What do you think?
Rate this book
Hellblazer: Miniseries
Hellblazer: Lady Constantine
There are voices in the box.
Terrible voices yearning to be free...
and feared.
It's 1785 England, and Johanna Constantine is a young woman with a knack for the impossible, a taste for the good life...
...and a knowledge of the dark arts.
When promises of wealth and power are dangled before her, she accepts a dangerous assignment for king and country to retrieve a mysterious ancient chest, now lost deep at sea.
But hidden forces move against Johanna... seeking the box for their own deadly purposes.
In the frozen northern wastes, the quest becomes a desperate race against time with Johanna facing certain death and damnation if she loses.
And a far worse fate if she wins...
collects DC/Vertigo Hellblazer 4-issue miniseries originally published 2003.
Terrible voices yearning to be free...
and feared.
It's 1785 England, and Johanna Constantine is a young woman with a knack for the impossible, a taste for the good life...
...and a knowledge of the dark arts.
When promises of wealth and power are dangled before her, she accepts a dangerous assignment for king and country to retrieve a mysterious ancient chest, now lost deep at sea.
But hidden forces move against Johanna... seeking the box for their own deadly purposes.
In the frozen northern wastes, the quest becomes a desperate race against time with Johanna facing certain death and damnation if she loses.
And a far worse fate if she wins...
collects DC/Vertigo Hellblazer 4-issue miniseries originally published 2003.
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2006
1 person is currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Andy Diggle
530 books171 followersAndy Diggle is a British comic book writer and former editor of 2000 AD. He is best known for his work on The Losers,Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, Adam Strange and Silent Dragon at DC Comics and for his run on Thunderbolts and Daredevil after his move to Marvel.
In 2013 Diggle left writing DC's Action Comics and began working with Dynamite Entertainment, writing a paranormal crime series Uncanny. He is also working on another crime series with his wife titled Control that is set to begin publishing in 2014.
In 2013 Diggle left writing DC's Action Comics and began working with Dynamite Entertainment, writing a paranormal crime series Uncanny. He is also working on another crime series with his wife titled Control that is set to begin publishing in 2014.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 20, 2015
I thought I'd have mixed feelings about this comic. The idea of a Lady Constantine didn't settle very well at first. I know, I know, sounds very sexist of me, but seeing Constantine's dodgy traits in a lady? Yeah, that's a little bit too seedy, also, I would later learn quite interesting. Andy Diggle did a stellar job with Johanna Constantine, not only was she not a parody of John Constantine, obvious name references aside, but she could hold her own. Not as quick with a witty remark like John, but just as brave, as uncompromising, probably more manipulative, and maybe, maybe, a better parent. The compassion she shows for Mouse is quite touching.
Would definitely love to see more of her.
Would definitely love to see more of her.
December 7, 2016
Set in the late 1700's the tale of Lady Constantine is not only interesting but very adult and a damn fine read to boot.
August 30, 2022
Better than I thought; read thanks to my Local Comics Shop, bargain bin.
August 17, 2022
This was quite fun!
(I've had this on my shelf for months and had been putting it off, but Johanna's presence in the Sandman series got me hype. 🤓)
The characters are pretty one-note, that might just be because this is a one-off but I would have liked a lil more character growth or a lil more personal dilemma or something. I did like Johanna, and the Scottish captain guy. I would have liked to see more personal anguish. 🙇♀️😅🤣
As soon as Mouse was introduced, I guessed two things about her that actually happened/were revealed in the final chapter. I also guessed about Blackwood, and who Jack was. Not sure if I'm just really good at recognising tropes, or my comic book knowledge is too vast, or it's just bad writing. 🤔
I was really curious what Johanna's original sin was going to be and if it would relate to what John did in Newcastle, and I'm quite pleased with it. (More anguish would have been nice though lol like I said.)
Pet peeve: Mouse, especially in the beginning, was written as "personality = child" instead of as a round character with hobbies/flaws/dreams (I hate when movies do this, like children are just props). Although Mouse does a thing in chapter two, she only goes there because Johanna tells her to - it almost feels like Mouse is Johanna's familiar instead of her relative! I won't talk about chapter four because spoilers, but what happens with them doesn't make it better.
(I've had this on my shelf for months and had been putting it off, but Johanna's presence in the Sandman series got me hype. 🤓)
The characters are pretty one-note, that might just be because this is a one-off but I would have liked a lil more character growth or a lil more personal dilemma or something. I did like Johanna, and the Scottish captain guy. I would have liked to see more personal anguish. 🙇♀️😅🤣
As soon as Mouse was introduced, I guessed two things about her that actually happened/were revealed in the final chapter. I also guessed about Blackwood, and who Jack was. Not sure if I'm just really good at recognising tropes, or my comic book knowledge is too vast, or it's just bad writing. 🤔
I was really curious what Johanna's original sin was going to be and if it would relate to what John did in Newcastle, and I'm quite pleased with it. (More anguish would have been nice though lol like I said.)
Pet peeve: Mouse, especially in the beginning, was written as "personality = child" instead of as a round character with hobbies/flaws/dreams (I hate when movies do this, like children are just props). Although Mouse does a thing in chapter two, she only goes there because Johanna tells her to - it almost feels like Mouse is Johanna's familiar instead of her relative! I won't talk about chapter four because spoilers, but what happens with them doesn't make it better.
February 22, 2013
So... basically it would appear that "bad-assery" is genetic and is passed down from one generation to an other.
or... John Constantine in drag in an 18th Century setting.
Actually, this isn't the first appearance of the lady Johanna Constantine, as she had previously graced the pages of the Sandman. She made an appearance where she "crashed" Morpheus and Hobbs at one of their 100th anniversary meetings. She also appeared in the Orpheus story, shopping for a bit of head, heh.
Should John and Johanna ever meet, I can only imagine the conversation, but I can pretty much guess how it would end, with both saying "sod off!" to one another at the same time.
When will publishers learn that creating a female (or male) version of one of their existing characters isn't reall all that original?
Oh, sure, it'll sell the comics, but at the cost of a chip of the original's credibility. How can John Constantine ever remain the bad-ass that he is when every time I read one of his stories I can't help but think "sorry mate, your tough act doesn't really cut it anymore... I've seen you in drag, eh... and you were actually pretty cute, heh heh heh"
or... John Constantine in drag in an 18th Century setting.
Actually, this isn't the first appearance of the lady Johanna Constantine, as she had previously graced the pages of the Sandman. She made an appearance where she "crashed" Morpheus and Hobbs at one of their 100th anniversary meetings. She also appeared in the Orpheus story, shopping for a bit of head, heh.
Should John and Johanna ever meet, I can only imagine the conversation, but I can pretty much guess how it would end, with both saying "sod off!" to one another at the same time.
When will publishers learn that creating a female (or male) version of one of their existing characters isn't reall all that original?
Oh, sure, it'll sell the comics, but at the cost of a chip of the original's credibility. How can John Constantine ever remain the bad-ass that he is when every time I read one of his stories I can't help but think "sorry mate, your tough act doesn't really cut it anymore... I've seen you in drag, eh... and you were actually pretty cute, heh heh heh"
October 7, 2018
I thought the story was a fun and quick read, but that being said I also think it could have benefited from more volumes instead of being a small series. That way, Johanna's backstory regarding mouse would be better fleshed out, you get a sense that there was trauma in the way that mouse came to be but the story never comes fully out. You also just get a short mention on how the family lost their fortune and property in the first place. A more fleshed out backstory would have been great.
I liked Johanna, the book has everything that is in my wheelhouse. She is witchy, there are creepy monsters, demons, and Johanna herself is a flawed protagonist that is not spending her time trying to be liked. The ending with mouse broke my heart a little. People should read it, particularly around Halloween because it is a good monster/demon tale to go with that time of year.
I liked Johanna, the book has everything that is in my wheelhouse. She is witchy, there are creepy monsters, demons, and Johanna herself is a flawed protagonist that is not spending her time trying to be liked. The ending with mouse broke my heart a little. People should read it, particularly around Halloween because it is a good monster/demon tale to go with that time of year.
June 22, 2009
An interesting little addition to the Hellblazer series. The ending was predictable (and not just formulaic)but the story had good pacing and was enjoyable enough.
June 28, 2017
More "meh" from the land of graphic novels. Nothing really creepy. No real sense of loss.
April 5, 2024
I've just gotten another taste of Hellblazer and I want more.
Ah, the Queen's English - oh, wait, King's - is a welcome sight. The late 18th century wasn't kind to the British Empire, but it still provides ample opportunity to those with an enterprising nature. Joanna Constantine is beautiful, she dabbles in the occult and is described as witty and resourceful. The ones who deal with her find that she is also manipulative and more than willing to take unreasonable risks for a payday. Very much like John, she cares deeply for the ones close to her. She hopes to provide a proper house and home for her little sister nicknamed Mouse. She gets her chance when the Royal Court offers her a job to recover a box from the bottom of the sea, but is forbidden from opening it. It is believed to have enough power to control a nation. Given its power, other parties are interested in acquiring it as well.
Ah, the Queen's English - oh, wait, King's - is a welcome sight. The late 18th century wasn't kind to the British Empire, but it still provides ample opportunity to those with an enterprising nature. Joanna Constantine is beautiful, she dabbles in the occult and is described as witty and resourceful. The ones who deal with her find that she is also manipulative and more than willing to take unreasonable risks for a payday. Very much like John, she cares deeply for the ones close to her. She hopes to provide a proper house and home for her little sister nicknamed Mouse. She gets her chance when the Royal Court offers her a job to recover a box from the bottom of the sea, but is forbidden from opening it. It is believed to have enough power to control a nation. Given its power, other parties are interested in acquiring it as well.
Read
July 10, 2024Several years before he started his run on Hellblazer proper, Andy Diggle wrote this fun little miniseries about Lady Johanna Constantine. It's a high seas adventure with magic and demons, tying in to both Hellblazer and Sandman (and, in a way, Lucifer and Swamp Thing). This is quite different tonally than the main Hellblazer series. I like it though. Johanna isn't as outwardly flawed as her descendent, but her strength and cleverness are endearing. I wish the series was longer because there's clearly more backstory to be mined. But I'll take the four-issue romp that we got.
November 2, 2018
Hey, let's look at an ancestor of Constantine. Make it a woman, add pirates and a kid. Make the stakes really high.
It just feels a little odd. She did appear as part of the Sandman series and this is the attempt to explain the backstory.
It just feels a little odd. She did appear as part of the Sandman series and this is the attempt to explain the backstory.
May 19, 2018
wish for more action. good that she shows traits of the original constantine we know but sometimes comes close to being JC with a different face.
February 6, 2022
No está mal si no siguiera de cerca los pasos del Constantine original.
December 11, 2022
I love it when women
July 25, 2024
3,2 estrelas
January 5, 2022
Divertido, mas dispensável. Johanna é basicamente uma versão feminina (e antiga) de seu tataraneto John. Ou seja, sempre vai render uma boa aventura para quem gosta.
Por que a tradução brasileira usa "Vossa Majestade" onde deveria ser "Sua Majestade"? Primeiro achei que fosse um deslize, mas que se repete todas as vezes. Incomodou muito.
Por que a tradução brasileira usa "Vossa Majestade" onde deveria ser "Sua Majestade"? Primeiro achei que fosse um deslize, mas que se repete todas as vezes. Incomodou muito.
November 17, 2014
Keskpärane või keskpärasest pisut nõrgem lugu Johanna Constantine'st, Johni kaugest esiemast (või siis ühest eelmistest kehastustest, sest nagu selgub Naerev Maag on algusest peale eri kehades inkarneerunud), kes tegi esimese etteaste Neil Gaimani Sandmanis, kus ajas revolutsioonilises Pariisis taga Orpheuse maharaiutud pead. Siin päästab ta mingit suurt kuubikut, mis on otseselt maha viksitud Hellraiseri-seeria omast, kust täpselt samasugusest ilmusid välja cenobiidid. Lady Constantine's loos ilmuvad ka miskid deemonid, kellede väljanägemine on aga cenobiitidest kordi nõrgem. Üldse on kogu lugu selline suht sirgjooneline ja lapsiku maiguga. Lõpus ilmnev puänt lisab küll veidi sügavust ja twisti. Pliiatsijoon on taaskord alaealistele mõeldud, kolm väga pika miinusega...
October 16, 2015
A quick fun read that definitely peaked my interest. A good balance was struck between hinting to things that might be to come and being its own contained story. I really enjoyed Johanna's character smart, skilled, cold and self-serving. But no bitch and certainly not evil. We need more anti-heroines!
I really liked the art as well. Nice level of detail and no obvious pandering to the male audience. The pages and frames were laid out very well.
Overall, not the most original story, but I've been reading a lot of offensive excrement of late so 4 stars. It's a well packaged piece, just not earth-shattering - besides its fair treatment of women of course. Which is apparently an insurmountable obstacle haha.
I really liked the art as well. Nice level of detail and no obvious pandering to the male audience. The pages and frames were laid out very well.
Overall, not the most original story, but I've been reading a lot of offensive excrement of late so 4 stars. It's a well packaged piece, just not earth-shattering - besides its fair treatment of women of course. Which is apparently an insurmountable obstacle haha.
May 5, 2015
Likely the origin story of the Constantine bloodline and their penchant for magic, this graphic novel collects the story of Lady Johanna Constantine's quests for Pandora's Box in service to the British Government. In many ways it is all the Constantine stories wrapped in one; we see her outwit demons, lose a child (who she then must rescue), keep her own agenda even when in service to higher powers, bluff her way into and out of trouble, and ally herself with Jack-in-the-Green aka the Swamp Thing. Thrown into the modern world I'm sure that Lady Johanna would be as much of a powerhouse as her descendent John, and maybe even more so since she seems to have slightly more pure motives.
January 11, 2016
I kinda wish they hadn't made John a woman.
Sure, the idea sounds interesting, and usually it's fun to see gender-bent familiar characters. But they didn't make John a woman, they made the character John with boobs. Which is not the same thing.
And she doesn't smoke, which is just weird.
But it was a fun romp with pirates and battles and demons in a box that looks strikingly like the box from Hellraiser, but bigger. Nothing really mind blowing here, but a fun read none the less.
Sure, the idea sounds interesting, and usually it's fun to see gender-bent familiar characters. But they didn't make John a woman, they made the character John with boobs. Which is not the same thing.
And she doesn't smoke, which is just weird.
But it was a fun romp with pirates and battles and demons in a box that looks strikingly like the box from Hellraiser, but bigger. Nothing really mind blowing here, but a fun read none the less.
July 23, 2011
In 1785, John Constantine's ancestor Johanna Constantine teams up with one of Swamp Thing's predecessors called Jack of the Green to retrieve a mysterious object lost at sea, but they're not the only ones searching for it. A fairly typical Constantine story that nevertheless left me wanting to see more of Lady Constantine's adventures.
January 8, 2016
It's a very good self contained origin story about Lady Constantine. It's use of certain classic troves regarding monsters and occult characters makes its a fun read. Also in the end it explains why she was interested in finding the Devil (links up to her introduction in Sandman ~ regarding a certain Hob Gaddling)
June 2, 2015
Didn't hate it. Didn't love it.
Had the start of some interesting ideas and characters, all fell flat, and, for some reason, the Swamp Thing was involved.
I really wish I could have liked it more because... female Constantine sounds like something TOTALLY awesome.
Had the start of some interesting ideas and characters, all fell flat, and, for some reason, the Swamp Thing was involved.
I really wish I could have liked it more because... female Constantine sounds like something TOTALLY awesome.
May 8, 2009
Interesting concept, juvenile execution.
August 2, 2011
Nothing special but fun to see a ye ole Constantine and ye ole swamp thing in an 18th century setting
April 3, 2013
excellent read. Some of the portraits of lady Constantine did look slightly manly however, just focusing on the face. But twisty, clever and interesting.
February 12, 2017
Enjoyed this mini series. Johanna was a really good character.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews