Hellblazer #13

Overall, the opener to this story has me happy that I picked up the book. Death, drinking, sarcasm, supernatural beings and more death are all in nice balance and the set up for the next issue was a great teaser. Dark things are afoot and it looks like bad times are in store for John. I hope they last. Read Full Review

Seeley can really amaze me with his stories and art at times, and bore me to tears at others. I have to say that he's done a great job with the first chapter of his run here on Hellblazer, so hopefully this is one of the times I'll really dig his work. Read Full Review

The new creative team on this series takes it in the bold and exciting direction of being coherent, and it's a relief to this reader. The story is reasonably engrossing, but not really something that will have you crawling the walls for the next issue. You may, however, want to appreciate the multiple technicolor yawns rendered by Mr. Jess Merino up close and personally. Read Full Review

On art, Merino is a welcome addition to Hellblazer. He brings a certain level of grit and noir feel to the series that was sorely missing in previous issues. I have been a big proponent of artists being able to convey emotion through character’s facial expressions and Merino does this admirably in this issue. I can honestly say that Constantine, and Margaret, run the gamut of emotions throughout the issue and this just adds to the story. Read Full Review

In short, this is a good issue. The Hellblazer #13 is lucky enough to pull off the beginning of a new arc with aplomb, providing skilled art and a really engaging story that doesn't tread over territory already covered. Read Full Review

This is an okay issue. A potentially interesting story is set up and I'm curious to see where that goes. The art is solid and there are some good lines. But it's fairly slow and a little repetitive. I recommend waiting for the trade. Read Full Review

Simon DelMonte

Aug 23, 2017

Simon Spurrier...I mean Simon Oliver is off the book, thank goodness. (What is it with these British writers who want to be Garth Ennis or Alan Moore and can only be snarky and political without being talented?) Tim Seeley, no stranger to horror, is here, but only for one arc, since DC is shifting him to GLs in November. That's a pity because he has John's voice down well, and his story meshes withth Merino's art. Granted, it's kind of standard issue Hellblazer. And has no connection to the previous arc (or to its loose ends, like the fate of Abby Arcane). But it's still a big improvement.