The Sandman Universe Presents Hellblazer #1 Review

Writer: Si Spurrier

Artist: Marcio Takara

Rating: 6 of 8

The Sandman Universe Presents

Hellblazer #1

There's a lot of things to like about the start of Spurrier's run and few to dislike. He really has a handle on Constantine's voice and, throughout the issue, his actions fit his character. Early in, Takara really set the mood and pulled me into the issue very quickly. Three pages in, John's doing his best to take on the monstrous hordes and it's here he shows his trademark cynicism, as well as his desperation. 

Spurrier was ingenious in the way he showed this, one that really fit with his character. I really liked the way Constantine described superheroes at the opening battle ''all capes and awkward bloody crotch-bulges'', the latter being an observation I've made with a couple of film superheroes over the years, namely the Justice League and the Merc with a Mouth. It made sense Constantine'd look down on the flashiness and larger than life nature of supers, but I really appreciated seeing that particular observation made here.

There's a few instances where the warlock's willing to sacrifice people for his own ends, even if that end is for the greater good. It's really not something you'd see often from comic heroes, especially not those from the DC universe. It's one of a number of things that sets him apart from other heroes. 

When it comes to art, at times, it really fits the scene; like when John's being haunted by the dead, or bleeding so badly he's close to death. Shortly after, there's a great use of sequential art, with John looking dazed, closing his eyes, then angrily opening them after having his rest disturbed. But 

earlier in the issue, there's a mass of people attacking a blue, spiky monster and I feel a number of them could've been more defined and given a bit more detail. 

The issue introduces an intriguing character, who's so far a bit of an enigma. I'm not sure if what they told the Londoner's to be trusted, especially due to the pretty curious ending and what he says before it. Hopefully Spurrier's Hellblazer will expand on him and explain if there's anymore he wants from the eponymous trickster. 

Overall, it's a pretty good issue, which's worth a read. If you're familiar with Constantine, you'll probably enjoy it more, but if you're not, I hope you still give it a go and see what you think. You might be pleasantly surprised.