Brian Azzarello's Hellblazer

[Shellhead]

I've only read the Freezes Over trade from that run, but I really enjoyed it. Best Constantine I've seen in a long time.

[Darrell D.]

If anything, he's closer to Alan Moore's version of the character: the smiling con-man who gets other people to do his dirty work with a few words and suggestions. As a result Constantine has less panel time than he usually does, often hanging around the edges of the action, which is probably why some didn't like this run as much.

Yeah, good analysis.
It brought John back to the schemer, the man in the background, letting things happen and watching the result. The first arc with Corben was just perfect.
One of the best runs of the book.

[BeastieRunner]

Hard Time is really polarizing for Hellblazer fans.

I'm in the "it's not very good" camp.

[Bad Wolf]

I loved the run. It had some of the creepiest moments I've seen in the series.

[carabas]

I'm in the "it's not very good" camp.

Can you tell us why?

[BeastieRunner]

Can you tell us why?

Sure.

Great story but not very Constantine and the dialog was a bit choppy for my taste. I loved the art though.

On the other hand, I enjoyed "Freezes Over."

My memory is a bit dodgy but I think my main complaint at the time that colored my opinion more than anything was Azz's run was mostly set in America.

[carabas]

Sure.

Great story but not very Constantine and the dialog was a bit choppy for my taste. I loved the art though.

Well, others, including me, have gone over why we feel it felt more like Constantine than most Hellblazer runs. The dialogue is a matter of taste. Took me a while to warm up to Azzarello's style myself.

My memory is a bit dodgy but I think my main complaint at the time that colored my opinion more than anything was Azz's run was mostly set in America.

Well, every Hellblazer writer seems to move John to places they're familiar with. And it's not as if he hasn't spent time there before.

[BeastieRunner]

Well, every Hellblazer writer seems to move John to places they're familiar with. And it's not as if he hasn't spent time there before.

I know but I was in my "ANGRY COMIC BOOK NERD" phase when it came out.

[carabas]

Have yoy tried rereading it now that you have a more open mind?

[BeastieRunner]

Yup. Still don't like "Hard Time" but enjoy "Freezes Over" ... personal taste.

[Superdog]

My feelings on it are a bit mixed. Some of the arcs just feel like filler.

Hard Time: Love it.
Freezes Over: meh
Good Intentions: Great build up but the reveal was laughable
Highwater: One of my favorite Constantine stories ever.
Ashes & Dust was good but waaay to decompressed.

Frusin is a god btw.

[Libaax]

If anything, he's closer to Alan Moore's version of the character: the smiling con-man who gets other people to do his dirty work with a few words and suggestions. As a result Constantine has less panel time than he usually does, often hanging around the edges of the action, which is probably why some didn't like this run as much.

Alan Moore version of the character or being close to it doesnt mean a thing to me who have read most of HB. Hard Time was decent,interesting but rest of his run are almost crap to me. He tried too hard. You can bring different takes on Constantine but failing with his voice,character is not good enough to me.

You said youre self was what wrong with the run. You cant write Hellblazer like its 100 Bullets....