The 2019 Hellblazer series was a short-lived part of DC‘s Sandman Universe line. Most fans of John Constantine loved the series. They felt that writer Si Spurrier, artist Aaron Campbell, and colorist Jordie Bellaire crafted a perfect spiritual successor to Vertigo Comics‘ Hellblazer.
Alas, nothing good ever lasts, as John Constantine knows all too well. The series barely lasted a dozen issues. However, DC Black Label has given the new Hellblazer a second life. Literally, as Dead in America finds John Constantine clinging to life in a swiftly decaying body.
Worse still, John is in America and a fugitive. However, these are the least of John’s problems. He’s also on the wrong side of Dream of the Endless due to some misdeeds dating back to The Sandman. Someone is attacking the American Dream, and it has fallen to Hellblazer John Constantine to save it.
There is a lot of backstory at the heart of John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #1. Thankfully, Si Spurrier has a gift for naturally unfolding a character’s history without it seeming like an exposition dump. Despite being based on previous stories by both Neil Gaiman and Si Spurrier, this comic is surprisingly accessible to new readers.
One thing that is not surprising, however, is that Aaron Campbell and Jordie Bellaire continue to be one of the best art teams in American comics. Every page of this issue is gorgeous. I would be stunned if they do not both get Eisner nominations for their work here.
It remains to be seen if John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #1 will lead to a new monthly series. Certainly, there’s ample room for John Constantine in the Sandman Universe, and the possibility of a crossover with the Nightmare Country spinoff is interesting. If this is to be the last hurrah of John Constantine, however, it is a hell of a good start.
Grade: 5/5
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #1 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
