What do you think?
Rate this book
Hellblazer #20
Hellblazer: Red Sepulchre
With his business in America finally finished, John Constantine returns to England, much to the shock of everyone who thought he'd perished in a prison riot. And as usual, his actions have had bad consequences after his disappearance, his niece Gemma ran away to London, leaving his sister to move into a new council building that shelters an addictive evil. Said evil provides a clue that puts Constantine on Gemmas trail, but her persistent interest in the family magic business has gotten her involved with a very bad crowd, one that now thinks it can use her as a goad to make Constantine do their bidding. But Constantine has never been known for taking orders, or for his forgiving nature.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
576 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 19, 2010
Everything old is new again as LUCIFER scribe Mike Carey gets his chance to contribute to the charismatic, hellish, bloody, and (dare I write?) soul-searching mythology of the longest-running Vertigo series, HELLBLAZER (otherwise known as JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER).
Understand that Carey's task is not a simple one. HELLBLAZER remains the only flagship title from the DC/Vertigo line of adult reader comics still standing, and reprinting issue #'s 175-180 (bringing the title to 15 entire years of publication), Carey makes a strong showing while taking Constantine into decidedly unfamiliar territory, while never allowing the landscape to veer too far from what fans have come to expect from the occult anti-hero's adventures.
The difference with this first storyline of Casey's run is a matter of scope. With previous writers, Constantine was traditionally pitted against single villains (Papa Midnite in Jamie Delano's run; the First of the Fallen in Paul Jenkins's run, etc.), but "Red Sepulchre" posits Constantine in the middle of a "mob war" of London's most powerful magicians, with everyone's lives, and the fate of the world, in the balance.
Think: THE STING and the Holy #!@%ing Bible, and you've got the right idea.
The bravery of this move...of populating the story with so many different players...is what elevates "Red Sepulchre" to a four-star rating (though three and a half stars is more likely the best bet). Beyond that, it's also the number of players that prohibits the story from achieving the mark of excellence. Once upon a time, Constantine only had to worry about double-crossing a single individual, and the coup was usually carried out against the most unsavory villain imaginable. Here, with so many variables thrown into the mix, readers are left too often to their often devices as they try to make sense of where their allegiance should lie, never mind who should be the last magician(s) standing. Certainly, readers continue to hope, despite his faults, that Constantine will survive this narrative, but the large cast sometimes makes it difficult to keep one's head firmly attached.
Perhaps that was Carey's gambit.
The only other sticking point for the story rests in Carey's use of the occult. Admittedly, the title makes a strong reference to theology and Constantine is, in fact, one of the most unpredictable mages in the world, worthy of no one's complete trust. But Carey transports Constantine's character, if only momentarily, too far into the world of the occult and magic, when Constantine's strength has primarily been as that of a huckster.
Put John in a room with Satan, and it's John's mouth alone that's going to save his life, not one final, last-ditch incantation. So while Constantine treads a line too close with mysticism, he's still possessed (no pun intended) with his quick wit and sardonic humor, but the tattoos of his new "power" remove a little more than some readers would like from the Constantine of old.
So the final assessment would look more like 3.5 points than what you see before you.
Along the way, though, Carey also introduces to the reader a number of new supporting cast members, and if any other HELLBLAZER writer's history can be a gauge, these characters will belong to Carey insomuch that they'll play significant roles later on, so readers can look forward to some of these faces showing up again with greater frequency.
Whatever the future holds for Constantine, it's sure to be frought with flames and a fresh, new look for Vertigo's favorite son.
Understand that Carey's task is not a simple one. HELLBLAZER remains the only flagship title from the DC/Vertigo line of adult reader comics still standing, and reprinting issue #'s 175-180 (bringing the title to 15 entire years of publication), Carey makes a strong showing while taking Constantine into decidedly unfamiliar territory, while never allowing the landscape to veer too far from what fans have come to expect from the occult anti-hero's adventures.
The difference with this first storyline of Casey's run is a matter of scope. With previous writers, Constantine was traditionally pitted against single villains (Papa Midnite in Jamie Delano's run; the First of the Fallen in Paul Jenkins's run, etc.), but "Red Sepulchre" posits Constantine in the middle of a "mob war" of London's most powerful magicians, with everyone's lives, and the fate of the world, in the balance.
Think: THE STING and the Holy #!@%ing Bible, and you've got the right idea.
The bravery of this move...of populating the story with so many different players...is what elevates "Red Sepulchre" to a four-star rating (though three and a half stars is more likely the best bet). Beyond that, it's also the number of players that prohibits the story from achieving the mark of excellence. Once upon a time, Constantine only had to worry about double-crossing a single individual, and the coup was usually carried out against the most unsavory villain imaginable. Here, with so many variables thrown into the mix, readers are left too often to their often devices as they try to make sense of where their allegiance should lie, never mind who should be the last magician(s) standing. Certainly, readers continue to hope, despite his faults, that Constantine will survive this narrative, but the large cast sometimes makes it difficult to keep one's head firmly attached.
Perhaps that was Carey's gambit.
The only other sticking point for the story rests in Carey's use of the occult. Admittedly, the title makes a strong reference to theology and Constantine is, in fact, one of the most unpredictable mages in the world, worthy of no one's complete trust. But Carey transports Constantine's character, if only momentarily, too far into the world of the occult and magic, when Constantine's strength has primarily been as that of a huckster.
Put John in a room with Satan, and it's John's mouth alone that's going to save his life, not one final, last-ditch incantation. So while Constantine treads a line too close with mysticism, he's still possessed (no pun intended) with his quick wit and sardonic humor, but the tattoos of his new "power" remove a little more than some readers would like from the Constantine of old.
So the final assessment would look more like 3.5 points than what you see before you.
Along the way, though, Carey also introduces to the reader a number of new supporting cast members, and if any other HELLBLAZER writer's history can be a gauge, these characters will belong to Carey insomuch that they'll play significant roles later on, so readers can look forward to some of these faces showing up again with greater frequency.
Whatever the future holds for Constantine, it's sure to be frought with flames and a fresh, new look for Vertigo's favorite son.
May 1, 2025
After reading the latest volume of Hellblazer, Dead In America, in which Spurrier brings back Clarice with a new origin, I decided it was time to revisit Carey’s run, which ended up being one of my favorites when I read through the whole series a few years back.
This volume kicks off Carey’s stint on the character with two stories. The first introduced Angie, a young sidekick and I think maybe eventual love interest if I remember correctly, who seems to be another inspiration for a character in Spurrier’s run, along with the setting. It’s particularly gritty and I really dig some of magic here.
The second brings back Gemma, Constantine’s niece, who Spurrier would sort of write in his “definitely not Hellblazer” Image series Damn Them All, and Clarice and Map from Warren Ellis’s run. It also points to a larger order of magic users that we have not seen.
This trade concretizes some of the supporting cast and features art by my two favorite Hellblazer artists, Steve Dillon and Marcelo Frusin.
This volume kicks off Carey’s stint on the character with two stories. The first introduced Angie, a young sidekick and I think maybe eventual love interest if I remember correctly, who seems to be another inspiration for a character in Spurrier’s run, along with the setting. It’s particularly gritty and I really dig some of magic here.
The second brings back Gemma, Constantine’s niece, who Spurrier would sort of write in his “definitely not Hellblazer” Image series Damn Them All, and Clarice and Map from Warren Ellis’s run. It also points to a larger order of magic users that we have not seen.
This trade concretizes some of the supporting cast and features art by my two favorite Hellblazer artists, Steve Dillon and Marcelo Frusin.
July 29, 2016
Constantine finally makes it back to England, only to find out his niece Gemma has gotten mixed up with some evil black magicians. They hold her hostage in order to blackmail Constantine into finding a magical weapon for them, the "Red Sepulchre."
...when are people going to learn to leave Constantine alone? These things never end well for them.
Overall a good volume, and if this is an indication of how Mike Carey's run will be, then this is a good start. Nice art as well, including some more from Steve Dillon.
...when are people going to learn to leave Constantine alone? These things never end well for them.
Overall a good volume, and if this is an indication of how Mike Carey's run will be, then this is a good start. Nice art as well, including some more from Steve Dillon.
March 30, 2018
“Most magic is just making people look the wrong way.” - John Constantine
July 15, 2013
A little bit of magic, a little bit of con-man Johm and a whole lot of fun as only Constantine can deliver.
This story is fun as it brings Constantine back to his London roots and includes his sister and his niece. John is in top arsehole form in this one and it's a little surprising to see that he isn't directly responsible for the death of his "friends" in this one.
Overall, very good characterization of the players and good old-fashioned broken down family relationships.
One of these days I'm going to have to have a good sit down and re-read this entire series. Too bad they brought ol John over to the new 52 DC universe... John's always been at his best when left on his own.
This story is fun as it brings Constantine back to his London roots and includes his sister and his niece. John is in top arsehole form in this one and it's a little surprising to see that he isn't directly responsible for the death of his "friends" in this one.
Overall, very good characterization of the players and good old-fashioned broken down family relationships.
One of these days I'm going to have to have a good sit down and re-read this entire series. Too bad they brought ol John over to the new 52 DC universe... John's always been at his best when left on his own.
Read
March 1, 2017Wank wank wank John saves the girl again and also a triangle has three sides.
April 15, 2012
Constantine is my favorite comic character. While I dug the Azzarello run for what it was, he was writing his own little horror stories where Constantine was more a vehicle to hang the bits on than a central character. I love Mike Carey's writing in general, so of course I'm predisposed to him, but it is also clear that Carey was interested in bringing Constantine back into the forefront of the story, making him the central character again. I will say that it must be tough to write this character because he really can't change all that much, so as usual what we see is a supporting crew that can be vulnerable, can grow, and can interact with each other in ways unexpected. In his first outing, we get the re/introduction of engaging characters that will wind their way through the plot and ultimately Carey's total run. So all in all, this was classic Hellblazer.
August 31, 2009
4 1/2 stars. Finally made it to Carey's run, which I've been looking forward to and I'm not disappointed.
May 31, 2015
Two self-contained storylines, both enjoyable.
December 3, 2017
John uses incantations in the second arc. It brings the whole magic thing back to its roots. There are also magical items, summonings and bindings in what I'm starting to think will be a good run for Carey. The way he has John manipulate people, added to his more complex use of magic earn this volume top marks.
John visits his sister Cheryl in Liverpool. John meets Angie, another magician, and they investigate the weird vibe around Cheryl's building where several gruesome events have been happening recently. She gets attacked by two men who are responsible for the Striptease Killer murders and John decides to pull out the stops to find them.
John is looking for his niece Gemma. The other magicians, including Clarice, are concerned about his return in relation to a sepulchre. They should be more worried about Fredericks who is also looking for the sepulchre and has captured Gemma to use her as a bargaining chip with John. What follows is a whirlwing of events where it looks like John doesn't have the upper hand.
John visits his sister Cheryl in Liverpool. John meets Angie, another magician, and they investigate the weird vibe around Cheryl's building where several gruesome events have been happening recently. She gets attacked by two men who are responsible for the Striptease Killer murders and John decides to pull out the stops to find them.
John is looking for his niece Gemma. The other magicians, including Clarice, are concerned about his return in relation to a sepulchre. They should be more worried about Fredericks who is also looking for the sepulchre and has captured Gemma to use her as a bargaining chip with John. What follows is a whirlwing of events where it looks like John doesn't have the upper hand.
October 4, 2024
After reading the Jamie Delano and Garth Ennis run on Hellblazer some years ago I’ve decided to try and read some of the following creators works on the title, so far this is the one that’s even coming close to those two greats.
I very much enjoyed this volume, bringing Constantine back to Liverpool (or England in general) is as far as I’m concerned a much needed step. I really don’t need to see John interacting with Superman, Wonder Woman and Doctor Manhattan in a DC wide event. I enjoy Hellblazer for the Magic, Scams and Hijinks and his cocky attitude.
This book delivers and I’m excited to dive further into Mike Carey’s tenure on Hellblazer.
I very much enjoyed this volume, bringing Constantine back to Liverpool (or England in general) is as far as I’m concerned a much needed step. I really don’t need to see John interacting with Superman, Wonder Woman and Doctor Manhattan in a DC wide event. I enjoy Hellblazer for the Magic, Scams and Hijinks and his cocky attitude.
This book delivers and I’m excited to dive further into Mike Carey’s tenure on Hellblazer.
August 27, 2023
A welcome return to form after the abysmal Azzarello run, It's John "maybe don't call me Constantine" fighting demons for the love of his family and possibly for a woman he just met.
Magic and demons are used for actual plot and character developments. Constantine is once again written as an empathetic human with a witty and cool front, as opposed to a morally bankrupt abuser.
It's not my favorite ever Hellblazer story, but I do appreciate the title being written by someone smart enough to understand the character they're writing.
Magic and demons are used for actual plot and character developments. Constantine is once again written as an empathetic human with a witty and cool front, as opposed to a morally bankrupt abuser.
It's not my favorite ever Hellblazer story, but I do appreciate the title being written by someone smart enough to understand the character they're writing.
August 29, 2019
Dark, twisting, everything a story can be
October 30, 2020
Buen comienzo de la etapa de Mike Carey, un guionista que me gusta bastante. A ver que tal los siguientes tomos.
May 7, 2024
Lembrei um pouco das primeiras fases do Constantine. Me surpreendeu positivamente.
September 22, 2019
I really need to re-read this installment of Hellblazer, it's one of the high points of Mike Careys iconic run of the series. I love Mike Carey and appreciate his writing, his stories stand out in a market saturated with comic book series. This edition deftly weaves magic, Christian mythology, characters from the Hindu pantheon of gods as well as demonology into an action packed noir full of interesting characters and dark shenanigans.
Expect egde of the seat action, dark comedy and mystical events enacted by our protagonist John Constantine.
Expect egde of the seat action, dark comedy and mystical events enacted by our protagonist John Constantine.
July 4, 2011
"Most magic is just making people look the wrong way."
After his time in America, John Constantine has come back to England where he finds himself in the middle of a gang war between rival groups of magicians both searching for a mysterious object known as the Red Sepulchre. Mike Carey's first Hellblazer collection continues the story right where previous writer Brian Azzerello left off. It's back to basics as Mike Carey brings back characters from Warren Ellis's run on the title. Unlike Azzerello who presented magic as being more psychological than supernatural, Carey has his characters perform numerous occult spells including summoning a demon. The writing is incredibly witty and, despite being part of an ongoing comic series, the story stands on its own.
After his time in America, John Constantine has come back to England where he finds himself in the middle of a gang war between rival groups of magicians both searching for a mysterious object known as the Red Sepulchre. Mike Carey's first Hellblazer collection continues the story right where previous writer Brian Azzerello left off. It's back to basics as Mike Carey brings back characters from Warren Ellis's run on the title. Unlike Azzerello who presented magic as being more psychological than supernatural, Carey has his characters perform numerous occult spells including summoning a demon. The writing is incredibly witty and, despite being part of an ongoing comic series, the story stands on its own.
March 11, 2013
Constantine delves into the realms of myth and legends in this volume, as he is coerced into helping find a powerful magical object linked to the goddess Kali. The arrival of the Red Sepulchre in London causes an uproar in the magical community, as the old guard realize the danger ingerent in the object, but Domine (the new guy in town with deep pockets) will do anything to possess it. Constantine sides with the Old Guard, but Domine has captured his neice Gemma, so COnstantine has to play along until he can get Gemma out of Domine's clutches. The Red Sepulchre doesn't turn out to be the weapon that everyone thinks it is, which helps Constantine fool them long enough to come up with a daring plan and to destroy the Red Sepulchre once and for all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2010
Maybe I'm biased because I love the work Mike Carey does, but his entire run on Hellblazer is some of the best, traditional Hellblazer writing that I've seen to date. There is magic, demons, cults, mystical gatherings, mysticism and fantasy. The soft edge he presents it with gives a sort of surreal feeling to it, which, in my opinion, is exactly how fantasy should make you feel. That's not to say this run was without fault, assuredly he faltered in some points, but nitpicking is for old ladies and I'm not about to lump myself in with that lot. I enjoyed it and I am totally fine with leaving it at that.
September 5, 2016
Mike Carey writing Constantine: what could be better? Lots of stuff, it turns out. I couldn't get into this. The story was fine, but nothing we haven't seen before* and the art wasn't appealing to me.
Oh well.
*Yes, I realize that asking for something original from a comic book that is at #175 when this story arc begins is asking too much, but I expect a lot from carey.
Oh well.
*Yes, I realize that asking for something original from a comic book that is at #175 when this story arc begins is asking too much, but I expect a lot from carey.
February 10, 2011
OK, this is getting back towards the right direction. Or at least, the direction that I like. Mike Carey is interested enough in the whole story to include characters and locales that have already been established in the series. Good to see John's sister again and his neice Gemma. Also good to see great characters like Map come back.
Another good thing is that Carey's not just trying to "make" his stories with gross-outs. I'm not a prude about the gross outs, but I am very critical of them when they substitute for essential story elements like a narrative climax.
Another good thing is that Carey's not just trying to "make" his stories with gross-outs. I'm not a prude about the gross outs, but I am very critical of them when they substitute for essential story elements like a narrative climax.
May 25, 2014
I have to say I really liked the first story in this volume. It had Constantine return to Liverpool and meet his sister who thought he was dead. She was living in a horrendous council block. It got a little cheesy towards the end but I liked how brutal and depressing everything was without any magic or evil. The red sepulchre story afterwards was ok. Having had COnstantine's return be so dramatic in Liverpool it felt just like he was carrying on as normal in London. An interesting enough story but without the same impact as the first one.
December 19, 2014
Mike Carey esimene storyline Hellblazeri stsenaristina. Polegi nii paha tegelikult. Eelmise autori, Azzarello, krimi/noir/thriller on jäänud Ameerikasse, Constantine on tagasi Euroopas ja kohe on ka pahad jõud, vaimud ja kurjad maagid platsis. Seekord siis tegeletakse alguses ühes betoongetos toimuvate metsikute tapmistega, kus süüdlaseks osutub pealtnäha lahke vanaema moega naabrimutt ja siis pikem liin kus aetakse taga india thuggide kultuse salajast relva. Hea.
October 26, 2014
He's a cynical, chain smoking Brit with no regard for other people's feelings. No, really, you'll love him. Stop laughing! You'll love him. You WILL! Bloody git....asks for a recommendation, the cackles on like a hyena....Check out my full review: Hellblazer: Red Sepulchre
February 22, 2008
This is a solid Hellblazer story, nothing earshattering, but still artfully drawn and told. I have to admit it's something of a relief after the big "HUH?" I got from Damnation's Flame (the last Hellblazer collection I read).
April 6, 2011
It has been years since i read these comics. In hindsight they are not as timeless or as powerful as the Sandman series, which broke every comic book mold back in the late 80s early 90s and raised the bar on the storytelling possibilities of western comics. But they are a fun horror romp.
November 10, 2012
Interesting enough, Mike Carey's run was hardest to pick on (perhaps because Azarello's run was overall "un-Hellblazerish" and a bit disappointing), though Carey's one of my favorite comic book writers. Yet, when you get into the story, it's hard to stop.
April 4, 2013
Very enjoyable collection, great to see Mike Carey return Constantine to his continuity, with the return of some familiar faces. Nothing groundbreaking here, just good solid storytelling. Carey writes some great dialogue as well. Recommended.
March 24, 2016
I made the mistake of reading this graphic novel out of order. You really need to read this BEFORE "Hellblazer: Black Flowers" and "Hellblazer: Staring at the Wall" or you'll be confused. Well, maybe YOU won't be confused, but I sure was. Still has some shockingly good art, though.
March 1, 2008
Hugely enjoyed this, leaves me panting for more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews