From: mkelly@happy.helios.nd.edu (michael kelly)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics
Subject: Re: Hellblazer Annual #1
Date: 20 Aug 92 15:52:57 GMT
Organization: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame


 steppe@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Top Changwatchai) writes:

>I just recently got interested in Hellblazer (having been introduced to the
>character in Sandman #3).  I've got about every issue except for the early
>ones (which is fine since the TPB is coming out in a coupla months).  One
>thing I haven't got and haven't found at any of the local comic shops,
>however, is the Hellblazer Annual #1 (the only one, I think).  Does anybody
>have comments on it?  Is it any good?  Should I bother looking for it?

	YESYESYES! Let's see, how to describe this...well, first, it has
a beautiful Kent Williams painting on the cover - JC in armor dodging three
swords - it is very reminiscent of a Tarot card. The art inside is also
very good. There are two stories, both written by Jamie Delano, the second
is illustrated by Dean Motter (of Mr. X, the Prisoner, etc.) 

	The first (much longer) story sees John during the Falkalnds war,
thinking about his time in Ravenscar, but most of the action follows an
ancient King, Kon-sten-tyn. The King is *very* power hungry, and makes
a deal with an (or *the*) earth goddess, in which she teaches him various
lessons on power (military, political). The King ends up sacrificing most
of his offspring to extend his life.

	Merlin's head place a very important part of this story, and there
are appearances by the faerie. The Earth goddess's lair shows up *much*
later in the series (49 and 50). The second story is Mucous Membrane's
video of Venus of the Hardsell. (or is that Venus on a Halfshell?) We
get the lyrics again, and Motter's work is amazing! There is an appearance
by Superman's boots, other than Swamp Thing, this might be the only 
appearance of another DC (registered) character in Hellblazer. 

>Also, what about any of the Constantine appearances in Swamp Thing?  I'm not
>a collector, so I'd only be interested if the stories were any good.  I'd
>appreciate any advice/commentary given.

	Some people consider Alan Moore's version of JC to be the best,
usually because he created the character! Nevertheless, American Gothic 
(where JC was introduced) is an excellent story that is very inexspensive
in back issues. JC's shining moments are late in the run, when he meets
Swampy in South America, and later organizes various DC mystics to monitor
the fight between the Dark and the Light.

	Rick Veitch's JC is weaker. He was using JC very heavily when 
Delano was starting Hellblazer, and while they did a successful crossover,
it is easy to see conflicting veiws of the character. For example, in
Delano's early issues, JC was someone who had a little talent, but prefered
others to do his dirty work...he was even captured and almost killed by
a group of minor devils. In Swamp Thing, JC survives a plane crash by 
locking himself in the bathroom, and then walks away! These issues are
also very cheap in back issue bins.

	That's all for now!
 

--
+               Mike Kelly, Notre Dame Department of Physics                +
+                                                                           +
+ mkelly@happy.helios.nd.edu       "Come, come Slygg..."                    +
+ mkelly@undhe5.hep.nd.edu                                                  +
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics,rec.arts.comics.misc