Straight to Hell

[Frans_Jozef]

A hallmark in the world of comics:
the Hellblazer series.

http://vertigo.vurt.net/hellblazer.htm

http://www.insanerantings.com/hell/

http://tripoint.users.netlink.co.uk/hellblaz/

http://www.qusoor.com/hellblazer/

[Frans_Jozef]

Hellblazer

Hellblazer is a mature reader's comic book, published monthly by DC/Vertigo. The tales told therein are based around the con-man come magus John Constantine. Born and raised in Liverpool, England, Constantine's childhood was less than ideal. His mother died giving birth to him - something which his father, Thomas, could never forgive him for.

John became interested in the occult at an early age, as a school boy he went so far as to curse his own father using his bare bones knowledge of magic. This curse would come back to haunt the adult Constantine when his father dies but is unable to pass on to whatever passes for the afterlife because of that curse made so long ago. Trapped as a ghost, the shade of Thomas Constantine would haunt his grandchild Gemma until John steps in to break the curse he made as a boy.

John's rough formative years led to his running away to London on several occasions and eventually he settled in the nation's capital with the help of his best friend Chas. It is here that Constantine has spent the bulk of his adult years, roaming the streets and becoming involved in more than his fair share of bad weirdness.

John has a strong knowledge of the occult and at times he appears to wield strong magical powers but he has also become known as something of a con-man, more likely to talk himself out of trouble than pull a rabbit out of a hat. Charastmatic in his own 'wide-boy' way, John makes friends easy but his dangerous lifestyle has left most of those who know him as such dead.

From the FAQ page at Staight To Hell: A Hellblazer Site:
http://www.insanerantings.com/hell/

[Oskorei]

I enjoyed the movie Constantine, though it was not a master-piece. How is the comics in comparison to the movie?

[Frans_Jozef]

I enjoyed the movie Constantine, though it was not a master-piece. How is the comics in comparison to the movie?

Here is a lenghty discussion not only on the issue if the movie lives up to the comic series, but if the transition to the States didn't 're-invent' the protagonist from fatalistic and in the same time cocky con man into a figure deeply steeped into the noirish detective dramas:

http://www.barbelith.com/topic/20474

That cynical and weary edge in an otherwise very human and honest person, like J.C. as seen in the movie, can indeed be found in the tradition of hardboiled novels from the forties and fifties.