John Constantine Hellblazer Vol 1 Original Sins Review

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Original Sin, Vol.1 – Graphic Novel Review

May xiii, 2011 by comicrevolution

Reviewed Past: Eden Zacarias

Publisher: Vertigo (DC Comics)
Writers: Jamie Delano, Rick Veitch
Artists: John Ridgway, Alfredo Alcala, Rick Veitch, Tom Mandrake, Brett Ewins, Jim McCarthy, Jim Lee (cover art), Dave McKeane (original serial cover), John Totleben (original serial cover)
Colorists: Lovern Kindzierski, Tatjana Wood
Genre: Graphic Novel (Softcover)
MSRP: $19.99 Usa
Rating: Mature
Release Engagement: Available At present

Every bit a fan of horror and supernatural-themed literature and comics, the Hellblazer series has proven to be an original piece of work with an iconic character who doesn't fail to fascinate throughout the many years the series has been running. Then it was well-nigh time that Vertigo brings us the collected kickoff nine issues of the series plus the two Swamp Affair tie-in stories in John Constantine, Hellblazer: Original Sin … a graphic novel Constantine fans new or quondam should not miss.

Original Sin takes us through the outset nine Hellblazer issues while leaving the Swamp Affair #76 and #77 issues for last. In other words, this is the perfect introduction for those new to the Hellblazer series or for already loyal fans who might accept missed out on the first issues of Constantine's own serial since his introduction in the Swamp Thing series. John Constantine, you might say, is a dabbler in the dark arts and something of an exorcist/conjurer. He'southward a chain-smoking chap from Liverpool who has had run-ins with demons and other supernatural elements.

He's also something of a jerk, as we can meet from these stories merely a loveable 1. Sure, he's a flawed soul but at that place'south as well a charming and caring side that makes him all the more human. In the first issue, we find Constantine looking into the release of a hunger spirit known as Mnemoth who is released into New York City by way of a junkie who how happens to be a friend of Constantine's. The demon jumps from person to person and literally devours the people who also develop an clamorous hunger of their own. Turning to Papa Midnight – a homo whose magic is fifty-fifty stronger – Constantine rids the earth of Mnemoth in the nigh surprising and shocking manner.

Original Sin takes us through a story that has Constantine going up against a grouping of demons that live in our world as yuppies who have their finger on the pulse of the British economy. Nosotros would have figured that yuppies come from hell anyway as Constantine puts a wrench in the demons' concern and thus making notwithstanding another enemy out of another powerful demon. It is in this series that nosotros also come across Zed, a adult female who plays an important function of John Constantine's life. Zed non only becomes his lover simply she helps him save Constantine's niece, Gemma, from being a "bride" to a sadistic Satanist.

In "When Johnny Comes Marching Dwelling," Constantine makes another trip to united states where he looks into a town that has trusted in a mysterious religious group known as the Resurrection Crusade to bring their loved ones who oasis't come habitation from the Vietnam State of war. Meanwhile, the town'south prayers turn a surviving Vietnam vet into a delusional killing machine as he and the ghosts of his company take the town hostage as if they were VC enemies.

The Resurrection Cause becomes a target for Constantine seeing as they are after Zed and, on top of that trouble, there'due south the Damnation Army that comes straight out of hell looking for John. With i group thinking of Christ's resurrection past way of Zed and the Damnation Army sending everything from the reanimated corpses of three rowdy skinhead punks down to a demon man made out of newspapers. As the Resurrection Crusade kidnaps Zed, Constantine goes through his own personal hell that eventually leads to a meeting with Zed for the terminal time.

This also leads to the two-function Swamp Thing necktie-in as the Swamp Affair uses John Constantine's body to consummate his relationship with Abby to carry out his ultimate plan to impregnate her. As the Phantom Stranger and the demon known as Entrigan keep a shut tabs on them. Afterwards, however, Abbey wonders how she really feels virtually what they did equally John Constantine emerges to watch over her and put things in perspective.

Overall, this first book new edition of Original Sin is everything a Hellblazer fan can ask for in a drove. Information technology even includes the original covers, which is great seeing as I absolutely love Dave McKeane's fine art. Speaking of artwork, the Hellblazer series had not bad art from the very beginning and that'due south a very good thing indeed.

At that place'due south a reason that John Constantine Hellblazer is a serial that is still going strong today and that reason is clearly evident in Original Sins. From the very showtime, the series was not only able to captivate but also terrify in the most brilliant style possible. Thank you, Vertigo, for releasing this collection of early John Constantine stories and hope nosotros proceed to see more similar it in the fourth dimension to come. No Hellblazer fan or comic book collector should exist without this i.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING Breakdown

STORY: A+
Meet John Constantine, a chain-smoking lad from Liverpool who likewise happens to be a paranormal investigator, a dabbler in the black arts and something of an exorcist. We follow Constantine through a series of his early cases that involve demonic yuppies, ghosts, the kidnapping of his niece and an array of demons … i of which kills its victims with an insatiable hunger. There'southward even the 2-function Swamp Affair tie-in equally well.

Art: A
The collection of artists and colorist really clashes well with Constantine's world whether it'southward John Ridgway or Alfredo Alcala conjuring upwardly demons and other supernatural monsters. It's too skilful to see all the original covers as well included in the back of the collection.

OVERALL: A+
If y'all don't know the name John Constantine so this is by far one of the all-time introductions to a character that will win you over faster than you can say "demon yuppies from hell." If you lot're already familiar with the earth of Hellblazer, and so Original Sin is still a drove you definitely need to buy right away. Fans of supernatural horror, the graphic novel you lot've been waiting for is finally here and it's worth every dollar.

Review copy provided by Vertigo (DC Comics)

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Source: https://comicrevolution.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/john-constantine-hellblazer-original-sin-graphic-novel-review/

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