Reviews

Hellblazer, Vol. 8: Rake at the Gates of Hell by Garth Ennis

fangsfirst's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

ro_se12's review against another edition

3.0

7/10

Some people just like being depressed you know.

alexriviello's review against another edition

2.0

The hell happened here? Ennis seems to forget everything everyone liked about Constantine as a character and talk about the things he wants to talk about- what's going in Ireland, the American experience, how much God sucks, etc. It's stuff he'll go on to cover (much, much more effectively) in Preacher but for this character it just doesn't fit. Sure, Delano used Constantine to rip on Thatcher's England but it felt authentic to the character... here it's just an absolute mess, especially as he tries to tie up all his loose ends before leaving the comic. Sad end for such a promising start.

kateapatton's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

golembutch's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

keahiinfra's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

nraptor's review

medium-paced

4.0

storyorc's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

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

3.5

This volume deals with the politics of the day on the ground floor rather than taking shots at the monarchy; both race riots and the Irish troubles. The comic is clearly trying to be pro-black (and very firmly anti-cop) but the modern reader may chafe at how black characters' plots revolve around racism rather than anything fun and supernatural, that they're still more guest stars than secondary cast, and that they continue to be subjected to the most graphic violence. Constantine shows some humility rather than swooping in to save everyone but he also

says a slur as a joke

. Tarantino vibes.

Slimmer pickings for the supernatural elements. Felt like

Gabriel was underused and the First of the Fallen realising his own lore and killing the other two felt a bit of a stretch. Cheapened Constantine's win a little. Ellie stabbing him from behind wasn't nearly as clever either, though I was glad to see her again. New queen of hell anyone? The FotF asking what will happen to him as he dies was freaky and I did gasp a little to see 'Astra' pop up so full of hate.

Surprise standout was the completely unsupernatural issue spent with Kit's family at the end of the volume though. I love a messy family and they did not disappoint. She's no angel either but she does sparkle; here's hoping that was her

send-off for good. Wouldn't kill her to date someone closer to her own age either. Gross to find out she was 19 when she started seeing Brendan, especially since Constantine isn't that much younger than Brendan.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, and Gun violence

Moderate: Rape and Racial slurs

joanarcherknight's review

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

library_jones's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

3.75