CBR: Peter Milligan Talks Hellblazer

[CBR News]

The longest-running Vertigo series sees an extra-sized 250th issue this month,
featuring work by "Hellblazer" alumni and incoming writer Peter Milligan, who
talks about his plans for dark anti-hero John Constantine.


Full article here.

[Sean Walsh]

Milligan's taking over HELLBLAZER?!?

Why hasn't this been screamed from rooftops (or at least politely discussed on message boards)??

[FanboyStranger]

Milligan's taking over HELLBLAZER?!?

Why hasn't this been screamed from rooftops (or at least politely discussed on message boards)??

We've been talking about it over in the "Whatever happened to Peter Milligan?" thread. Part of the problem is that until this interview it was uncertain as to whether Milligan was just filling in until Simon Oliver took over the title, which was announced over the convention season. Now, it certainly seems that Milligan will be the regular writer on HB, which I am pretty psyched for, although I have to confess I was very impressed with Oliver's Chas: The Knowledge mini.

[Ryan Day]

Whoa. I had no idea China Mieville was going to be writing a Hellblazer story. That's amazing.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I can't wait, sounds awesome!

Magic, psychology and politics - something all the great runs have in common!

[Gerald Keefer]

Milligan has written some of my favorite stories ever so this is great news. However, I hope he strays from the Carey and Diggle's continuity heavy stories and goes the Ennis and Azz route of doing his own thing.

[noh-varr]

I hadn't heard about this either. Looks like I'm going to be picking up Hellblazer again. As long as it's Milligan writing more like he did on Shade, Enigma (one of the best minis ever), X-Statix, and Human Target. His recent work hasn't done much for me. But when he does well he just blows me away.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

His recent work hasn't done much for me. But when he does well he just blows me away.

Most of his recent work has been straight up superhero hasn't it?

Probably why it's been less than stellar.

[Eumenides]

Most of his recent work has been straight up superhero hasn't it?

Probably why it's been less than stellar.

I loved Human Target and Enigma; I've never bothered to read his superhero comics: his heart just doesn't seem to be on that stuff, does it? And he's not even good at faking it.

I haven't read Hellblazer since Carey, but I got The Family Man a few days ago and suddenly remembered how great John Constantine can be when he's well written; so I'm giving Milligan a chance.

[Ryan Day]

Most of his recent work has been straight up superhero hasn't it?

Nah. The Programme is prime Milligan: Soviet Supersoldiers thawed out of hibernation, and the US drafts one of their own super-beings, who didn't know he was one, and teams him up with another thawed-out super-patriot called Senator Joe, with the help of the scientist who created him for the military before discovering peace, love, and LSD.

And Infinitity Inc. was pretty off-beat, too. Powers based on psychological dysfunction, everyone in therapy, spontaneous generation of undewear, hitting on your male teammate's female alter-ego...

[MartinRedmond]

I enjoyed Infinity Inc and X-Men alot. Milligan's characterisation and character interaction is what I appreciate the most out of his work. It's as strong as ever.

[Spastic Minnow]

Most of his recent work has been straight up superhero hasn't it?

Probably why it's been less than stellar.

While not everything he's done has been straight-up superhero, it can still said that it hasn't been his best work.

I didn't check out Infinity Inc. yet, There's a local used book/comic book store nearby that always packages those types of short series up at a discount, so I'll probably pick it up then.

But The Programme ended badly and unresolved and I'm not sure I would want to pick up a sequel series if it's put out.

[MartinRedmond]

Has anyone read his Namor series right now? I love Namor's regal attitude and I love Milligan's writing, but a Namor series is kind of a hard sell for me.

[oddballuk]

I am really really pleased over Vertigo getting Milligan to succeed Diggle.

Shade the Changing Man and Enigma are two of my all time favourite Vertigo books and having Milligan back at Vertigo, and on my favourite Vertigo character, seems like the best news I could have hoped for.

I have loved Diggle's run which has been the best since Ennis left (I have enjoyed Jenkins, Ellis, Azzarello & Carey's runs though some were inconsistent in quality) and was gutted to hear he was leaving but now i'm not so sad.

Also, when you know Milligan is writing Constantine and the first arc is called "Scab", then you also know you're likely in for something special.

Shame we lost Manco to Marvel. I loved his art on Hellblazer.

[Beria]

Hellblazer has never been one of my favourite books, but Milligan is definitely one of my favourite writers, so I guess I have to take a look at it.

I agree with has been said about Enigma. It's one of the best books ever.