Breaking down: Constantine

So, let’s talk about the greatest trickster and sorcerer of the DC universe. John Constantine wasn’t originally published under DC, but by Vertigo (when it still existed). If you have ever read the Hellblazer, you’ll see it is about demonology and magic asociated with vudu, black sorcerers, hell/heaven plots, and various demons such as Nergal and Lucifer moringstar himself.

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His origin takes us back to June of 1985, his very first appearance was in Swamp Thing #37 by Alan Moore. By 1988, his own comics were published by the already mentioned company, Vertigo. It was directed to adults only, because it had many inapropiate topics for children and it wasn’t yet for teenagers at that time. Alan Moore andfStephen R. created this story based on more mature stories, not just another simple superhero story of the decadem and it all began with him as an exorcist. What they didn’t consider, is that it was so succesfull that it lasted 25 years being published and it got 300 numbers, all of them exploring John’s life since his yound adultness until his last days as an old man.

Property of DC comics

2013 was the year when he had his own run in DC, it lasted until 2015 with a total of 23 numbers. And as expected by the fans, it was edgyish in some parts, and well, it was released under the New 52 era, so it kind of a watermark of that time. When Rebirth was announced, it was said he’d be getting a new run, this time by a new administration of DC, that wanted to takes us back to our classic narcissist, liar, cheater and a little bit of a guy everyone hates John. This episode of his stories is where we see Nergal, Papa Midnite, Chas Chandler and Lucifer give us a brand new demonic adventure of our favourite alcoholic smoker.

He (Constantine) also was part of the Justice League Dark in both volumes, after his rebirth era, he appeared in the latest issues of this comics series (and a very good one actually). John now has a totally different story to tell if we compare it to his first appearances when Alan Moore was writting it, and among DC fans of comics, is probably the most famous sorcerer of all the DC universe in any earth. He even got protagonism in DC’s elseworld DCeased and got a publication under DC Black Label titled: Hellblazer: Rise and Fall.

Constantine ganed tons of popularity this two last decades. It starts with a movie protagonised by Keanu Reeves (directed by Francis Lawrence) was released in movie theaters in 2005, and now it’s considered to be one of the greatest DC films ever created, and even expected to get a sequel (yet nothing is confirmed yet). This movie got an interesting plot: John tries to buy a ticket to heaven, he attempted to end his own life, bad for him he failed and now his soul is doomed for all eternity. John now exorcises demons, but what he doesn’t know, is that a misterious woman needs his help, so he shall help her facing Lucifer and hell face to face, all that while convincing Gabriel to talk to god about letting him get into heaven. The trama is based on the Hellblazer comics and is a fan favourite of the 2000s DC movies era.

Property of Warner Bros media

After that, he got to be a main character of the DC Animated Universe, which was based on the New 52 era of DC (2012 – 206). He appeard on Justice League Dark, John Constantine: City of Demons and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. This last movie divided the fans, some think it’s terrific, others consider it just silly and a nonsense. But the main issue topic here is that people are getting into mages and sorcerers of DC after he appeared in importante animated movies life there ones. Now characters like Doctor Fate, Zatara, Zatanna, Etrigan the demon and The Spectre got more popularity than before.

Meanwhile all this happened, he got a TV show self titled. John in this show was played by Matt Ryan (if you ask us, he was born to play the character, because of his personality, acting habilities and how he looks). Unfortunately, the show wasn’t as big as planned and got canceled, even when it’s a very good show, it just couldn’t convince the WB executives to give it one more shot. Some time later, he was part of the Arrowverse and appeard in Legends of Tomorrow, so all he did in his own show was canon after all.

Property of Warner Bros media

We hope to see it in the DCU of James Gunn plans out, it’d be a great addition to have magic in the brand new universe, and even to introduce heaven-and-hell plots in the great picture of the world. And by the way, have you seen it in real life? Well, Alan Moore says he did, so…