Interested in starting a Hellblazer collection

[Vanan]

I’m interested in starting a Hellblazer collection. I already have some of Ennis’s early work (3 TPBs) but I was wondering if anyone can tell me which are the great storylines. I don’t want to buy every single back issue since I know some are crap.

I’ve not been a big fan of Andy Diggle’s other work so I don’t think I’ll be collecting his stuff but how about Carey’s run? Ellis? Delano? I’ve just finish Carey’s “Down in the Ground where dead men go” and I thought it was great.

Tell me your favorite Hellblazer story arcs!!!

Much appreciated!!!

[Killer7]

Dangerous Habits is definately a favourite of mine.

I also especially like the Grant Morrison 2 parter - Early Warning / How I Learned to Love the Bomb (collected in Rare Cuts). It's crazy, kinda like The Wicker Man but with bombs.

All of the Carey stuff is great.

[Mr. Palmer]

It's crazy, kinda like The Wicker Man but with bombs.


That's an interesting comparison. Do believe I'm sold on it.

[Bellis]

Ohhh, Diggle's run has been brilliant so far. He's really brought the book back from the doldrums of Denise Mina's terrible 12 issues and has created lots of new interest in Constantine (who he totally nails) and Hellblazer as a book.

Everything written by Mike Carey is well worth it, including the OGN All His Engines - for my money he's produced the best Hellblazer thus far. Finishing Ennis's run is also recommended. Warren Ellis's Haunted is terrific, and if you want to try any of Azzarello then Freezes Over is definitely the highlight of his rather flawed, patchy run. As mentioned, Rare Cuts is well worth picking up. Original Sins is really interesting just to see how it all began, although it's a tad dated here and there it's still pretty fabulous, gritty urban horror with a sick sense of humour.

As for uncollected story-arcs, Delano's The Family Man is my favourite story of his run. Paul Jenkins' Critical Mass is a brilliant key story, as is issue 100 which is a semi follow-up. You'll want to read Difficult Beginnings as well which rounds that storyline off. Last Man Standing deals with Arthurian legend and is really nifty, despite the occasional weird moment.

[abyss]

I would recommend picking up all of Carey's issues. His run is by far my favorite Hellblazer run.

[JohnShil]

Warren Ellis' lost issue (http://www.compsoc.man.ac.uk/~jp/comics/shoot/index.html), for free.

[Vanan]

Whaddaya know? I got some responses :)

I was a little worried that no one was giving a crap about my question.

Carey does seem like he knows what to do with the book, so I may pick up his stuff.

Still not sold on Diggle though. I don't like Losers and I just read Green Arrow Year One, which I thought was god awful.

How about Mr. Ellis's run on JC?

[Libaax]

Ennis's Dangerous Habits is a storyline most HB fans agree as the best storyline in the series so far.


Carey's run was good but not the best.


Ellis's JC wasnt great, it was so so mostly cause he didnt have enough time to do anything but a decent short story.

[Bellis]

Regardless of what Diggle's written before, if you don't read his run you're missing out on damn fine Hellblazer, it's as simple as that.

As for Ellis, like I say, his Haunted arc was superb, one of the essential Hellblazer stories. After that we got a few standalone issues and then he quit the book when Vertigo refused to publish his issue about school shootings. His standalone stories collected in the Setting Sun TPB are a mixed bag but generally worth a look (Telling Tales is especially good for some wonderful Frusin art, and I rather liked Locked as well). Overall, I think he wrote a good Constantine.

[Vanan]

Alright, alright, I'll check out Diggle's run :)

[Libaax]

Not before the older runs i hope, the first couple stories are better if you actually know who JC is and what he has been through.

Since one of the the first stories of Diggle is one he becomes himself again, for that its better to know who that is ;)

[Mladen]

Warren Ellis' lost issue (http://www.compsoc.man.ac.uk/~jp/comics/shoot/index.html), for free.

i'd never read that one. thanks for posting it up, its a good story

[Bellis]

Not before the older runs i hope, the first couple stories are better if you actually know who JC is and what he has been through.

Since one of the the first stories of Diggle is one he becomes himself again, for that its better to know who that is ;)

I'd agree with that, yeah. It's not essential to read Hellblazer in order, but if you're serious about starting a collection I think it's nice to read it that way. At the very least, reading a whole run in order is pretty essential, because they usuallly have a beginning, middle and an end of themselves.

Certainly getting to know the character a bit more will give some of the stories in Diggle's run more impact.

[Cash Lone]

my fave stories of J.C. -

1. his first appearances in swamp thing: the american gothic storyline.
2. just about anything Delano did.
3. Haunted by Ellis.
4. Azz's first story with J.C. in jail.
5. Theres some Jenkins stories that are really good. around 100 - 105.

[Netley]

Warren Ellis' lost issue (http://www.compsoc.man.ac.uk/~jp/comics/shoot/index.html), for free.

You, my friend, are awesome for this! Thank you. I was so frustrated over how and when he left the book back then.


I also want to give a big thumbs up to Azzarello/Corben/Frusin run!

[vdox2]

Original Sins is a must. I really loved the way demons were portrayed in the storyline(s)

[Libaax]

CONSTANTINE 2

It's recasting or calling it quits -- IESB allegedly heard actor Keanu Reeves say that a sequel would be less than magical in his eyes and that he wouldn't be on board.


Thats great for any fan of JC and HB, it sure made me day to see there is a huge chance Keenu wont disgrace the Constantine name and rep anymore :D

[Scottyrep]

I have every issue of Hellblazer, or had at one point. I sold all my Carey stuff because I am going with trades now, but that is where I started collecting Hellblazer, at about issue 181. There is a lot of mini-series like Chas-the Knowledge, Bad Blood and others that have been collected and you may consider Tim Hunter part of the Hellblazer mythos. Constatine shows up in Hellblazer/Books of Magic and there is also the Trenchcoat Brigade mini-series. I have read every issue in the series. The only stories that I do not like are around issue 84 and some of the King Arthur stuff. I wasn't fond of Azzerello's run. How many times is a plot device used to get a non-American character into the States. It just feels like lzy writing. I like the feel of Hellblazer because he is a vulnerable character, does not have super strength or super abilities. He's just an average guy that dabble in the occcult. As absurd as it may sound, this series seems more authentic than Superman, Batman, Xmen,Whatever, because when someone or something dies in the Vertigo universe they really don't bring it back.

[mauisunset]

I'd have to agree that Original Sins is the best, although I'd warn you that the art is a little hard to get through, like some of the lesser Invisibles or Sandman arcs.

I stand alone on these boards as a fan of Azzerello's run. I probably liked the run more because I hadn't read Ennis' yet.

I think a lot of JC fans get bent out of shape because Enis' run shows John from an interior perspective, whereas Azz's run portrays him more more from others' POV. I personally thought it was a more mysterious, spooky take on the character and definately an original take on the character. (I'd much rather see Azzerello do his own thing than be Enis-light.)

All considered, though, Ennis' run is by far the best and really shows the heart of the character.

[Bellis]

I'd have to agree that Original Sins is the best, although I'd warn you that the art is a little hard to get through, like some of the lesser Invisibles or Sandman arcs.

I stand alone on these boards as a fan of Azzerello's run. I probably liked the run more because I hadn't read Ennis' yet.

I think a lot of JC fans get bent out of shape because Enis' run shows John from an interior perspective, whereas Azz's run portrays him more more from others' POV. I personally thought it was a more mysterious, spooky take on the character and definately an original take on the character. (I'd much rather see Azzerello do his own thing than be Enis-light.)

All considered, though, Ennis' run is by far the best and really shows the heart of the character.

Whaaaaat, John Ridgway's art is wonderful! It suits those early stories perfectly.

I think the issue most people have with Azzarello's run is that Constantine was a bit out of character in parts and the overall arc plot was weak and unconvincing. Also, Azz really, REALLY over-wrote John's accent - I know Azz has something of an accent fetish, but Constantine almost sounded like Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins at points. Still, I liked what he was trying to do, and the idea of John going on a trip across America was really inspired. Frusin's art was the best it ever was on the title, too.

I think his run is mostly pretty good. I really like Hard Time; Good Intentions worked for me and Freezes Over is near-classic. Mad Dogs and Englishmen is also really nice, although would've been even better in just the one issue rather than two. After that I think it goes off the rails a bit. The stuff collected in the Highwater trade probably makes for the weakest collection of the lot. And Ashes and Dust in the City of Angels WAS rubbish. It was readable and even superficially entertaining, but honestly, it was crap. Why Azz decided to end the run with some badly-disguised Batman/Joker slash fan-fic I honestly don't know.

Overall it gets a 7/10 from me. It's way better than Mina's awful run for sure.

And I don't think Ennis' run is "by far" the best because that's a bit of a disservice to all the other great runs and stories. I think it's probably the most accessible run and is generally very, very good, but I can't stand all that maundering Oirish sentimentality that Ennis insisted on crowbarring into it. It feels out of place somehow.

[mauisunset]

"Overall it gets a 7/10 from me. It's way better than Mina's awful run for sure."

Couldn't agree more.

"And I don't think Ennis' run is "by far" the best because that's a bit of a disservice to all the other great runs and stories. I think it's probably the most accessible run and is generally very, very good, but I can't stand all that maundering Oirish sentimentality that Ennis insisted on crowbarring into it. It feels out of place somehow."

I may be wrong here, having read the series in trades, but it seems like Ennis fleshed out the character and defined him more than any of the earlier writers had. Alan Moore has said that he wrote in the character so Totlebean and Bissete could draw someone that looked like Sting. He really didn't write him for long enough or feature him enough to make him multi-dimensional.

Although I like the earlier runs in the series, it seems like the book was more of a vehicle for gothic horror stories, with John serving more the purpose of framing device to feature the stories. While he's interesting and likeable, he really never had as much heart imo before Ennis.

[Bellis]

"Overall it gets a 7/10 from me. It's way better than Mina's awful run for sure."

Couldn't agree more.

"And I don't think Ennis' run is "by far" the best because that's a bit of a disservice to all the other great runs and stories. I think it's probably the most accessible run and is generally very, very good, but I can't stand all that maundering Oirish sentimentality that Ennis insisted on crowbarring into it. It feels out of place somehow."

I may be wrong here, having read the series in trades, but it seems like Ennis fleshed out the character and defined him more than any of the earlier writers had. Alan Moore has said that he wrote in the character so Totlebean and Bissete could draw someone that looked like Sting. He really didn't write him for long enough or feature him enough to make him multi-dimensional.

Although I like the earlier runs in the series, it seems like the book was more of a vehicle for gothic horror stories, with John serving more the purpose of framing device to feature the stories. While he's interesting and likeable, he really never had as much heart imo before Ennis.

I think I'd agree to a certain extent, although I should mention that Delano's run does change somewhat after the first 12 issues, developing the book away from "horror story of the month".

Delano did a pretty excellent job establishing John as his own man, giving him a past and a supporting cast and creating his "world" as it were. But his overly-flowery writing sometimes got in the way and could disconnect you from the character - I think Delano's best stories are the ones where it's more personal for Constantine - the untraded Family Man arc where Constantine finds himself up against a serial killer with a very personal connection is absolutely brilliant (hopefully Vertigo will get this out next year, it really was superb), as is stuff like Mourning of the Magician and Dead Boy's Heart (which can be found in Rare Cuts, along with the wonderful story about a younger John living with Chas and his horrible grandmother). Even the upcoming Fear Machine story has some of this, even if it's way overlong and has a rubbish ending.

Ennis made Constantine into a more relatable character, partly due to his writing, which was more to the point and much less fussy than Delano's occasional sub-Alan Moore attempts at purple prose. He did write some dud stories (The Pub Where I Was Born, Lord of the Dance, Damnation's Flame) but there's no doubting that his run really cemented the popularity and iconic status of the character. I just think subsequent writers have produced even better material.

[PLEDGE]

have they even brought out the entire hellblazer series in tpb format?

[Bellis]

have they even brought out the entire hellblazer series in tpb format?

Nope. A good chunk of Delano's run has been uncollected and absolutely none of Jenkins' run has been released at all, which is a huge shame. There are a couple of single fill-in issues that haven't seen the light of day either.

It does seem that Vertigo are slowly trying to rectify this, with Delano material being released last year after a gap of over ten years in the The Devil You Know trade and his Fear Machine arc is coming out in a few months, so hopefully they'll finish up his run and go into Jenkins. A Rare Cuts-style volume collecting all the fill-ins and whatnot would be lovely, too.

[Libaax]

I'd have to agree that Original Sins is the best, although I'd warn you that the art is a little hard to get through, like some of the lesser Invisibles or Sandman arcs.

I stand alone on these boards as a fan of Azzerello's run. I probably liked the run more because I hadn't read Ennis' yet.

I think a lot of JC fans get bent out of shape because Enis' run shows John from an interior perspective, whereas Azz's run portrays him more more from others' POV. I personally thought it was a more mysterious, spooky take on the character and definately an original take on the character. (I'd much rather see Azzerello do his own thing than be Enis-light.)

All considered, though, Ennis' run is by far the best and really shows the heart of the character.

Why cant we dislike Azz runs cause weak plot and bad characterization ?

For me Ennis was the best cause he was the best at getting JC right. His tone was perfect. Azz was the opposite. I dont care from which prespective you show JC. Didnt like Ennis simply cause of the perspective. He did the best hell/devil stories, the best character stories and so on.

I would rate Hard Time 7/10 the rest 4/10.


Delano,Jenkins was alot more stable HB writers than Azz.

[stealthwise]

I just finished The Devil You Know, and I gotta say that Delano's run is much better than I thought it would be, and is highly underrated. I loved The Horrorist, as much for Lloyd's art than anything else.

[Libaax]

Delano wasnt bad storieswise but there were writers after him who build HB characterwise,world wise better.

[dancj]

I'm not mad on Delano's run at all, but his Bad Blood miniseries was excellent.

[mauisunset]

Why cant we dislike Azz runs cause weak plot and bad characterization ?

For me Ennis was the best cause he was the best at getting JC right. His tone was perfect. Azz was the opposite. I dont care from which prespective you show JC. Didnt like Ennis simply cause of the perspective. He did the best hell/devil stories, the best character stories and so on.

I would rate Hard Time 7/10 the rest 4/10.


Delano,Jenkins was alot more stable HB writers than Azz.


Wait,wait...can someone explain this to me ONCE?

How where the plots weak and who was mischaracterized???

I hold, in my hands, Setting Sun by Ellis (whom I'm a fan of). I see a lot of similarities in their take on the character. Someone before said Azz overdid the accent, but I see just as many britishisms (?) in the Ellis run.

Again, I think people got their panties in a twist because "John was taken out of London" (Ennis did that)...because it was written by an american (and I really think that's the rub).

I get as tired with Azzerello's wordplay as anyone, and I'd like if 100 Bullets came to some kind of coherent conclusion, but what is with the eternal bitching?

[dancj]

Taking JC to America is fair game considering his first appearances were in America. It's obviously a place he visits quite regularly.

[mauisunset]

Does anyone else agree that "Rake At the Gates" is as good as "Original Sins"? I know the ending is a little deus ex machina (if I'm using the term correctly) but "Original Sins" had the same type of feel. I don't think either plot was amazingly good, but the characterization is what makes them both shine.

Between the story and the improvement in art by the amazing Steve Dillon, I'd have to argue Rake is better. The devil's character is much more interesting in Rake. Also, if you compare the trades, you'd also have to consider that "Heartlands" is packaged with Rake. I'd say, all considered, Rake is underrated compared to "Original Sins" which everyone sites as the best Constantine.

Whaddaya think?

[Bellis]

Does anyone else agree that "Rake At the Gates" is as good as "Original Sins"? I know the ending is a little deus ex machina (if I'm using the term correctly) but "Original Sins" had the same type of feel. I don't think either plot was amazingly good, but the characterization is what makes them both shine.

Between the story and the improvement in art by the amazing Steve Dillon, I'd have to argue Rake is better. The devil's character is much more interesting in Rake. Also, if you compare the trades, you'd also have to consider that "Heartlands" is packaged with Rake. I'd say, all considered, Rake is underrated compared to "Original Sins" which everyone sites as the best Constantine.

Whaddaya think?

Well, it's apples and oranges because they're completely different. >_> I've never seen anyone claim that Original Sins was the absolute best, though. Dangerous Habits usually gets that accolade.

But I really, really liked Rake at the Gates of Hell. It wrapped up Ennis's run brilliantly. If I have one complaint it's that the storyline basically stops for an entire issue so John can reconcile with Kit, but it was done well so I didn't really mind. And yeah, the TPB does get bonus points for the absolutely fantastic Heartland one-shot, possibly one of the very best things Ennis has ever written.

And just to be pernickety, the First of the Fallen isn't technically the devil and he was introduced in Ennis's run.

[mauisunset]

Well, it's apples and oranges because they're completely different. >_> I've never seen anyone claim that Original Sins was the absolute best, though. Dangerous Habits usually gets that accolade.

But I really, really liked Rake at the Gates of Hell. It wrapped up Ennis's run brilliantly. If I have one complaint it's that the storyline basically stops for an entire issue so John can reconcile with Kit, but it was done well so I didn't really mind. And yeah, the TPB does get bonus points for the absolutely fantastic Heartland one-shot, possibly one of the very best things Ennis has ever written.

And just to be pernickety, the First of the Fallen isn't technically the devil and he was introduced in Ennis's run.

Shit. Sorry, Dangerous Habits was what I meant. Read it and insert Dangerous Habits, that's what I was trying to say. Thanks

[Pól Rua]

I'm a big fan of the character as created by Alan Moore... and yes, the original inception was just a guy who looked like Sting in 'Quadrophenia'... but I think Moore's a better writer than to just leave it at that.
I think I'm rare in that I love Delano's take (and Diggle's which I find very similar), and am not all that fussed on Ennis'.
I also love Diggle's work with the character in the most recent incarnation of 'Swamp Thing'.

I found the whole series more subtle and nuanced, and definitely with a more complex and rewarding narrative under Delano, Moore and a couple of others. I really thought Ennis did well to turn the character into a more commercially successful one, but I think he did so with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
Ennis' work is entertaining, but I think, in the end, he's pretty much writing a broad caricature of the original character.

[Bellis]

Shit. Sorry, Dangerous Habits was what I meant. Read it and insert Dangerous Habits, that's what I was trying to say. Thanks

Ahh, it all makes sense now! Yeah, Dangerous Habits does seem to be lauded as the best, but I think that's because it's so quintessential and iconic for the character. I personally don't think it's the absolute best story ever either, but I can easily see why others do. After Delano's run where Constantine did very little "conning" (there are very few "How the hell is he going to get out of this one?!" moments in Delano's run, which is a shame), Ennis does possibly his all time most memorable. And nothing beats Constantine giving the First the finger. >_>

I'd say Rake was about on the same level, quality-wise though, but it's got the extra burst of energy, a bit like a season finale of a great TV series. And it's amazing to see Ennis's approach to Hellblazer change as it goes along - Rake especially is really, really like proto-Preacher.

If you can track it down I highly recommend Paul Jenkins' Critical Mass storyline (#92-96) which is basically a sequel to Rake. It's one of the all-time classic Hellblazer stories and required reading for any fan of the title. It's the story in most dire of need of being traded, I think. And if you like that, by all means read the rest of Jenkins run. This is way, way before the days of Civil War: Frontline, Spider-Man Disassembled and its ilk.

I'm a big fan of the character as created by Alan Moore... and yes, the original inception was just a guy who looked like Sting in 'Quadrophenia'... but I think Moore's a better writer than to just leave it at that.
I think I'm rare in that I love Delano's take (and Diggle's which I find very similar), and am not all that fussed on Ennis'.
I also love Diggle's work with the character in the most recent incarnation of 'Swamp Thing'.

I found the whole series more subtle and nuanced, and definitely with a more complex and rewarding narrative under Delano, Moore and a couple of others. I really thought Ennis did well to turn the character into a more commercially successful one, but I think he did so with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
Ennis' work is entertaining, but I think, in the end, he's pretty much writing a broad caricature of the original character.

Interesting post. I have a lot of time for Delano's run, but I really think he was at his best when he was being "direct" with the story and with the character. All the weird, nonsensical stuff like the second half of The Fear Machine, Sundays are Different and The Magus did absolutely nothing for me at all, whilst I lapped up stuff like Dead-Boy's Heart, The Family Man (and its fallout), most of the stuff collected in Original Sins and In Another Part of Hell. I even enjoyed the two-parter about that horrible farmer because I knew exactly what it was about and what it was trying to do. I have no problems with weirder, less typical stuff, but I don't think Delano did it very well or in a way that did much for me. I'm not entirely sure about the whole hippies angle, but then they're obviously Delano's thing as he added the hippie/new age thing in his Animal Man run.

His characterisation of John is pretty much faultless, though (except I don't like that he says "strewth"!), and the way he added more layers and depth to the character - raising him up from being the one-dimensional enigma of Swamp Thing was beautifully done.

[dancj]

His characterisation of John is pretty much faultless, though (except I don't like that he says "strewth"!),
Yeah - I don't think I've ever heard anyone English say "strewth". Come to think of it the only person I've ever heard say it was Paul Hogan

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I've just started to get into Hellblazer and plan on getting more Vertigo now. I so wanna add new things to my collection.

[mauisunset]

If you can track it down I highly recommend Paul Jenkins' Critical Mass storyline (#92-96) which is basically a sequel to Rake. It's one of the all-time classic Hellblazer stories and required reading for any fan of the title. It's the story in most dire of need of being traded, I think. And if you like that, by all means read the rest of Jenkins run. This is way, way before the days of Civil War: Frontline, Spider-Man Disassembled and its ilk.


I'll look for them on your recommendation!

It seems like I've heard a few people say Jenkin's run was underrated. I picked up some of his early Marvel Knights stuff like Inhumans with Jae Lee, but remembered always liking his set-ups, but not thinking the pay offs were ever fulfilling...

Guess I'll have to give him a second try.

[Bellis]

I'll look for them on your recommendation!

It seems like I've heard a few people say Jenkin's run was underrated. I picked up some of his early Marvel Knights stuff like Inhumans with Jae Lee, but remembered always liking his set-ups, but not thinking the pay offs were ever fulfilling...

Guess I'll have to give him a second try.

It definitely is underrated and I can only assume it's because because none of its been traded. The fact that there isn't even one Jenkins TPB out is just weird and really sad.

His run isn't for everyone. If you like the side of Hellblazer that's more grounded in reality then you'll absolutely love it. There's a real "slice of life" feel to certain stories that I absolutely adored. Sean Phillips' art is amazing and really captures mid-90's Britain so beautifully I was practically aching with nostalgia as a I read it. Jenkins does new things with the character, too. His Constantine is starting to feel his age and having a bit of a midlife crisis, hanging around with some of his old punk mates and unsure where to go next after certain things get resolved in issue #100. Jenkins also does away with most of Ennis' psuedo-Christian world of demons and angels (although a few elements and characters do carry over), instead bringing the mythology of Britain into play. Again, I loved this because I adore British mythology, but some people had a hard time getting into it. If the idea of Constantine meeting the Green Man and King Arthur and exploring magical, disappearing villages all grounded in the usual Hellblazer "world" appeals to you then you absolutely can't go wrong with it.

So if you enjoy Critical Mass, you've got to give these issues a go:

#97 - The Nature of the Beast
#99 - Punkin' Up the Great Outdoors
#100 - Sins of the Father
#102-#104 - Difficult Beginnings
#106-#107 - In the Line of Fire
#110-#114 - Last Man Standing
#116-#117 - Widdershins
#120 - Desperately Seeking Something

There are some other great ones (#91, #101, #109) but those are the cream of the crop. I hope you enjoy it - Jenkins wrote some excellent Hellblazer, and it's probably my second favourite run after Carey's.

[Maestro]

I love Mike Carey's run. All His Engines is probably the best introductory story after Dangerous Habits.

[stealthwise]

Shit. Sorry, Dangerous Habits was what I meant. Read it and insert Dangerous Habits, that's what I was trying to say. Thanks

I agree, Rake at the Gates of Hell was better than Dangerous Habits, especially in that it was a great culmination of all that Ennis had been building up to beforehand, including Dangerous Habits itself.

[Generic Eric]

I'm just getting back into Hellblazer myself thanks to this wonderful thread. I startd originally with Jenkins run on the title, read the last 20 or so issues by Ennis and Dillon and left off with Warren Ellis's Haunted story. Brian Azellero's run I could'nt get into because I could only find a couple issue of Hell Frezes Over and a couple of the Good Intentions story arc. Vertigo had been lousy at collecting Hellblazer back then so my interests drifted elsewhere. I quit a Warren Ellis's stories because they were bloody horrific when compared to the relative light-heartedness of Paul Jenkins run.

I just read Original Sins and The Devil You Know trades. They are interesting in setting up Constantine with an interesting background and setting. The first story arch is a time capsule of the politics of the late eighties. Fears of devil worshippers secretly up to hienis acts, the all too real evil exploitation by evangelists and politics of Margeratte Thatcher. The Newcastle story was brilliant, it really got under my skin. The on the beach short was hillarious.

I just started the beginning of Garth Ennis's storie with Dangerous Habits and Bloodlines. He added alot of personallity to Hellblazer. Reading this beggining makes the rest of the issues I have make alot more sense.

Mike Carey's stories are very good. They build on the past and gett the mood right. He does connenect alot of dots. Alot good and a few bad. The part where he hinted that Constantine's niece might actually be his daughter came out of nowhere.

How was Denise Mina's run? Should I just skip it?

[Bellis]

How was Denise Mina's run? Should I just skip it?

I'd say so. Put it this way, I'm an enormous Hellblazer fan, not to mention a real completist. And yet I don't own either TPB's of her run and I'm never going to.

You might want to sample it to see for yourself but I definitely wouldn't blind buy it. While Mina doesn't write a bad Constantine, the story (because it's really one long 12-issue arc despite an appallingly bad one-shot with Map halfway through) is just boring and silly, and her inexperience in writing comics is pretty apparent throughout. Andy Diggle's current run almost completely ignores it.

[Generic Eric]

I'd say so. Put it this way, I'm an enormous Hellblazer fan, not to mention a real completist. And yet I don't own either TPB's of her run and I'm never going to.

You might want to sample it to see for yourself but I definitely wouldn't blind buy it. While Mina doesn't write a bad Constantine, the story (because it's really one long 12-issue arc despite an appallingly bad one-shot with Map halfway through) is just boring and silly, and her inexperience in writing comics is pretty apparent throughout. Andy Diggle's current run almost completely ignores it.

I'll start on Diggle's run then. Thanks. Reading the first Brian Azzellaro trade makes me want to skip the rest of that run also.

[Libaax]

You mean Hard Time ? If you dont like that you will hate the rest of Azz run. The first arc is the only decent one of his.

I agree with Bellis. I collect every Hellblazer TPB's too but i will never pay for Mina's run......

[Generic Eric]

Hard Time just did'nt imspire me. Richard Corben produced the worst art of his career for this story. He needed to redraw at least 30% of it. There was some odd anatomy and perspective flaws. What killed the story for me was when The Ghosts of Constatine's past show up. They were just random dead blokes instead of the usual crew of dead friends.

[The Xenos]

After finally seeing the (pretty horrible) movie at a friend's place, I'm more interested than ever in checking out Hellblazer trades. Plus that friend got me into Supernatural which has a character who issomewhat based on John, at least in appearance. The friend asked me about the orignial comics, but I never got any trades or collected the series. I've really liked the character whenever I see him, but only read him in other books. So i figured I'd bump this thread in thanks to prior suggestions and to venture further comments.

[Libaax]

Heh Supernatural fan. Kripke is a big fan of Constantine and the certain character we both know are true homage to JC atleast lookwise. The entry scene of him gave the chills. It was classic Constantine scene.

Where do you want to start ? Best stories/Trades ? Or from the beginning ?

I say start with first Garth Ennis trade. Some of the earliest Delano stories are very dodgy as brits would put it.

[dancj]

Some of the earliest Delano stories are very dodgy as brits would put it.
Do Americans not say "dodgy"? Well you learn something new every day

[Libaax]

Well some americans these days say wanker but they prolly got it from brit movies ;)

[Madrox84]

Well i would recommend Mike Carey's run in it's entirity, it was was great.

I would also recommend Garth Ennis ' runs, a lot of which have been traded, and Warren Ellis' all too short run.

[Madrox84]

Warren Ellis' lost issue (http://www.compsoc.man.ac.uk/~jp/comics/shoot/index.html), for free.

Thank you very much for posting that link. I have been looking for that issue on the internet for ages...

It's absolutely bloody brilliant!!

[dancj]

Thank you very much for posting that link. I have been looking for that issue on the internet for ages...

It's absolutely bloody brilliant!!
I'm still disappointed that Vertigo didn't see fit to stick that story in the Setting Sun trade

[Madrox84]

I'm still disappointed that Vertigo didn't see fit to stick that story in the Setting Sun trade

Me too.

But given the fracas caused by the issue i think it is unlikely they will ever include it in any collections.

[dancj]

It didn't really cause a fracas (that I'm aware of). They just got cold feet about the potential fracas.

I'd have thought sticking that issue in would have cause a huge boost in sales for that book.

[Madrox84]

It didn't really cause a fracas (that I'm aware of). They just got cold feet about the potential fracas.

I'd have thought sticking that issue in would have cause a huge boost in sales for that book.

From what i heard there was a bit of an internal fracas... But i'm not sure how true that is...

It probably would have boosted the sales, but i guess they didn't want to go back on a previously made decision.

[jboncha]

Ennis's Dangerous Habits is a storyline most HB fans agree as the best storyline in the series so far.

I was introduced to Hellblazer/Constantine through the movie.
Isnt the Dangerous Habits storyline what the movie's based on?
If so I'll just have to check out some of the other recommendations instead.

[dancj]

The movie took some stuff from Dangerous Habits - mainly the lung cancer thing - but they're very different stories.

[Libaax]

I was introduced to Hellblazer/Constantine through the movie.
Isnt the Dangerous Habits storyline what the movie's based on?
If so I'll just have to check out some of the other recommendations instead.

You cant judge it based on imo a very crappy movie.

There must a reason why most HB fans recommend Ennis run and Habits is the best Constantine made. Take it how you see it.

Like the poster above me says that story has nothing in common with the movie except Constantine smooked too much and got cancer.

[mauisunset]

Thank you very much for posting that link. I have been looking for that issue on the internet for ages...

It's absolutely bloody brilliant!!

((Sooo sorry to brag)) But I own the first page of original art from Phil Jiminez/Ellis. ((Yeah, I'm that friggin sweet.))

T.

[mauisunset]

Like the poster above me says that story has nothing in common with the movie except Constantine smooked too much and got cancer.

Agreed.

I'll venture this--and only to show how different the media of comics and movies made from comics are, and how illogical the whole convo is--they're the same as far as the comic's art sucks and the whole fuckin movie and everyone associated with the stink of it also sucks...sucks the fart out of the movie seat that I planted before I walked out before it started.

So, yes, you're right. Skip Dangerous Habits. They both suck.

[mauisunset]

Sorry to multi-post.

Just wanted to ask if I'm the only defeder of the Azz run who actually doesn't like hard times? I thought it was the WORST of the whole run-ending included.

IMHO I thought Corben's art was waaay out of place. I agree with above...his perspective is always skewed, but "who has time for perspective. Must make DOTS!"

No, I just think his style is very Americana. So while I appreciate the appropriateness of it for the story, it just didn't work that well with the character.

And I thought it was VERY dues ex machina (real not comics) how he managed to get out of prison AND get his record cleared...I just didn't buy it.

Am I alone?

[jboncha]

I picked up Dangerous Habits from a local library today.
I'll let you guys know what I think of it once I'm done with it.

[Ill Communication]

Hey ...

do you guys know who the creative team is after #250?

I think I might drop in favor of trades, due to the awesomeness of the economy.

[Madrox84]

((Sooo sorry to brag)) But I own the first page of original art from Phil Jiminez/Ellis. ((Yeah, I'm that friggin sweet.))

T.

That's so awesome!

I wish i could afford more original artwork...

Hey ...

do you guys know who the creative team is after #250?

I think I might drop in favor of trades, due to the awesomeness of the economy.

It's a bit unclear at the moment... But it would seem from the January and Feburary Solicitations that Peter Milligan will be writing the series, there haven't been any proper anouncements about the post-Diggle/Manco creative team (as far as i know).

[Libaax]

Milligan ? Im worried he has been gone for long. You didnt even know he did write stuff these days.

Typical you hoped for some new fresh breath like Jason Aaron and you get a guy that did an X-men and last good vertigo work was almost a decade ago....

[Madrox84]

Milligan ? Im worried he has been gone for long. You didnt even know he did write stuff these days.

Typical you hoped for some new fresh breath like Jason Aaron and you get a guy that did an X-men and last good vertigo work was almost a decade ago....

As far as i'm aware he hasn't been away from comics or writing...

He is currently writing Sub-Mariner: The Depths for Marvel, and until recently was writing Infinity Inc for DC. The Depths in my opinion is one of the best mini-series i have read in a long time.

As for his work on the X-Books i found it to be enjoyable, and his X-Force and X-Statix to be absolutely brilliant.

[Libaax]

He hasnt been gone is that he hasnt done any famous vertigo like works for long time is what i meant.

The comics you mentioned are why im worried. I dont want the guy from X-force,Infinity In.

Milligan of Human Target era i would be really excited.

Not saying he is bad but i was hoping for someone like Diggle who didnt come from years of superhero work in a row. I was happy for the guy from The Losers.

Still its what we are getting and i hope he gets JC and his world.

Is he the new ongoing writer or temporary mini story like Aaron ?

[Madrox84]

He hasnt been gone is that he hasnt done any famous vertigo like works for long time is what i meant.

Fair enough, i wasn't qutre sure what you meant.

The comics you mentioned are why im worried. I dont want the guy from X-force,Infinity In.

Milligan of Human Target era i would be really excited.

That's fair enough also, and i would agree with you with regards to Infinity Inc and his run on Adjectiveless X-Men which were less than stellar, but i absolutely adore his X-Force/X-Statix run.

But i'll accept that that isn't really a style of storytelling that would suit Hellblazer, but i have faith in him as a writer.

Not saying he is bad but i was hoping for someone like Diggle who didnt come from years of superhero work in a row. I was happy for the guy from The Losers.

Still its what we are getting and i hope he gets JC and his world.

I'm confident that in spite of the fact he has mostly been writing 'superhero books' of late that he is a good choice to take over Hellblazer and that he will 'get' John.

Is he the new ongoing writer or temporary mini story like Aaron ?

Not a clue. There seems to be some conflicting information floating around, but in my opinion the January and Febuarary solicitations for the book would seem to imply that he is taking over as the ongoing writer.

[Libaax]

If he can recapture the tone of the writing of Human Target i will be glad.

Thats the only time i have really read him and did enjoy those stories. An underrated series.

[Madrox84]

If he can recapture the tone of the writing of Human Target i will be glad.

Thats the only time i have really read him and did enjoy those stories. An underrated series.

I have heard it is good series, i'll have to buy some of the trades when i get paid...

[JohnConstantine]

I’m interested in starting a Hellblazer collection. I already have some of Ennis’s early work (3 TPBs) but I was wondering if anyone can tell me which are the great storylines. I don’t want to buy every single back issue since I know some are crap.

I’ve not been a big fan of Andy Diggle’s other work so I don’t think I’ll be collecting his stuff but how about Carey’s run? Ellis? Delano? I’ve just finish Carey’s “Down in the Ground where dead men go” and I thought it was great.

Tell me your favorite Hellblazer story arcs!!!

Much appreciated!!!

If you like Constantine (Who among a VERY few other vertigo characters is my favorite comic character of all time) you must remember he was invented by Alan Moore in "Swamp Thing" in volume #3. So if you really wanna know what drives John then you GOTTA read Swamp Thing volumes #3 & 4, then go onto Jamie Delano's EPIC first 2 Hellblazer trades - "Original Sins" and "The Devil You Know" (Issues #1-13). In my mind without reading these you won't get who Constantine really is now and what made him that way. After you have read those, then you can kinda just jump in anywhere and enjoy (except for Azzarello's run's - they suck and are pretty out of character. As far as I know he was the only writer to work on Hellblazer who isn't from the U.K.). Also, those first trades (including the Alan Moore Swamp Thing trades) aren't that hard to get your hands on, and their awesomely awesome. Did I mention that their awesome?

I own almost the entire Hellblazer collection so if you have any more questions feel free to message me, (can you do that on this website? I'm new to it) if there is anything I don't mind its blathering on endlessly about London's favorite silk cut smoker Constantine.

-C

[Cash Lone]

Mike Carey's stories are very good. They build on the past and gett the mood right. He does connenect alot of dots. Alot good and a few bad. The part where he hinted that Constantine's niece might actually be his daughter came out of nowhere.



In what issue is this revelation hinted at? How was it revealed?

[mauisunset]

WARNING: I'd just like to gauge the reaction here, but what do regular JC fans think about the series going on semi-permanent "holiday" and just did semi-regular OGN's like "All His Engines?" It's something I wonder (as well as everyone else) about all ongoings...END WARNING

I know I like my JC monthly kick as much as the next guy, but a full book just seems so much more... inspired. How many of you Constantine fans would skip a full OGN if your monthly was gone, first day? How about if it was well-reviewed? By a creative team you like?

I realize my arguement is biased because I've come down on the side of limited quarterly, or tri-mer...uh...ly, 3-6 issues per new work, each with a NEW, ORIGINAL Constantine story, instead of a process that honestly, by design, creates tired, stale, stories where a creator is lucky to hit the ground running, undo any recently-past fuck-ups, and, if he's lucky, get down to his own business.

Wouldn't it just be so much simpler...REALLY... if we all worked off Common Era (CE) or Before Common Era (BCE). BCE means from a character's origins and (let's say) really old and VEEERY neccessary continuity.

CE (and the fanboys can be "current"=cool.) Or Common Era, would be--and get this--it gets tricky--just whatever continuity--whatever--the WRITER considers cannon--is cannnon. Kinda like the Azzerello/Bermejo "Joker" OGN.

And then if not it would be Elseworlds or What If? Anyone thinking the same things as me???

T.

[Libaax]

Never ever for me !

Any good writer can keep doing great JC stories for years in monthly.

It has worked well for 80% of the 20 years. Azz and Mina dont make the other monthly runs bad.

JC is my favorite character in any comic and i want to read a good monthly every month.

Constantine HB is the really the only series about good supernatural horror. The others fail or end.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

If you like Constantine (Who among a VERY few other vertigo characters is my favorite comic character of all time) you must remember he was invented by Alan Moore in "Swamp Thing" in volume #3. So if you really wanna know what drives John then you GOTTA read Swamp Thing volumes #3 & 4, then go onto Jamie Delano's EPIC first 2 Hellblazer trades - "Original Sins" and "The Devil You Know" (Issues #1-13). In my mind without reading these you won't get who Constantine really is now and what made him that way. After you have read those, then you can kinda just jump in anywhere and enjoy (except for Azzarello's run's - they suck and are pretty out of character. As far as I know he was the only writer to work on Hellblazer who isn't from the U.K.). Also, those first trades (including the Alan Moore Swamp Thing trades) aren't that hard to get your hands on, and their awesomely awesome. Did I mention that their awesome?


It's interesting to read those one's - they are good stories, but he changes from writer to writer, so reading them before starting on another run isn't a necessity.

[teacher723]

I just recently collected all but 2 Hellblazer trades from Ebay. Rake at the Gates of Hell is on its way and I'm waiting on a bid for Bloodlines. But as for the other 27 that I own (not Papa Midnite, not Lady Constantine, not Pandemonium, not Hellblazer Collection) I finally got down and listed them in order of my favorite. Any comments?

1 Son of Man
2 The Gift
3 Hard Time
4 Stations of the Cross
5 All His Engines
6 Dangerous Habits
7 Tainted Love
8 Reasons to be Cheerful
9 Good Intentions
10 Original Sins
11 Staring at the Wall
12 Highwater
13 Fear and Loathing
14 Black Flowers
15 Red Sepulchre
16 Rare Cuts
17 Damnation's Flame
18 Freezes Over
19 Joyride
20 The Laughing Magician
21 Empathy is the Enemy
22 The Red Right Hand
23 Haunted
24 Setting Sun
25 The Devil You Know
26 The Fear Machine
27 The Family Man

I'm also waiting for a delivery of almost all of Jenkins run, so at this point I only have 14 issues that I have not collected besides what will come out in the next trade.