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Hellblazer: New Editions
Hellblazer, Vol. 17: Out of Season
In the latest tales of JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER VOL. 17, John Constantine arrives on the scene, a dagger in one hand and an engraved human skull in the other while the Beast is burning its mark into the world. Constantine's fragile coalition has fallen apart in death and recrimination. It looks as though John's fortunes have finally reached rock bottom. But when he faces the Beast in its lair, things get unimaginably worse.
Collects JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER #189-201.
Collects JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER #189-201.
328 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2017
22 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Mike Carey
1,267 books2,972 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 35 reviews
November 7, 2020
The excellent Mike Carey (who penned the superb "Lucifer" comics) brings his considerable talents to crafting a fine Hellblazer volume.
In the events that were detailed in Volume 16, JC has lost his memory of who he is, due to fighting against the Beast. But, a demented serial killer is on his trail and it will involve not only Constantine but Chas (his Taxi driver friend) and his family.
On top of this, JC's actions with the Beast have other ramifications and this draws a bevy of cosmic-level powers, from a brief cameo by Lucifer to certain Lords of Hell fighting over the soul of Constantine.
Mike Carey manages to expand JC's usual bevy of minor demons and such with some truly powerful characters. The "auction" for his soul is a great story and I truly liked the First of the Fallen (Satan), who now rules Hell in Lucifer's abdication.
But the vast majority of the story revolves around JC's missing memory and the strange events that flow out of the fact that people don't realize he doesn't know who he is (though his doublecross of the Sorcerer who tried to sell his soul is sublime). Mike Carey is a talented writer and brings his gifts to Hellblazer. Definately worth your while to check out.
In the events that were detailed in Volume 16, JC has lost his memory of who he is, due to fighting against the Beast. But, a demented serial killer is on his trail and it will involve not only Constantine but Chas (his Taxi driver friend) and his family.
On top of this, JC's actions with the Beast have other ramifications and this draws a bevy of cosmic-level powers, from a brief cameo by Lucifer to certain Lords of Hell fighting over the soul of Constantine.
Mike Carey manages to expand JC's usual bevy of minor demons and such with some truly powerful characters. The "auction" for his soul is a great story and I truly liked the First of the Fallen (Satan), who now rules Hell in Lucifer's abdication.
But the vast majority of the story revolves around JC's missing memory and the strange events that flow out of the fact that people don't realize he doesn't know who he is (though his doublecross of the Sorcerer who tried to sell his soul is sublime). Mike Carey is a talented writer and brings his gifts to Hellblazer. Definately worth your while to check out.
September 20, 2017
3.5 stars.
Hellblazer is consistenly good, but I wasn't feeling this collection for some reason.
Hellblazer is consistenly good, but I wasn't feeling this collection for some reason.
April 13, 2021
Well it's been two years and I'm back to trying to muddle my way through the classic Hellblazer run. This one was okay but ultimately not really anything new and I know Carey can write much better. I did like that Constantine's niece played a bit of a larger part in the first half so I'm kind of hoping to see a bit more of her since I know Carey likes to have teenage girl characters in most of his stories [because of his daughter or niece I think? I read something about that once but it's been awhile]. The second half was really weird and I honestly skimmed a lot of it but considering where it ended up it could end up coming to an interesting conclusion so I guess I'll see whenever I get around to the next volume.
October 7, 2017
Poor Constantine can't catch a break. Even when he's trying to do the right thing, it all goes to shit.
Following on from the threat introduced in the last volume, John is trying to stop the shadow dog that could possibly destroy the world...only to discover that the dog isn't the problem at all, and that he's just done someone else's dirty work for him. Whoops. And the only way to stop it involves giving up his own memories and sense of self. Double whoops. That's the crux of Staring At The Wall, the first five issue story in this volume, with art by returning star Marcelo Frusin who continues to make everyone as creepy as hell and constantly on edge. I love it.
The next three issues bounce Constantine around a bit in the aftermath of his battle with yet another demon, in a one-shot story and then the two-part Out Of Season which gives John some dangerous introspection about the kind of man that he is, with guest art from the hyper-detailed Leonardo Manco, and the more stripped back Chris Brunner.
The Station Of The Cross is the next three parter, which brings back a villain from the previous volume for both closure and to propel John into the next big event in his life. Issue 200 deals with this, with Hellblazer mainstay Steve Dillon, as well as current series artists Leonardo Manco and Marcelo Frusin taking about 15 pages each as John lives through his perfect lives with each of his love interests in turn, only for it all to fall on its face as the villain's true plan is revealed. There's also one final done-in-one about a cursed stone to finish off, which is a little weaker especially after the power of #200, but Hellblazer is reknowned for these types of stories every now and then.
Another very solid volume in Mike Carey's long run on the character - he has a plan, and he's going to execute it, whether John likes it or not.
Following on from the threat introduced in the last volume, John is trying to stop the shadow dog that could possibly destroy the world...only to discover that the dog isn't the problem at all, and that he's just done someone else's dirty work for him. Whoops. And the only way to stop it involves giving up his own memories and sense of self. Double whoops. That's the crux of Staring At The Wall, the first five issue story in this volume, with art by returning star Marcelo Frusin who continues to make everyone as creepy as hell and constantly on edge. I love it.
The next three issues bounce Constantine around a bit in the aftermath of his battle with yet another demon, in a one-shot story and then the two-part Out Of Season which gives John some dangerous introspection about the kind of man that he is, with guest art from the hyper-detailed Leonardo Manco, and the more stripped back Chris Brunner.
The Station Of The Cross is the next three parter, which brings back a villain from the previous volume for both closure and to propel John into the next big event in his life. Issue 200 deals with this, with Hellblazer mainstay Steve Dillon, as well as current series artists Leonardo Manco and Marcelo Frusin taking about 15 pages each as John lives through his perfect lives with each of his love interests in turn, only for it all to fall on its face as the villain's true plan is revealed. There's also one final done-in-one about a cursed stone to finish off, which is a little weaker especially after the power of #200, but Hellblazer is reknowned for these types of stories every now and then.
Another very solid volume in Mike Carey's long run on the character - he has a plan, and he's going to execute it, whether John likes it or not.
September 25, 2017
WOW! What a volume!!
Though it's mostly comprised of many story arcs, this volume reads like a charm. An amnesiac JC seemed, at first, a little far-fetched, a little like fighting with one-hand behind his back, but JC being JC didn't disappoint. His inherent vice was never lacking and though he didn't do a lot of spells and shit like that, he did do a lot of cunning and underhanded, dodgy, wily stuff we love JC for.
Mike Carey's writing was stellar as can be expected. The guest artists too pulled off a great job.
Onwards and onwards. On to the next one.
Though it's mostly comprised of many story arcs, this volume reads like a charm. An amnesiac JC seemed, at first, a little far-fetched, a little like fighting with one-hand behind his back, but JC being JC didn't disappoint. His inherent vice was never lacking and though he didn't do a lot of spells and shit like that, he did do a lot of cunning and underhanded, dodgy, wily stuff we love JC for.
Mike Carey's writing was stellar as can be expected. The guest artists too pulled off a great job.
Onwards and onwards. On to the next one.
February 9, 2020
Constantine gets more deeply involved in sinister doings with great writing by Carey.
February 27, 2020
Like always, Mike Carey kills.
Read
February 6, 2021“Staring at the Wall” opens this book with John getting a bunch of his magician buddies together to stop the Shadow Dog. Things go south, so naturally John uses (ahem, recruits) other friends to put an end to the impending apocalypse. After this episode, he loses his memory, wandering around London homeless like that time during Ennis’ run. Things don’t get better fast, as he comes up against – in order – a telepathic serial killer, his frenemy Ghant, and a new power player demon. In other words, just another month in the life of John Constantine! Seriously though, this is thrilling stuff. I think this is Hellblazer at its best. Dark, darkly humorous, exciting, and emotional. Carey does so well building the story, and I’m completely caught up in it.
November 14, 2019
Carey was not likely going to be able to surpass his work in the last trade, but he does well enough. Great work from a few colorists also.
3.5/5
3.5/5
Read
January 24, 2026SWAMP THING GROWS ARMOR USING WOOD FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND FIGHTS A DEMON IN AN ASTRAL DIMENSION LETS GOOOOO
May 10, 2025
A solid instalment in the series, but ultimately this volume felt a bit of a retread on some of the previous storylines. Carey’s run though is still proving to be one of the most engaging so far.
September 6, 2022
Significantly better than the first volume of Carey’s run, largely because, while he doesn’t fully do away with all the winking and nodding and inferring, he uses it to much greater effect. This time around I never found myself wondering what the hell was going on unless I was specifically meant to be in the dark for narrative reasons. It’s a bit of a bummer that the previous volume is required reading to appreciate this one, as this volume pays off several seeds Carey was planting in vol. 16, because it’s such a vast improvement I would normally just recommend people start with this volume instead. But, I do think it’s probably essential to read 16 to appreciate 17, unfortunately.
In any case, I think this is the best representation of Constantine since Garth Ennis’s character-defining run many many issues ago. The stories all manage to have profound emotional stakes for Constantine himself, without ever making him lose the core of who he is (well, except a little bit when, well, you’ll see). It improves the stories vastly, making them feel more important to Constantine himself, rather than having everything just be someone else’s problem that he’s solving.
The supernatural storytelling in this volume also feels the fullest and freshest its felt in several volumes. Different writers have tried out different shades of Delano’s original half political/half supernatural style, usually not fully landing on either side. Carey goes whole hog on the supernatural stuff, and really seems to know what he’s doing there. It’s refreshing to see Constantine fighting demons again, the thing he’s best at, rather than trying to solve political problems with magic or whatever.
What a turnaround! Into it!
In any case, I think this is the best representation of Constantine since Garth Ennis’s character-defining run many many issues ago. The stories all manage to have profound emotional stakes for Constantine himself, without ever making him lose the core of who he is (well, except a little bit when, well, you’ll see). It improves the stories vastly, making them feel more important to Constantine himself, rather than having everything just be someone else’s problem that he’s solving.
The supernatural storytelling in this volume also feels the fullest and freshest its felt in several volumes. Different writers have tried out different shades of Delano’s original half political/half supernatural style, usually not fully landing on either side. Carey goes whole hog on the supernatural stuff, and really seems to know what he’s doing there. It’s refreshing to see Constantine fighting demons again, the thing he’s best at, rather than trying to solve political problems with magic or whatever.
What a turnaround! Into it!
August 12, 2024
Note: This is for all of Carey's run collected in Hellblazer vol. 16: Wild Card, vol. 17: Out of Season, and vol. 18: The Gift.
You might be wondering why review three volumes in one? Well, Carey's run is essentially two larger stories which I will call: "Three Doors Down" and "Family Matters." Three Doors Down starts in vol. 16 with the climax being the very beginning of vol. 17, which then seamlessly flows into Family Matters, which is finished up in vol. 18. So... let's go over these two stories.
Three Doors Down: John finally returns home to Liverpool, finding a plucky sidekick as he investigates mysterious dark energies centered around his sister's apartment. He then discovers a mage war has been brewing in London, with his niece being drawn into one side as a pawn to lure him into the game. Constantine enters the war, playing both sides against each other with some cleaver tricks and begins investigating the "doors" the war was centered around. Three doors are being unlocked to unleash the apocalypse... This story was pretty good. It was fun seeing John take up the reluctant mentor role and plenty of old faces return to the stage (including Swampy). I also enjoyed the intensity of the climax. Very dark, but well done. I really liked how this arc had a variety of stories in it, with a multitude of threats building up the big bad. It felt like the original Swamp Thing Arc that introduced Constantine, but this time John was the main character, which was awesome.
Family Matters: Coming directly out of the last arc, John finds himself in a very tight spot after [spoilers]. A mysterious demon decides to take advantage of this to [spoilers], which leads to some "Holy Crap!" moments and somehow ups the intensity from the last arc as she is hitting Constantine directly in the heart. Plenty of good character moments, building on the last arc, while some very familiar characters return to the scene, whom I can't say without spoilers. Let us just say it gets really good. Additionally, we are treated to an epilogue where Constantine reflects on all he has lost and gives a great monologue to the mage's guild, telling them to not follow in his footsteps. This actually ended up being a great send off to the character.
In short, two great stories that, while not the "peak" of the character, are easily some of his best stories and a solid finale to Constantine's arc... but wait. There's more?
You might be wondering why review three volumes in one? Well, Carey's run is essentially two larger stories which I will call: "Three Doors Down" and "Family Matters." Three Doors Down starts in vol. 16 with the climax being the very beginning of vol. 17, which then seamlessly flows into Family Matters, which is finished up in vol. 18. So... let's go over these two stories.
Three Doors Down: John finally returns home to Liverpool, finding a plucky sidekick as he investigates mysterious dark energies centered around his sister's apartment. He then discovers a mage war has been brewing in London, with his niece being drawn into one side as a pawn to lure him into the game. Constantine enters the war, playing both sides against each other with some cleaver tricks and begins investigating the "doors" the war was centered around. Three doors are being unlocked to unleash the apocalypse... This story was pretty good. It was fun seeing John take up the reluctant mentor role and plenty of old faces return to the stage (including Swampy). I also enjoyed the intensity of the climax. Very dark, but well done. I really liked how this arc had a variety of stories in it, with a multitude of threats building up the big bad. It felt like the original Swamp Thing Arc that introduced Constantine, but this time John was the main character, which was awesome.
Family Matters: Coming directly out of the last arc, John finds himself in a very tight spot after [spoilers]. A mysterious demon decides to take advantage of this to [spoilers], which leads to some "Holy Crap!" moments and somehow ups the intensity from the last arc as she is hitting Constantine directly in the heart. Plenty of good character moments, building on the last arc, while some very familiar characters return to the scene, whom I can't say without spoilers. Let us just say it gets really good. Additionally, we are treated to an epilogue where Constantine reflects on all he has lost and gives a great monologue to the mage's guild, telling them to not follow in his footsteps. This actually ended up being a great send off to the character.
In short, two great stories that, while not the "peak" of the character, are easily some of his best stories and a solid finale to Constantine's arc... but wait. There's more?
January 27, 2026
post-ennis hellblazer has a tendency to feel a lot like Hellboy. this is pretty much like that. i've read ahead a bit and this will keep going. i don't like hellboy.
only thing i like about Carey's run is Gemma, or rather, what she is like after her first appearance (which had her acting like a naive bimbo). angie is also really nice but has a very surface-level character that mostly exists to be john's "doctor who girl".
the art is pretty much abysmal (this also goes for some of vol. 16). there are a variety of good panels here and there but in general the characters are drawn very inconsistently, so it's hard to know what their designs actually are. i feel like Angie had a very defined design in her first appearance but after that she hasn't looked as good (except for that Brazil issue, though even then it was only some panels).
i'll get more into detail about carey's run in the next one.
only thing i like about Carey's run is Gemma, or rather, what she is like after her first appearance (which had her acting like a naive bimbo). angie is also really nice but has a very surface-level character that mostly exists to be john's "doctor who girl".
the art is pretty much abysmal (this also goes for some of vol. 16). there are a variety of good panels here and there but in general the characters are drawn very inconsistently, so it's hard to know what their designs actually are. i feel like Angie had a very defined design in her first appearance but after that she hasn't looked as good (except for that Brazil issue, though even then it was only some panels).
i'll get more into detail about carey's run in the next one.
January 29, 2022
In Hellblazer Volume 17, “Out of Season”: John Constantine gathers a group of sorcerers together to beat back a pissed-off giant dog-demon that has forced its way out of Hell; Constantine gets amnesia; some psycho has kidnapped Chaz and his family in an attempt to get Constantine, who still has amnesia; Constantine infiltrates a cult that is kidnapping homeless people to be used as food for a cannibal priest; Constantine is forced to live through three possible lifetimes he could have chosen, all with the same outcome: his children all turn out to be powerful and evil.
Mike Carey continues his run of weird (even for Hellblazer) stories of apocalyptic horror, with some fantastic (if minimalist) artwork by Marcelo Frusin. These (now considered "old" and "classic" by comic book standards) Vertigo comics are still some of the best horror comic books ever written.
Mike Carey continues his run of weird (even for Hellblazer) stories of apocalyptic horror, with some fantastic (if minimalist) artwork by Marcelo Frusin. These (now considered "old" and "classic" by comic book standards) Vertigo comics are still some of the best horror comic books ever written.
November 23, 2019
What if Constantine lost his memory? That is the key point of this seventeenth Hellblazer collected edition.
I read it to cleanse my palate after the first “rebirth” volume (and, interestingly, it hs a lot of parallels: John’s niece, Gemma, plays an important role; as does Swamp Thing; there’s a global threat (unusual in Hellblazer, innit); John’s hurt badly). And cleanse my palate it did.
Not as good as the first classic Hellblazer, and even other Carey-penned recent issues, this volume nonetheless stands out for good wrting, a compelling story, great artwork, and, thankfully, precious little bombastic magic. It’s a clear example Constantine comics can happen in the Twenty-First Century without being PC but becoming more modern. Even, at times, more fresh.
I read it to cleanse my palate after the first “rebirth” volume (and, interestingly, it hs a lot of parallels: John’s niece, Gemma, plays an important role; as does Swamp Thing; there’s a global threat (unusual in Hellblazer, innit); John’s hurt badly). And cleanse my palate it did.
Not as good as the first classic Hellblazer, and even other Carey-penned recent issues, this volume nonetheless stands out for good wrting, a compelling story, great artwork, and, thankfully, precious little bombastic magic. It’s a clear example Constantine comics can happen in the Twenty-First Century without being PC but becoming more modern. Even, at times, more fresh.
July 23, 2025
Trying to get back into the Hellblazer series. Doing it digitally because the TPBs because so difficult to find.
This is another great collection. It's only negative point is that Carey banks on you remembering a bunch of obscure stuff from the issues past. But with that being said, he does a decent enough job of explaining everything. I think the first story in the is collection, "Staring At The Wall" is a bit all over the place but it very quickly picks up after that.
We're past the issue #200 mark and into the home stretch.
This is another great collection. It's only negative point is that Carey banks on you remembering a bunch of obscure stuff from the issues past. But with that being said, he does a decent enough job of explaining everything. I think the first story in the is collection, "Staring At The Wall" is a bit all over the place but it very quickly picks up after that.
We're past the issue #200 mark and into the home stretch.
November 6, 2017
I had some trouble following the first arc in this, but I mostly enjoyed this trade. Hellblazer usually doesn’t have the best art, but the art in this trade is mostly fantastic, which is great. Carey’s Hellblazer is much more magic based than any other fun, and it’s a lot darker than a lot of other runs, which is saying something. Though I love the dark comedy that is Ennis’s run, Carey’s run is still very enjoyable.
February 17, 2021
Once again, Mike Carey nails Constantine to a "T", with crisp writing, exciting plots and extremely witty dialogue. Sadly, the artwork by Marcelo Frusin is not up to his usual standards, often feeling like the artist was not really that invested in drawing these stories. On the plus side, Leonardo manco starts his run as the main HB artist, and he does pretty good work. Carey's run is definetly one of the best eras of HB.
March 24, 2023
This one was really good.
You got stories ranging from "weird" to fucking "tetric".
The art is very good and conveys that moment in John Constantine's life when everything is going wrong for him.
There are some characters that return from previous issues and they do it in a very organic way that doesn't seem forced.
Recommended.
You got stories ranging from "weird" to fucking "tetric".
The art is very good and conveys that moment in John Constantine's life when everything is going wrong for him.
There are some characters that return from previous issues and they do it in a very organic way that doesn't seem forced.
Recommended.
May 13, 2018
This is more like it : Carey takes Constantine out of his comfort zone due to memory loss, after something goes extremely nasty. Good writing and pacing, some great art (for a change), and realistic portrayals of JC's supporting cast, all come together to make an excellent volume.
August 14, 2019
This volume contains all the classic elements of Hellblazer - visions of hell, demons double-crossed, friends put through incredible danger (whole of humankind in this one!), John Constantine hating himself.
Enjoyed this volume more than the last one.
Enjoyed this volume more than the last one.
March 16, 2022
Constantine lost and found and so very screwed. Literally. A lot happens in this one and there’s a lot of potential for what comes next. Looking forward to it.
Full review (individual thoughts as I was reading):
https://blog.jverkamp.com/2022/03/14/...
Full review (individual thoughts as I was reading):
https://blog.jverkamp.com/2022/03/14/...
January 30, 2018
Quality writing and quality art, a very good and very dark volume, well worth a read.
May 30, 2019
Mike Carey and John Constantine make quite the pair.
April 7, 2020
My goodness! The shit is getting real.
September 14, 2020
Yep, it's official: Ennis and Dillon were still doing the book the last time it was THIS essential
June 30, 2021
Interesting read
Nice to see some recurring Chas like Johns niece and chas plus swamp thing real page turner makes me what to read more
Nice to see some recurring Chas like Johns niece and chas plus swamp thing real page turner makes me what to read more
September 4, 2022
This is book is great. Yeah, the art is great. But, it's Mike Carey's stellar story, that made it.
October 13, 2023
An enticing main story, building upon and improving the already good previous volume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews