In last month's debut issue of Constantine: The Hellblazer, John Constantine returned, like he'd never been away, a resident of New York City haunted by the ever-growing number of ghosts from his past.
However, something evil lurks in NYC, something that's killing off John's ghostly friends. But you can't kill something that's already dead, can you? In Constantine: The Hellblazer #2, John realizes that's not always true.
But, John, being John, has a plan, one that's probably going to belly up before he even carries it out. Gary Lester, aka Gaz, one of his oldest and dearest dead friends continues to remind John as he walks throughout the city, that most of his plans are bad ideas, but John continues to ignore him.
Instead, John goes walking through the city to collect ghosts to gang up on the big bad evil thing that waits for them in the "thin places."
Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV do a great job of writing this second issue, leading up to a finale that is both shocking and a little heartbreaking. They understand that John is an extremely flawed being, but also a stubborn one, set in his ways even against the advice of a friend. They also understand the terrible cost John always pays for being who he is, and that's evident in the final parts of issue #2.
However, one thing stands out more than anything in this issue, and it's the way the title handles cursing. This probably has to do more with DC's standards than anything, but when John curses in this issue, the words become a series of illustrated pentagram shapes because, apparently, certain words aren't allowed in the new title. It's distracting at times, particularly if you're familiar with the character, who curses a lot. It's not a massive problem with the title, but it's evident, nonetheless. Regardless, those familiar with John will probably just read the words he's really saying, rather than acknowledge the weird shapes.
Riley Rossmo continues with the art in this issue, as well, and John's look feels like the old John, which makes sense as part of this story is about John returning to who he was when he lived in London. The artwork is especially good when John arrives at Shay House, searching for ghosts left by the building's arcane mysteries, particularly in the flashback scenes that feature present day in color and the past in black and white.
This is still definitely a must-read, particularly for the ending, which definitely surprises. This is a world where nothing is safe and everyone around John is in danger, which is certainly a return to the John Constantine of Swamp Thing and Hellblazer fame.
Constantine: The Hellblazer #2 is available in retail stores now, as well as on ComiXology.
Story
★★★★☆
Art
★★★★ ★
Overall
★★★★☆
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