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Hellblazer #33
John Constantine, Hellblazer de Peter Milligan #3
En un desesperado intento por resucitar a su amor perdido, John Constantine llega a la India en busca de un gurú capacitado para ayudarle en su misión. En plena búsqueda de pureza, Constantine se encuentra, como es habitual en él, con todo lo contrario. Un antiguo demonio que poseyó a un cobarde oficial del ejército británico está asesinando a mujeres jóvenes, mientras la policía india se niega a aceptarlo. Peter Milligan, el exquisito guionista británico autor de series como Shade, el hombre cambiante, X-Force/X-Statics o Blanco humano, formando equipo con los dibujantes Giuseppe Camuncoli (Batman, Tokyo Days) y Simon Bisley (Sláine, Batman/Judge Dredd), ha insuflado nuevos aires en una serie que muestra a un John Constantine más atormentado y vulnerable que nunca.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
About the author
Peter Milligan
1,290 books370 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Peter Milligan is a British writer, best known for his work on X-Force / X-Statix, the X-Men, & the Vertigo series Human Target. He is also a scriptwriter.
He has been writing comics for some time and he has somewhat of a reputation for writing material that is highly outlandish, bizarre and/or absurd.
His highest profile projects to date include a run on X-Men, and his X-Force revamp that relaunched as X-Statix.
Many of Milligan's best works have been from DC Vertigo. These include: The Extremist (4 issues with artist Ted McKeever) The Minx (8 issues with artist Sean Phillips) Face (Prestige one-shot with artist Duncan Fegredo) The Eaters (Prestige one-shot with artist Dean Ormston) Vertigo Pop London (4 issues with artist Philip Bond) Enigma (8 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo) and Girl (3 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo).
Series:
* Human Target
* Greek Street
* X-Force / X-Statix
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Peter Milligan is a British writer, best known for his work on X-Force / X-Statix, the X-Men, & the Vertigo series Human Target. He is also a scriptwriter.
He has been writing comics for some time and he has somewhat of a reputation for writing material that is highly outlandish, bizarre and/or absurd.
His highest profile projects to date include a run on X-Men, and his X-Force revamp that relaunched as X-Statix.
Many of Milligan's best works have been from DC Vertigo. These include: The Extremist (4 issues with artist Ted McKeever) The Minx (8 issues with artist Sean Phillips) Face (Prestige one-shot with artist Duncan Fegredo) The Eaters (Prestige one-shot with artist Dean Ormston) Vertigo Pop London (4 issues with artist Philip Bond) Enigma (8 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo) and Girl (3 issues with artist Duncan Fegredo).
Series:
* Human Target
* Greek Street
* X-Force / X-Statix
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 17, 2013
Peter Milligan can't seem to get a damn thing right on any other book, but he sure as hell found his calling with this series. I never thought I'd see another writer rival the Ennis run, but I think Milligan is a notch below. But come on, I mean, who isn't when we're talking about Ennis' heyday.
I can just hear some people trying to shout me down and criticize how out of character John is in this book (and the others under Milligan's creative control) but if you're upset that John has a cute little girl in his life and can't look past that, then this book ain't the real issue. Milligan doesn't trade a single ounce of horror for anything cutesy. This is still a MR book by any standard. John's characterization is spot on and his dialogue is absolutely brilliant from panel to panel. Most writers only dream of writing something so gorgeous and fluid.
Epiphany being there in India with him isn't much different than all the other broads we've seen come and go and die in these pages before. And it's only those who know what happens in Bloody Carnations that are really getting their panties in an unnecessary bunch. This is the wittiest the book has been in years and is deeply infused with American hard boiled tendencies. The biggest fault is that all of Milligan's stories wind up with a severely anticlimactic climax, and what he really cares about most in a story are the rising and falling actions. But the man is weaving and pulling threads throughout each book that makes the continuity so much more enjoyable. I really can't recommend it enough.
As for art, Bisely's portion is far too flat for my taste and even winds up looking like claymation storyboards. Bisely should be sticking to the covers which are just drop dead gorgeous for every issue. The real star of the interior art is Camuncolli. I can't even describe how much I love his use of line. Anyone familiar with Schiele will probably be just as head over heels about the framing and proportion.
Writing: A
Art: B-
I can just hear some people trying to shout me down and criticize how out of character John is in this book (and the others under Milligan's creative control) but if you're upset that John has a cute little girl in his life and can't look past that, then this book ain't the real issue. Milligan doesn't trade a single ounce of horror for anything cutesy. This is still a MR book by any standard. John's characterization is spot on and his dialogue is absolutely brilliant from panel to panel. Most writers only dream of writing something so gorgeous and fluid.
Epiphany being there in India with him isn't much different than all the other broads we've seen come and go and die in these pages before. And it's only those who know what happens in Bloody Carnations that are really getting their panties in an unnecessary bunch. This is the wittiest the book has been in years and is deeply infused with American hard boiled tendencies. The biggest fault is that all of Milligan's stories wind up with a severely anticlimactic climax, and what he really cares about most in a story are the rising and falling actions. But the man is weaving and pulling threads throughout each book that makes the continuity so much more enjoyable. I really can't recommend it enough.
As for art, Bisely's portion is far too flat for my taste and even winds up looking like claymation storyboards. Bisely should be sticking to the covers which are just drop dead gorgeous for every issue. The real star of the interior art is Camuncolli. I can't even describe how much I love his use of line. Anyone familiar with Schiele will probably be just as head over heels about the framing and proportion.
Writing: A
Art: B-
October 3, 2016
The main story in this volume, INDIA, was really good. Constantine travels to India on a mission to "purify himself" in order to bring his dead ex-girlfriend back to life. Along the way he ends up dealing with a resurrected demon and some not so nice guys who are working with the monster. Pretty cool story that really captures a nice feel of India, and the art works as well.
The other story in this volume dealt with the supposed ghost of Sid Vicious and ghosts trying to get involved in politics. This one was confusing to me, although the art was interesting.
A good volume, but not among the best of the series.
The other story in this volume dealt with the supposed ghost of Sid Vicious and ghosts trying to get involved in politics. This one was confusing to me, although the art was interesting.
A good volume, but not among the best of the series.
April 30, 2018
Constantine heads off to India in search of spiritual purity (OMG, LOL) in order to fix some of the crap that happened last book. Alas, it doesn't go quite as he planned. Everyone gasps in shock (not!). At least this time some good comes out of it. Eventually. Sort of.
December 22, 2010
Look through the 250+ issues of Vertigo Comics’ HELLBLAZER series and you’ll notice that some of the best stories came out of writers that pushed John Constantine, the series’ sarcastic, chain-smoking mage with a heart of black smoke, out of his zone of comfort, at least geographically-speaking.
Garth Ennis delivered Constantine to NYC, where he would battle the demons of his past and the demons of America. Brian Azzarello transported Constantine into the backwoods of the U.S. after a brief stint in an American prison. Paul Jenkins, to name only one, even offered John a brief stay in Hell.
Writer Peter Milligan, whose star is once again on the rise with reprinted collections of his SHADE THE CHANGING MAN hitting the shelves and GREEK STREET blending the worlds of crime noir and ancient myth, took Constantine not only out of his geographical zone of comfort but also out of his emotional zone of comfort, and the psychological and scenic trek is nothing short of thrilling.
Reprinting issues #261-266, “India” finds Constantine in the hands of a writer that ultimately has come to understand what writing HELLBLAZER is all about: Read the title on a monthly basis and the title is replete with vibrant, one-on / one-off storytelling. Or so it would seem. What the best writers succeed in doing is painting a much more complicated canvas than you at first anticipated. Just as Azzarello’s months-long tenure on the series ended with references to plotlines planted early in his run, so too is Milligan’s run taking on a much more substantial approach to Constantine’s mythology. Readers that at first imagined Milligan’s run would be entertaining, to write the least, but in the end, have no great impact on the character, should think again.
Having already lost his heart to the irresistible Phoebe, Constantine is now accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sets out for Mumbai in order to resurrect her spirit. Once there, though, John finds himself the detective in a string of murders committed against beautiful women. As John brushes elbows with Indian youths, Bollywood, and the mystical, he makes a startling decision to accept Eastern theologies in an attempt to absolve himself of his sordid past. The question of whether Constantine’s sudden change in faith will spell his doom remains to be seen.
Once again, Milligan has captured the voice of Constantine and succeeds in raising the bar for the character (whose monthly title remains the longest-standing Vertigo title in the publisher’s history) by introducing contemporary elements like the Middle East to the character’s modern mythology. And artists Guiseppe Camuncoli & Simon Bisley do their part in illustrating the further adventures of the comic book industry’s favorite magician.
What “India” fails to do is set the tone for what is yet to come, though it will certainly still involve Constantine’s love life, which could use some magical assistance. HELLBLAZER scribes have seemingly made a deal with the devil guaranteeing that John Constantine won’t find peace and happiness for long, and it’s been quite some time since Constantine found anything that resembled either. For the time being, it appears that rest & relaxation is nowhere to be found in Constantine’s future, and it begs the reader to ask how much longer Constantine (and the monthly book) can endure before the battered mage takes as much as he possibly can and meets his maker. (And while Constantine’s maker, it stands to reason, is in fact Our Heavenly Father, Constantine’s destination lies in a more Southerly time zone than Heaven, to be sure.)
Until then, readers will have to rest easily in the knowledge that the sky is frequently the limit for Constantine and HELLBLAZER, and most adventures starring the Mage With a Mouth are the closest to Home Sweet Home, whatever the time zone.
Garth Ennis delivered Constantine to NYC, where he would battle the demons of his past and the demons of America. Brian Azzarello transported Constantine into the backwoods of the U.S. after a brief stint in an American prison. Paul Jenkins, to name only one, even offered John a brief stay in Hell.
Writer Peter Milligan, whose star is once again on the rise with reprinted collections of his SHADE THE CHANGING MAN hitting the shelves and GREEK STREET blending the worlds of crime noir and ancient myth, took Constantine not only out of his geographical zone of comfort but also out of his emotional zone of comfort, and the psychological and scenic trek is nothing short of thrilling.
Reprinting issues #261-266, “India” finds Constantine in the hands of a writer that ultimately has come to understand what writing HELLBLAZER is all about: Read the title on a monthly basis and the title is replete with vibrant, one-on / one-off storytelling. Or so it would seem. What the best writers succeed in doing is painting a much more complicated canvas than you at first anticipated. Just as Azzarello’s months-long tenure on the series ended with references to plotlines planted early in his run, so too is Milligan’s run taking on a much more substantial approach to Constantine’s mythology. Readers that at first imagined Milligan’s run would be entertaining, to write the least, but in the end, have no great impact on the character, should think again.
Having already lost his heart to the irresistible Phoebe, Constantine is now accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sets out for Mumbai in order to resurrect her spirit. Once there, though, John finds himself the detective in a string of murders committed against beautiful women. As John brushes elbows with Indian youths, Bollywood, and the mystical, he makes a startling decision to accept Eastern theologies in an attempt to absolve himself of his sordid past. The question of whether Constantine’s sudden change in faith will spell his doom remains to be seen.
Once again, Milligan has captured the voice of Constantine and succeeds in raising the bar for the character (whose monthly title remains the longest-standing Vertigo title in the publisher’s history) by introducing contemporary elements like the Middle East to the character’s modern mythology. And artists Guiseppe Camuncoli & Simon Bisley do their part in illustrating the further adventures of the comic book industry’s favorite magician.
What “India” fails to do is set the tone for what is yet to come, though it will certainly still involve Constantine’s love life, which could use some magical assistance. HELLBLAZER scribes have seemingly made a deal with the devil guaranteeing that John Constantine won’t find peace and happiness for long, and it’s been quite some time since Constantine found anything that resembled either. For the time being, it appears that rest & relaxation is nowhere to be found in Constantine’s future, and it begs the reader to ask how much longer Constantine (and the monthly book) can endure before the battered mage takes as much as he possibly can and meets his maker. (And while Constantine’s maker, it stands to reason, is in fact Our Heavenly Father, Constantine’s destination lies in a more Southerly time zone than Heaven, to be sure.)
Until then, readers will have to rest easily in the knowledge that the sky is frequently the limit for Constantine and HELLBLAZER, and most adventures starring the Mage With a Mouth are the closest to Home Sweet Home, whatever the time zone.
February 14, 2015
Este tomo contiene dos sagas: "India", con bonitosos dibujos de Camuncoli, es muy buena. O Milligan sabe bastante de la historia y la sociedad de la India o al menos es muy bueno haciéndome creer que sabe. En la segunda saga, con impresionantes dibujos a lápiz de Bisley, personajes y autores vuelven a Inglaterra para una saga con intrigas políticas turbias y neopaganismo punk a partes iguales. Acá se nota más todavía que Milligan sabe de lo que habla, y me la creí más aún, así que el tomo cierra en un punto muy alto.
La cuestión ahora es cómo seguir leyendo la serie, que quedó partida entre los ya inconseguibles tomos de Planeta (4 y 5) y los aún inconseguibles tomos de ECC (6 al 10). Estos primeros tres fueron traducidos en libros que abarcan los mismos números que los que están en inglés, así que hasta este inclusive, los marco dentro de la edición castellana. Pero como en los tomos siguientes empiezan a armar libritos más cortos y se desfasan con la edición en inglés, ya veré cómo completo la serie.
La cuestión ahora es cómo seguir leyendo la serie, que quedó partida entre los ya inconseguibles tomos de Planeta (4 y 5) y los aún inconseguibles tomos de ECC (6 al 10). Estos primeros tres fueron traducidos en libros que abarcan los mismos números que los que están en inglés, así que hasta este inclusive, los marco dentro de la edición castellana. Pero como en los tomos siguientes empiezan a armar libritos más cortos y se desfasan con la edición en inglés, ya veré cómo completo la serie.
December 18, 2018
The India section of this TPB is entertaining, straightforward, and features a couple great scenes. I kind of enjoy the second added on story more, though, which is an unapologetically unsubtle political horror story that probably reads better today than it did when originally written.
February 21, 2021
It pretends like it is going to say something profound about Colonialism, but Peter Milligan clearly has no idea what he's on about, so it just gets stuck in his craw... and I bet he's never even been to India.
May 26, 2020
انا بحب شخصية قنسطنين
وعلي حسب الكلام اللي اسمه بيتير عمل اضافات جيدة للسلسة اللي بدأها العبقري آلان مور
القصة علي خمس أعداد
261-266
فيهم قصتين ومش قادر أفهم ليه
الهند - و لايوجد مستقبل
الهند
عبقرية بشدة الرسم والكلام والشخصيات حلوة بشد
هو راح علشان يحاول يقابل ساحر ما بحيث انه يرجع ليه حبيبته للحياة
طبعا مش محتاج اقولك انه ف الهند يعني الشقلبظات كلها
راجل انجيلزي عنصري اتحول لشيطان او مسخ
عايش علي أنه يقتل البنات الهنديات الجميلة العذروات
بمساعدة مخرج و أخيه مرشد روحي كدا وكدا
المشكلة الاساسية ف بيتير ع حسب ما قريت
انه بيتعامل معاه وبالذات ف تقديم الحلول
انه ساحر
يعني القصتين بيخلصوا ب هووب يلا بينا
انا فاهم انها قصة كوميكس لكن انا بتكلم ف صميم الشخصية
القصة الثانية
لا مستقبل
رمزية زيادة عن اللزوم قوي
عن الحزب المحافظ البيريطاني
وان اللي ماسكه مسوخ بالمعني الحرفي للكلمة
وانه فيه جماعة من البانك روك
معتقدين ف انه عندهم جثة
Sid Vicious
المغني ولاعب الجيتار البيريطاني لفرقة الهارد روك
Sex Pistols
وفيه جرايم كتير بتحصل وبنكتشف ان اصلا قنسطتين بالفعل كان احد البانك روكر القدام وبيضطر انه يتنكر تاني بحيث انه يعرف ايه السر ورا الجرايم دا
حبيت بتاعت الهند أكتر الصراحة
التانية دي امم عادية قشطة يعني بس الروسمات عظيمة بشدة
نماذج للرسمات
وعلي حسب الكلام اللي اسمه بيتير عمل اضافات جيدة للسلسة اللي بدأها العبقري آلان مور
القصة علي خمس أعداد
261-266
فيهم قصتين ومش قادر أفهم ليه
الهند - و لايوجد مستقبل
الهند
عبقرية بشدة الرسم والكلام والشخصيات حلوة بشد
هو راح علشان يحاول يقابل ساحر ما بحيث انه يرجع ليه حبيبته للحياة
طبعا مش محتاج اقولك انه ف الهند يعني الشقلبظات كلها
راجل انجيلزي عنصري اتحول لشيطان او مسخ
عايش علي أنه يقتل البنات الهنديات الجميلة العذروات
بمساعدة مخرج و أخيه مرشد روحي كدا وكدا
المشكلة الاساسية ف بيتير ع حسب ما قريت
انه بيتعامل معاه وبالذات ف تقديم الحلول
انه ساحر
يعني القصتين بيخلصوا ب هووب يلا بينا
انا فاهم انها قصة كوميكس لكن انا بتكلم ف صميم الشخصية
القصة الثانية
لا مستقبل
رمزية زيادة عن اللزوم قوي
عن الحزب المحافظ البيريطاني
وان اللي ماسكه مسوخ بالمعني الحرفي للكلمة
وانه فيه جماعة من البانك روك
معتقدين ف انه عندهم جثة
Sid Vicious
المغني ولاعب الجيتار البيريطاني لفرقة الهارد روك
Sex Pistols
وفيه جرايم كتير بتحصل وبنكتشف ان اصلا قنسطتين بالفعل كان احد البانك روكر القدام وبيضطر انه يتنكر تاني بحيث انه يعرف ايه السر ورا الجرايم دا
حبيت بتاعت الهند أكتر الصراحة
التانية دي امم عادية قشطة يعني بس الروسمات عظيمة بشدة
نماذج للرسمات
September 9, 2015
I didn't love this as much as other Hellblazer graphic novels I have read, I actually found the second story a little harder to follow (but upon re-reading part of it I managed to get it). I loved the art and the story on the second one, I just wish there was a little less politics bashing. But I guess that's where Punk comes from, and John Constantine is a punk (which is explored here). Strangely I loved the artwork of the Punk shrine, and it made me want to relive my youth (although mine would be the 1990s), and create my own shrine to that.
The first story is also very good, and I found it easier to follow. I enjoyed the new flavour of being in India, and I think it worked very well with the story. I just would have tidied the second story up a little so I could be crystal clear on the supporting characters (a couple of them I mixed up and got confused what happened to them), and I would have removed the politics. But that's just my preference!
The first story is also very good, and I found it easier to follow. I enjoyed the new flavour of being in India, and I think it worked very well with the story. I just would have tidied the second story up a little so I could be crystal clear on the supporting characters (a couple of them I mixed up and got confused what happened to them), and I would have removed the politics. But that's just my preference!
November 4, 2010
Everyone should be talking about Simon Bisley's Hellblazer art, all bruises & colored pencils. It's fucking gorgeous.
November 29, 2014
Tomo3 de 10 en edición española. Los cinco primeros los publicó Planeta; los restantes, ECC.
October 23, 2018
I'm glad I picked this up randomly at the library. It was a fun read, especially the first story.
"India" deals with the demon-ghost of a British colonial era colonel described as "racist, coward, and [sexually] vile." Constantine's character shines in Mumbai's slums, considering he is in an alien land without allies.
The Indian-ness of the characters was a bit obnoxious though, especially with all the "chai" pandering, as if that's what this part of the world drinks and talks about constantly. The social and racial commentary, albeit slight, was not lost on me. I can't say they were handled deftly, but I wasn't expecting much anyways.
"No Future" is the exact opposite of "India," taking place squarely within British culture and politics. I think it made for an interesting contrast.
While I love punk rock (and the generation that spawned it), I'm not too familiar with British politics to truly understand the references to the Conservative Party and the gathering disillusionment of the British public.
But overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a terrific dose of welcome Britishness after the "India" story.
"India" deals with the demon-ghost of a British colonial era colonel described as "racist, coward, and [sexually] vile." Constantine's character shines in Mumbai's slums, considering he is in an alien land without allies.
The Indian-ness of the characters was a bit obnoxious though, especially with all the "chai" pandering, as if that's what this part of the world drinks and talks about constantly. The social and racial commentary, albeit slight, was not lost on me. I can't say they were handled deftly, but I wasn't expecting much anyways.
"No Future" is the exact opposite of "India," taking place squarely within British culture and politics. I think it made for an interesting contrast.
While I love punk rock (and the generation that spawned it), I'm not too familiar with British politics to truly understand the references to the Conservative Party and the gathering disillusionment of the British public.
But overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a terrific dose of welcome Britishness after the "India" story.
June 4, 2023
Such a blast.
I'm perpetually surprised there aren't more contemporary fantasy horror tales set in India. Constantine *as usual* is trying to the right thing by attempting to undo something he messed up. This usually involved involuntarily ruining the life of a friend.
The city is breathing with life and the villain and finale are memorable.
Side note: Tumbbad is a solid Indian folk film worth checking out if you enjoyed thi.
I'm perpetually surprised there aren't more contemporary fantasy horror tales set in India. Constantine *as usual* is trying to the right thing by attempting to undo something he messed up. This usually involved involuntarily ruining the life of a friend.
The city is breathing with life and the villain and finale are memorable.
Side note: Tumbbad is a solid Indian folk film worth checking out if you enjoyed thi.
May 26, 2019
Different country, but it is still John Constantine
He goes to India, but this is still a John Constantine tale.
Come for his travels to Mumbai, and then stick around for the second tale - in which he summons Sid Vicious to fight the Conservative Party.
Just a great tale.
He goes to India, but this is still a John Constantine tale.
Come for his travels to Mumbai, and then stick around for the second tale - in which he summons Sid Vicious to fight the Conservative Party.
Just a great tale.
March 20, 2017
5.5/10
March 14, 2020
3/5 for “India”
5/5 for “No Future”
5/5 for “No Future”
August 11, 2021
Great illustration and story! Enjoyed the art style throughout
April 14, 2015
Constantine's plan to go to India in hopes of being made "pure" so that his dead girlfriends can be reanimate all came to naught, as he was plunged into a battle with a colonial-era demon at the behest of a shaman. Of course the dudes who called the thing up in the first place are old "palls" of Constantine's, so he winds up being a target before he has even agreed to fight the demon for the old man. It takes some serious gossip (not magic, haha) to banish the thing, but Constantine doesn't get his girlfriend back; instead he gets a brief chat with her, in which she basically tells him to "fuck off," so I can't see this ending well for her as Constantine is a (stupidly) stubborn bastard.
This collection also includes a two part punk-rock opera, which was actually much more entertaining. We all know Constantine was part of the infamous "Mucous Membrane" back in the day so it was great to see him take a trip back to his youthful anarchist ways. He could have done without the cheap haircut, but appearances are everything with this crowd - especially when it comes to their idol, a reanimated Sid Vicious who keeps the spirit of punk alive. For all this story's talk about ancient demons using the government as their puppet, it actually says a lot more about who Constantine really is. He's no longer young, but he's still playing a young man's magic game, which may run him into trouble if the young crowd actually starts to challenge him or demons start wising up to the new world.
This collection also includes a two part punk-rock opera, which was actually much more entertaining. We all know Constantine was part of the infamous "Mucous Membrane" back in the day so it was great to see him take a trip back to his youthful anarchist ways. He could have done without the cheap haircut, but appearances are everything with this crowd - especially when it comes to their idol, a reanimated Sid Vicious who keeps the spirit of punk alive. For all this story's talk about ancient demons using the government as their puppet, it actually says a lot more about who Constantine really is. He's no longer young, but he's still playing a young man's magic game, which may run him into trouble if the young crowd actually starts to challenge him or demons start wising up to the new world.
April 7, 2012
This book collects issues 261 to 266 of this long running title from Vertigo - it has been published continuously for 22 years and is the only title that survives from the imprint's launch. This collection contains two stories - India and No Future.
The main story, India, continues the storyline from writer Peter Milligan that extends back to the start of his run on the book. In it a grief stricken John Constantine travels to India to purify his soul so that he can resurrect his dead, on-off girlfriend, Phoebe. While there he runs across a demon that is killing young girls in Mumbai that he must dispel before he can get what he is after from a local holy man.
The second story has echoes of John's youth when he visits a punk collective on the verge of a Tory election victory. This story has a possessed effigy of Sid Vicious, evil, demonic Tories masterminding the election strategy and John getting a punk haircut.
A good collection but as the storyline carries on from the previous two collections it is maybe not a book for the casual reader. Nice to see Peter Milligan's take on this character. I always feel that Hellblazer works best when a British writer is at the helm - the Azzarello run, for example, was not my most favourite even though I tend to like his other work - and Milligan is a long time favourite of mine from his 2000AD days.
The main story, India, continues the storyline from writer Peter Milligan that extends back to the start of his run on the book. In it a grief stricken John Constantine travels to India to purify his soul so that he can resurrect his dead, on-off girlfriend, Phoebe. While there he runs across a demon that is killing young girls in Mumbai that he must dispel before he can get what he is after from a local holy man.
The second story has echoes of John's youth when he visits a punk collective on the verge of a Tory election victory. This story has a possessed effigy of Sid Vicious, evil, demonic Tories masterminding the election strategy and John getting a punk haircut.
A good collection but as the storyline carries on from the previous two collections it is maybe not a book for the casual reader. Nice to see Peter Milligan's take on this character. I always feel that Hellblazer works best when a British writer is at the helm - the Azzarello run, for example, was not my most favourite even though I tend to like his other work - and Milligan is a long time favourite of mine from his 2000AD days.
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October 3, 2011"India" is downright cute for a Hellblazer story, and no doubt the cuteness is enhanced by Constantine's improbable but spunky sidekick. I like the coloring though- very vivid and Skittles-ish.
"No Future" has a totally retarded by enjoyable premise: Zombie Conservative Party members are stealing punks from an anarcho-collective to commit crimes, and the ghost of Sid Vicious isn't happy about it. 50's-ish Constantine looks ridiculous dressed as a punk in these pages, and I can't tell if that's intentional or not. The art is great though, considering this came out last year and the usual art nowadays is glossy and clean and uninteristing. It's nice to see a throwback to art that seems man-made and gross and jaggged, not diarrhea-ed off a computer.
"No Future" is also a story that makes Constantine seem and look his age, and as the years wear on him, it'd be interesting to see what direction this comic book character could take: I'd like to see a dirty old man, a Bukowski that drinks heavy, attracts hip young girls, and also fights demons now and then. That would be a fun comic to read!
"No Future" has a totally retarded by enjoyable premise: Zombie Conservative Party members are stealing punks from an anarcho-collective to commit crimes, and the ghost of Sid Vicious isn't happy about it. 50's-ish Constantine looks ridiculous dressed as a punk in these pages, and I can't tell if that's intentional or not. The art is great though, considering this came out last year and the usual art nowadays is glossy and clean and uninteristing. It's nice to see a throwback to art that seems man-made and gross and jaggged, not diarrhea-ed off a computer.
"No Future" is also a story that makes Constantine seem and look his age, and as the years wear on him, it'd be interesting to see what direction this comic book character could take: I'd like to see a dirty old man, a Bukowski that drinks heavy, attracts hip young girls, and also fights demons now and then. That would be a fun comic to read!
September 2, 2012
The “India” arc is one of my favorites in recent series history, despite its highly abrupt climax and resolution—both in terms of the battle against John’s latest demonic foe and his quest to be reunited with Phoebe.
But what really bothers me here is the prominence Epiphany Greaves is beginning to have in the series, and the fact that the writers are obviously steering her in to be Constantine’s long-term leading lady. She seems more like a modern-day fangirl than any kind of serious match for someone as jaded as John. His occasional protective streak concerning her comes off as partly paternal and part mid-life crisis. Yes, she’s an alchemist. Yes, she can hold her own. Yes, she can and does save John’s ass. But that doesn’t mean I have to take her seriously.
If John *has* to have a girl in his life and it *has* to be a younger gal, I’d much rather see the return of Angie Spatchcock than this blue-haired groupie. At least with Angie, there wasn’t a recurring joke (and I use that term loosely) about John being scared witless of her father. Which, given all that Constantine’s been through in his 50 years, I’m not buying. It’s laughable, and not in a good way.
But what really bothers me here is the prominence Epiphany Greaves is beginning to have in the series, and the fact that the writers are obviously steering her in to be Constantine’s long-term leading lady. She seems more like a modern-day fangirl than any kind of serious match for someone as jaded as John. His occasional protective streak concerning her comes off as partly paternal and part mid-life crisis. Yes, she’s an alchemist. Yes, she can hold her own. Yes, she can and does save John’s ass. But that doesn’t mean I have to take her seriously.
If John *has* to have a girl in his life and it *has* to be a younger gal, I’d much rather see the return of Angie Spatchcock than this blue-haired groupie. At least with Angie, there wasn’t a recurring joke (and I use that term loosely) about John being scared witless of her father. Which, given all that Constantine’s been through in his 50 years, I’m not buying. It’s laughable, and not in a good way.
March 22, 2014
Peter Milligan offers a unique look at gruff mage John Constantine in this volume of the Vertigo Hellblazer series. Attempting to bring back a dead lover, Constantine has made his way to India in search of answers. What he finds is a twisted conspiracy that involves a demonic entity that devours the flesh of young women. Aided by the youthful alchemist Epiphany, John must help an Indian mystic defeat the centuries-old threat and comes to grips with his current situation. The books concludes with John and Epiphany back in England, exploring a shrine to Sid Vicious. The battle between old-age punks and reanimated Conservatives draws Constantine back to his rebellious youth - and his contemporary modern self. Giuseppe Camuncoli's clean artwork provides a unique take on the normally dark and seeded world of Hellblazer, offering it a pop culture Bollywood-via-LA feel. Simon Bisely's dirty and gritty images easily reflect the punk rock English vibe necessary for he second arc. Take a world tour with Hellblazer: India and enjoy the ride.
October 12, 2013
Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would, as wasn't too sure about the premise of either arc. Overall though, top notch writing and good art, perfectly suited to the material. I would agree with others that criticise Milligan; he plots well, dialogues well, and just falls short with the resolution. The 'India' story arc had a very weak conclusion, after a pretty strong premise, and the second punk storyline was a little too heavy handed , if a bit of fun.
Not sure what people have against Epiphany, I like her. Good character, and well written.
Solid Milligan, solid Constantine.
Not sure what people have against Epiphany, I like her. Good character, and well written.
Solid Milligan, solid Constantine.
August 15, 2014
Good art.
It's sad to see Milligan turn in something so pedestrian. This is just a travelogue adventure comic, our hero visits a strange land and nothing really changes. Constantine is so well known and understood at this point that he's essentially a superhero. He uses his powers to solve crimes. The JLI is the natural next step after this for England's only real superman.
The comic where John summons the ghost of Sid Vicious to fight the ghost of Thatcher was so bad and good and dumb that it might work as a fable.
It's sad to see Milligan turn in something so pedestrian. This is just a travelogue adventure comic, our hero visits a strange land and nothing really changes. Constantine is so well known and understood at this point that he's essentially a superhero. He uses his powers to solve crimes. The JLI is the natural next step after this for England's only real superman.
The comic where John summons the ghost of Sid Vicious to fight the ghost of Thatcher was so bad and good and dumb that it might work as a fable.
July 16, 2011
Why _AM_ I reading this series anyhow. I don't particularly enjoy it. But I've read almost the whole run. That might be the only reason. This comic has been running since 1988, and its changed many times to suit the mood of the era its in. The only thing that hasn't really changed is the 'laughing magician' is still essentially a wanker who ...eventually... fights for the good... but anyone who crosses his path ends up dead from the crossfire at some point.
March 17, 2016
4-osaline "India" mis tegeleb Constantine'i reisiga Indiasse kus on vaja lahendada miski Victoria-aegse koloniaalohvitseri deemoniks muutumise lugu (jajah, India deemonid ka valget päritolu, muidugi) ja siis lisaks 2-osaline punk-lugu, kus Constantine ajab muuhulgas harja pähe ja torkab haaknõela põske. Sinise peaga alkeemik/mafiossitütar Epiphane või mis ta oligi nihkub kogu aeg järjest lähemale girlfriendi staatuse suunas...
June 23, 2012
I like Hellblazer, despite the "magiciness".
The issues in this collection cover an Indian interpretation of the demons that John Constantine encounters and a punk versus conservatives story at the end. He's still trying to bring his "one true love" back to life despite the obvious difficulties and the affections of Epiphany.
Stories that make the reader feel good while not pandering to the typical "happy ending".
The issues in this collection cover an Indian interpretation of the demons that John Constantine encounters and a punk versus conservatives story at the end. He's still trying to bring his "one true love" back to life despite the obvious difficulties and the affections of Epiphany.
Stories that make the reader feel good while not pandering to the typical "happy ending".
August 22, 2012
With so much opportunity to royally fuck up and slip into the classic India cliches - either the elephants-sadhus-snake-charmers route, or the filth-grime-corruption route, (especially with as hardcore a Londoner as John on the scene) Milligan manages to straddle a fine balance between both of these, and classic Constantine. The story's pretty interesting, took, and manages to break several popular preconceptions in the bargain.
Pretty decent read.
Pretty decent read.
August 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this Constantine GN. It was my first introduction to him as a character barring the terrible Keanu Reeves film and I was pleasantly surprised.
I really loved the punk rock anti-thatcherism storyline towards the end.
The artwork is phenomenal, really dark and sketchy. It really compliments a story about a broken man fighting demons.
Great read. Would recommend to comic book enthusiasts.
I really loved the punk rock anti-thatcherism storyline towards the end.
The artwork is phenomenal, really dark and sketchy. It really compliments a story about a broken man fighting demons.
Great read. Would recommend to comic book enthusiasts.
January 19, 2011
This is probably among the better Constantine books that I have read, the first story arch taking place in India, is a great story , well-written, with art that is, ... decent enough,... then the next story feels a little rushed and/or undeveloped but was gorgeous with superb art by the great Simon Bisley. For these reasons I gave this 3 instead of 4 stars.
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