Hellblazer, also known as John Constantine, Hellblazer, is an American comic book series starring John Constantine. The character, created by Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, and John Totleben first appeared in Swamp Thing (vol. 2) #37 (June 1985) as a supporting character, and later appeared as the protagonist of his own series in 1988. In 1993, the series started being published under DC's newly founded imprint Vertigo, and by its cancellation it was the imprint's longest-running series.
Hellblazer has been incompletely collected into many trade paperbacks. The first UK editions, printed by Titan Books, reprinted the original colour issues in black and white. Though subsequent editions were in color, they were not numbered and not always released chronologically. While some issues were never collected in trade form, some early issues appear in books. Starting in April 2011, Vertigo began republishing the series in new numbered editions, collecting the series in proper chronological order and including issues that had been left out of earlier editions. The new editions also include short stories, prose pieces, original graphic novels, related mini-series, and crossover issues from other series, most commonly Swamp Thing.
Comic book series
John Constantine first starred in his own solo series Hellblazer in 1988, which ran until its cancellation in 2013. The character was then introduced into the main DC continuity with the fourth wave of the New 52 releases in Constantine, which featured a younger version of the character with a new backstory, and ran until 2015. It was relaunched as Constantine: The Hellblazer under a new creative team which attempted to bring back to "the core tenets of [Constantine's] character", running for thirteen issues. The series was once again cancelled and relaunched to coincide with the release of DC Rebirth, including an introduction one-shot titled The Hellblazer: Rebirth, and running for twenty-four issues. This series brought back elements from the original series, while still being rated PG-13. In July 2019, it was announced that a new series would be released under The Sandman Universe line, published under Vertigo's successor imprint DC Black Label, starting with a new one-shot titled The Sandman Presents: Hellblazer. The series was cancelled with issue twelve.
Ongoing series TitleIssuesCover datesImprintNotesHellblazer#1–300 – DC Comics (#1–62); Vertigo Comics (#63–300); Vertigo X (#181–191)Constantine#1–23 – DC ComicsConstantine: The Hellblazer#1–13 – The Hellblazer#1–24 – John Constantine: Hellblazer#1–12 – DC Black Label, The Sandman Universe
Limited series TitleIssuesCover datesImprintNotesThe Horrorist#1–2 – Vertigo ComicsSpin-off of Hellblazer starring John Constantine.Hellblazer/The Books of Magic#1–2 – The Trenchcoat Brigade#1–4 – Miniseries starring John Constantine, Doctor Occult, the Phantom Stranger, Mister E and Rose Psychic.The Sandman Presents: Love Street#1–3 – Spin-off of The Sandman, The Dreaming and Hellblazer. Constantine appears as one of the main characters.Hellblazer Special: Bad Blood#1–4 – Hellblazer Special: Lady Constantine#1–4 – Vertigo Comics; Vertigo X (#3–4)Hellblazer Special: Papa Midnite#1–5 – Vertigo ComicsHellblazer Presents: Chas - The Knowledge#1–5 – Hellblazer: City of Demons#1–5 – Indicia title changed to John Constantine: Hellblazer: City of Demons with issue #5.Hellblazer: Rise and Fall#1–3 – DC Black LabelJohn Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America#1–11January 2024 – December 2024Continuation of the 2020 series.
One-shots TitleCover dateImprintNotesHellblazer Annual #1Vertigo ComicsHellblazer Special #1HeartlandSpin-off of Hellblazer. However, John Constantine makes no appearance.Millennium Edition: Hellblazer #1Vertigo Comics; DC Comics Millennium EditionReprints Hellblazer #1.Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer #1Vertigo ComicsNew printing coinciding with the release of the film Constantine.Constantine: The Official Movie AdaptationComic adaptation of the 2005 film Constantine.Hellblazer: Special Constantine DVD IssueIn-case extra with the Constantine - 2-Disc Deluxe Edition DVD. Reprints Hellblazer #41 and Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer #1Hellblazer #1 Special EditionReprints Hellblazer #1.Vertigo Resurrected: Hellblazer #1Reprints Hellblazer #57–58, 245–246.Vertigo Resurrected: Hellblazer: Bad Blood #1Reprints Hellblazer: Bad Blood #1–4.Hellblazer Annual 2011Constantine: Futures End #1DC ComicsTie-in one-shot to the Futures End event. 3D lenticular cover.Constantine/Hellblazer #1 Special EditionFlipbook reprinting Constantine #1 and Hellblazer #1.The Hellblazer: Rebirth #1Tie-in one-shot to the DC Rebirth relaunch event.The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1DC Black Label, The Sandman UniverseIntroduction one-shot to the new ongoing series.
Other stories Story titleIssueCover dateNotes"Tainted Love"Vertigo Jam #1"Tell Me"Vertigo: Winter's Edge #1"All Those Little Girls and Boys"Vertigo: Winter's Edge #2"Another Bloody Christmas"Vertigo: Winter's Edge #3"Exposed"9-11 Volume 2Published in a 9-11 benefit book."Letter from a Suicide"House of Mystery Halloween Annual #1"Shoot"Vertigo Resurrected #1Originally planned for Hellblazer #141, it was not released at that time due to the 1999 Columbine shootings."Bonfire Night"House of Mystery Halloween Annual #2
Graphic novels TitlePublication dateFormatISBNImprintNotesJohn Constantine, Hellblazer: All His EnginesHardcoverVertigo ComicsSoftcoverDark EntriesHardcoverVertigo CrimeSoftcoverJohn Constantine, Hellblazer: PandemoniumHardcoverVertigo ComicsSoftcoverThe Mystery of the Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic NovelPaperbackDC ComicsTargeted towards young children.Constantine: Distorted IllusionsOctober 2022Paperback978-1779507730DC ComicsTargeted towards young adults.
Collected editions All collected editions were released in trade paperback format, unless noted otherwise.
Hellblazer Originally the series was collected irregularly. These volumes are preceded by volumes 3–7 of Swamp Thing. VolumeMaterial collectedPublication dateISBNNotesOriginal SinsHellblazer #1–9The Devil You KnowHellblazer #10–13The Fear MachineHellblazer #14–22The Family ManHellblazer #23–24, 28–33Dangerous HabitsHellblazer #41–46BloodlinesHellblazer #47–50, 52–55, 59–61Fear and LoathingHellblazer #62–67Tainted LoveHellblazer #68–71, Special #1Damnation's FlameHellblazer #72–77Rake at the Gates of HellHellblazer #78–83; HeartlandSon of ManHellblazer #129–133HauntedHellblazer #134–139Setting SunHellblazer #140–143Shoot"Shoot" from Vertigo Resurrected #1; Hellblazer #144–145, 245–246, 250Hard TimeHellblazer #146–150Good IntentionsHellblazer #151–156Freezes OverHellblazer #157–163HighwaterHellblazer #164–174Red SepulchreHellblazer #175–180Black FlowersHellblazer #181–186Staring at the WallHellblazer #187–193Stations of the CrossHellblazer #194–200Reasons to Be CheerfulHellblazer #201–206The GiftHellblazer #207–215Empathy is the EnemyHellblazer #216–222The Red Right HandHellblazer #223–228JoyrideHellblazer #230–237The Laughing MagicianHellblazer #238–242The Roots of CoincidenceHellblazer #243–244, 247–249ScabHellblazer #251–255; material from Hellblazer #250HookedHellblazer #256–260IndiaHellblazer #261–266Bloody CarnationsHellblazer #267–275Phantom PainsHellblazer #276–282The Devil's Trench CoatHellblazer #283–291Death and CigarettesHellblazer #292–300, Annual 2011
New editions In 2011, Vertigo started reprinting the series in new, numbered trade paperbacks in chronological order. # Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN Notes 1 Original Sins Hellblazer #1–9 Swamp Thing (vol. 2) #76–77 304 2 The Devil You Know Hellblazer #10–13, Annual #1 The Horrorist #1–2 304 3 The Fear Machine Hellblazer #14–22 240 4 The Family Man Hellblazer #23–33 "The Gangster, the Whore and the Magician" from Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer #1 288 5 Dangerous Habits Hellblazer #34–46 352 6 Bloodlines Hellblazer #47–61 400 7 Tainted Love Hellblazer #62–71, Special #1 "Tainted Love" from Vertigo Jam #1 320 8 Rake at the Gates of Hell Hellblazer #72–83 Heartland 384 9 Critical Mass Hellblazer #84–96 328 10 In the Line of Fire Hellblazer #97–107 288 11 Last Man Standing Hellblazer #108–120 336 12 How to Play with Fire Hellblazer #121–133 304 13 Haunted Hellblazer #134–145 "Shoot" from Vertigo Resurrected #1 "Tell Me" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #1 "All Those Little Girls and Boys" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #2 "Another Bloody Christmas" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #3 336 14 Good Intentions Hellblazer #146–161 "The First Time" from Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer #1 384 15 Highwater Hellblazer #162–174 320 16 The Wild Card Hellblazer #175–188 328 17 Out of Season Hellblazer #189–201 328 18 The Gift Hellblazer #202–215 328 19 The Red Right Hand Hellblazer #216–229 328 20 Systems of Control Hellblazer #230–238 Hellblazer: All His Engines 328 21 The Laughing Magician Hellblazer #239–249 Hellblazer Special: Lady Constantine #1–4 376 22 Regeneration Hellblazer #250–260 Hellblazer Special: Chas #1–5 392 23 No Future Hellblazer #261–266 Hellblazer: Pandemonium Hellblazer Special: Papa Midnite #1–5 384 24 Sectioned Hellblazer #267–275 Hellblazer: City of Demons #1–5 352 25 Another Season Hellblazer #276–291 "Exposed" from 9-11 (vol. 2) 352 26 The Curse of the Constantines Hellblazer #292–300, Annual #1 Hellblazer Special: Bad Blood #1–4 352
Constantine # Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN Notes 1 The Spark and the Flame Constantine #1–6 146 2 Blight Constantine #7–12 144 3 The Voice in the Fire Constantine #13–17 Constantine: Futures End #1 144 4 The Apocalypse Road Constantine #18–23 144 Forever Evil: Blight Justice League Dark #24–29 Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #14–17 Constantine #9–12 Trinity of Sin: Pandora #6–9 416 Crossover with Justice League Dark, Trinity of Sin: Pandora and Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger.
Constantine: The Hellblazer # Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBNNotes 1 Going Down Constantine: The Hellblazer #1–6 DC Sneak Peek: Constantine #1 127 2 The Art of the Deal Constantine: The Hellblazer #7–13 184
The Hellblazer # Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBNNotes 1 The Poison Truth The Hellblazer: Rebirth #1 The Hellblazer #1–6 168 2 The Smokeless Fire The Hellblazer #7–12 144 3 The Inspiration Game The Hellblazer #13–18 144 4 The Good Old Days The Hellblazer #19–24 144
John Constantine: Hellblazer Published under DC Black Label. # Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN Notes 1 Marks of Woe The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1 John Constantine: Hellblazer #1–6 The Books of Magic (vol. 3) #14 216 2 The Best Version of You John Constantine: Hellblazer #7–12 168
Limited series Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBNNotes Hellblazer: Lady Constantine Hellblazer Special: Lady Constantine #1–4 Hellblazer: Papa Midnite Hellblazer Special: Papa Midnite #1–5 Hellblazer Presents: Chas Hellblazer Special: Chas #1–5 Hellblazer: City of Demons Hellblazer: City of Demons #1–5 "Another Bloody Christmas" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #3 Hellblazer: Rise and Fall Hellblazer: Rise and Fall #1–3 135 John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America John Constantine Hellblazer: Dead in America #1–11 368
Other collections Constantine is found in most Swamp Thing collections from volume 3, The Curse. He appears in every subsequent volume of the 1985 series and in volume 1, Bad Seed, of the 2004 series. Title Vol. # Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN NotesConstantine: The Hellblazer Collection Constantine: The Official Movie Adaptation Hellblazer #1, 27, 41 John Constantine, Hellblazer 30th Anniversary Edition Saga of the Swamp Thing #37