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Hellblazer #24
Hellblazer: Reasons to Be Cheerful
John Constantine's three illegitimate demonic children seek revenge on him by going after his remaining friends and loved ones.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Mike Carey
1,261 books2,967 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 34 reviews
August 19, 2016
4.5 stars.
Another strong volume.
Constantine now has 3 children he's sired with a demon, and they are out to make his life a living hell. Targeting all of his friends and family, the evil kids are systematically taking his life apart. That seems to happen to him fairly often, come to think of it. And wow, it doesn't pay to be his friend because he's had some horrible things happen to his acquaintances.
This volume doesn't complete the storyline, but it's a strong setup for what's sure to be a great showdown. Leonardo Manco handles the art, and I've always thought he was a little underrated, especially on horror books. Great art from Manco here that really makes the story deep.
Hellblazer fans should enjoy this volume, as it's more of what made the book popular in the first place. The only reason I didn't go a full five stars is because of what happens with Chas. I didn't like seeing the character suffer that way, but it does make sense for the story.
Another strong volume.
Constantine now has 3 children he's sired with a demon, and they are out to make his life a living hell. Targeting all of his friends and family, the evil kids are systematically taking his life apart. That seems to happen to him fairly often, come to think of it. And wow, it doesn't pay to be his friend because he's had some horrible things happen to his acquaintances.
This volume doesn't complete the storyline, but it's a strong setup for what's sure to be a great showdown. Leonardo Manco handles the art, and I've always thought he was a little underrated, especially on horror books. Great art from Manco here that really makes the story deep.
Hellblazer fans should enjoy this volume, as it's more of what made the book popular in the first place. The only reason I didn't go a full five stars is because of what happens with Chas. I didn't like seeing the character suffer that way, but it does make sense for the story.
February 5, 2018
Prou bé, aquesta història d'un Constantine lligat a tres fills que li fan la vida impossible (o sigui, rutinària) i que es dediquen a matar a tots aquells que té a la vora. Bé pels canvis d'il·lustrador a cada història, bé pel to i perquè està ben escrita.
January 16, 2017
It's excellent, five star stuff right up until the last chapter, when it changes art. The shift in style really seems at odds with all that came before and it knocks my rating down a peg.
Otherwise, a really good Hellblazer volume with extra focus on some of the supporting characters in Constantine's life.
Otherwise, a really good Hellblazer volume with extra focus on some of the supporting characters in Constantine's life.
September 10, 2023
Carey's run finally starts to coalesce here, as the three children he fathered during a forty year long day in the previous volume have all grown up and are ready to take their revenge on their dad.
The usual Constantine tropes aboud but in this volume their use feels more fun than perfunctory and we get some really good character beats on our way to the inevitable climax.
The usual Constantine tropes aboud but in this volume their use feels more fun than perfunctory and we get some really good character beats on our way to the inevitable climax.
February 2, 2008
You all know by now that I love John Constantine, and I really, really love Hellblazer. But I found this installment to be disappointing. I mean, how many times are we going to do the whole "evil being(s) can't attack Constantine directly, so they try to kill off all his friends" thing? It's particularly disappointing given how strong Mike Carey's work has been on the series -- the arc of Red Sepulchre, Black Flowers, and Staring At the Wall was just such excellent storytelling. This, though... it really feels like Carey's phoning it in. Also, what's with the abrupt change in art style? Issues 201-205 are extremely realistic, and then all of a sudden it goes all cartoony for issue 206. I dunno, I mean, I'm always glad to read more Hellblazer, even sub-par Hellblazer, but I had really expected more out of this one.
September 4, 2009
This seems to be Carey's lowest rated Hellblazer and I find that strange considering it's probably my favorite of his run so far. There is a great culmination of events and Constantine seems out of control, with no ability to cope any longer. I like that, though of course he has that damnable luck.
December 8, 2017
An interlude shows us just how dangerous some magical items are.
John's kids are out in the world causing mayhem on John's friends and family. Several will fall in their destructive games. John receives help from an unlikely source and heads toward the people closest to him.
John's kids are out in the world causing mayhem on John's friends and family. Several will fall in their destructive games. John receives help from an unlikely source and heads toward the people closest to him.
July 1, 2018
Read with Hellblazer #200: the origin of the kids wasn't explained very well, but the concept was interesting.
December 3, 2018
Brutal - but entertaining.
April 11, 2022
A messed up little tale that worked quite well despite me not having the pre-requisite background knowledge.
July 19, 2010
Writer Mike Carey continues to give readers "Reasons to Be Cheerful" with the latest collection of his storytelling run on the long-running Vertigo title, HELLBLAZER.
No surprises here, but there are a number of spoilers within this review:
First, artist Manco's illustrations continue to take shape and give voice to Carey's plot and any difficulty that readers may have once had with the exit of Marcelo Frusin are dissolved. Manco continues to come into his own with this particular story, and the murky, musty coloring of the art contributes a great deal to a story that continues to add to and recreate the persona of John Constantine as readers have come to know him.
Therein lies the only significant concern that Carey's run creates for readers. Month to month, and collection to collection, if readers hope to simply jump on board this series, they'd do best to return to Carey's first efforts at telling Constantine's story ("Red Sepulchre") before tackling this one. HELLBLAZER writers have more often than not relied on their own knowledge of the anti-hero to develop new conflicts and new adventures for the anti-hero, and Carey's run is no different. Any reader that jumps aboard the series with this particular volume will find her- or himself ultimately lost, as "Reasons to Be Cheerful" clearly continues to amp up from developments that have taken place previously within Carey's run on the series, and even from plotlines that were established long ago.
With that written, Carey's own attention to detail is also the strength that maintains this volume's position as a four-star recommendation. Throughout this particular run, Carey demonstrates that he's been making use of conflicts that go back more than 100 issues (going all the way back to Garth Ennis' run and even before it), so: once again, new readers need not apply without some prior knowledge of DC/Vertigo's favorite chain-smoking mage.
Beyond that, Carey's greatest strength apparently rests in his willingness and ability to truly pervert the mythology of John Constantine as readers know it. Coming on the tails of "Stations of the Cross" and "Staring at the Wall," Carey has created for readers three very distinct villains for the "new & improved" John Constantine, and they are certain to produce no shortage of havoc for him. Clearly, Carey is demonstrating what most HELLBLAZER scribes have attempted in developing the "next best thing" for the character, and "Reasons to Be Cheerful" is no exception. These villains exhibit the very best of what could ultimately destroy readers' favorite anti-hero, and they will gleefully anticipate the carnage that these villains provoke. Hopefully, Carey manages to elevate these villains above their current evil deeds, or resolve their role within the Constantine mythology so that they're not simply cast aside and forgotten when the next writer tackles the series. Not since Ennis' run on the title (with his writing of the First of the Fallen) has a villain(s) played such a pivotal role in the psychological, emotional, and spiritual development of Constantine.
By the end of this particular volume, though, the possibility of Constantine's survival seems about as assured as the title's ability to maintain a single artist (of which this particular volume has three). The storytelling remains solid throughout the collection, but the change in atmosphere from one artist to the next sometimes begs the reader to ask where one story truly ended and the next began.
There's an ambiguity to some conclusions of a HELLBLAZER story, as Constantine's ability to avoid total destruction is merely his stumbling waltz into the sunset. He's won the battle for the moment but you can tell that he continues to be beaten. Add to that the addition of a new artist for the next chapter's story, and you might be confused if his ambling from one story to the next is serialized, or merely a necessary evil of the ongoing plot of Constantine.
Based upon the strength of this particular collection, though, readers are forced to cheerfully look forward to Carey's final contribution to the Constantine mythology, in "The Gift," since this particular volume leads directly into the writer's ultimate conclusion and/or run on the series, where he will have to come to terms with all the obstacles that Carey...and other HELLBLAZER writers...have placed before the seemingly indestructible (until now) John Constantine.
No surprises here, but there are a number of spoilers within this review:
First, artist Manco's illustrations continue to take shape and give voice to Carey's plot and any difficulty that readers may have once had with the exit of Marcelo Frusin are dissolved. Manco continues to come into his own with this particular story, and the murky, musty coloring of the art contributes a great deal to a story that continues to add to and recreate the persona of John Constantine as readers have come to know him.
Therein lies the only significant concern that Carey's run creates for readers. Month to month, and collection to collection, if readers hope to simply jump on board this series, they'd do best to return to Carey's first efforts at telling Constantine's story ("Red Sepulchre") before tackling this one. HELLBLAZER writers have more often than not relied on their own knowledge of the anti-hero to develop new conflicts and new adventures for the anti-hero, and Carey's run is no different. Any reader that jumps aboard the series with this particular volume will find her- or himself ultimately lost, as "Reasons to Be Cheerful" clearly continues to amp up from developments that have taken place previously within Carey's run on the series, and even from plotlines that were established long ago.
With that written, Carey's own attention to detail is also the strength that maintains this volume's position as a four-star recommendation. Throughout this particular run, Carey demonstrates that he's been making use of conflicts that go back more than 100 issues (going all the way back to Garth Ennis' run and even before it), so: once again, new readers need not apply without some prior knowledge of DC/Vertigo's favorite chain-smoking mage.
Beyond that, Carey's greatest strength apparently rests in his willingness and ability to truly pervert the mythology of John Constantine as readers know it. Coming on the tails of "Stations of the Cross" and "Staring at the Wall," Carey has created for readers three very distinct villains for the "new & improved" John Constantine, and they are certain to produce no shortage of havoc for him. Clearly, Carey is demonstrating what most HELLBLAZER scribes have attempted in developing the "next best thing" for the character, and "Reasons to Be Cheerful" is no exception. These villains exhibit the very best of what could ultimately destroy readers' favorite anti-hero, and they will gleefully anticipate the carnage that these villains provoke. Hopefully, Carey manages to elevate these villains above their current evil deeds, or resolve their role within the Constantine mythology so that they're not simply cast aside and forgotten when the next writer tackles the series. Not since Ennis' run on the title (with his writing of the First of the Fallen) has a villain(s) played such a pivotal role in the psychological, emotional, and spiritual development of Constantine.
By the end of this particular volume, though, the possibility of Constantine's survival seems about as assured as the title's ability to maintain a single artist (of which this particular volume has three). The storytelling remains solid throughout the collection, but the change in atmosphere from one artist to the next sometimes begs the reader to ask where one story truly ended and the next began.
There's an ambiguity to some conclusions of a HELLBLAZER story, as Constantine's ability to avoid total destruction is merely his stumbling waltz into the sunset. He's won the battle for the moment but you can tell that he continues to be beaten. Add to that the addition of a new artist for the next chapter's story, and you might be confused if his ambling from one story to the next is serialized, or merely a necessary evil of the ongoing plot of Constantine.
Based upon the strength of this particular collection, though, readers are forced to cheerfully look forward to Carey's final contribution to the Constantine mythology, in "The Gift," since this particular volume leads directly into the writer's ultimate conclusion and/or run on the series, where he will have to come to terms with all the obstacles that Carey...and other HELLBLAZER writers...have placed before the seemingly indestructible (until now) John Constantine.
August 3, 2013
It's been a long time since I've read real John Constantine. I've missed out on a fair bit of history, but even with that, I was able to follow along with this book even though I'd probably missed out on 50+ issues. Some old favorites were here, and a couple characters I didn't know but got a rough introduction to.
All told, it's a rough ride; Constantine's in way over his head, and it really feels like it. He's never really the hero, more a protagonist, or the catalyst upon which all kinds of horror pivots. That is played out here more than anywhere else I've seen, and it makes for hard reading; innocents die, peripheral people suffer for reasons they'll never know.
The biggest problem is that this is only a piece - the climax of the graphic novel is basically the reveal of Constantine's supernatural support, meaning that there's a lot more story waiting to be read. And I don't want to wait nearly as long to follow up.
All told, it's a rough ride; Constantine's in way over his head, and it really feels like it. He's never really the hero, more a protagonist, or the catalyst upon which all kinds of horror pivots. That is played out here more than anywhere else I've seen, and it makes for hard reading; innocents die, peripheral people suffer for reasons they'll never know.
The biggest problem is that this is only a piece - the climax of the graphic novel is basically the reveal of Constantine's supernatural support, meaning that there's a lot more story waiting to be read. And I don't want to wait nearly as long to follow up.
November 16, 2011
This is quite a heavy book, so I wouldn't recommend to people who read lightweight superhero comic books. This is more for fans of the horror genre, if you can stomach watching horror movies, gory scenes, some drug use, and nudity, then you'll be fine with this! Having said that, I do love John Constantine! He's British, down to earth (even though he does fight unearthly things!). He seems gritty and realistic, and you do care what happens to him. I have read many Hellblazer comics since first discovering them after watching the Constantine movie, and although they are gory and quite scary (the artists do a wonderful job of portraying the creepy feeling, it comes across very well) - perhaps not one to read late at night, just before bed? Be sure to lock your doors and your windows... even if you are seven stories up!
January 29, 2014
As I suspected, all is made perfectly clear in this book : Constantine has in fact fathered 3 demonic children whose purpose in life seems to be destroying him. They haven't started actively going after him yet, instead choosing his closest friends and family as targets - all the better to break you with, my dear. But for some reason the demon Nergal - Constantine's first demonic foe and the grandfather of the offspring - has chosen to take the side of good, so these children must be for more than Constantine's personal destruction. Something tells me that Nergl has an ulterior motive in all this...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2010
In this volume, Constantine tries desperately to pull himself together while his newly fathered demon children decide to lead a concentrated attack against his closest friends. It moves at a fairly good clip, and there's an issue focusing on Chas that's a big turn for the character. My problem with the book is that it's very definitely a middle chapter, coming just after the children's birth and just gearing up to the big fight when it ends. It also requires pretty extensive knowledge of the Constantine supporting cast over the past decade or so to get the full impact.
February 26, 2008
Classic Hellblazer storytelling, as gloomy as in Jamie Delano's day, as John Constantine has some of the worst times of his life. But like a lot of the current Hellblazer trade paperbacks, the colouring is murky and extremely unattractive. It isn't the colorist's fault - it's the paper these trade paperbacks are printed on. It's so difficult to make anything out that I'd prefer to read them in black and white.
August 13, 2025
Mike Carey’s run is coming to a close, and he has to top the previous apocalyptic climax. And he does so by bringing John lower than ever. As with the majority of this run, the art is good throughout. I prefer the more expressive, somewhat cartoony work of Marcelo Frusin and Giuseppe Camuncoli, but Leonardo Manco’s gritty, more realistic style is probably a better fit for the demons and depicting Hell.
January 13, 2012
Saul, Adam, and Maria, the half-demon children Rosacarnis tricked Constantine into fathering, have come to earth and are busy killing everyone Constantine ever met, including one person very dear to him. Although he does manage to save a few of his closest friends with the help of an enemy thought to be long dead. Unfortunately, this was a rather mediocre collection.
February 27, 2016
Constantine'le tuleb tema raskes võitluses oma deemonlike lastega - kes tapavad või üritavad tappa kõiki Constantine'i lähedasi ja sõpru - appi hoopis ootamatu tegelane. Roti kujul, esialgu. Ütleme nii, et päris vana tuttav, ja seda ootamatum. Järgmises osas ootab ees Constantine'i ja ... reis Põrgusse, päästma Constantine'i õe hinge ja leidma lahendus ülekäte läinud jõmpsikate pahategudele.
October 19, 2014
2.5 stars. Three very nasty demonic children begin killing off everyone Constantine cares about. Constantine for once is in way over his head, which works better for me than when he's on top of things. Still, this didn't grab meas much as some of Carey's other work on the book.
October 9, 2007
Compared to previous Hellblazer books, this one's rather lackluster.
June 14, 2008
This was great! Gripping, taught, couldn't stop reading. Superb art, fantastic story line. Oh, I saw the movie last week (Constantine), it was shite, go read the books instead.
February 25, 2012
I disliked it since Constantine had nothing to do besides being there. Chas, even if possessed, is somewhat interesting. Won't recommend it to anyone.
March 25, 2012
Cool and spooky though a bit too subtle in the plot. Felt I was missing something. Perhaps I need to read more in the series?
July 11, 2015
Now THIS is how you write a comic!
July 8, 2014
This was the best hellblazer I've read to date. It just all worked so well. It was spooky and disturbing. The art really suited the story. There were consequences and disasters.
March 6, 2015
Good, but not as good as All His Engines, which I read yesterday. It's just not as tight and the conclusion felt rushed.
March 14, 2015
I am new to Hellblazer comics. The story is really good but i didnt understand most of it. If you are new to Constantine dont buy this but if you read Constantine before you are good to go
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews