The New Dark Constantine Book...what do you want to see in it?

[Talisman]

John Constantine, the grand-father of Vertigo, so to speak, is coming to the New 52 in his own new series, and unfortunately his own Vertigo series Hellblazer, i (for it's fans--
)is coming to a close.

But it's a brand new day, so to speak, for one John Constantine, and it appears as if DC is determined on making him the New 52 darling, and is getting face time everywhere. He's been seen in Animal Man, I, Vampire, is the lead character in Justice League Dark, among being seen elsewhere...


So my question is: what is it that you would like to see being explored with this new series? What themes and characters that haven't been explored yet since the relaunch that would make this title an exceptional addition to the already exceptional dark line?


also: to note, this thread is not created to bitch about the cancellation of Hellblazer, if that's what you are looking to do here, there are other threads already doing a fine job covering that conversation.

[vicvega]

I'm sorry but I refuse to be positive about this series

I want Milligan or A.J. Lieberman writing it. that's about it

[Xarcon]

I want to see sex, drugs, and lots of swearing. I will be disappointed.

Realistically, I want it to be more of a character/drama type story, as opposed to the superhero story that JLD is. I want it to be about Constantine being scoundrel in a world full of other scoundrels. He can save people, sure, but I'm just hoping it's not a traditional superhero book. That's not to say that I don't like what Lemire is doing with JLD (because I really do like that book), I just want a little variety.

[Mr Prince]

Zatanna, Ellie, Lucifer, girlfriends and boyfriends, and an exploration of what magic is and what some of the rules are for it in the DCU. (Zatanna, Madame Xanadu, the gods, Shazam and the Wizard, etc.)

[nepenthes]

Well I don't see any reason to hold back now. I want to see The Endless. Abel and Cain, Hob Gadling, Mathew the Raven, the whole damn lot of them

[Billy Batson]

The same as in Hellblazer?
Not that I will read it of course.

[Desaad]

I'd like to see a more impressive creative team, for one.

But really, in terms of tone, I'm not too worried about much being lost here. It's a simple manner to refocus the story away from what Garth Ennis created and go back to Alan Moore's conception and treatment of the character. He can be a bit of a bastard, but he's always on top of his game, he's manipulating everyone, he KNOWS everyone and is grudgingly liked and feared by everyone.

Ask anybody.

[ducklord]

I'd like to see a more impressive creative team, for one.

But really, in terms of tone, I'm not too worried about much being lost here. It's a simple manner to refocus the story away from what Garth Ennis created and go back to Alan Moore's conception and treatment of the character. He can be a bit of a bastard, but he's always on top of his game, he's manipulating everyone, he KNOWS everyone and is grudgingly liked and feared by everyone.

Ask anybody.

Piggybacking on this to add:

When working within the DCU (where John got his start, after all. I mean he was in the bloody Crisis on Infinite Earths, for Oa's sake), I think John is at his best when almost no one has a grip on who he really is or what he can do. He's got a rep for being dangerous as hell, and there are rumors that he's got more power in his little pinky than anyone this side of Dr. Fate, but it's at least as likely that he's bluffing his ass off.

In short, if he's running around with a team in spandex, wiggling his hands all Ditko-style and screaming incantations, someone's done effed up. John doesn't roll that way. He's not Dr. Strange. He's not Zatanna. He MAY be wielding some kick-ass mojo, but he's not going to let you see it coming.*

At least, that's my opinion.

* Exceptions to the rule include anniversary issues and conclusions of three-year arcs, in which writers should feel free to unleash Constantine's inner Dumbledore.

[havok1977]

I want to see sex, drugs, and lots of swearing. I will be disappointed.

Realistically, I want it to be more of a character/drama type story, as opposed to the superhero story that JLD is. I want it to be about Constantine being scoundrel in a world full of other scoundrels. He can save people, sure, but I'm just hoping it's not a traditional superhero book. That's not to say that I don't like what Lemire is doing with JLD (because I really do like that book), I just want a little variety.

What Xarcon said.

[InformationGeek]

Well I've been reading Jamie Delano's run and if the title can be anywhere as good or interesting, then I'll be fine. I have no other specifics then that. Just be enjoyable.

[Desaad]

Piggybacking on this to add:

When working within the DCU (where John got his start, after all. I mean he was in the bloody Crisis on Infinite Earths, for Oa's sake), I think John is at his best when almost no one has a grip on who he really is or what he can do. He's got a rep for being dangerous as hell, and there are rumors that he's got more power in his little pinky than anyone this side of Dr. Fate, but it's at least as likely that he's bluffing his ass off.

In short, if he's running around with a team in spandex, wiggling his hands all Ditko-style and screaming incantations, someone's done effed up. John doesn't roll that way. He's not Dr. Strange. He's not Zatanna. He MAY be wielding some kick-ass mojo, but he's not going to let you see it coming.*

At least, that's my opinion.

* Exceptions to the rule include anniversary issues and conclusions of three-year arcs, in which writers should feel free to unleash Constantine's inner Dumbledore.

Excellent, and well said.

I'm not opposed to seeing more magic from Constantine than what we generally got from the Vertigo series, but it's more the application of that magic than anything else. His five weapons, in order of importance, are...

His cleverness
His ruthlessness
His connections
His knowledge
His Magic

I quite liked him creating that little bitty sun in I, Vampire -- but then pairing it with a shot gun, maybe a shot to the bollocks.

And if he is wielding major magical power, it has come with a price -- a price quite dear. Perhaps a piece of his own soul, perhaps the life of a dear friend, or even his capacity to feel friendship. He'll come out in the end, the universe will be saved, but someone will have lost something big because of it.

Most important is a good creative team, and I'm not convinced we have it. In fact, I'm quite depressed by it.

[Talisman]

Excellent, and well said.

I'm not opposed to seeing more magic from Constantine than what we generally got from the Vertigo series, but it's more the application of that magic than anything else. His five weapons, in order of importance, are...

His cleverness
His ruthlessness
His connections
His knowledge
His Magic

I quite liked him creating that little bitty sun in I, Vampire -- but then pairing it with a shot gun, maybe a shot to the bollocks.

And if he is wielding major magical power, it has come with a price -- a price quite dear. Perhaps a piece of his own soul, perhaps the life of a dear friend, or even his capacity to feel friendship. He'll come out in the end, the universe will be saved, but someone will have lost something big because of it.

Most important is a good creative team, and I'm not convinced we have it. In fact, I'm quite depressed by it.

I like all this. And while I haven't read anything from this writer, I don't care for the artist at all. Michael Zulli on pencils would make me love the script, no matter how bad it is.

[numberthirty]

If you plan on doing something this dumb, go all the way with it.

- gimme a kid sidekick like in the movie.
- Enginehead in the supporting cast.
- Constantine mobile.
- Jakita Wagner analog beating Constantine half to death.
- Mama Midnite that looks like Pam Grier in Foxy Brown.

[Talisman]

Having a Mama Midnite would actually be kinda boss.

Not quite sure who I'd like to see on covers, though. I'd love to see Dave McKean do a variant for the first issue, at the very least.