In the latest edition of Comics to Read Before You Die, Jessie Robertson looks at John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 1: Original Sins…
John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 1: Original Sins.
By Jamie Delano, John Ridgway & Dave McKean.
I wouldn’t have thought that a cranky Brit who constantly smokes would become a cult icon in the comic book world, but alas, he has. John Constantine, since his debut in the pages of Swamp Thing way back in June 1985, has been a fan favorite character, and why? Well, he’s anything but your normal comic book superhero. He doesn’t fly, have bulging muscles and isn’t wearing a cape; he’s a foul-mouthed, horny, smooth talking bugger who rocks a trench coat like no one else and smokes like a chimney. Before getting ahold of this book (in beat up condition, which pleased me more than having it brand new and glossy; felt like the way this book should look), I was familiar with the Keanu Reeves movie, his stuff in New 52 with the Justice League and reading about his new NBC supernatural drama about to debut, but had not dipped into the classics that made him so popular.
Reading the first five tales in Original Sins you instantly are put into a place (80’s Britain) that you wouldn’t normally visit in comics and it’s entrenching, from all the settings, the clubs, the neighborhoods, the political posters, tv ads, and magazine clippings sprinkled at the end of each issue ala Constantine’s creator Alan Moore, the whole vibe of the book is on a different wavelength and sort of sucks you into that world. Constantine relies equally on his knowledge of the occult and his wit and jabbering to figure out the problems that present themselves to him, which is a nifty idea for a book that deals largely with Hell, demons and curses.
I think the first issue may be my favorite, where he has to save a friend of his who brought back an insect deity from deep Africa that can infect your body to be starving, constantly craving food and the more you eat, the more emaciated you become, literally wasting away as you’re stuffing your gullet full of protein. Sick stuff. The artwork is dark, dingy and looks like it was done on old paper, the lines dark and smudged but somehow the facial features of each character are distinct and real, they’re are no pretty models roaming this book; I think the art depicting these characters are normal everyday blokes walking around brings up the horror level of the disturbing issues such as walking into a nightclub that’s actually full of demons bartering for souls and feasting on flesh. Constantine does it, in a blue jacket, as if he belonged there and fit right in.
The writing of this book is a signature as well, Delano putting in tons of references to the state of Britain at the time, as well as commentary on Margaret Thatcher, which can feel dated to some. Constantine walks around with a quip or two in his pocket, good for any situation, even when dealing with a devil who ‘s got him strung up by his feet. There’s a lot of interesting side characters as well such as Papa Midnite, a club owner who performing mystic rituals is part of the business and the mysterious Zed, who tells Constantine, ” I was waiting, you found me. I don’t know what I was waiting for, you don’t know what you found. Now, do you fancy me or not?” He’s sort of a lay about, doesn’t seem to have any goals except enjoying himself and dishing out barbs to anyone in his path. He’s sort of labeled as an anti-hero, and you see him run/retreat from several situations in this book but he seems to be a self-preservist in the finest way to me.
These books get more varied as different writers took over but the dark atmosphere, the insults and the demeanor the character remain the same; I titled this with Original Sins but you could pick up any of the original volumes and be just as at home, which I plan on doing.
Next Week: Zombie Apocalypse Extreme!
Jessie Robertson
Originally published October 17, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
