I was in love with John Constantine.

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This is a re-read for me. I originally read the graphic novels around 1990/91. The rating (given from memory so many years later) comes from the feeling that I had when I read these stories about Constantine - I loved these stories and the more I read, the more I loved them.

The re-read stems from the fact that I'm watching the TV show Constantine. I wanted to refresh my memory about these stories. I'd forgotten so much. I had forgotten that Zed was a character and I didn't realize the episodes were taking ideas from these original stories.

Reading them now, it feels a bit dated at times. It always was political, geared toward Great Britain in the late 80's. (And greed and capitalism aren't exactly passe right now, either.) Some of the stories I enjoy more than others. I always love it when Swamp Thing comes into the picture so I was happy to see him show up in the last story of this trade paperback. Same feeling about Papa Midnite. The ghosts that haunt John, the allusions to Newcastle, the red demon - good stuff.

Some stories held up to the re-read better than others, but there are some good, horrifying moments. Looking forward to continuing to read these Hellblazer comics and bring back more memories. ( )