Vertigo Comics is no more. However, some of its most popular characters will live on in the Sandman Universe, including John Constantine. Via Bleeding Cool, the chain-smoking occult detective is getting his own one-shot comic that will lead into a new ongoing series that launches this fall.
Constantine will make his initial comeback in the pages of Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1. The story picks up from a moment depicted in Neil Gaiman’s The Books of Magic miniseries from the ’90s. As Constantine appears to be on the brink of death at the end of a magical war, Tim Hunter stands over his body and surveys the horrifying landscape of the future. Constantine resurfaces several years later, without having aged a day. Although the nature of Constantine’s resurrection is a mystery even to himself, he won’t have much time to dwell on it. That’s because Constantine must determine whether Hunter is an ally or a threat.
Simon Spurrier will assume writing duties for both the one-shot and the ongoing series. He’ll collaborate with artist Marcio Takara for the one-shot, while Aaron Campbell will handle the art for the ongoing title.
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“Hellblazer’s the one title I’ve always aspired to write,” said Spurrier. “Ever since John Constantine slunk from Alan Moore’s brain into Swamp Thing, dropping secrets like grenades, bewildering vegetables, and spinning mysteries, I’ve been drawn to his misadventures with eerie gravity. John Constantine is the cynic’s magician: a man of selfish drives and cataclysmic self-knowledge, who tries to do the right thing in spite of himself, in spite of the cost, in spite of the vile and violent world he occupies. He may not be the hero we need, but he’s definitely the bastard we deserve.”
Gaiman also chimed in with his thoughts on Constantine’s impending return during the Sandman Universe’s second year.
“Year One was just the start,” said Gaiman. “Now you get to inhabit the worlds, books, and houses we built for you. I was thrilled when I was told that John Constantine—the original, demon-haunted one who first showed up in Swamp Thing’s “American Gothic” story—is coming back to his murky and dangerous roots. More magic and more darkness and not a few gods and dreams are here for you to explore.”
Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1 hits stores in October, with John Constantine, Hellblazer #1 arriving on November 27. You can check out the covers for both issues below, then tell us what you think in the comment section!
Recommended Reading – John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 1: Original Sins
