Sunday 9 May 2021

Hellblazer: Rise & Fall (Hardcover Edition) (DC Black Label)


 




















Born in death and born of guilt John Constantine has turned into a right bastard over the years and he was certainly no angel in his youth as his eleven year old antics come back to haunt him. In trying to impress his rich mate and a pretty girl (though still not old enough to understand why he needs to do the latter) young Constantine tries to cast a spell in the pouring rain..












However far from summoning a demon only disaster awaits as a flash flood nearly kills all of them though only his mate Billy does not survive. He's blamed for that loss and forbidden to see fair Aisha again. Not that that stops them. Forbidden fruit and all that.

Now there's people with wings falling from the sky and Aisha, well she's a cop and oddly for a Brit carries a gun. Maybe someone should have a word with the writer. It's a flaw in the plot that also haunts her sidekick Gary who is haunted by a shooting.
















That aside the story itself is a real treat as the Devil himself turns up and isn't very happy with John ( when is he ever) but is is usual charming evil little self who has come to get help in tracking down the demon that Constantine did unknowingly release all those years ago.

Seems that Despondeo a demon that thrived on suffering tried to overthrow Morningstar some time ago and was imprisoned for his sins. The irony. Trouble is the spell of summoning released him and to rub salt into the would ambushed the Devil and stole his wings.

Hence people are falling from the sky. The mystery requires solving and so a magician, a cop and the Devil walk into a bar and begin a story betrayal, greed and redemption (for some) in a shocking story that sees Constantine...well you'll see.


Good, if slightly flawed story from Tom Taylor with excellent oversized art from Darick Robertson (The Boys) and out now.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Recommended)




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