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Hellblazer (Single Issues)
Hellblazer #27
A dead homeless man is wandering around London! But John Constantine has his own problems in this hard-to-find stand-alone issue, which brought SANDMAN creator Neil Gaiman and his longtime artistic collaborator Dave McKean to the title for a haunting story of fear and loneliness.
Unknown Binding
Published March 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 28, 2025
Neil Gaiman delivering one solid story before he sails into the dreaming, never to be seen on this series again. (At least not anytime soon, this series is so long that you can never tell for sure)
Dave McKean art is spectacular, but the characters felt more Sandman than John Constantine, maybe because I am so used to seeing his art in Sandman than anywhere else.
A Deadman who feels cold in need of one last genuine hug, before he can rest in peace.
Was that the case? Or does John have special powers?
So yeah, moral of the story "If a smelly man asks you for a hug because he is cold. Give him a hug or you you will die after he hugs you anyway."
Or something like that!
Dave McKean art is spectacular, but the characters felt more Sandman than John Constantine, maybe because I am so used to seeing his art in Sandman than anywhere else.
A Deadman who feels cold in need of one last genuine hug, before he can rest in peace.
Was that the case? Or does John have special powers?
So yeah, moral of the story "If a smelly man asks you for a hug because he is cold. Give him a hug or you you will die after he hugs you anyway."
Or something like that!
September 9, 2019
When we hold each other, in the darkness, it doesn't make the darkness go away. The bad things are still out there. The nightmares are still walking.
When we hold each other, we feel..not safe, but better. ''It's all right,'' We wisper. '' I am here. I love you.'' And we lie, '' I will never leave you.''
For just a moment or two the darkness doesn't seem so bad. When we hold each other.
When we hold each other, we feel..not safe, but better. ''It's all right,'' We wisper. '' I am here. I love you.'' And we lie, '' I will never leave you.''
For just a moment or two the darkness doesn't seem so bad. When we hold each other.
January 30, 2019
First read this over 30 years ago and has haunted me ever since.
September 10, 2014
"For just a moment or two, the darkness doesn't seem so bad when we hold each other."
I don't want to think about the two-parter Grant Morrison story from the previous issues because I cared little for them so I approached this Neil Gaiman story with already low expectations because, just like Morrison, Gaiman is another favorite comics writer of mine. This interesting 25-paged issue entitled Hold Me didn't pull any strong punches or anything but it was bittersweet in the most surprising way possible.
I liked it because of its simplicity. It was just a nice story that allowed us to see John in the most human way possible: vulnerable and compassionate; two qualities that I enjoy the most about our titular hero.
It started out as a creepy ghost story where a homeless man is haunting people, asking for them to hold him. And then within that same city, we get scenes of John hanging out at a party he'd rather not be a part of and then walking home a woman named Anthea, who was good friends with his late friend Ray (the elderly gay man whose death in the early issues really bummed me out). Anyway, things look like they could heat up especially since John took note than Anthea is interested in him. But then he remembered that Gary once mentioned Anthea and Sarah who turned out to be a lesbian couple.
So, basically, John was propositioned by a lesbian to put a baby in her because she and her partner decided they are ready to have a family. She then asked John if he was angry that she misled him and of course he is!
Amusingly enough, this would be the third time something similar has happened to him. First, there was Alec and Abby from Swamp Thing who asked to borrow his body so they can make love at last; then Zed and Marj who engaged him in a threesome mystic copulation so Zed can give birth to a large egg that saves the world from the Fear Machine. Not to mention John's disturbing dream about fathering a mutant two-headed seal. I mean, just wow. I just realized how fucked up most of John's relationships with women are, and people in general--most notably his relationship with himself.
So it makes sense that he's very sensitive about this sort of stuff, and we got this winning line from the issue:
I was reading this at work so I tried not to laugh aloud but this was comedy gold. I think I reacted to it the way I did because, as a queer woman myself (who weirdly enough WANTS SOME SEXY TIMES WITH JOHN AND WHY AM I CAPS-LOCKING THIS), I sort of feel bad for him because Constantine is the type of guy who owns up to his false bravado to protect himself that people often mistake it as sincere douchebag-ery. Nothing could be farther from the truth. John is actually more tolerant and sensitive of people's needs more than we give him credit for.
Also, I think it's fair to say that John has been objectified so many times at this point, reduced to a sexual purpose that it's starting to affect him psychologically (and it even manifested in his dream). I'm sort of guilty now too, because I desire John in a way that can only be described as amorous but that's only because he's a fictional character I relate to, and whose baggage and issues reflect my own which I know can be difficult to deal with. Oh, John! Why are you so needlessly broken and complicated sometimes?
Anyway, I liked this issue because it was insightful of John's conflicted personality and I think Gaiman wrote him in kinder hues just as much as David McKean (an artist whose art I recognized from some of The Sandman issues) drew the landscapes and characters of this issue with dark, foreboding shades. I won't spoil you about what happens to that ghostly homeless man but I guarantee you that it's quite poignant and made me want to marry John and give him the children and family life he deserves.
[That was a weird way to end a review but that's that.]
RECOMMENDED: 7/10
DO READ MORE OF MY HELLBLAZER REVIEWS
I don't want to think about the two-parter Grant Morrison story from the previous issues because I cared little for them so I approached this Neil Gaiman story with already low expectations because, just like Morrison, Gaiman is another favorite comics writer of mine. This interesting 25-paged issue entitled Hold Me didn't pull any strong punches or anything but it was bittersweet in the most surprising way possible.
I liked it because of its simplicity. It was just a nice story that allowed us to see John in the most human way possible: vulnerable and compassionate; two qualities that I enjoy the most about our titular hero.
It started out as a creepy ghost story where a homeless man is haunting people, asking for them to hold him. And then within that same city, we get scenes of John hanging out at a party he'd rather not be a part of and then walking home a woman named Anthea, who was good friends with his late friend Ray (the elderly gay man whose death in the early issues really bummed me out). Anyway, things look like they could heat up especially since John took note than Anthea is interested in him. But then he remembered that Gary once mentioned Anthea and Sarah who turned out to be a lesbian couple.
So, basically, John was propositioned by a lesbian to put a baby in her because she and her partner decided they are ready to have a family. She then asked John if he was angry that she misled him and of course he is!
Amusingly enough, this would be the third time something similar has happened to him. First, there was Alec and Abby from Swamp Thing who asked to borrow his body so they can make love at last; then Zed and Marj who engaged him in a threesome mystic copulation so Zed can give birth to a large egg that saves the world from the Fear Machine. Not to mention John's disturbing dream about fathering a mutant two-headed seal. I mean, just wow. I just realized how fucked up most of John's relationships with women are, and people in general--most notably his relationship with himself.
So it makes sense that he's very sensitive about this sort of stuff, and we got this winning line from the issue:
"Do I have some kind of a sign on me back, 'walking sperm bank--withdrawals welcome'?"
I was reading this at work so I tried not to laugh aloud but this was comedy gold. I think I reacted to it the way I did because, as a queer woman myself (who weirdly enough WANTS SOME SEXY TIMES WITH JOHN AND WHY AM I CAPS-LOCKING THIS), I sort of feel bad for him because Constantine is the type of guy who owns up to his false bravado to protect himself that people often mistake it as sincere douchebag-ery. Nothing could be farther from the truth. John is actually more tolerant and sensitive of people's needs more than we give him credit for.
Also, I think it's fair to say that John has been objectified so many times at this point, reduced to a sexual purpose that it's starting to affect him psychologically (and it even manifested in his dream). I'm sort of guilty now too, because I desire John in a way that can only be described as amorous but that's only because he's a fictional character I relate to, and whose baggage and issues reflect my own which I know can be difficult to deal with. Oh, John! Why are you so needlessly broken and complicated sometimes?
Anyway, I liked this issue because it was insightful of John's conflicted personality and I think Gaiman wrote him in kinder hues just as much as David McKean (an artist whose art I recognized from some of The Sandman issues) drew the landscapes and characters of this issue with dark, foreboding shades. I won't spoil you about what happens to that ghostly homeless man but I guarantee you that it's quite poignant and made me want to marry John and give him the children and family life he deserves.
[That was a weird way to end a review but that's that.]
RECOMMENDED: 7/10
DO READ MORE OF MY HELLBLAZER REVIEWS
March 21, 2018
Surprisingly awesome. Literally my most favorite Hellblazer issue up to this point (with Newcastle arc being second) and also one of my most favorite issues ever. And it's kinda funny, because usually I can't stand Neil Gaiman. You name any of his works - I hate its guts. Totally isn't my kind of stuff. But this... awesome.
The main story is dark, but well-balanced. It's sad, realistic without being too dirty, it's touching and it also makes you think. It fits the original Hellblazer mood just right. When you read it, you know that it is John and it is his world. Some of the previous issues ruined the mood, but this one... nailed it. The artwork is literally the best so far, while writing also reminds reader about some of the old events (about that Swamp Thing crossover, for example).
In other words, it's perfect. A perfect one shot story about John. I'm sure that Mr. Gaiman's fans will love it, but even people who don't usually like his works (like me) have a solid chance to enjoy it. Just because it's a perfect John Constantine story.
The main story is dark, but well-balanced. It's sad, realistic without being too dirty, it's touching and it also makes you think. It fits the original Hellblazer mood just right. When you read it, you know that it is John and it is his world. Some of the previous issues ruined the mood, but this one... nailed it. The artwork is literally the best so far, while writing also reminds reader about some of the old events (about that Swamp Thing crossover, for example).
In other words, it's perfect. A perfect one shot story about John. I'm sure that Mr. Gaiman's fans will love it, but even people who don't usually like his works (like me) have a solid chance to enjoy it. Just because it's a perfect John Constantine story.
December 12, 2024
There's so much great art in this series, and McKean contributing to this issue only makes that more true.
However, I strongly disagree with this characterization of John Constantine. I'm all about different writers having different visions, but with the way Delano has written him for dozens of issues, I just have a really hard time believing John would tell a taxi driver he's too narrow-minded. This series has been way more subtle than that and John has frankly been way more of a... "coward" feels like too strong of a word, but I think that folks who have read Delano's issues know what I'm getting at. He's just somewhat selfish and risk-averse, and I think that--in Delano's (and therefore the canonical, to this point) characterization--he would be far more likely to have an interior monologue about it. Calling the guy out just feels unlike him; I'd more expect him to endure the taxi ride while having all sorts of annoyed thoughts that we (and not the driver) have access to.
He's similarly direct with Anthea and... it just doesn't feel like him. And I don't find the conflicts that he's boiling over about to be very convincing at all.
The art is pretty special, but I just don't really enjoy the story. There's a shred of something meaningful in the "A plot" with the "hold me" of it all, but it's just so underdeveloped.
However, I strongly disagree with this characterization of John Constantine. I'm all about different writers having different visions, but with the way Delano has written him for dozens of issues, I just have a really hard time believing John would tell a taxi driver he's too narrow-minded. This series has been way more subtle than that and John has frankly been way more of a... "coward" feels like too strong of a word, but I think that folks who have read Delano's issues know what I'm getting at. He's just somewhat selfish and risk-averse, and I think that--in Delano's (and therefore the canonical, to this point) characterization--he would be far more likely to have an interior monologue about it. Calling the guy out just feels unlike him; I'd more expect him to endure the taxi ride while having all sorts of annoyed thoughts that we (and not the driver) have access to.
He's similarly direct with Anthea and... it just doesn't feel like him. And I don't find the conflicts that he's boiling over about to be very convincing at all.
The art is pretty special, but I just don't really enjoy the story. There's a shred of something meaningful in the "A plot" with the "hold me" of it all, but it's just so underdeveloped.
November 4, 2021
Capita che, a volte tra l'usato, si trovi anche materiale di questo tipo.
Un piccolo gioiellino di Neil Gaiman, ben disegnato da Dave McKean, per una storia di fantasmi e di elucubrazioni sull'aspetto sociale di alcune situazioni. Oltre a mettere in risalto il lato cinico di Costantine, si evidenza il suo lato umano. Solo un abbraccio.
4 stelle e mezza.
Addendum.
Solo ieri sera mi sono accorto che il fantasma bisognoso è praticamente il ritratto di Alan Moore
Un piccolo gioiellino di Neil Gaiman, ben disegnato da Dave McKean, per una storia di fantasmi e di elucubrazioni sull'aspetto sociale di alcune situazioni. Oltre a mettere in risalto il lato cinico di Costantine, si evidenza il suo lato umano. Solo un abbraccio.
4 stelle e mezza.
Addendum.
Solo ieri sera mi sono accorto che il fantasma bisognoso è praticamente il ritratto di Alan Moore
December 18, 2022
"SOĞUK, ÇOK SOĞUK. SARIL BANA."
"Tek istediği birinin ona değer vermesiydi..."
Temalı kısa hikaye.
Ne çizgilerine bayıldığım Dave McKean, ne de hikaye anlatısına düştüğüm Neil Gaiman etkileyebildi beni bu sefer. Kendi standartlarının altında kaldıkları bir iş ortaya çıkarmışlar.
"Tek istediği birinin ona değer vermesiydi..."
Temalı kısa hikaye.
Ne çizgilerine bayıldığım Dave McKean, ne de hikaye anlatısına düştüğüm Neil Gaiman etkileyebildi beni bu sefer. Kendi standartlarının altında kaldıkları bir iş ortaya çıkarmışlar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
7/10
Neil Gaiman visits Hellblazer and tries to warm up that very cold night.
Neil Gaiman visits Hellblazer and tries to warm up that very cold night.
February 17, 2025
A beautifully haunting tale of someone who just wants to be held, a release from the woes of the world and a bit of comfort. Stunning visuals, wonderful dialogue, eerie and relatable.
June 30, 2020
This comic is not as special as many say. I mean, of course Gaiman mentions the fear of many towards HIV and the issues that the biggest cities began to face, but he does not do it very good. He is very obvious in his message, also the lesson he pretends to teach you is said at the last page, a fail on his part due to he could have teach it in the other pages. Also, when you read the last page, you can notice how Constantine stops talking so Gaiman takes his place, another big mistake. But anyways, if you were somebody who enjoyed reading this comic... Well, it is okay; however, we must be honest with ourselves and our readings and admit that this issue is over hyped just because Gaiman was the writer.
Another detail that I forgot to mention is that in the first pages, after you ended up reading the comic and realize that it is Constantine who let us know about the past of the gosht, there is a "mistake" due to some thoughts on part of John make you think that there were three homeless at the beginning, but then when you read such paga again, you can notice that maybe the one who became a gosht was always death or maybe he was alive and died in company the other two because of the cold weather. That is a detail that did not let me enjoy this comic and I’m still thinking that he was always death and were the couple of lovers who invaded his territory and that is why he decided to murder them with his coldness.
Another detail that I forgot to mention is that in the first pages, after you ended up reading the comic and realize that it is Constantine who let us know about the past of the gosht, there is a "mistake" due to some thoughts on part of John make you think that there were three homeless at the beginning, but then when you read such paga again, you can notice that maybe the one who became a gosht was always death or maybe he was alive and died in company the other two because of the cold weather. That is a detail that did not let me enjoy this comic and I’m still thinking that he was always death and were the couple of lovers who invaded his territory and that is why he decided to murder them with his coldness.
March 25, 2016
"Because when you have someone to hold you, the night doesn't get less dark, the nightmares don't stop walking, the darkness doesn't fade. But when someone holds you, it makes you feel better, feel safe. And just for a few moments, the darkness doesn't matter anymore, its weight lessens and the nightmares and demons cannot affect you".
In true Neil Gaiman style, the ending of the comic was touching and quite poignant. Oh, Constantine, you poor old sod, you hero, you.
In true Neil Gaiman style, the ending of the comic was touching and quite poignant. Oh, Constantine, you poor old sod, you hero, you.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews