouts and decided to pursue that lead independently. Unbeknownst to Root, his son stowed away in the back seat of his squad car.
Root committed suicide in front of his son and several paramedics on the scene after Jesse Custer used his power to order him to "fuck himself." Root ended up taking this order literally, inserting his penis in his anus, thus forcing him to sever his penis against his will. As a consequence of his death, his son vowed to hunt Custer in order to avenge his father and thus would from thereon be known as Arseface.
