The Hellblazer #2
Written by Simon Oliver
Art by Moritat
Colors by Andre Szymanowicz
Letters by Sal Cipriano
Constantine is back in England and already pissing of his old friends. As Swamp Thing and Mercury discuss the virtues, or even if there are any, John Constantine, the magician is off in London wearing out his welcome and trying to ascertain just how much trouble he is in for gambling with the souls of the entire city. In an issue that pays tribute to stories of the past while also setting up what seems to be a truly original Constantine story, The Hellblazer #2 is enjoyable from beginning to end, combining mystery, drama, humor, and just a tiny bit of self loathing the way on a story starring John Constantine can.
The issue opens with Mercury and Swamp Thing on a hillside discussing one of the only things they have in common, John Constantine. Having been brought together by the man himself in an effort to find Abby, the lost love of Swamp Thing, they end up debating the same thing fans have for decades, whether or not John Constantine is good or bad for the people around him. As the next scene is Constantine outstaying his welcome in his friend Chas’ home, it is safe to say that Simon Oliver is definitely in the “bad” camp of that argument. Unsettled by the fact that no one from London’s magical underground has chewed him out yet for nearly getting all of the city’s residents damned to hell, everyone’s favorite con man/magician decides to seek out the most powerful player in that world he can, the mysterious and powerful Clarice. This trip allows the reader to get a sense of the bigger and better magical world of the DC universe that will without a doubt greatly factor into this series. Surprised by his almost friendly reception and the invitation to be thanked by a hidden party for his actions with the demon Nybbas, Constantine decides to hightail it out of there for the safety of a cozy pub. Followed by the, not nearly human, staff of the Tate Club, it becomes clear to John that something bigger is going on and that he is not nearly as informed, as he needs to be.
The Hellblazer #2 continues the story started in the first issue and confirms that Simon Oliver is the writer to take this decades old character to the next level. He writes Constantine with an attitude and style that is easily copied, but hard to perfect. The art by Moritat is spectacular, as it always is, and does as much to set the tone of the book as the story itself. In picking up the storylines started in issue #1 and expanding them, as well as the world of Constantine, The Hellblazer #2 proves to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and confirmation that this series is one that you will want to pick up every month.
Art by Moritat
Colors by Andre Szymanowicz
Letters by Sal Cipriano
Constantine is back in England and already pissing of his old friends. As Swamp Thing and Mercury discuss the virtues, or even if there are any, John Constantine, the magician is off in London wearing out his welcome and trying to ascertain just how much trouble he is in for gambling with the souls of the entire city. In an issue that pays tribute to stories of the past while also setting up what seems to be a truly original Constantine story, The Hellblazer #2 is enjoyable from beginning to end, combining mystery, drama, humor, and just a tiny bit of self loathing the way on a story starring John Constantine can.
The issue opens with Mercury and Swamp Thing on a hillside discussing one of the only things they have in common, John Constantine. Having been brought together by the man himself in an effort to find Abby, the lost love of Swamp Thing, they end up debating the same thing fans have for decades, whether or not John Constantine is good or bad for the people around him. As the next scene is Constantine outstaying his welcome in his friend Chas’ home, it is safe to say that Simon Oliver is definitely in the “bad” camp of that argument. Unsettled by the fact that no one from London’s magical underground has chewed him out yet for nearly getting all of the city’s residents damned to hell, everyone’s favorite con man/magician decides to seek out the most powerful player in that world he can, the mysterious and powerful Clarice. This trip allows the reader to get a sense of the bigger and better magical world of the DC universe that will without a doubt greatly factor into this series. Surprised by his almost friendly reception and the invitation to be thanked by a hidden party for his actions with the demon Nybbas, Constantine decides to hightail it out of there for the safety of a cozy pub. Followed by the, not nearly human, staff of the Tate Club, it becomes clear to John that something bigger is going on and that he is not nearly as informed, as he needs to be.
The Hellblazer #2 continues the story started in the first issue and confirms that Simon Oliver is the writer to take this decades old character to the next level. He writes Constantine with an attitude and style that is easily copied, but hard to perfect. The art by Moritat is spectacular, as it always is, and does as much to set the tone of the book as the story itself. In picking up the storylines started in issue #1 and expanding them, as well as the world of Constantine, The Hellblazer #2 proves to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and confirmation that this series is one that you will want to pick up every month.
A Look Inside
