History Comicbook / Hellblazer

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[[caption-width:225:John Constantine, from the cover of HB #214]]

A long-running VertigoComics horror title that spun off from ''SwampThing'', ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'' follows ConMan, OccultDetective, gambler and magician of ill repute, John Constantine (rhymes with "turpentine"), as he tangles with Hell, Heaven, the police and the criminal underworld. The comic typically combines horror and fantasy elements (demons, ghosts, vampires etc) with a gritty 'real world' setting and an occasional dash of political and social commentary. The majority of the series is set in modern urban Britain, particularly London.

One of his most persistent traits is his habit of manipulating his friends into fighting for him or getting them involved in his schemes. However, this usually winds up in them getting killed. Indeed, the series became notorious at one point for introducing a new "old friend" of Constantine's, then killing them off, every few issues. Despite this, the comic is very good about killing men and women equally, and so far, only one of Constantine's lovers has been StuffedIntoTheFridge (plus another in its parent comic ''SwampThing'').

The character of John Constantine started out firmly entrenched in TheDCU -- his first appearance was in a ''SwampThing'' crossover with ''CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', even! -- but has gradually drifted off into his own self-contained [[TheVerse universe]]. (Although the likes of {{Zatanna}} and {{the Phantom Stranger}} still pop in from time to time, as has [[TheSandman Morpheus]].) An ancestress of his, Johanna Constantine, appeared in some issues of TheSandman and was fairly {{Badass}}. The end of BrightestDay sees him returning to the main DCU. In the reboot, a younger John works as a member of JusticeLeagueDark, a magic-themed JL. The original is staying in Vertigo.

* {{Backstory}} -- Hinted at in ''SwampThing'', explained in detail in ''Hellblazer''.

* CharacterOverlap -- John has appeared in dozens of other comics. Other characters to appear in ''Hellblazer'' include SwampThing, {{Zatanna}}, ThePhantomStranger and Comicbook/{{Lucifer}}.

* {{Retcon}} -- In ''SwampThing'' John said he was in a mental hospital for "a couple of weeks" after something terrible happened in Newcastle. In ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'', that was retconned to several years. Additionally, the comic adds old (but hitherto unseen) friends and enemies on a relatively regular basis.

** Reverse version: [[{{Supernatural}} Castiel]] was supposed to be Constantine according to both the actor and the writers.

* DistaffCounterpart -- John's ancestor Lady Johanna Constantine (premiered in ''TheSandman''), who lived at the time of the American and French Revolutions. Her miniseries implies that the Constantine/the Laughing Magician is the same entity reincarnating along their bloodline (and killing his/her twin in the womb).

The comic was turned into a InNameOnly movie, ''Film/{{Constantine}}'', starring Keanu Reeves as a [[ChristianityIsCatholic Catholic]], [[TheAtoner repentant]], brunet, [[CulturalTranslation American]], [[TheGunSlinger gun-wielding]] [[ChurchMilitant exorcist]] version of Constantine. It was received well enough by critics and general public that a sequel has been proposed.

* MrSeahorse: A {{British Gangster|s}}'s pregnancy goes undetected, as everybody thinks he's just overweight. It figures that the ''anti''christ would be born this way.

This comic gives examples of:

* AntiChrist

Constantine himself is generally portrayed as an adrenaline junkie who's constantly getting involved with the supernatural because everything else bores him to tears. Although he is a BadassLongCoat AntiHero, he's usually portrayed as being a poor fighter (unless he's fighting dirty or gets the first punch in) and generally eschews guns. Instead, he uses his ''brains'' to outwit, trick and manipulate his enemies. Well, [[XanatosGambit brains,]] [[FunctionalMagic magic]] (mind-reading and gambling a specialty!), [[ConsummateLiar bullshit]] and not infrequently [[ShroudedInMyth the power of his own reputation.]]

* XanatosGambit -- Too many to count, perpetrated by John as often as his enemies. It makes sense, for a hero who is so much more about using cunning than using his fists.
** These frequently spin off into XanatosRoulette played straight, as John's enemies are both numerous and rarely fools themselves. If John's inadvertently pissed off the wrong bastard, odds are good he's relying on plans that his enemies have already countered, if not co-opted themselves.

* BecomingTheCostume -- I don't remember the title but it was disturbing enough for the HighOctaneNightmareFuel special collection.

The character of John Constantine started out firmly entrenched in TheDCU -- his first appearance was in a ''SwampThing'' crossover with ''CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', even! -- but has gradually drifted off into his own self-contained [[TheVerse universe]]. (Although the likes of {{Zatanna}} and {{the Phantom Stranger}} still pop in from time to time, as has [[TheSandman Morpheus]].) An ancestress of his, Johanna Constantine, appeared in some issues of TheSandman and was fairly {{Badass}}. [[spoiler: The end of BrightestDay sees him returning to the main DCU. In the reboot, a younger John[[hottip:*:Some believe this John is the John from SwampThing.]] works as a member of JusticeLeagueDark, a magic-themed JL. The original is staying in Vertigo.]]

* ArchEnemy -- Nergal. Later, the First of the Fallen. [[spoiler:Then Nergal again.]]

-->''"My name's John Constantine. [[GoodIsNotNice I'm not the nicest bloke you've ever met]], but I do me best."''\\

''There's been a lot said about John Constantine, all right, and [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation everyone who's known him has their own pet theory]].''\\

-->''"My name's John Constantine. I'm not the nicest bloke you've ever met, but I do me best."''\\

* BadassLongCoat

The comic was turned into a InNameOnly movie, ''{{Constantine}}'', starring Keanu Reeves as a [[ChristianityIsCatholic Catholic]], [[TheAtoner repentant]], brunet, [[CulturalTranslation American]], [[TheGunSlinger gun-wielding]] [[ChurchMilitant exorcist]] version of Constantine. It was received well enough by critics and general public that a sequel has been proposed.

* WeirdnessMagnet [[spoiler:Turns out John's unborn twin is using synchronicity (the ability to warp reality, making things work out for him that comes with being the "Laughing Magican") to screw with Johns life. The twin uses the power to attract all the shit that happens to John whilst using the power to stop him dying from it (neatly explaining all the bad stuff that happens to everyone around him but John manages to escape). Why may you ask? so John will commit mental suicide and the twin can take over]]

** Done to the First of the Fallen twice in Ennis' run. [[spoiler: Constantine tricks him into drinking stout transmuted from holy water, then transmutes it back. At the end of Ennis' run, Ellie kills the First outright, making him wonder where the Devil goes when he dies. HeGetsBetter, though.]]

** Actually, they did cancel X-Men in the early 1970's or so with#93, with issues#67 to #93 as only reprints, though they resumed numbering with #94.

The character of John Constantine started out firmly entrenched in TheDCU -- his first appearance was in a ''SwampThing'' crossover with ''CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', even! -- but has gradually drifted off into his own self-contained [[TheVerse universe]]. (Although the likes of {{Zatanna}} and {{the Phantom Stranger}} still pop in from time to time, as has [[TheSandman Morpheus]].) An ancestress of his, Johanna Constantine, appeared in some issues of TheSandman and was fairly {{Badass}}. [[spoiler: The end of BrightestDay sees him returning to the main DCU. In the reboot, a younger John[[hottip:*:Some believe this John is the John from SwampThing.]] works as a member of JusticeLeague Dark, a magic-themed JL. The original is staying in Vertigo.]]

A long-running VertigoComics horror title that spun off from ''SwampThing'', ''{{Hellblazer}}'' follows ConMan, OccultDetective, gambler and magician of ill repute, John Constantine (rhymes with "turpentine"), as he tangles with Hell, Heaven, the police and the criminal underworld. The comic typically combines horror and fantasy elements (demons, ghosts, vampires etc) with a gritty 'real world' setting and an occasional dash of political and social commentary. The majority of the series is set in modern urban Britain, particularly London.

** If you're talking about "Early Warning"/"How I Learned To Love The Bomb"... '''*shudder*'''.
*** Scariest Hellblazer story ever. DAMN YOU MORRISON.

* {{Retcon}} -- In ''SwampThing'' John said he was in a mental hospital for "a couple of weeks" after something terrible happened in Newcastle. In ''{{Hellblazer}}'', that was retconned to several years. Additionally, the comic adds old (but hitherto unseen) friends and enemies on a relatively regular basis.