John Constantine: Hellblazer (2019-) #2

DC Comics

Writer: Simon Spurrier

Art: Aaron Campbell & Jordie Belaire

In the second chapter of John Constantine’s new ongoing we get angels, tigers, clairvoyance using human flesh, gang violence, and William Blake references. Basically, a normal day in John Constantine’s life back in London.

In this issue, John is still trying to solve the angel problem at Peckham Rye Common for the Ri-Boys’ leader, K-Mag. Except now John is also trying to get the kid that was assigned to help him, Noah, out of the gang for good. This generates tension between John and K-Mag, but Con-job doesn’t let it get in the way… yet. Constantine also has the luck to meet a Sikh police officer, D.S. Dole, who appears to be protective of Noah, for mysterious reasons.

Simon Spurrier continues to impress whilst writing a Hellblazer comic. Not only he nails the Constantine attitude we all know and love but also manages to set up John’s first plan to tackle the angel problem in the most legitimately Hellblazer manner. He intertwines a dream sequence with John getting back in action, skillfully unfolding what John is going through after what was set up in the Hellblazer prologue and in the latest issue of Books of Magic. Spurrier is also focusing on throwing little hints at the reader about what the key to the mystery may be, always following Constantine around to provide a biased and limited look into the story.

The line art and coloring for this book are an unbelievable combinations. Aaron Campbell’s lines are precise and describe a very consistent and detailed picture when the scene involves only humans and is well lit. But when the scene is darker and involves and a bunch of magical fog and creatures it gets hazy. Not in a bad way, don’t get me wrong. It infers the confusing and ethereal nature of the whole event but it is then that colorist Jordie Belaire steals the show. The colors compliment the ethereal line art perfectly creating a combination that suggests winds and movements in the most natural and organic of ways, making for a beautiful composition in each panel.

This second chapter has developed the mystery a bit further as well as set up John’s new “friendships” for something that should come down the line. It may feel something of a rehash of the last issue, but it makes sense since Constantine is still getting a grip of London nowadays and is handling a location-based situation. The next chapter is the finale of the first arc and from what I’ve learned of this creative team, it should be a ride.

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