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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
dark
funny
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
It was great to revisit John Constantine's early years. It's really quite a magnificent collection! The first story in the book, wherein John Constantine and his junkie friend Gary Lester encounter a hunger demon, completely sets the tone for the series. It's sort of impressive how well-realized Constantine was from the first issue -- although of course that was helped by his development as a character in Swamp Thing. A few stories show their origins in the 1980s pretty strongly, particularly one involving yuppie-impersonating demons and Thatcher's re-election, but they're clever and enjoyable and reflect the times very well.
This collection also included several of Constantine's appearances in Swamp Thing that I had not encountered before. These are a little harder to grok if you haven't read the Swamp Thing issues, particularly the story involving Swamp Thing taking over Constantine's body. I loved, however, the storyline in which John and Abbey end up getting riotously drunk together. It helps demonstrate one of the things the TV show and later Constantine story arcs sometimes forget: John can be devastatingly charming and a hell of a lot of fun when it suits him and the moment is right.
I usually think of Garth Ennis's run on Hellblazer as being where it really hit its stride, but all the beats are already there in these early stories. This is a real treat.
This collection also included several of Constantine's appearances in Swamp Thing that I had not encountered before. These are a little harder to grok if you haven't read the Swamp Thing issues, particularly the story involving Swamp Thing taking over Constantine's body. I loved, however, the storyline in which John and Abbey end up getting riotously drunk together. It helps demonstrate one of the things the TV show and later Constantine story arcs sometimes forget: John can be devastatingly charming and a hell of a lot of fun when it suits him and the moment is right.
I usually think of Garth Ennis's run on Hellblazer as being where it really hit its stride, but all the beats are already there in these early stories. This is a real treat.
After shuffling through a couple of pages of the weird storyline and a few disturbing images later I realised, not my cup of tea. I don't mind disturbing images but I prefer a method to my madness!
It's definitely a well-written book, but it was too much of a bummer for me to continue
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love John Constantine, my favorite asshole
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
loved it. the art is great and the writing poetic. the right kind of dark that's enjoyable and interesting without being offputting and gross.
Enter the dark and twisted world of Constantine. The John Constantine. A wonderfully illustrated world which shows the real and twisted nature of all who reside within. A strong and clear message while throwing you off the edge of the world into the sordid realms of hell. Well worth a read but have something cheerful on standby as they don't hide the tortured souls of this world.