Hellblazer

John Constantine, Hellblazer
Cover of Hellblazer #1, by Dave McKean.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
Vertigo
Titan Books
DC Black Label
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
GenreHorror, occult detective
Publication dateJanuary 1988 – February 2013; November 2019 – October 2020
No. of issues300 (original series)
12 (new series)
Main character(s)John Constantine
Creative team as of April 2011
Created byAlan Moore
Stephen R. Bissette
John Ridgway
Written byPeter Milligan
Artist(s)Giuseppe Camuncoli
Stefano Landini
Simon Bisley (cover art)
Colorist(s)Jamie Grant
Collected editions
Original SinsISBN 1-40123-006-7
The Devil You KnowISBN 1-40123-302-3
The Fear MachineISBN 978-1401235192
The Family ManISBN 978-1401236908
Dangerous HabitsISBN 978-1401238025
BloodlinesISBN 1-40124-043-7
Tainted LoveISBN 1-40124-303-7
Rake at the Gates of HellISBN 1-40124-749-0
Critical MassISBN 1-40125-072-6
In The Line of FireISBN 978-1401251376
Last Man StandingISBN 1-40125-529-9
How to Play With FireISBN 1-40125-810-7
HauntedISBN 1-40126-141-8
Good IntentionsISBN 1-40126-373-9
HighwaterISBN 1-40126-579-0

John Constantine, Hellblazer is an American contemporary horror comic-book series published by DC Comics since January 1988, and subsequently by its Vertigo imprint since March 1993, when the imprint was introduced. Its central character is the streetwise English sorcerer and con man John Constantine, who was created by Alan Moore and Stephen R. Bissette, and first appeared as a supporting character in Swamp Thing (vol. 2) #37 (June 1985), during that creative team's run on that title. Hellblazer had been published continuously since January 1988, and was Vertigo's longest-running title, the only remaining publication from the imprint's launch.[1] In 2013, the series concluded with issue 300, and was replaced by Constantine, which returned the character to the mainstream DC Universe.[2] The original series was revived in November 2019 for twelve issues as part of The Sandman Universe line of comics, under the DC Black Label brand. Well known for its extremely pessimistic tone and social/political commentary, the series has spawned a film adaptation, television show, novels, and multiple spin-offs and crossovers.

The series was the longest-running and one of the most successful titles of DC's Vertigo imprint, and was the stepping stone for many British writers. Notable writers who have contributed to the series include Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Eddie Campbell, Paul Jenkins, Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Brian Azzarello, Mike Carey, Denise Mina, Andy Diggle, and Peter Milligan. Hellblazer was one of the first modern occult detective fiction works and heavily influenced the genre to come.

  1. ^ Irvine, Alex (2008). "John Constantine Hellblazer". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The Vertigo Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 102–111. ISBN 978-0-7566-4122-1. OCLC 213309015.
  2. ^ Gerding, Stephen (8 November 2012). "DC Cancels "Hellblazer"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. November 8, 2012