How hard can it be for a comic company to release graphic novels in sequence? A comic is released regularly each month and can be popular with more mature readers, as can the less frequent graphic novel. Isn’t it obvious that the series would be repackaged in graphic novel format? You would think so, but one of DC’s most famous dark characters, John Constantine, has really only been collected sequentially in the last few years. Before this, the comics have been erratic.
Luckily, the stories do not always suffer. As with Batman and EastEnders, it’s important sometimes to forget what has gone before so that the excitement remains current and we don’t overload the brain with mind-damaging amounts of horrific history.

Hellblazer has had many authors – the majority of them British or Irish – including Andy Diggle, who once edited 2000 AD. He has been going from strength to strength with DC comics, his recent run on Green Arrow: Year One being very popular. Now collected is his first stint on Hellblazer: Joyride, which is now one of several good points at which to join the series.

This graphic novel contains 3 nicely nasty short stories, neat and simple and is a perfect intro to Constantine for new readers. A realistic and grimy London, a bit of sleight of hand and double dealing, and, of course, the hint of something supernatural in the air. Constantine is a magician; a silk cut-smoking, heavy drinking, dodgy dealing sort of urban magician. Our first story In At The Deep End is a nice introduction to the character of Constantine. This quick, dark story is very true to the spirit of the comic, but it leads to more. The South London housing estate of Hunger Hill is an exceptionally dark place and our anti-hero sets out to find the cause of the violence and hurt that’s plaguing it. This is quite violent and more realistic than many a comic of late. Perhaps its Diggle’s knowledge of South London – he used to live near Croydon – or the edgy portrayal of youths and terminology that really places it a bit too close to home. Leonardo Manco’s gritty portrayal of the city suburbs definitely helps, focusing more on faces and characters than the sprawling, distinctive city: noir with deep, dark colours that only accentuate his accuracy and realism; the trends that seem bang on; the quick dialogues and the instant abuse from youth; the sudden switch from loitering to fierce rage -- it’s all very poignant and marks an impressive debut for Diggle with this character.
 

Also just released is Hellblazer Bloodlines. This is a large volume, at nearly 300 pages of comic. It collects three Garth Ennis Stories from the early nineties. Unfortunately, they are not in sequence, but they do stand alone and are testament to the writing craft that is Garth Ennis, who is still seen as the most popular and acclaimed author on the title. One of the stories is a superb, stand alone Christmas special, which really fills the heart with warmth given the normally dark nature of our character’s adventures. It even has a special cameo at the end, as writer Ennis and artist Dillon appear on the last two pages as anonymous drunken mates going home. The two other stories are also quite good. Royal Blood is a nice arc, with superb artwork by Will Simpson and some serious hilarity and fun poking into the habits of those who are beyond reproach in many aspects. Guys and Dolls is more of a precursor to a serious bit of mixing it with the first of the fallen. It’s a very good value collection, by one of Ireland’s finest writers and the Dillon and Simpson artwork is superb throughout. Both men have very distinctive styles. Dillon is very clean cut and keen on facial expressions and close quarter shots while Simpson’s artwork is scratchy and edgy with some fantastic action scenes. Is this a graphic novel for the casual browser or a good starting point for those new to the format? Perhaps not. Better to start with Ennis’ Dangerous Habits story, with artwork by Will Simpson. But for fans of the character, it’s nice at last to see these stories collected.

Keeping with the Garth Ennis theme, readers should be aware that the recent release of Dan Dare by Virgin Comics has taken the retail business by surprise. There were not enough of this title to meet demand and already the first issue has gone to a second printing. Subsequent issues are also proving hard to find and there is a special UK oversized collection of the first three issues now available. A retired Dare is living on an asteroid, America has been blasted to oblivion in a war, and China and Britain’s Royal Navy has taken on the role of the now collapsed Space Fleet, having survived thanks to the ingenuity and inventiveness of Dr. Jocelyn Peaboddy. But this is no utopian future; only Dare seems to have a sense of moral duty.

The artwork by Gary Erskine, who uses his own computer and tracing paper technique, is just incredible, and Ennis has caught this iconic character with a real sense of class. A graphic novel is predicted for the summer, but the oversize is still well worth a browse.

by James Bacon