"What can I say? It's a culturally nonspecific fetish."
Welcome back Jamie Delano. If you haven't read Hellblazer before or just this book you can get the preview: HERE
This books is a self contained John Constantine story. I does feel like it would read best before Peter Milligan's run because the John Constatine in this story is an older man who is looking for love. He is not as love obcessed as Peter Milligan's John, but he sure is looking to hook up with a girl. In this case the Muslin lady one the cover of the book. Don't blame the guy he even comments "What can I say? It's a culturally nonspecific fetish. NUNS have been known to have the same effec--" (Page 29)
The plot is laid out very symbolically. John Constantine know for being a gamble is taking on a game of life or death. Delano does not skip a beat in his writing. His tempo does change back and forth between a slowed down dystopian feel with all the cameras and surveillance to a cool relaxed game of demon poker. How is demon poker relaxing... I don't know but John doesn't break a sweat. This is classic John Constantine, written by his first primary writer.
The Art is great. Most people would know Jock's art by his work with Andy Diggle such as The Losers and Green Arrow: Year One. At times I admit John looked like Clay, it works non the less.
The only flaws to this book were minor. Some will argue Nergal is off character in this book because of what happened in Carey's run and with the scare present on this John it must of taken place after Carey's run not before. Delano also invented Nergal, so in someway he has a write to bring Nergal to the way he likes him. The other minor problem was the "Hydra" character was a gorgon in the book. One of two things happened here... Jock screwed up and wanted a naked Medusa or Clem Robins should of changed the the word with an executive decision. Whatever the case Pornsak Pichetshote didn't do his job of editing properly. I can over look the Nergal bit, but I had to punish this "Hydra" think 1/2 a star.
Overall this book was a great way to celebrate 25 years of John Constantine. The greats John Constantine con occurs in this book. I send an S.O.S. to the world... Message in a Bottle..... If you wanted to read Constantine but didn't know where, this is a book you can try out.
4.5/5 Stars
Cheers!
- Silkcuts