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Creative Team: Simon Spurrier (Writter), Aaron Campbell (Artist), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Aditya Bidikar (Letters)
John Constantine is back, and this time, he’s facing death in a decayed body, and wanted for murder alongside his friend Nat and son Noah. In this thrilling debut issue, Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell weave a tale that’s as ambitious as it is unmissable. For this debut issue we have Matt from Hops Geek News and myself to break down all of the details for you. Let’s get into it!
Check out another DC Review Here!
The Writing:
Marty:
The dynamic between John Constantine and the spirits he encounters is nothing short of brilliant. The witty banter, especially when the spirits call him out on his unique use of objects for invocations, adds a layer of humor to the dark narrative. Notably, the possession of interesting characters, like a 17th-century statue, showcases the creative prowess of the writing team. The standout moment? The girl scout stealing the show—injecting a humorous twist into the supernatural mayhem.
The narrative and explanations provided for John are spot-on, capturing the essence of a character fans have grown to love. Spurrier’s writing is a testament to his understanding of Constantine, delivering a fantastic debut that introduces a compelling narrative with interconnected subplots. Excitement builds as readers anticipate Constantine’s role in unraveling the mysteries ahead.
Matt:
Simon delivers to us that raunchy and gritty attitude that we’re accustomed to and also hints upon an all too realistic side of America when it comes to the bus being stopped.
The Art, Colors, Letters and Layouts:
Marty:
Aaron Campbell’s art complements the gritty nature of Constantine’s world. The rough-around-the-edges style aligns seamlessly with Constantine’s personality and actions. Shadowing techniques dominate this issue, creating an ominous atmosphere that enhances the overall tone.
The color work by Jordie Bellaire is exceptional. The spectral forms and ghostly manifestations are brought to life with a meticulous use of shading, adding depth and chilling ambiance. The shift from white to red in the ghost colors cleverly conveys underlying anger, creating an intriguing contrast between words and visuals.
Aditya Bidikar’s lettering work is noteworthy, particularly in crafting distinct speech bubbles for the spirits. The wavy speech bubbles with an old-style font contribute to an eerie voice in the reader’s head, enhancing the supernatural elements.
The artistic paneling techniques employed throughout the issue are masterful. Traditional panel blocking is utilized to great effect, with each panel playing a crucial role in the narrative, elevating the overall reading experience.
Matt:
The issue brings us a grimy yet electric feel as the colors that are played with in this issue off us an array visually stunning panels. The way the characters are drawn have a realistic feel to them making this issue very impressive on the artistic front.
Final Thoughts:
Marty:
John Constantine: Hellblazer in America #1 is a triumphant return for the character. Simon Spurrier’s writing, combined with Aaron Campbell’s art and the stellar contributions of the Jordie Bellaire (colorist) and Aditya Bidikar (letterer), makes this a must-read for both long-time fans and newcomers. The intricate storytelling, witty banter, and visually stunning elements set a high standard for the series, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the unfolding mysteries in the issues to come.
Overall Grade 8.75 out of 10
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Matt:
Solid first issue as we get to see The Sandman come into play and set us on our journey to come. Three Brits on a road trip of the dead has a fun appeal to it and issue 1 starts us out strong.
Overall Grade 9 out of 10
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Thanks for checking out our joint review for the NI Comics Bullpen. Let us know what comics you’re reading and hit us up on any social media platform! Marty can be found here and Matt can be found here! Until next time…
