As a long, longtime fan
of John Constantine, the Hellblazer, whose last contact I had with the
character, outside of Arrow, was Hellblazer #300, I was both anxious and guarded
when the advance preview of his Vertigo-less Rebirth series from DC Comics and
NetGalley arrived. Overall, this first collection of Rebirth issues is fairly
entertaining, albeit straightforward, gluten-free with no additives, essentially, Hellblazer-lite.
For this first volume of
The Hellblazer, entitled “The Poison
Truth”, writer Simon Oliver, who once visited John in the surface-level-enjoyable
Chas: The Knowledge, brings John back
to London (Living NYC, presumably, due to the New 52? Ah, DC) where he immediately
gets mixed up in conning his way out of a demon’s curse that, similar to the
story in Chas, ends abruptly and simply.
Again, Hellblazer-lite.
Oliver’s script then
splits off into two paths. John and a telepathic girl named Mercury go looking
for an ancient Djinn that has been lurking in the shadows of history laid out in
a tale that seems to have been gleaned from Helene Wecker’s fun novel, The Golem and the Jinni, while the
always-welcome guest-star Swamp Thing, who is actually presented more like a
co-star bringing about a fun if accidental update to The Brave And The Bold, goes on a quest for his wife, Abbey, who is
now also an elemental (see again: New 52? Then again, perhaps not). Unfortunately,
this first collection comes to it culmination just as both streams head deeper
into their trajectories. Let’s hear it for the modern-day cliffhanger. Although,
having John and Mercury arrive in Paris doesn’t quite have the same punch as,
say, Rey presenting Luke with his lightsaber, but admittedly, I am curious to
see what happens next.
The artwork is also
split in twain between Moritat, who provides a cartoony, almost European design,
and Pia Guerra, formerly of Y The Last
Man, whose crisp, clean work is always a delight to see. John Cassady provides covers that, although
not as strong as Hellblazer classic
artists Glenn Fabry and Tim Bradstreet, are right in line for this Hellblazer-lite.
Six issues and Oliver’s
work is fun but a better pacing needs to be developed for upcoming issues as
too much time is spent within on characters not named John Constantine. A lot
world building, or revisiting, going on that, hopefully, will lead to a big
payoff that might even have the potential of Paul Jenkins’ finale run.
Hey, at least John hasn’t
been neutered from his Silk Cut habit.
As Always,
theJOE
