Possibly a must-read for Preacher fans who want to see Constantine through the eyes of Ennis and Dillon. ( )

Definitely one of the weakest compilations from the early years of Constantine's long career, this substantial anthology contains the final episodes written by Garth Ennis. He chose to end his story arc by completing the tale he began back with JC's 'death' from lung cancer, to resolve his stand-off with the three incarnations of the devil.

That particular tale isn't awful, but it lacks much of the hard-edged cut-n-thrust which this series can do so well. It has a contrived feel about it, and wilfully throws away several intriguing plot possibilities by tying things up in a neat little bow.

The other long story in this collection is set in a surreal version of America. Again, it's not a terrible tale but it undermines the previously magnetic character of Papa Midnite. It's also essentially pointless, doing little to enhance the series' mythology.

...which brings me to the utterly dire, dreadful, dreary, sentimental, slushy and entirely inappropriate interludes with Kit, JC's love interest. Not sure what was going on here - why Ennis wanted to take a sly, cynical, supernatural gumshoe and mire him in the mundane reality of everyday 'good on yer, maun' life in Ireland is entirely baffling. Endless chapters of 'hail fellow well met' and fond reminiscences of great nights down the pub. THis is meant to be entertaining?
Yes, the core attraction of Hellblazer is that it's grounded in reality. But this was way too much reality for me.

So this isn't an ideal place to start to get to know JC. Better to begin with the very first incarnation by Jamie Delano, or the excellent 'Family Man' arc.
This volume really only serves to tie up loose ends. Roll on 'Critical Mass', then next in the series, in which hopefully a new writer brings some vigour back to proceedings.
5/10 ( )