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Hellblazer #23
Hellblazer: Stations of the Cross
John Constantine is an unconcerned, somewhat amoral occultist with a British working-class background. He's a hero of sorts, who manages to come out on top through a combination of luck, trickery and genuine magical skill.
This latest volume finds the hard-drinking master of bad-luck magic suffering alone in the aftermath of the near-apocalypse he unwittingly caused, with no memory of his identity or history. However, he still has his usual luck, and soon enough he's being hunted by man and demon alike – and about to make the worst mistake of his long, blood-soaked life.
Collecting HELLBLAZER #194-200
This latest volume finds the hard-drinking master of bad-luck magic suffering alone in the aftermath of the near-apocalypse he unwittingly caused, with no memory of his identity or history. However, he still has his usual luck, and soon enough he's being hunted by man and demon alike – and about to make the worst mistake of his long, blood-soaked life.
Collecting HELLBLAZER #194-200
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Mike Carey
1,261 books2,965 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 7, 2016
When I started reading this, I thought, wow they’re sure taking this story into an interesting new direction. I really liked it. But I felt like I was missing something. It wasn’t until I was almost half-way through the book that it clicked: did I skip a volume? ... Well, yes, I did. Fuckadoodledoo. It sucks but I was already into the story and I didn’t have the other volume on hand, so I kept on reading.
Despite some confusion here and there (my fault, not the writer’s), I really think this is one of the best Constantine books I’ve read.
John Constantine is usually one step ahead of everybody. Here, he doesn’t even remember his own name. And when the darkness reaches out to him, he acts like the rest of us would; terrified. When he is offered a chance to get all his memories back, he scoffs at the idea. If John Constantine is such a bastard and lives such a dangerous life, why would a man want to go back to living that life? It’s one of the more interesting takes on the character.
Lots to like here. Mike Carey’s one of the best writers the comic has ever had. I would actually probably give Stations of the Cross a 5 star rating, but the art in the final third of the book is a bit underwhelming. The Constantine comics have always jumped from one artist to the next. It’s part of their style, whether intentional or not. Here the book begins with great art – some of it is true nightmare fuel – but the art at the end is kind of dopey looking.
Now I’m going to read the volume that preceded this one.
Despite some confusion here and there (my fault, not the writer’s), I really think this is one of the best Constantine books I’ve read.
John Constantine is usually one step ahead of everybody. Here, he doesn’t even remember his own name. And when the darkness reaches out to him, he acts like the rest of us would; terrified. When he is offered a chance to get all his memories back, he scoffs at the idea. If John Constantine is such a bastard and lives such a dangerous life, why would a man want to go back to living that life? It’s one of the more interesting takes on the character.
Lots to like here. Mike Carey’s one of the best writers the comic has ever had. I would actually probably give Stations of the Cross a 5 star rating, but the art in the final third of the book is a bit underwhelming. The Constantine comics have always jumped from one artist to the next. It’s part of their style, whether intentional or not. Here the book begins with great art – some of it is true nightmare fuel – but the art at the end is kind of dopey looking.
Now I’m going to read the volume that preceded this one.
February 6, 2018
Merda, me l'he llegit en l'ordre que no tocava. Tant li fa, m'ha funcionat com una espècie de preqüel·la de "Motivos para estar contento" i així sé com Constantine arriba a acceptar el pacte amb la dimoni per donar-li 24 hores de la seva vida.
El volum ho té tot: psicòpates, amnèsia, viatges a l'infern i, sobretot, un tram final amb una subhasta per l'ànima de Constantine (i en van...) on John demostra que pot enganyar a Llucifer tants cops com calguin. Potser no és tan enginyós com en la famosa història d'Ennis, però sí prou astut.
El volum ho té tot: psicòpates, amnèsia, viatges a l'infern i, sobretot, un tram final amb una subhasta per l'ànima de Constantine (i en van...) on John demostra que pot enganyar a Llucifer tants cops com calguin. Potser no és tan enginyós com en la famosa història d'Ennis, però sí prou astut.
August 17, 2016
Awesome. I really liked this one. Constantine has lost his memory, and therefore his powers. However, his enemies sure enough remember him. I never thought Constantine having amnesia would make such a great storyline, but this was my favorite volume in a while. So we have a powerless Constantine facing enemies he doesn't remember, so how does he get out of this one? Let's just say it isn't the best ending.
The art as usual was very fitting, although somewhat varied over the volume.
Really good volume, I recommend this one to all Hellblazer fans.
The art as usual was very fitting, although somewhat varied over the volume.
Really good volume, I recommend this one to all Hellblazer fans.
December 7, 2017
John has forgotten his identity as a result of the cataclysm he prevented in the previous arc. He takes Rose, a young girl with burns on her body, to the hospital and he gets sent to the psychiatric ward for his memory loss. The false name he uses draws the attention of serial killer named Peter, a character that seems to be able to read a person's past.
John gets taken in by a cult. Its leader is Ghant, an old enemy who recognizes John and imprisons him.
John is transported into three different lives. Lives that he could have had with Kit, Zed and Angie. Each time there is some monstruous and bloody event involving his family that makes him wake up in a different life.
John gets taken in by a cult. Its leader is Ghant, an old enemy who recognizes John and imprisons him.
John is transported into three different lives. Lives that he could have had with Kit, Zed and Angie. Each time there is some monstruous and bloody event involving his family that makes him wake up in a different life.
September 10, 2023
I expected more from a book with a premise that John Constantine's mind had been mostly wiped. There were hundreds of intriguing ways to go with the storyline, and I felt the path taken was boring.
You could have completely removed the amnesiac angle, and this story, where Constantine is pursued by two demons while, in the background, the world is trying to repair itself from the apocalypse level event that happened in the background of the previous volumes. The demons play chess with one another, as usual, leaving Constantine to encounter yet another person he wronged in the past who wants revenge.
The intriguing part of the story is near the end when, in order to save his own life, he strikes a deal with a demon that will setup the far superior next couple of volumes.
If you're a Hellblazer fan, you'll want to read this just to see where the story is going but on its own, it's not Carey's best work on the title.
You could have completely removed the amnesiac angle, and this story, where Constantine is pursued by two demons while, in the background, the world is trying to repair itself from the apocalypse level event that happened in the background of the previous volumes. The demons play chess with one another, as usual, leaving Constantine to encounter yet another person he wronged in the past who wants revenge.
The intriguing part of the story is near the end when, in order to save his own life, he strikes a deal with a demon that will setup the far superior next couple of volumes.
If you're a Hellblazer fan, you'll want to read this just to see where the story is going but on its own, it's not Carey's best work on the title.
August 8, 2025
Mike Carey follows up the apocalyptic climax of the previous arc with a series of smaller stories dealing with the fallout and setting up the next big thing. Constantine is suffering from amnesia the whole time, which strips away most of the acerbic narration that is integral to so much of the series. But we spend more time with other characters, new and old, and the confusion is used to maximum effect. The art is a mixed bag, but luckily, Marcelo Frusin continues to illustrate the bulk of it, and we get a brief return of Steve Dillon.
September 18, 2019
The book is actually fabulous.
March 22, 2021
Somewhat different than the regular Constantine fare, maybe because John had his memory taken. Probably just really liked the demons in this one.
November 29, 2025
Not my favorite Hellblazer book as Constantine does not have his memory for most of this book.
It was a decent read for sure.
It was a decent read for sure.
February 11, 2017
6.5/10
July 19, 2010
Mike Carey doesn't seem completely finished with this series yet, but it appears to be curtains for Marcelo Frusin, as Leonardo Manco takes the reins as the series' new penciller.
Fortunately, "Stations of the Red Cross" provides Constantine with a multitude of obstacles that will challenge his wit and his personal courage, as he continues to recover from [INSERT SHOCKING CONCLUSION FROM "Staring at the Wall" HERE:].
No, we won't get through this review without revealing the conclusion of Carey's last major story arc, so be patient and enjoy the spoiler-free review while it lasts.
For starters, the change in artwork was a bit of a dramatic change, to write the very least. At times, Manco's artwork may strike the reader as a little too closely aligned with the work of Bart Sears, who is perhaps most famous for the rippling muscles and very deep-lined faces from DC Comics' Justice League Europe. So long as the lighting and coloring of the book remain dark, though, the artwork won't detract too much frmo the story itself.
The counterpoint to the deficiency in the art (which will hopefully grow on readers that can't appreciate it for the moment) is for the conclusion of this particular storyline. With "Staring at the Wall," Carey placed Constantine in an inenviable position, as Constantine seemingly survived a near-apocalyptic encounter with a demon dog, only to be wiped clean of his entire memory.
By the conclusion of "Stations of the Cross," an even more unsettling twist befalls Constantine, setting the stage for the next great chapter in the mythology of HELLBLAZER. More on that with the review of "Reasons to Be Cheerful."
Let this review not conclude without making mention of Carey's penchant for placing Constantine in ever-more perilous tests of moral character. Certainly, the great HELLBLAZER writers (and Carey is becoming one of them) have constantly forced readers to measure their own morals and ethics against John Constantine, and Carey doesn't fail in challenging the readers either. Here, though, Carey also illustrates a John Constantine is who sometimes more frequently the vulnerable would-be hero than he is the teflon huckster that seems to walk between the raindrops. This slow transformation of Constantine, which has been building since Carey's introduction, forces the reader to understand that Constantine is not impervious, even when tragedy befalls his loved ones, as other writers may have suggested.
Rather, Carey seems to be orchestrating Constantine's final fall, and not at the sacrifice of good storytelling. Carey is not simply sweeping the decks of these characters and prohibiting them from visiting London again until another writer can resurrect them by going on holiday at the Isle of Wight.
Carey's run is having marked impact on John Constantine, and the next volume in the series is certain to change the face of the famous anti-hero.
Fortunately, "Stations of the Red Cross" provides Constantine with a multitude of obstacles that will challenge his wit and his personal courage, as he continues to recover from [INSERT SHOCKING CONCLUSION FROM "Staring at the Wall" HERE:].
No, we won't get through this review without revealing the conclusion of Carey's last major story arc, so be patient and enjoy the spoiler-free review while it lasts.
For starters, the change in artwork was a bit of a dramatic change, to write the very least. At times, Manco's artwork may strike the reader as a little too closely aligned with the work of Bart Sears, who is perhaps most famous for the rippling muscles and very deep-lined faces from DC Comics' Justice League Europe. So long as the lighting and coloring of the book remain dark, though, the artwork won't detract too much frmo the story itself.
The counterpoint to the deficiency in the art (which will hopefully grow on readers that can't appreciate it for the moment) is for the conclusion of this particular storyline. With "Staring at the Wall," Carey placed Constantine in an inenviable position, as Constantine seemingly survived a near-apocalyptic encounter with a demon dog, only to be wiped clean of his entire memory.
By the conclusion of "Stations of the Cross," an even more unsettling twist befalls Constantine, setting the stage for the next great chapter in the mythology of HELLBLAZER. More on that with the review of "Reasons to Be Cheerful."
Let this review not conclude without making mention of Carey's penchant for placing Constantine in ever-more perilous tests of moral character. Certainly, the great HELLBLAZER writers (and Carey is becoming one of them) have constantly forced readers to measure their own morals and ethics against John Constantine, and Carey doesn't fail in challenging the readers either. Here, though, Carey also illustrates a John Constantine is who sometimes more frequently the vulnerable would-be hero than he is the teflon huckster that seems to walk between the raindrops. This slow transformation of Constantine, which has been building since Carey's introduction, forces the reader to understand that Constantine is not impervious, even when tragedy befalls his loved ones, as other writers may have suggested.
Rather, Carey seems to be orchestrating Constantine's final fall, and not at the sacrifice of good storytelling. Carey is not simply sweeping the decks of these characters and prohibiting them from visiting London again until another writer can resurrect them by going on holiday at the Isle of Wight.
Carey's run is having marked impact on John Constantine, and the next volume in the series is certain to change the face of the famous anti-hero.
February 27, 2016
So far, Mike Carey is turning out to be my favorite writer in the Hellblazer series (sorry, Garth Ennis.) He knows John Constantine's character so well that he can come up with a Constantine with amnesia. He also adds just the right amount of sex to keep up your prurient interests without collapsing into pornography. It is very violent, though -- hey, this is Hellblazer, after all. There's certain standards to keep up -- such as demons eating eyeballs.
The only problem I had with Stations of the Cross is that it isn't a stand-alone story arc. You really need to read several Constantine graphic novels (and the one-off "hold me" story) in order to understand what's going on. Sadly, I cannot read the Hellblazer series in order since I cannot afford to buy the series and the Hellblazers have a tendency to self-destruct or become stolen from my county library system.
I do feel lucky to have read this one, though.
The only problem I had with Stations of the Cross is that it isn't a stand-alone story arc. You really need to read several Constantine graphic novels (and the one-off "hold me" story) in order to understand what's going on. Sadly, I cannot read the Hellblazer series in order since I cannot afford to buy the series and the Hellblazers have a tendency to self-destruct or become stolen from my county library system.
I do feel lucky to have read this one, though.
February 28, 2016
In this Trade paper back Mike Carey takes us into a segue of John Constantine's ongoing story. This might be the first time I have encountered a full, 200 odd page trade in which the whole thing is pretty must an alternate reality/hell/internalised landscape. In other stories there would be a section, but then we struggled back to the real world or, at least as near to the real world as Hellblazer ever makes it.
Stations of the Cross I honestly found to be a bit much. The conclusion is good and I love the artwork but the overall story arc is too convoluted to follow and at times I honestly lost the desire to keep trying to follow it. The smaller individual stories are often pretty good but none of them really resolve fully, you are constantly aware that the actual conclusion will be at the end and that makes one impatient to get there. I will re-read it however.
Stations of the Cross I honestly found to be a bit much. The conclusion is good and I love the artwork but the overall story arc is too convoluted to follow and at times I honestly lost the desire to keep trying to follow it. The smaller individual stories are often pretty good but none of them really resolve fully, you are constantly aware that the actual conclusion will be at the end and that makes one impatient to get there. I will re-read it however.
August 20, 2014
I read this one in the wrong order as I am borrowing these from the library and they lost my reservation when I originally ordered this. But I still enjoyed it. I really liked the first part where Constantine was wandering around without his memories and everything was terrifying and wrong. The "day" was pretty great as well, and led nicely into the next issue. I have been enjoying Mike Carey's run in this series and look forward to reading the last volume he did.
The art for this volume was also particularly good. It suited the story very well, with the small exception of an American "gas" station showing up by the English seaside.
The art for this volume was also particularly good. It suited the story very well, with the small exception of an American "gas" station showing up by the English seaside.
August 14, 2010
In this volume, Constantine's lost his memory and has to fight various psychopaths, evil cults, and demons to get it back. It all builds to the series' 200th issue, in which a demon takes one day of Constantine's life--stretched over three lifetimes and forty years. This volume really appealed to me; with Constantine's memory stripped, he seemed a lot more vulnerable, and consequently, there felt there was more at stake. And the final chapter is a great mind trip--it really raises the bar on the Constantine shtick of dangling a happy life in front of him before snatching it away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2012
Hellblazer is most certainly a magical title. There's something in John Constantine's DNA that makes him easy to work with, as any writer can get right into his gritty, deadly, devil-dealing nature. He's become my favorite Vertigo title, having overtaken even Dream and Death in recent years.
The fact that illustrators swap out in the middle of graphic novels is starting to be a real annoyance, but it's an industry SNAFU, and no one cares to put a end to it, so I guess I will just have to ride it out.
The fact that illustrators swap out in the middle of graphic novels is starting to be a real annoyance, but it's an industry SNAFU, and no one cares to put a end to it, so I guess I will just have to ride it out.
November 19, 2011
This volume begins during the aftermath of an apocalypse with an amnesiac John Constantine wandering through the corpse-filled streets of London with a psychotic psychic on his trail. Angie and Gemma attempt to track him down, but are thwarted by the demon Rosacarnis who has possession of John's memories. Ghant, who has been a minor villain ever since Carey took over the series, has gone through a disturbing transformation and is now a cult leader. Overall, a pretty average Hellblazer story.
December 30, 2014
Puhas kuld, nagu kogu Mike Carey töö Hellblazeris. Siin keskendutakse mäluta Constantine'i hulkumisele postapokalüptilises Londonis ja deemon Rosacarnise ettepanekule olla 1 päev tema teenistuses. Lõpuks aetakse Constantine nurka ja ta nõustub. Ainult et selle deemoni ühe päeva jooksul kulub illusioonina 40 aastat, mille jooksul sünnivad Constantine'le ja deemonile 3 deemonlikku last, kes järgmises osas oma isa tappa tahavad.
January 21, 2014
I feel like I missed something while I was reading this collection; how did we go from Constantine bargaining a day of his life away to him having three diabolical children? Did he get the demoness preggers during his lost 24 hours (and she gestated extremely quickly), or is it all in his head? I'm sure that it'll all be explained in the next volume, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's all reality and Constantine is in another fight for his life (and the world while he's at it).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2014
A very strong story from Carey, a great follow up to the last Constantine storyarc. John is finally in over his head, stuck with memory loss from his encounter with the beast, his enemies line up for the chance to take him down. I like the dark tone Carey has gone with, this volume is heavy with the air of defeat. A cool example of what can be done with comic books when you don't have men in tights beating each other up every other page.
April 15, 2012
Carey's run was already going full force when we get to the beginning of this trade, and then he takes it to another lever entirely. Great exploration of the mythos, lots of fun twists, and a great way to add to a character that in many ways is forced to be static.
March 9, 2016
you know you get burned when you command the First of the Fallen to look at Constantine's Arse. hahaha
Stations of the Cross is the best arc of Hellblazer for me right now. especially because i enjoyed Mike Carey's Lucifer.
Stations of the Cross is the best arc of Hellblazer for me right now. especially because i enjoyed Mike Carey's Lucifer.
September 2, 2009
Maybe my favorite Hellblazer. Ghant was funny, I loved the demons, and "Happy Families" was excellent.
July 10, 2010
5 stars. Much enjoyed, shall definitely be reading more Hellblazer. Perhaps even in some semblance of order!
November 28, 2010
Thoroughly creepy and very enjoyable. Mike Carey has a unique gift in writing about the way humans interact with demons. And John's gift is in knowing how best to deal with them.
January 5, 2014
A critical look at Constantine as a person through the eyes of Constantine Roth amnesia. He's still fighting and scraping by, but with no resources this time, no magic. Great story
November 14, 2014
Expected more.
November 15, 2015
Issue #200 comes and goes with a whimper...
January 21, 2018
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3.5/5 stars} (Rounded Up)
STANDARDIZED RATING: <4/5 stars>
STANDARDIZED RATING: <4/5 stars>
July 9, 2008
Rubbish story, some good art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews