John Constantine: Hellblazer #1

This is the John Constantine series that I've been waiting for; with gorgeous, haunting artwork, and a well-crafted"and at times, poetic"script, John Constantine: Hellblazer (2019-) is breathtaking. Read Full Review

I can’t rave enough about what a good issue this is. I don’t think I realised how much I needed this series until I started reading it. If this is the standard from DC’s Black Label I think we’re in for a real treat. I am so excited for the future of John Constantine. If I could award more than 10/10 I wouldn’t hesitate. I can’t remember the last time I read a #1 and felt this excited about what’s to come. Read Full Review

Vertigo may be shuttered, but the spirit of one of its icons is alive and well in the pages of John Constantine: Hellblazer. Armed with timely humor, engaging characters, and impressive production values, it’s like Constantine never left for the “big leagues.” He’s back to doing what he does best, which is conning his way through shocking tales of British horror. Read Full Review

A welcome return to form and a sign that DC Black Label might be worth something ignoring all the Harley Quinn mini-series after all. It's also a must read for all John Constantine fans, of course. Read Full Review

Constantine starts this story getting kicked out of a pub for a tasteless joke. We meet Barry outside the pub and find out that Constantine promised to remove a curse, but only made it worse. The art and colors also show this darker side. When Constantine is taken everything shifts to dark backgrounds with bright shades of red. It makes the horrible things done by the villain so much more powerful. If you are a Constantine fan or someone new to his stories John Constantine Hellblazer is a must-read. Read Full Review

This first issue feels like classic 'Hellblazer' at its finest. Fans should rejoice, but also cower in fear. Read Full Review

A solid if not a slow start with some really impressive artwork. Read Full Review

Aaron Campbell delivers some beautifully dark art in this first issue. There are some beautiful scenes filled with details and shadows working together to give the issue a noir feel that is visually engaging. Read Full Review

Aaron Campbells dark and dingy artwork makes you feel like youre flipping through an old Hellblazer comic. There are some absolutely gruesome panels, which help earn this series its mature rating, that you cant keep from trapping your gaze. To cap it all off, Jordie Bellaire lifts Campbells ethereal monstrosities off the page with a soft glow, revealing the horrors that lie in the dark. Read Full Review

Comic readers and fans of Hellblazer from every corner of the Earth may rejoice. It is back and it is looking incredibly promising. Counting on a highly talented team, the title should bring up the quality standards back to Vertigo times and if that won't convince you to pick up this new series, I don't know what will. Read Full Review

I applaud the fact that the team kept the story high tension throughout the whole issue. All I needed was creepy incidental music to really set the mood. Read Full Review

John Constantine: Hellblazer #1 is an excellent debut. Whether the story can continue to sustain itself for an entire arc or two remains to be seen. Read Full Review

I never read John Constantine's adventures in its Vertigo roots. I've only experienced him as part of the DC Universe. Whether those adventures are over remains to be seen but this is a solid debut that delivers a horror comic that creeps but doesn't scare. While the greater Sandman Universe hasn't been my cup of tea, I'm all in on this series. I'm sure there's more for long-time fans that I don't know but as a debut issue, it nails being open to new and old readers alike. Read Full Review

In John Constantine Hellblazer #1, the creative team have produced something above and beyond a typical monthly comic from one of the big two publishers. Read Full Review

This issue returns Constantine to his proper place in the dark, seedy places that the heroes don't venture. Read Full Review

A unsettling, violent, and welcome return to the world of "Hellblazer." Read Full Review

John Constantine: Hellblazer #1 is exactly what fans needed after the layoff from DC's previous run with the character during Rebirth Read Full Review

One thing's for sure, though " this is a darker Constantine than we've seen in years, and he's a perfect fit for the Sandman Universe line. Read Full Review

You can pick it up at comic book stores and online through our affiliate link. Read Full Review

John Constantine: Hellblazer #1 is the closest a new series featuring the character has come to recapturing what made the original series work in quite some time. Read Full Review

The ending does have a nice twist. However, as much as I enjoyed this, I still had the nagging feeling that this still wasn't the John Constantine that I remember. But that is okay. It is the closest that they have had to classic Constantine in quite awhile. And that is a step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. Read Full Review

Sandman Universe is quickly becoming one of the strongest series of titles in comics. Spurrier is at the top of his game with both The Dreaming and John Constantine: Hellblazer. Whether you are new to the series or a seasoned fan, this issue jumps right in without leaving anyone out. Pick up a copy at your local comic book shop or however you get your comics. Read Full Review

Another Nerd

Nov 27, 2019

Art and colours are jaw dropping. Beautiful comic.

Ekkohammer1989

Nov 27, 2019

Our Laughing Magician has finally returned in all his Silk Cut splendor.

LittleMAK

Mar 20, 2020

Spurrier knows the characteristics of Constantine very well,and he proves in this issue how much he knows constantine

Hardy

Oct 15, 2022

Chas,my Chas.😭

Jonn McLoed

Apr 29, 2024

To anyone currently reading Dead in America do yourself a massive and beg steal or borrow a copy of issue 1 or better still dip your hand in your pocket and buy the trade. This is John like I had always hoped he could be. Dark , funny and a (insert a word) If you think the writing is great then the art is an absolute joy. Outstanding

Psycamorean

Nov 29, 2019

This actually felt like Vertigo Hellblazer. I'm into it. But man, they keep teasing Old Man Constantine from the abysmal Milligan run. Don't you ruin this, you git.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Jan 07, 2020

It is like Hellblazer never left us. Fantastic.

ohhaimark

Nov 27, 2019

THE GOOD: -Okay. So. I don't know much about Constantine. I decided to read this... well, because my friend recommended it. His recommendations are usually pretty trustworthy and it shows here. I really liked this issue. -Right off the bat, I was in love with the art. It's perfectly dark and gritty, but not at the expense of being easy to understand. -The storyline interests me. -I like the script. Again, it captures the tone, and nails the realistic dialogue, but not at the expense of being undecipherable. -Constantine was written really well here, from a lay man's perspective, at least. -Wow. The horror elements are really strong here and I love it. -Finally a comic fitting of the Black Label. This is truly an R- Rated comic. -The narration was solid. It has a Clive Barker feel to it for sure, as does a lot of this story. -The final scene was kinda terrifying, and without any gore shown. Bravo. THE BAD: -Not sure how interested I am in Nat. We'll see how she is in later issues. more

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Psycamorean - Nov 29, 2019

If you like this, you should definitely check out the original Vertigo run.

TheImageIsStrong - Dec 1, 2019

YourGreenMuse yes that's a definite read for any fan of John Constantine. Green your always on point with your reviews too.

Psycamorean - Dec 2, 2019

I'm sure that's not always true, but thanks!

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln - Dec 2, 2019

Just watch out for Milligan's tenure at the end :x

Psycamorean - Dec 2, 2019

Milligan's run is awful, so I'm perplexed why this run seems intent on tying itself to that run.

TheImageIsStrong - Dec 2, 2019

I agree Green. Milligan's run was really bad imo. I don't get it either.

ohhaimark - Dec 2, 2019

Alright, bit late, but yeah, I just ordered Hellblazer vol. 1. And I guess I'll stay away from Milligan's run.

Psycamorean - Dec 2, 2019

Milligan's run is 250 - 300. So you've got a solid 250 issues to read, plus an annual. Have fun.

Psycamorean - Dec 2, 2019

(250 has multiple stories. Milligan has one in the anthology.)

wakizashireviews

Nov 27, 2019

Dark, atmospheric, witty and visually stunning, John Constantine is back and in trouble already. I'm very impressed with this issue, as I was with the previous "Sandman Universe Presents" one. It's been too long.

jkrpg

Dec 18, 2019

Hellblazer is back! Si Spurrier feels like he could've fit right in among the better writers of the original comic, and despite the slightly wordier name, if you pick this up you'll essentially be reading "Hellblazer volume 2." Which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Spacey Medicine

Dec 20, 2019

This felt a lot like vintage Hellblazer. And I love vintage Hellblazer.

Rauld

Feb 19, 2020

loved the dark humor and the storyline, will keep reading it

drwasheewashee

Dec 11, 2019

Dirty and grimy art. Perfect for a story and tone like this

W_himself

Dec 05, 2019

The tonality was right, the artwork was great, just that the story didn't really grab me.

drackula

Dec 07, 2019

This issue has everything you want from Hellblazer. It has dark atmosphere, horror moments, humor and sympathetic main character. But story was really slow and i miss something and i dont know what is it. Its great start and maybe i will find bigger joy in this series in next issues.

Micky H

Dec 09, 2019

Cool 1st issue, great dialogue. I'm interested

Full Spread

Jun 07, 2020

Wants you to simultaneously see Constantine in a new, hipstery, "cleaned up" world--and still in the disgusting cesspool of the 80s/90s urban environment he began in. Art fits very well, but it's stiff and the colors don't differentiate the foreground and backgrounds very well.

Boolius Goozler

May 19, 2022

Wow, I will be the voice of reason here. This was awful for so many reasons. Shockingly bad. Where to start? Have any of you that are giving this 10/10 ever read any stories with John Constantine? Because there are key points in this story that he is not John Constantine, but just a projection of Si Spurrier. If John Constantine was kidnapped by a bunch of deadbeats, and one of them accused him of being "ableist" for making a benign insult to his mute friend, Constantine would not apologize. It's absurd. Then, Constantine starts sympathizing with his kidnappers. And then Si Spurrier starts writing the kidnappers as sympathetic characters. This man's moral compass is absolutely broken. Making a very slight insult to a mute person is somethin g to apologize for but being a bunch of kidnapping criminal gangbangers is something to make excuses for? Nope. No thanks. I couldn't even finish the first issue. The real John Constantine wouldn't apologize for the insult to his kidnappers, he would tell them to "go cry about it" or something along those lines. Si Spurrier, you neutered a tough and rough character who has been to hell and back multiple times. Great job. more