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* ExiledFromContinuity: The adult nature of his comic has kept John from being a major player in the more mainstream titles of TheDCU, rarely making appearances outside of crowd shots or the occasional mention.
** Averted by the end of ''BrightestDay'', where it seems he'll now be a big player in the DCU again. See his New 52 version for more.

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* ItIsPronouncedTroPAY: When referring to Birmingham, Alabama on the scry map, he uses the British pronunciation instead of the American pronunciation.




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* YouSayTomato: When referring to Birmingham, Alabama on the scry map, he uses the British pronunciation instead of the American pronunciation.
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* ItIsPronouncedTroPAY: When referring to Birmingham, Alabama on the scry map, he uses the British pronunciation instead of the American pronunciation.

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** In one guest appearance in ''{{Books of Magic}}'', {{Zatanna}} and Timothy Hunter unwittingly got themselves cornered and outgunned by a whole army of sorcerers and monsters. When all hope seems lost, John Constantine suddenly appeared on scene, which quickly got their attention. He stood in the doorway, lighting a cigarette, and asked the HiveOfScumAndVillainy if they knew who he was, what he was capable of, and whether they intended to cross him. The villainous horde departed. John later explained that since he has a reputation of getting anyone near him killed, nobody ever wants to be near him anymore - not even to fight him.

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** In one guest appearance in ''{{Books of Magic}}'', {{Zatanna}} and Timothy Hunter unwittingly got themselves cornered and outgunned by a whole army of sorcerers and monsters. When all hope seems lost, John Constantine suddenly appeared on scene, which quickly got their attention. He stood in the doorway, lighting a cigarette, and asked the HiveOfScumAndVillainy WretchedHive if they knew who he was, what he was capable of, and whether they intended to cross him. The villainous horde departed. John later explained that since he has a reputation of getting anyone near him killed, nobody ever wants to be near him anymore - not even to fight him.



** Averted by the end of ''BrightestDay'', where it seems he'll now be a big player in the DCU again.
** Kinda sorta. The John Constantine now appearing in ''Justice League Dark'' is an alternate version to the one in the ''Hellblazer'' series.

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** Averted by the end of ''BrightestDay'', where it seems he'll now be a big player in the DCU again.
** Kinda sorta. The John Constantine now appearing in ''Justice League Dark'' is an alternate
again. See his New 52 version to the one in the ''Hellblazer'' series.for more.



** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and [=DeMatteis=] seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.

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** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and [=DeMatteis=] Some writers seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.



* ScrewDestiny: After [[spoiler:Xanadu prophesied that John would kill Zatanna]] in the conclusion of the Books of Magic arc, the House of Mystery is stolen. John does not call Zatanna to help despite her usefulness, which is likely an attempt at this trope.
** Right before that, John's intended loss on a horse race may have been another attempt to change destiny--which was rejected.

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* ScrewDestiny: After [[spoiler:Xanadu prophesied that John would kill Zatanna]] in the conclusion of the Books of Magic arc, the House of Mystery is stolen. John does not call Zatanna to help despite her usefulness, which is likely an attempt at this trope.
**
trope. Right before that, John's intended loss on a horse race may have been another attempt to change destiny--which was rejected.


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* ExperiencedProtagonist: He has quite an arsenal to fight the supernatural, and his conversations with old partners and Chas indicate he had done a fair bit of magic before the series started. However, he still considers himself just a petty dabbler in his work.
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* 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 bad stuff 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 give up, commit mental suicide and allow the twin to take over]]

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* WeirdnessMagnet: [[spoiler:Turns out John's unborn twin is using synchronicity (the ability to warp reality, making the actual Reality Warper, arranging things work out for him that comes to bring John into the greatest contact with being the "Laughing Magican") to screw with Johns life. horror and despair while leaving him physically unharmed. The twin uses the power goal is to attract all the bad stuff 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? induce a final HeroicBSOD so John will give up, commit mental suicide essentially go catatonic, retreat from reality and allow the twin to take over]]over.]]



* {{Flanderization}}: He is constantly accused of backstabbing his own friends & sending them to damnation. However, his vertigo incarnation was lot lesser guilty for this than New52 would make you think & most of the time it was the case of being unable to save already doomed friends (eg Gary Lester & Brendon Finn) rather than sacrificing them without any moral dilemma.

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* {{Flanderization}}: He is constantly accused of backstabbing his own friends & sending and leading them to damnation. However, his vertigo incarnation was their destruction. Unless they've done a lot lesser guilty for this than New52 would make you think & most of the time it was the case of being unable rewriting, John doesn't actually betray people to their doom: instaed, he tends to be helpless to save people who were already doomed friends (eg Gary Lester & (Gary Lester, Brendon Finn) rather than sacrificing them without any Finn, etc.) He's not a good man, but as a rule he's not making a moral dilemma.choice to damn people.
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* RulesLawyer: Constantine relies heavily on manipulation of rules to survive playing with entities whose raw might would normally allow them to squash him like a bug, but the magical rules that bind them prevent it. Some of his most serious threats are from people like regular humans who can attack him directly and not bound or can break said rules.

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* RulesLawyer: Constantine relies heavily on manipulation of rules to survive playing with entities whose raw might would normally allow them to squash him like a bug, but rules. Most of his victories over beings tremendously more powerful than himself have relied on his use of the magical rules that bind them prevent it. Some of and restrictions they must abide by. In some ways his most serious greatest threats are have come from people like TheUnfettered - particularly regular humans humans, who can attack him directly and not bound or can break said rules.don't have any magical restrictions.



* SmokingIsCool: John is rarely without a cigarette and the the most iconic images is Constantine lighting his cigarette like the page image. Also {{averted}} that he actually has to face the consequences of lung cancer at least till a DealWithTheDevil.

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* SmokingIsCool: John is rarely without a cigarette and the the most iconic images is Constantine lighting his cigarette like the page image. Also {{averted}} that - he actually has to face the consequences of lung cancer at least till a DealWithTheDevil.(though, as usual, he weasels his way out of inescapable and hideous death).



* TricksterArchetype: Yours truly. Constantine is the TropeCodifier of DidYouJustScamCthulhu

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* TricksterArchetype: Yours truly. Constantine is the TropeCodifier of DidYouJustScamCthulhuDidYouJustScamCthulhu.
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* FatalFlaw: His cigarettes, his addiction to thrills, his continued meddling in occult matters, his habitual lies... well, we've got ourselves a little list, don't we?

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* FatalFlaw: His cigarettes, his addiction to thrills, his continued meddling in occult matters, his habitual lies...lies, his drinking... well, we've got ourselves a little list, don't we?



* NominalHero: John Constantine is this by the annoyance of everyone. Being an {{antihero}}, most of his battles are because he was being forced to comply, for personal gain (ready to sacrifice anyone), or simply just being bored and want to do some shit.
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Being an escapologist, con artist, and walking plot device, John Constantine made a name for himself due to this. He has came up against the most powerful beings in existence such as the First and God/Gods, and somehow only leaves "a nod, a wink, and a wisecrack". It also helps that {{Deus ex Machina}} is one of his signature powers.

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* NominalHero: John Constantine is this by not so much a hero as a nemesis to much worse people. Most of the annoyance of everyone. Being an {{antihero}}, most of his battles are time he's fighting because he was he's being forced to comply, for personal blackmailed, he feels like a challenge, or he sees some material gain (ready to sacrifice anyone), or simply just being bored and want be had. And bystanders tend to do some shit.
end up paying the price.
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Being an escapologist, con artist, and walking plot device, John Constantine has made quite a name for himself due to this. himself. He has came come up against the most powerful beings in existence such as the First and God/Gods, and somehow only leaves "a nod, a wink, and a wisecrack". It also helps that {{Deus ex Machina}} is one of his signature powers.

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** In one guest appearance in ''{{Books of Magic}}'', {{Zatanna}} and Timothy Hunter unwittingly got themselves cornered and outgunned by a whole army of sorcerers and monsters. When all hope seems lost, John Constantine suddenly appeared on scene, which quickly got their attention. Standing there, all he did was light a cigarette, and reminded the perps of what he "can" do and if they tend to tango with him. At that moment, everyone suddenly ran away for their lives, and Zatanna was confused and impressed. John later explained that since he has a reputation of getting anyone near him killed, nobody ever wants to be near him anymore.

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** In one guest appearance in ''{{Books of Magic}}'', {{Zatanna}} and Timothy Hunter unwittingly got themselves cornered and outgunned by a whole army of sorcerers and monsters. When all hope seems lost, John Constantine suddenly appeared on scene, which quickly got their attention. Standing there, all he did was light He stood in the doorway, lighting a cigarette, and reminded asked the perps of HiveOfScumAndVillainy if they knew who he was, what he "can" do was capable of, and if whether they tend intended to tango with cross him. At that moment, everyone suddenly ran away for their lives, and Zatanna was confused and impressed. The villainous horde departed. John later explained that since he has a reputation of getting anyone near him killed, nobody ever wants to be near him anymore.anymore - not even to fight him.



* EscapeArtist: John is second to none. He escaped life-threateing things considered impossible to escape. [[spoiler: Until he accepted death and let himself killed.]] But still one of the best in fiction.
* EvilTwin: John himself; he strangled his brother in the womb with his own umbilical cord. But not really "Evil", just a better person than John could ever been.

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* EscapeArtist: John is second to none. He escaped life-threateing life-threatening things considered impossible to escape. [[spoiler: Until When he accepted death and let himself killed.]] But still one of the best in fiction.
did die, it was voluntary.]]
* EvilTwin: John himself; he strangled his brother in the womb with his own umbilical cord. But John's not really "Evil", "evil", just a better worse person than John could ever the unborn twin would have been.



* FatalFlaw: John's addiction to the occult and the havoc it wreaks on his (increasingly few) attempts to have a 'normal' life.
** Not to mention the cigarettes.

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* FatalFlaw: John's His cigarettes, his addiction to the thrills, his continued meddling in occult and the havoc it wreaks on matters, his (increasingly few) attempts to have habitual lies... well, we've got ourselves a 'normal' life.
** Not to mention the cigarettes.
little list, don't we?
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* CombatPragmatist: John is keen to cheat his ways to win, ball-kicking is of no exception.

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* CombatPragmatist: John Winning is keen important to cheat his ways John. Cheating is the easiest way to win, ball-kicking is of no exception.win. It's not like one gets points for style in these things.
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** Even Dream, of ''ComicBook/{{Sandman}}'' fame - a being more immortal than most gods - expired within a few years of meeting John. Although there was no causal connection between the two events. As far as we know.

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** Even Dream, of ''ComicBook/{{Sandman}}'' fame - a being more immortal than most gods - expired within a few years of first meeting John. Although there was no causal connection between the two events. As far as we know.
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** Even Dream, of ''ComicBook/{{Sandman}}'' fame - a being more immortal than most gods - expired within a few years of meeting John. Although there was no causal connection between the two events. As far as we know.
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* PermaStubble: He has a noticeable 5'o clock shadow.

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* PermaStubble: He has a noticeable 5'o clock 5 o'clock shadow.
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* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: John's tricked a lot of Gods in his adventures. Most notably The God of Death, Rainbow Serpent, Lovecraftian gods, and most notably the Judeo-Christian {{God}}. John's the essential TropeCodifier.

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* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: John's tricked a lot of Gods in his adventures. Most notably The God of Death, Rainbow Serpent, Lovecraftian gods, and most notably [[{{Satan}} First of the Judeo-Christian {{God}}.Fallen]]. John's the essential TropeCodifier.
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* RulesLawyer: Constantine relies heavily on manipulation of rules to survive playing with entities whose raw might would normally allow them to squash him like a bug, but the magical rules that bind them prevent it. Some of his most serious threats are from people like regular humans who can attack him directly and not bound or can break said rules.
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* RealityWarping: John's synchronicity wave travelling allows John to warp events so they favor him. The role of the dice, catching the right taxi, meeting the right person are not pure chance or John's own ability. Sometimes this ability is active on its own and other times John has some control over it.

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* RealityWarping: John's synchronicity wave travelling allows John to warp events so they favor him. The role roll of the dice, catching the right taxi, meeting the right person are not pure chance or John's own ability. Sometimes this ability is active on its own and other times John has some control over it.
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* PermaStubble: He has a noticeable 5'o clock shadow.
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* MrFanservice: Blond, [[PermaStubble stubbly]], tattooed, aloof, and frequently [[ShirtlessScene shirtless]].
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Moving tropes misplaced on YMMV.

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* {{Flanderization}}: He is constantly accused of backstabbing his own friends & sending them to damnation. However, his vertigo incarnation was lot lesser guilty for this than New52 would make you think & most of the time it was the case of being unable to save already doomed friends (eg Gary Lester & Brendon Finn) rather than sacrificing them without any moral dilemma.


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* TokenRomance: John and Zatanna's love life ''could'' have made an excellent story - but not in the middle of a team book in which the writers' focus is the supernatural, and not their relationship.
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[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/justld_cv0_4622.jpg]]

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** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and ={{DeMatteis}}= seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.

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** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and ={{DeMatteis}}= [=DeMatteis=] seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.






%%* AntiHero

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%%* AntiHero
* AntiHero: He's an asshole who doesn't shy away from doing very questionable things, but he is truly trying to make a difference in the world.


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* JackOfAllTrades: Papa Midnite gives him this title, a man who dabbles in every tradition picking and choosing what works for him. According to Midnite this has the downside of Constantine not having as much power as someone who specializes in a tradition like he does in Voodoo.
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* ComicBookFantasyCasting: When he was first created, he was drawn to look like Sting of Music/ThePolice.

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* HiddenDepths:
** John admits, while sober and not magically-compelled, that he feels responsible for the death of Zatanna's father and it will not do him any favors winning Zatanna's heart back.

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* HiddenDepths:
**
HiddenDepths: John admits, while sober and not magically-compelled, that he feels responsible for the death of Zatanna's father and it will not do him any favors winning Zatanna's heart back.



* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and DeMatteis seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.

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* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
JerkWithAHeartOfGold: On his better days.
** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and DeMatteis ={{DeMatteis}}= seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.



* ManipulativeBastard: In general, but by far the worst example is how he gets Zatanna and the others to come along with him on the mission against Felix Faust.
* MoralityChain: John saves Zatanna's life several times and clearly worries when she is in danger. Not that it stops him from using Zatanna in part of his own schemes. Or from flirting with Black Orchid right after he told her about his feelings for Zatanna. [[spoiler:Or from killing Zatanna in a possible future, according to Xanadu.]] John really does ''not'' like the last one.

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* ManipulativeBastard: In general, but by far the worst a notable example is how he gets Zatanna inviting Zatanna, Deadman, and the others to the House of Mystery - without telling them that once they come along with him on the mission against Felix Faust.
in, he can call them back there at any time, without their consent.
* MoralityChain: John saves Zatanna's life several times and clearly worries when she is in danger. Not that it stops him from using Zatanna in part of his own schemes. Or schemes, or from flirting with Black Orchid right after he told her about his feelings for Zatanna. [[spoiler:Or from killing Zatanna in a possible future, according to Xanadu.]] John really does ''not'' like the last one.



* SympatheticMagic: Oh, the irony. He tends to use blood, hair, and other personal objects in spells, which makes this his specialty.

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* SympatheticMagic: Oh, the irony. He tends to use blood, hair, and other personal objects in spells, which makes this his specialty.


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* WorkingWithTheEx: Deconstructed. John's attachment to Zatanna is obsessive, and Zatanna is upset and angry whenever he shows up trying to win her back. No matter how many times he saves her life, she never starts to like or even respect him again. In issue #30, [[spoiler:Zatanna kicks John out of the House of Mysteries and the JLD. John has matured enough to realize that she, and everyone else, would be better off without him]].

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The end of BrightestDay saw him returning to the main DCU. In the New 52 reboot, a younger John works as a member of JusticeLeagueDark, a magic-themed JL. The original remained in Vertigo until the comic was cancelled with its 300th issue in 2013, to be replaced by a DC solo title called simply ''Constantine''.


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In the ComicBook/New52 reboot, an alternate, younger John works as a member of the JusticeLeagueDark, a team that focuses on the magical and supernatural aspect of the DCU. He also received a DC solo title called simply ''Constantine'' in 2013, which often ties into ''Justice League Dark''.

* CannotTellALie: In a parallel universe where everyone's natures are reversed, John is forced to tell the truth.
* CantActPervertedTowardALoveInterest: Despite John's obsessive attachment to Zatanna, he never hits on her because he knows it would only make things worse.
* HiddenDepths:
** John admits, while sober and not magically-compelled, that he feels responsible for the death of Zatanna's father and it will not do him any favors winning Zatanna's heart back.
** He has either forgotten how good he used to be, or thinks that he is beyond saving. He remarks that he could never be as kind as Zatanna, but in flashbacks he wasn't far off from her in terms of decency.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
** JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: New 52!John is more often this than his Vertigo counterpart. Lemire, Fawkes, and DeMatteis seem to forget to make him sympathetic most of the time.
* TheLeader: Started out this way because of his efficiency, but was eventually usurped by Zatanna, who is more of a team player.
* ManipulativeBastard: In general, but by far the worst example is how he gets Zatanna and the others to come along with him on the mission against Felix Faust.
* MoralityChain: John saves Zatanna's life several times and clearly worries when she is in danger. Not that it stops him from using Zatanna in part of his own schemes. Or from flirting with Black Orchid right after he told her about his feelings for Zatanna. [[spoiler:Or from killing Zatanna in a possible future, according to Xanadu.]] John really does ''not'' like the last one.
* ScrewDestiny: After [[spoiler:Xanadu prophesied that John would kill Zatanna]] in the conclusion of the Books of Magic arc, the House of Mystery is stolen. John does not call Zatanna to help despite her usefulness, which is likely an attempt at this trope.
** Right before that, John's intended loss on a horse race may have been another attempt to change destiny--which was rejected.
* SympatheticMagic: Oh, the irony. He tends to use blood, hair, and other personal objects in spells, which makes this his specialty.
* TooSpicyForYogSothoth: Deadman attempted to possess John and left a few moments later, calling John filthy and disgusting.
* UsedToBeASweetKid: As a young man, he was more of a LoveableRogue who fell in love with Zatanna at first sight, then saved Nick out of pure decency. While not a villain in the current series, he's still extremely jaded and cynical to the point where Zatanna would not put it past him to kill an innocent child for selfish reasons.
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[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/constantine-premiere_5812.jpg]]
-> '''Played by''': Matt Ryan

Exorcist, Demonologist and Master ([[InsistentTerminology ''Petty Dabbler'']], he's getting new cards made) of the Dark Arts. All trenchcoat and arrogance, John is the one you call when you want some supernatural evil killed or general protection from the forces of darkness.
----
%%* AntiHero
* TheAllegedCar: While John is in or near UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, he drives an old Chevy pickup truck. [[DownplayedTrope While the truck looks beat up, it seems to run just fine]].
* TheAtoner: Haunted by the death of Astra and her subsequent eternal damnation and his basic reason for helping people is to make up for that one mistake. He's also haunted by the death of his mother, who died while giving birth to him. He spent most of his teenage life learning magic, trying and failing to find a spell to resurrect her.
* BadassLongcoat: Skulks and snarks in a pretty sweet beige trench coat.
%%* BadassInANiceSuit
* BerserkButton: Any mention of the incident in Newcastle, or anything about Astra, the girl he accidentally damned to Hell, and he finds himself SuddenlyShouting.
* BiTheWay: Confirmed by WordOfGod. Also in line with the comics, where John came out as bisexual. In the third episode, when faced with [[EvilCounterpart Papa Midnite]] having him [[DistressedDude tied up in zip-ties]], he helpfully tells the WitchDoctor that he [[FoeRomanceSubtext doesn't do zip-ties without a safe word]].
* TheCynic: To the point where, in the fourth episode, he outright says that while people may be able to change overall, there's a point where they can't, and he refuses to bring people along who he feels can be a liability, instead of letting them make up for past failures.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: John was sent to take out a demon haunting a little girl, and thought that summoning an even bigger demon would take care of the first one. But he inadvertently got the girl killed and her soul dragged to Hell. And that's barely the tip of the morbid iceberg, what with his [[MissingMom dead mother]] and [[AbusiveParents abusive father]] who blamed him for his mother's death.
* DeadpanSnarker: Basically everything out of his mouth is snark. The only exceptions involve people who directly talk to him about [[MyGreatestFailure New Castle]] who know what happened. Those people get his SarcasmFailure.
* TheDreaded: He's this to his own former partners, considering New Castle. Only exception is Chas.
* GoodIsNotNice: Willing to help anyone (though it's mostly for atonement for past sins), but can be an arrogant prick sometimes.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: Insists that he's a mere dabbler, rather than a Master of the Dark Arts. This has a lot to do with [[MyGreatestFailure Astra]], at which point he had decided he isn't nearly as good as he believed himself to be.
* MyGreatestFailure: Astra's death is his.
* OopNorth: Speaks in a Northern English accent, considering he's from Liverpool.
* PlayingWithFire: Has a habit of using spells that involve fire. [[CrazyAwesome Including setting his own hands on fire.]]
* SmugSuper: Heavily implied to have been previously very smug about his skill, hence why he attempted to [[SummonBiggerFish summon Nergal to drag the demon in Astra away]] rather than taking a simpler solution: just to prove he could do it. After that point, however, with the horrible failure it was, he stopped believing he was a "Master of the Dark Arts".
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[[AC:Notable Vertigo Appearances]]

* ''Hellblazer'' #1-300 (January 1988-November 2012)

* ''Saga of the Swamp Thing'' #37-40, 44-45) (June 1985)
* ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #4 (July 1985)
* ''Swamp Thing'' Vol. 2 #46-51, 55, 65-67, 70-74, 76-77, 84, 88-90, 99, 114-115, 166, 169-171 (March 1986)
* ''Sandman'' Vol. 2 #3 (March 1989)
* ''Books of Magic'' Vol. 1 #1-2, 4 (January 1991)
* ''The Horrorist'' #1-2 (December 1995)
* ''Hellblazer/Books of Magic'' #1-2 (Dec 1997)
* ''Sandman Presents: Love Street'' (July 1999)
* ''Hellblazer Special'' #1 (1998)
* ''Vertigo: Winter's Edge'' #1-3 (January 1998)
* ''The Trenchcoat Brigade'' #1-4 (March 1999)
* ''Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer'' #1 (August 2000)
* ''Hellblazer: Bad Blood'' #1-4 (September 2000)
* ''Hellblazer: All His Engines'' (January 2005)
* ''Papa Midnite'' #3-5 (June 2005)
* ''Chas: The Knowledge'' #1-5 (September 2008)
* ''Hellblazer: Dark Entries'' (October 2009)
* ''Hellblazer: Pandemonium'' (March 2010)
* ''Hellblazer: City of Demons'' #1-5 (December 2010)

[[AC:Notable DCU Appearances]]

* ''Justice League Dark'' #1-ongoing (November 2011)
* ''Constantine'' #1-ongoing (May 2013)
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** Lampshaded so much in every battle forum he's been, to the point that the comic book community would call him prep god[[http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-edward-elric-754286/]] or the #1 prepster in DC (Arguable rivals those of Batman's and Lex Luthor).[[http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-loki-699557/]]
* CunningLikeAFox: John Constantine the ''{{Hellblazer}}'' was described as a fox by {{God}} himself. Can't argue with that.

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** Lampshaded so much in every battle forum he's been, to the point that the comic book community would call him prep god[[http://www.[[http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-edward-elric-754286/]] or com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-edward-elric-754286/ the #1 prepster in DC (Arguable rivals those of Batman's and Lex Luthor).comic book community would call him prep god]] or [[http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-loki-699557/]]
com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-loki-699557/ the #1 prepster in DC, rivalling Batman and Lex Luthor]].
* CunningLikeAFox: John Constantine the ''{{Hellblazer}}'' was described as a fox by {{God}} himself. Can't argue with that.
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John Constantine is a creation of Creator/AlanMoore and Steve Bissette, first appearing in ''[[Comicbook/SwampThing Saga of the Swamp Thing]]'' #25 (June, 1984) and going on to hed his own Vertigo series, 'Hellblazer', in 1988. The character started out firmly entrenched in Franchise/TheDCU -- his first arc was an crossover with ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', even! -- but gradually drifted off into his own self-contained [[TheVerse universe]]. (Although the likes of ComicBook/{{Zatanna}} and ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger still popped in from time to time, as has [[ComicBook/TheSandman Morpheus]].)

to:

John Constantine is a creation of Creator/AlanMoore and Steve Bissette, first appearing in ''[[Comicbook/SwampThing Saga of the Swamp Thing]]'' #25 (June, 1984) and going on to hed his own Vertigo series, 'Hellblazer', ''Hellblazer'', in 1988. The character started out firmly entrenched in Franchise/TheDCU -- his first arc was an crossover with ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', even! -- but gradually drifted off into his own self-contained [[TheVerse universe]]. (Although the likes of ComicBook/{{Zatanna}} and ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger still popped in from time to time, as has [[ComicBook/TheSandman Morpheus]].)



* ComicBookTime: John has aged realistically since he first appeared, though the appearance of it varies DependingOnTheArtist. In 'Hellblazer' #8 he celebrated his 35th birthday, in 'Hellblazer' #63 he celebrated his 40th, and in 'Hellblazer' #298 he opines, "Where's it all gone, Chas? I mean, what have I done with sixty-odd years of life?". His birthday is stated to be 10 May 1953.

to:

* ComicBookTime: John has aged realistically since he first appeared, though the appearance of it varies DependingOnTheArtist. In 'Hellblazer' ''Hellblazer'' #8 he celebrated his 35th birthday, in 'Hellblazer' ''Hellblazer'' #63 he celebrated his 40th, and in 'Hellblazer' ''Hellblazer'' #298 he opines, "Where's it all gone, Chas? I mean, what have I done with sixty-odd years of life?". His birthday is stated to be 10 May 1953.
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Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:302:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/john_5069.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:302:Funny old world, innit?]]

->''My name's John Constantine, and here I stay: haunted by London. And London, haunted by me.''

->'''''Mictlantecuhtli:''' You forget yourself. I am no upstart demon, scrabbling in the dirt of the human soul. I am Mictlantecuhtli. I am a ''god''.''
->'''''John:''' Great stuff. I'm John-- and I'm a ''bastard''.''

John Constantine is a creation of Creator/AlanMoore and Steve Bissette, first appearing in ''[[Comicbook/SwampThing Saga of the Swamp Thing]]'' #25 (June, 1984) and going on to hed his own Vertigo series, 'Hellblazer', in 1988. The character started out firmly entrenched in Franchise/TheDCU -- his first arc was an crossover with ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', even! -- but gradually drifted off into his own self-contained [[TheVerse universe]]. (Although the likes of ComicBook/{{Zatanna}} and ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger still popped in from time to time, as has [[ComicBook/TheSandman Morpheus]].)

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

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 ''Comicbook/SwampThing'').

Despite this, Constantine is generally a sympathetic character who refuses to absolve himself of his guilt - [[CrowningMomentOfFunny except for the time that he turned it into a demon baby and threw it off a cliff]] - and generally does the right thing, even if he does it in a particularly nasty way. He is a strident humanist and sort-of anarchist who fights for humanity's right to make its own decisions free of the control of Heaven, Hell, politicians or other forces of control. The fact that [[StartXToStopX he does this by manipulating people]] is an irony that has not been lost on several writers.

It is a major theme in the comic that Constantine ''never'' has any unequivocal permanent victories -- enemies will always return, revenge will be sought and friends will be lost. Ultimately, FailureIsTheOnlyOption.

There is a [[Film/{{Constantine}} 2005 film adaption]], starring KeanuReeves as a [[ChristianityIsCatholic Catholic]], [[CulturalTranslation Californian]], [[AdaptationDyeJob raven-haired]], [[TheGunSlinger gun-wielding]] [[ChurchMilitant exorcist]] version of Constantine.

A cute (!) version of John appears with other Vert-goMites in the Batmite story ''Mitefall''.

Creator/AlanMoore also claims to have met him. Twice. In RealLife. And he's not the only one - Jamie Delano once saw John sitting outside the British Museum.

The end of BrightestDay saw him returning to the main DCU. In the New 52 reboot, a younger John works as a member of JusticeLeagueDark, a magic-themed JL. The original remained in Vertigo until the comic was cancelled with its 300th issue in 2013, to be replaced by a DC solo title called simply ''Constantine''.

Series/{{Constantine}} debuted on NBC in the fall of 2014, with Matt Ryan (the voice of [[AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag Edward Kenway]]) in the title role.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Vertigo Comics (1988-2013)]]

* AbusiveParents: John's father Thomas is a complete jerk to John. Don't blame him as the guy has been through a lot like prison and losing an arm. After dying and sent to Hell, he still carries a grudge against his son, but confesses he does have fatherly love to John. He even visited John's wedding as a ghost and witnesses it.
** [[spoiler: It's not only John who Thomas has troubled. He forced his wife to have a abortion, the event leading to her and her child's death. He also used to peek in his daughter Cheryl's room while she dressed, and threw his grandson away against Cheryl's wishes.]]
** It's okay, though because: [[spoiler: John eventually kills him by cursing his father to waste away.]]
* ActionSurvivor: Constantine is sometimes drawn into situations that he had no part in or was even looking for. Without time to prepare or investigate he often is the only one to survive these cases. Ironically, he shares many of the listed traits of an action survivor.
* AndYourLittleDogToo: If you're ever associated with John Constantine, chances are you're already dead.
** A perfect example was during the ''Reasons to be Cheerful'' arc. John's demonic children attempted to kill everyone that John has ever met and knew. That includes his family, close friends, and those he hasn't seen for a long time. They almost succeeded.
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Actually an annoying niece; Gemma Masters, who wants to follow in her uncle's footsteps.
* AntiHero: John, when his motivations are purely selfish.
* AstralProjection: One of John's magic. He uses it during his battle with evil businessmen in the ''Joyride'' arc.
* {{Badass}}: John, naturally.
** BadassLongCoat: Literally. After years of being worn during various mystical encounters, the damn thing's developed sentience.
** BadassBoast: As John says it beautifully, "I'm the one who steps from the shadows, all trenchcoat and cigarette and arrogance, ready to deal with the madness. Oh, I've got it all sewn up. I can save you. If it takes the last drop of your blood, I'll drive your demons away. I'll kick them in the bollocks and spit on them when they're down and then I'll be gone back into darkness, leaving only a nod and a wink and a wisecrack. I walk my path alone... who would walk with me?"
* BedlamHouse: Constantine spent a considerable length of time here and often reflects on the traumatic impact it had on his life.
* BiTheWay: John is bisexual, though it's rarely been mentioned and he's been shown to have far more female than male lovers, [[DependingOnTheWriter though that may have to do with the people writing him]].
** ButNotTooBi: Partially due to ExecutiveMeddling
** It doesn't help that, of the two storylines that make anything of his bisexuality, one is written by Brian Azzarello.
* BlueCollarWarlock: John has his share of "middle-class" problems.
* CatchPhrase: "Bollocks"
* TheChessmaster: John himself is. He has a huge arsenal of [[UnwittingPawn Unwitting Pawns]].
* ChosenConceptionPartner: Pre-New 52, Constantine became the biological father of the child of Comicbook/SwampThing and his wife, as Swamp Thing possessed his body at the time (with John's permission).
* CombatPragmatist: John is keen to cheat his ways to win, ball-kicking is of no exception.
** [[spoiler:During ''The Family Man'' arc, a serial killer who dispatches his victims by cutting them open with a knife is loose in London and is on a family-killing spree. In order to stop him, John baits the killer and challenges him to a fight. The killer immediately readies his knife for battle, but to his surprise John, armed with a revolver, shoots and kills him rather quickly. A classic maneuver!]]
* ComicBookTime: John has aged realistically since he first appeared, though the appearance of it varies DependingOnTheArtist. In 'Hellblazer' #8 he celebrated his 35th birthday, in 'Hellblazer' #63 he celebrated his 40th, and in 'Hellblazer' #298 he opines, "Where's it all gone, Chas? I mean, what have I done with sixty-odd years of life?". His birthday is stated to be 10 May 1953.
* ConsummateLiar: Being a walking plot device, this is Constantine's greatest power aside from magic.
* CrazyPrepared: John Constantine. Sometimes all you need is a bottle of stout, box of ciggies, and a stinky goat to [[DidYouJustScamCthulhu defeat a powerful demon]].
** Lampshaded so much in every battle forum he's been, to the point that the comic book community would call him prep god[[http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-edward-elric-754286/]] or the #1 prepster in DC (Arguable rivals those of Batman's and Lex Luthor).[[http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/john-constantine-vs-loki-699557/]]
* CunningLikeAFox: John Constantine the ''{{Hellblazer}}'' was described as a fox by {{God}} himself. Can't argue with that.
* DeadpanSnarker: How else do you describe a guy who'll call [[Franchise/{{Batman}} the Dark Knight]] "Squire"?
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: John's tricked a lot of Gods in his adventures. Most notably The God of Death, Rainbow Serpent, Lovecraftian gods, and most notably the Judeo-Christian {{God}}. John's the essential TropeCodifier.
* TheDreaded: John Constantine is one of the only mortals to ever be feared by gods, heaven and hell.
** In one guest appearance in ''{{Books of Magic}}'', {{Zatanna}} and Timothy Hunter unwittingly got themselves cornered and outgunned by a whole army of sorcerers and monsters. When all hope seems lost, John Constantine suddenly appeared on scene, which quickly got their attention. Standing there, all he did was light a cigarette, and reminded the perps of what he "can" do and if they tend to tango with him. At that moment, everyone suddenly ran away for their lives, and Zatanna was confused and impressed. John later explained that since he has a reputation of getting anyone near him killed, nobody ever wants to be near him anymore.
* DreadfulMusician: In his youth, Constantine was in a punk band called "Mucous Membrane" that he freely admits was terrible.
* EscapeArtist: John is second to none. He escaped life-threateing things considered impossible to escape. [[spoiler: Until he accepted death and let himself killed.]] But still one of the best in fiction.
* EvilTwin: John himself; he strangled his brother in the womb with his own umbilical cord. But not really "Evil", just a better person than John could ever been.
* ExiledFromContinuity: The adult nature of his comic has kept John from being a major player in the more mainstream titles of TheDCU, rarely making appearances outside of crowd shots or the occasional mention.
** Averted by the end of ''BrightestDay'', where it seems he'll now be a big player in the DCU again.
** Kinda sorta. The John Constantine now appearing in ''Justice League Dark'' is an alternate version to the one in the ''Hellblazer'' series.
* ExperiencedProtagonist: When John first shows up, he's been in the magic business for quite awhile. Flashbacks to his earlier days before the series started are frequent.
* FatalFlaw: John's addiction to the occult and the havoc it wreaks on his (increasingly few) attempts to have a 'normal' life.
** Not to mention the cigarettes.
* FirstPersonSmartass: John narrates much of the story with artistry, sometimes he becomes an UnreliableNarrator, but he's not shy in criticizing what the writer is writing.
* ForgottenBirthday: In "Forty".
* HeroicLineage: The Constantine family tree is an example. The lineage is known in history as Laughing Magicians; mortals who exist only to [[DidYouJustScamCthulhu bluff, trick, and humiliate gods]]. This family existed just after the creation of gods and existence. Though not always seen as heroic, many of the family makes up a great MagnificentBastard. Not to mention saving the world countless of times.
* {{Hustler}}: John himself has been shown doing short cons for cash as well as to get himself out of trouble.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Frequently does, although few of his friends/associates happen to like it.
* InnerMonologue
* InterspeciesRomance: John himself is no stranger to this. He slept with the demon Rosacarnis [[spoiler: who later gave birth to three children trying to kill him]], and "Angel", the embodiment of oppression, famine and murder.
* InTheBlood: The Constantine line consists of a long history of somewhat dodgy magic users, although John's father, sister, grandfather and uncles were {{Muggle}}s. Apart from John himself, Lady Johanna (18th century) is the most famous.
* InvisibleMeansUndodgeable: John's spells are often this. One time John just uttered a curse that gave a poor sod an erectile dysfunction, or that one time he made his father wither and die.
** In issue 250, John went face to face with a powerful goat demon which easily pummels him down. When John was in a chokehold, the only thing he did was give it a sharp glance, and it exploded.
* ItGetsEasier: Constantine used to be freaked out by horribly mutilated bodies but these days he's cold as stone.
* {{JerkAss}}/JerkWithAHeartOfGold: John switches between the two. He can be genuinely charming, friendly and truly care about the people that get close to him and regrets destroying their lives. At the same time, he is petty, selfish, manipulative and vengeful. He is often an a-hole to complete strangers and spits in the eye of any authority because he can. He draws people into his life time and again with little hesitation despite knowing the consequences and uses magic to curse people who cross him from minor to [[DisproportionateRetribution horrifying ways.]]
* MagiciansAreWizards: Aside from being an occultist, John's also a magician, knowing stage magic and real {{Magick}}.
* MagicianDetective: John has two occupations from time to time. Magician and Occult Detective. So its a cross with both.
* MagneticHero: John is a very magnetic personality, able to pull people into being allies. Woe is them.
* MemeticBadass: John is an in-universe example, which is {{Lampshaded}} in ''ComicBook/TheBooksOfMagic''. A threat from him gets an entire club of monsters and dark magicians to back off from Timothy and {{Zatanna}}, even though Zatanna has far more magical power than him.
* MushroomSamba: John takes a LOT of drugs in the earlier issues.
* {{Muggle}}: Averted. Although John is dubbed The Laughing Magician, and has come from a lineage of powerful occultists, in the DC Universe John doesn't have any ''Homo Magi'' blood whatsoever, giving an impression he's a BadassNormal. Apparently in the ''Hellblazer'' mythos, many magicians and occultist are just people who know some spell, as in this world you don't need any magical blood to perform magic. Heck, even John's sidekick and normal everyman Chas, managed to cast a spell once.
* MyGreatestFailure: After messing up a summoning in 1979, John accidentally damned a little girl to Hell. This hung over him until the "Critical Mass" arc, when he freed her and all the other damned children.
** As a troubled young man, John was blackmailed into reviving the dead son of a gangster ("Son of Man"). Putting aside the fact that this is an impossible task, the lives of John's relatives were on the line. So, John simply summoned a demon and installed him in the boy's body. Cut to the present, where archdemon "Harry" is now running the whole crime syndicate, raping women on a daily basis and harvesting blood from babies to maintain his form. Repeat ad nauseum (pun intended) for ten years. You do the math. Constantine unwittingly stumbled upon the warehouse where Harry keeps his leftovers.
* {{Narrator}}: All the time - and in "Son of Man", he looked at and talked directly to the reader. {{Lampshaded}} in the final part, when people overhearing him are laughing at the mad bloke talking to himself.
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: John has a seemingly inexhaustible supply of minor spells.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: John's plans, as he himself can attest, frequently lead to the horrible deaths of everyone involved, even the ones he's trying to save. Sometimes, he even does this on purpose.
* NoBisexuals: Peculiarly, both averted and played straight (so to speak). One issue mentions that John has occasional bisexual tendencies...but then it is ''never mentioned again''.
** Until a storyline during the Azzarello run in which he pulls off a con based around seducing another man.
* NominalHero: John Constantine is this by the annoyance of everyone. Being an {{antihero}}, most of his battles are because he was being forced to comply, for personal gain (ready to sacrifice anyone), or simply just being bored and want to do some shit.
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Being an escapologist, con artist, and walking plot device, John Constantine made a name for himself due to this. He has came up against the most powerful beings in existence such as the First and God/Gods, and somehow only leaves "a nod, a wink, and a wisecrack". It also helps that {{Deus ex Machina}} is one of his signature powers.
* NotSoInvincibleAfterAll: In "Dangerous Habits", Constantine contracted lung cancer from a lifetime of smoking. However, he [[spoiler: tricked the Lords of Hell into curing him.]] He also suffered from alcoholism.
* OccultDetective: Though he usually does it out of curiosity or necessity instead of money.
* ReallyGetsAround: The title character. One could easily lose track of his ex-girlfriends, especially with the frequent introductions of [[NewOldFlame New Old Flames]]. From his appearance in ''ComicBook/TheBooksOfMagic'' alone, it's clear he's been involved with ComicBook/MadameXanadu and ComicBook/{{Zatanna}}.
* RealityWarping: John's synchronicity wave travelling allows John to warp events so they favor him. The role of the dice, catching the right taxi, meeting the right person are not pure chance or John's own ability. Sometimes this ability is active on its own and other times John has some control over it.
* SignificantMonogram: John Constantine and several of his ancestors and relatives.
* SmokingIsCool: John is rarely without a cigarette and the the most iconic images is Constantine lighting his cigarette like the page image. Also {{averted}} that he actually has to face the consequences of lung cancer at least till a DealWithTheDevil.
* [[TrademarkFavoriteFood Trademark Favorite Cigarette]]: Constantine prefers the Silk Cut brand of cigarettes.
* TragicHero
* TrenchcoatBrigade: John actually coined the term.
* TricksterArchetype: Yours truly. Constantine is the TropeCodifier of DidYouJustScamCthulhu
* WeakButSkilled: John doesn't fight fair or use magic all that often. Yet he still manages to take on Heaven, Hell, and whatever else, if only because he's ''really'' good at planning and manipulating others.
* 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 bad stuff 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 give up, commit mental suicide and allow the twin to take over]]
** Lampshaded by a demon in ''Son of Man':
-->''"You belong here, don't you, Constantine? This is your world. Eyelids slit off and babies on hooks. Guttings and rapings. I swear to fuck, yours is the kind of life serial killers wank off to."
* WeWantOurJerkBack: In-universe example. Following the events of "Critical Mass", John is left ''entirely good''. Deciding he doesn't like it, he goes on a journey to recover his inner bastard.
* WhatTheHellHero: It's ''rare'' to see a story arc without it.
** [[spoiler: One great and early example is the ''Original Sins'' arc. Gary Lester, a long time junkie and close friend of John Constantine, has successfully trapped a demon. The demon suddenly escapes and Gary looks for John's help. He finds John and seeks his assistance in retrapping the demon. John agrees to help, but instead uses Gary as a sacrifice to placate the demon. Nice work to start off the series.]]
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[[folder: New 52 (2011-present)]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder: TV series (2014-present)]]
[[/folder]]
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