Reviews

Constantine, Volume 1: The Spark and the Flame by Ray Fawkes, Marcelo Maiolo, Renato Guedes, Jeff Lemire

brandonadaniels's review against another edition

2.0

I’d read only bad things of this series, so I came in with low expectations. I thought it was fine. This is the new, younger and more “superheroy” version of the character found in Justice League Dark or Injustice, but many of the most important traits of the character remain. He’s not going on about British politics as much, but he’s still recognizable. The art is probably the thing that pushes it one step too far over the line into big two action comic. I can see some complaints about the shift to New York, and I get it, but even the original Hellblazer run began in New York, and John made several trips to and spent a big chunk of the original series in America in the Vertigo run. I’m dedicated enough to the character at this point t to stick it out… for now.

Update after reading the next two volumes: Honestly, skip this whole series unless you are a serious completionist. Anything redeemable about this first trade gets totally lost in a myriad of crossover tie inns.

as_in_crazy's review against another edition

3.0

First off it ain't "Hellblazer." Nor was I expecting it to be so. But really it's a shame it's not. It just felt like it wanted to be within the confines of the main DCU's PG-13 sensibilities. It wants to be a serious book with dark and gritty subject matter. It just feels like a superhero book in disguise. Yeah our Constantine is a bastard, but he's our bastard. I'm not quite sure what I was hoping for, but what I got was a mediocre story of a younger brother desperately intimidating his older brother in an effort to be cool and edgy, but lacking the sense of self and authenticity to be cool on his own merits. But since I was gifted four volumes for Christmas I might as well give them a read, yeah?

dalidja's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

michellewords's review against another edition

3.0

Constantine it's a good filler between heroes, but there's not very much"soul" in it. He falls flat to me and the plot weak

violettwilight's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. It had really well realized magic and I enjoyed that the main character was trying to save the world on his own way. I really want to continue reading this series.

ikeeper24's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

anastasiaadamov's review against another edition

3.0

First few chapters were a bit repetitive but the second half made up for it nicely. Theres gore and violence, sarcasm and darkness and also witty ways in which John gets himself out of trobule.
Would have rated it higher but the clilfhanger ending made me go GRRRRR....

beardedbarista's review against another edition

5.0

First real delve into the world of Constantine and I really enjoy it. I have a pretty broad collection of both HellBlazer and Constantine comics and actual read this TPB as individual issues and continue to read the series up to date. And come on.. Jeff Lemire is awesome. Glad he is part of this series.

lordroose's review

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

malu's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0