Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Hellblazer #1 Review
    Review

    The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1 Review

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonOctober 30, 20194 Mins Read

    John Constantine is back, and he’s a nasty piece of work, chief… ask anybody. Your Major Spoilers review of The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1 awaits!

    THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE PRESENTS: HELLBLAZER #1

    Writer: Simon Spurrier
    Artist: Marcio Takara
    Colorist: Cris Peter
    Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
    Editor: Chris Conroy
    Publisher: DC Comics/Black Label
    Cover Price: $4.99
    Release Date: October 30, 2019

    Previously in The Sandman Presents: Hellblazer: Somehow, Tim Hunter is back and young again. Is John Constantine here to put Tim Hunter on the right track and avert a terrible outcome? Or is he the only person in existence with the guts to do what REALLY must be done?

    After all, he’s a nasty piece of work, chief…ask anybody.

    “SOMETHING ATE THE SUN HALF AN HOUR AGO.”

    Our story begins in a setting that old-school fans will easily recognize: An all-out magical war between order and chaos (or at least something like that), as seen in the ‘Books of Magic’ series back in 1990. There’s a lot more revealed here, including the final fates of several of DC’s mystical heroes, a horrifying evil Tim Hunter and John making the worst decision of his life (which is a really difficult proposition for someone like John.) As the battle winds down, a fatally-wounded Constantine lies bleeding out just as young Tim Hunter arrives for the OTHER side of the conversation we saw in ‘Books of Magic’. Then, we see what comes next, as an old man to make John an offer he can’t refuse: A return to health in return for the tiny price of his soul. The identity of this man is the second big shocker of the issue, which then makes the fact that his offer is true even more astonishing. Awakening in a hospital in London, 2019, John first uses hypnosis and legerdemain to escape, then goggles at the state of his beloved home-city. He seeks out Chas, his oldest mate, finding that the years have not been kind (nor have the demons) and as our story ends, he surveys a trenchcoat in a shop window, arguing whether he needs to finally walk away from a life of blood and magic and sacrifice, or whether he needs to smash the window in with a rubbish bin and get back to business.

    THAT FIRST SACRIFICE HIT ME TOO HARD

    Long-time readers probably won’t be surprised at his choice, but they might be surprised at how well Spurrier captures the classic Vertigo John’s voice and lifestyle. (While I appreciate the New 52 take and the idea of returning John to the main DCU, it always felt like a derivative work rather than a continuation of the man who taught Swamp Thing about the Parliament of Trees.) This Constantine is once again a man in his 40s, implicitly the one from before all the reboots, with all the bad decision-making and cursing that entails. That this story starts with him sending Chas Chandler to his death is important, showing that he’s finally gone beyond the lines he thought he’d never cross, and showing us that he really believes this to be the end. The last couple of pages of this book show that, once again, the lessons haven’t really penetrated his thick skull, as well as setting up one adversary that he might have difficulty overcoming. Marcio Takara’s art makes that moment even more disturbing, but the real beauty comes in the art’s ability to convey massive multi-dimensional wars of madness and magic, then transition to John in a sordid office, talking his way out of asylum custody. Every page of this book is beautiful, even the parts that are monstrous, and that takes some doing.

    BOTTOM LINE: *NEVER* SELL YOUR SOUL, ESPECIALLY TO YOURSELF

    As someone who bought Swamp Thing #36 off the stands in high school, and then proceeded to follow Hellblazer and buy every issue until its cancellation, I may be biased about the merits of John Constantine as a character. But the beauty of The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1 is that the creators clearly share my opinions of Constantine, and are bringing their A-Game on the art and the story to make sure that this debut lives up to that, earning a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I’m intrigued by what has happened her and am waiting to see John take on modern England the way he took on Thatcher in the 80s.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE PRESENTS: HELLBLAZER #1

    90%
    90%
    Constantine Is Back

    This is a good one, full stop.

    • Writing
      8
    • Art
      10
    • Coloring
      9
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      3
    DC Black Lable dc comics Hellblazer Review
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleMatt Hawkins and Colleen Doran team for The Clock
    Next Article Dueling Review: Basketful of Heads #1
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1013: New DC Studios, Who Dis?

    Read More

    What to Watch Before The Rings of Power Season 2? – Let’s Get Nerdy!

    Read More

    Ten Nobles And Kings

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    8.0
    February 1, 2023

    Minor Threats #4 Review

    9.0
    January 30, 2023

    Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2 Review

    7.0
    January 29, 2023

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin: Lost Years #1 Review

    7.0
    January 29, 2023

    Dragon Age: The Missing #1 Review

    7.0
    January 29, 2023

    Retro Review: Showcase #34 (October 1961)

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Frank on Retro Review: Showcase #34 (October 1961)
    • Jimmie Vinson on Strange Academy #10 Review
    • Jonathan Cadotte on So You Want To Read Comics: The Civil Rights Movement
    • Simon DelMonte on Legion Clubhouse #135: The Prophet Has Spoken!
    • Robin Gonzales on The Dunwich Horror – Chapter 01
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    ComiXology Home Page">
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2022 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.