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arf88's review
4.0
This volume was a massive improvement in my eyes from the previous volume. Saying that, it's difficult to review due to the numerous writers and one-two issue plots that were collected here.
The Family Man by Jamee Delano was the largest story and was, for the most part, a 4-star read. The introduction issue was delightfully weird and off the wall, and the art and story meshed well together. It was let down by the interruption of other issues/stories (I assume there was an editorial reason back in the day), and the ending was a disappointment that didn't live up to the rest of the story in my mind. The stuff with Constantine's dad in particular didn't seem to have the emotional punch it should have, especially knowing what I know about their relationship just from cultural osmosis.
Grant Morrison's two-issue story was alright. It was creepy and atmospheric, I liked the art, but the story itself was a letdown for me.
I enjoyed Neil Gaiman's issue. It was very sad, and very film noir in art style which set it apart from the other issues. It wasn't anything earth shattering but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Dick Foreman's issue was another entertaining stand alone. Who doesn't like a story about a demonic dog? As is becoming something of a pattern with Hellblazer, no matter who's writing it, the ending was a bit anti-climatic.
The "Sunday" story by Jamie Delano was as bizarre and as misanthropic as you'd expect from Delano, and it didn't seem to be anything more than confusing filler, but who knows with this series, it might mean something down the line.
There was also a prose story at the end also written by Delano, "The Gangster, the Whore and the Magician". I actually really enjoyed this, it was sad and lonely and hopeful. It left me thinking that Delano would be better suited to writing traditional books over comics.
The Family Man by Jamee Delano was the largest story and was, for the most part, a 4-star read. The introduction issue was delightfully weird and off the wall, and the art and story meshed well together. It was let down by the interruption of other issues/stories (I assume there was an editorial reason back in the day), and the ending was a disappointment that didn't live up to the rest of the story in my mind. The stuff with Constantine's dad in particular didn't seem to have the emotional punch it should have, especially knowing what I know about their relationship just from cultural osmosis.
Grant Morrison's two-issue story was alright. It was creepy and atmospheric, I liked the art, but the story itself was a letdown for me.
I enjoyed Neil Gaiman's issue. It was very sad, and very film noir in art style which set it apart from the other issues. It wasn't anything earth shattering but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Dick Foreman's issue was another entertaining stand alone. Who doesn't like a story about a demonic dog? As is becoming something of a pattern with Hellblazer, no matter who's writing it, the ending was a bit anti-climatic.
The "Sunday" story by Jamie Delano was as bizarre and as misanthropic as you'd expect from Delano, and it didn't seem to be anything more than confusing filler, but who knows with this series, it might mean something down the line.
There was also a prose story at the end also written by Delano, "The Gangster, the Whore and the Magician". I actually really enjoyed this, it was sad and lonely and hopeful. It left me thinking that Delano would be better suited to writing traditional books over comics.
spacephilosopher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
matt4hire's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nbramanti's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pidgevorg's review
3.0
The rating breakdown:
Larger than Life
story - 4
art - 3
The Family Man
story - 4
art - 3
Early Warning
story - 4
art - 4
How I Learned to Love the Bomb
story - 4
art - 4
Hold Me
story - 5
art - 5
Thicker Than Water
story - 5
art - 3
Sick at Heart
story - 5
art - 3
Fatality
story - 5
art - 3
Mourning of the Magician
story - 5
art - 4
New Tricks
story - 3
art - 4
Sundays are Different
story - 3
art - 3
The Gangster, the Whore, and the Magician
story - 3
art - 3
Larger than Life
story - 4
art - 3
The Family Man
story - 4
art - 3
Early Warning
story - 4
art - 4
How I Learned to Love the Bomb
story - 4
art - 4
Hold Me
story - 5
art - 5
Thicker Than Water
story - 5
art - 3
Sick at Heart
story - 5
art - 3
Fatality
story - 5
art - 3
Mourning of the Magician
story - 5
art - 4
New Tricks
story - 3
art - 4
Sundays are Different
story - 3
art - 3
The Gangster, the Whore, and the Magician
story - 3
art - 3
keahiinfra's review
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
itcamefromthepage's review
4.0
My first real dive into old Hellblazer comics and man was this one a ride.
The collection ranges from quaint to some of the most disturbing stuff I've ever read. That's just the gambit you get with John Constantine.
The collection ranges from quaint to some of the most disturbing stuff I've ever read. That's just the gambit you get with John Constantine.