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Hellblazer: Rise and Fall #1
Hellblazer: Rise and Fall #1
A billionaire falls out of the sky and is gruesomely skewered on a church spire. Bizarrely, Angel Wings are attached to his back. More follow until, hallelujah, it's raining businessmen. Detective Aisha Bukhari is stumped by this, until she's visited by her childhood friend, occult investigator John Constantine. DC’s Hellblazer discovers a link between the falling elite and a shocking moment in his and Aisha’s misspent youth. How do these killings tie to the first death on John's hands? How does this involve heaven and hell? Even if this is kind of John's fault, will Constantine be happy to let a few more rich bastards fall from the sky, like a vindictive Robin Hood? It's an all-new DC Black Label mystery starring John Constantine in his very first tale spun by acclaimed writer Tom Taylor (DCeased) and artist Darick Robertson (The Boys)!
51 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Tom Taylor
1,299 books1,037 followersOnce a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.
Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.
He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.
He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.
Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.
He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.
He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 10, 2020
Politicians and the wealthy elite are being stripped nekkid, having angel wings glued to their backs and dropped from the sky - sounds good to me, what’s the probs? Constantine sets out to investigate anyway - expect supernatural reasons why!
Tom Taylor and Darick Robertson, the team that gave us the best part of DCeased - the Constantine intro - have reunited to produce this, a full-length story for DC Black Label, Hellblazer: Rise and Fall. And… eh, I was a bit disappointed with it.
There’s a lot of sombre childhood stuff in the first half that wasn’t very interesting. For no reason he’s separated from his birth mother by medical staff - why, and why didn’t his dad do anything?? The theme of guilt continues as he accidentally kills a friend when dabbling in magic as a teen. What I liked so much about Taylor’s characterisation of Constantine in DCeased was the fun and irreverence of the character so not seeing any of that here is a let down.
Because Constantine’s world is so limited, a new character is introduced: Aisha, one of his childhood mates, who’s grown up to be a copper. She’s a fairly unmemorable addition but some of the dialogue between Constantine and her family the morning after their drunken jolly was kinda amusing.
I like Darick Robertson’s art - it remains emotive and stylish - and the visuals of the impaled “angels” are striking. I guess I sorta want to see what that’s all about. But the rest of the comic is your standard Constantine fare - more supernatural shenanigans. Ho hum.
I’d hoped Taylor’s Hellblazer would be as witty and enjoyable as the Constantine part of DCeased but it turns out Rise and Fall is just standard Hellblazer: a gloomy crime story with a dash of rubbish about the predictable cost of magic - unimpressive stuff unfortunately.
Tom Taylor and Darick Robertson, the team that gave us the best part of DCeased - the Constantine intro - have reunited to produce this, a full-length story for DC Black Label, Hellblazer: Rise and Fall. And… eh, I was a bit disappointed with it.
There’s a lot of sombre childhood stuff in the first half that wasn’t very interesting. For no reason he’s separated from his birth mother by medical staff - why, and why didn’t his dad do anything?? The theme of guilt continues as he accidentally kills a friend when dabbling in magic as a teen. What I liked so much about Taylor’s characterisation of Constantine in DCeased was the fun and irreverence of the character so not seeing any of that here is a let down.
Because Constantine’s world is so limited, a new character is introduced: Aisha, one of his childhood mates, who’s grown up to be a copper. She’s a fairly unmemorable addition but some of the dialogue between Constantine and her family the morning after their drunken jolly was kinda amusing.
I like Darick Robertson’s art - it remains emotive and stylish - and the visuals of the impaled “angels” are striking. I guess I sorta want to see what that’s all about. But the rest of the comic is your standard Constantine fare - more supernatural shenanigans. Ho hum.
I’d hoped Taylor’s Hellblazer would be as witty and enjoyable as the Constantine part of DCeased but it turns out Rise and Fall is just standard Hellblazer: a gloomy crime story with a dash of rubbish about the predictable cost of magic - unimpressive stuff unfortunately.
September 3, 2020
I love the Black Label books. And them coming in deluxe sizes is cool since they're so much bigger and nice to read. BUT they're a real fucking bitch to find a spot for them since they're so big lol.
Anyway, Hellblazer is back. In fact there's a current one running which I hear is amazing. But this is a 3 issue special by Tom Taylor. You know, the guy who's writing some of the best stuff at DC (Dceased, Suicide Squad, Injustice, ect...) and so he gives us a new story with John.
Now this book is extremely accessible. This is important, since if you never read Hellblazer, you can jump in and enjoy. The opening shots are haunting but work in favor to show who John is. The brutalness of this series (blood/cursing/violence) works in it's favor. Basically, this is where John BELONGS, and he needs to be rated M all the time.
The story here is the loss of a childhood friend and the two who were with him after now have to pay the consequences. The threat feels scary, the mystery is intriguing, and the humor is perfect. This is a near perfect first issue. Go check it out. A 5 out of 5.
Anyway, Hellblazer is back. In fact there's a current one running which I hear is amazing. But this is a 3 issue special by Tom Taylor. You know, the guy who's writing some of the best stuff at DC (Dceased, Suicide Squad, Injustice, ect...) and so he gives us a new story with John.
Now this book is extremely accessible. This is important, since if you never read Hellblazer, you can jump in and enjoy. The opening shots are haunting but work in favor to show who John is. The brutalness of this series (blood/cursing/violence) works in it's favor. Basically, this is where John BELONGS, and he needs to be rated M all the time.
The story here is the loss of a childhood friend and the two who were with him after now have to pay the consequences. The threat feels scary, the mystery is intriguing, and the humor is perfect. This is a near perfect first issue. Go check it out. A 5 out of 5.
February 3, 2021
This is a review of the entire series. Its okayish and focuses on John returning to England and reuniting with his friend Aisha and turns out there is a new demon named Despondeo whose after them and his childhood friend Billy is his host and there is some history between them and they are targeting rich people and all and so its a quest to save him and then it becomes a reunion with Lucifer, more focus on the past, the cab driver Chas and quite some more and then when they defeat him in the end, its with heavy costs. This series was kinda meh, not the finest Tom Taylor story and the art felt so uninspired and just static. It was disappointing tbh.
September 17, 2020
3.75 stars. Never read a Hellblazer comic before. However I have been enjoying the Black Label books for the most part. Throw in this gorgeous variant cover and Tom Taylor and I had to check it out. Pretty good opening issue. Starts off with John been born then moves to when he is maybe in his early teens with two of his friends. A tragedy happens there and then we are brought to current times. Both of his friends are back in regular capacity and in more nefarious ways. Throw in a running mystery with some dead bodies and some mysterious wings and you have yourself pretty good first issue.
November 9, 2020
Okay, you know what? This is more like a 4.5; plot’s not the most original, but I don’t care. This was a lot of fun and I want to see more of John, Chas, Aisha and their antics together. Also, loving that this can be a good entry point into Hellblazer if you’re not ready to dive into the hundreds of back issues.
September 17, 2020
How the John Constantine character should be written and drawn (the art is beautiful.) A great, fun, honestly creepy title.
September 12, 2020
Pretty much what you'd expect from a Constantine story. It's enjoyable but I took a star because DC can't seem to account for the center margin on their dual page spreads and it's annoying, and elements of this story are rehashings of other Hellblazer comics and/or movies featuring John Constantine. Maintaining the status quo isn't always a bad thing, but it should be easy to give a Constantine Black Label book more originality.
September 4, 2020
Perfect storytelling perfect art. Great jump on spot for anyone whos never read hellblazer
September 7, 2020
Ooohhhh. So far, so bloody good.
August 14, 2021
Buen planteamiento de trama, con homenaje a Jamie Delano incluido. Me encanta ver a John desenvolverse en Liverpool, ver que se respeta el origen de su culpa y la reaparición del Primer de lo Caídos aunque sea reconvertido. ¿Quién sabe? Hay quien se muere por otro crossover de la serie Constantine y Lucifer. Creía que el tema de alas perdidas del Lucero del Alba ya está más que amortizado por un Mike Carey muy inspirado y respetuosos con Neil Gaiman, pero siempre hay posibilidad para otra vuelta de tuerca. Eso sí, ignorando el universo Sandman. Supongo que ya me he acostumbrado a la incongruencias tras el retorno de Constantine a DC y la cancelación nunca suficientemente llorada de la cabecera original de Hellblazer. Y que le vamos a hacer, me pirran las historias con niños malignos, pintas y dañina genuina magia, sobre todo si son fieles al Constantine esencial, como es el caso.
La expresividad del dibujo, su punto underground, oscuro y peligro ayuda mucho a la historia.
Veremos en qué queda.
La expresividad del dibujo, su punto underground, oscuro y peligro ayuda mucho a la historia.
Veremos en qué queda.
December 21, 2020
It's raining business men! Someone is grafting angel's wings onto the 1 percentagers and dropping them from the sky. John Constantine, one of my favorite bi disasters of all time, is on the case along with his childhood friend Detective Aisha Bukhari.
To his horror, this might have ties into a tragedy from their shared past and in typical John fashion, his mere presence might end up getting people he knows killed.
This is from DC's new Black Label mystery series. It's a bigger than usual sized book (which actually might annoy collectors who want things all the same size). It's absolutely gorgeous. The art is top notch. I haven't seen art this good in American comics in ages. Darick Robertson hits it out of the park with this art and Tom Taylor's storyline is immediately absorbing. I couldn't wait to get my hands on #2. This is prime Constantine and I want it all!
To his horror, this might have ties into a tragedy from their shared past and in typical John fashion, his mere presence might end up getting people he knows killed.
This is from DC's new Black Label mystery series. It's a bigger than usual sized book (which actually might annoy collectors who want things all the same size). It's absolutely gorgeous. The art is top notch. I haven't seen art this good in American comics in ages. Darick Robertson hits it out of the park with this art and Tom Taylor's storyline is immediately absorbing. I couldn't wait to get my hands on #2. This is prime Constantine and I want it all!
September 12, 2020
Tom Taylor for me is a hit or miss writer, but a Constantine book with the art of Darick Robertson (The Boys, Happy) was too good to miss. In this first chapter. More new mates from a Constatine's past are introduced. Retcons are not bad by default, but given that it is a trope frequently used it becomes a little tiresome, just to give some emotional weight to the story faster.
On another note, the antagonist at the end was spotted way in advance because the story kind of gravitates to the revelation, and the casualty, sadly, was also expected.
Still, if you are a fan of the character, you should keep reading to get the full story, and to enjoy Robertson's art in the format.
On another note, the antagonist at the end was spotted way in advance because the story kind of gravitates to the revelation, and the casualty, sadly, was also expected.
Still, if you are a fan of the character, you should keep reading to get the full story, and to enjoy Robertson's art in the format.
May 2, 2021
It was ok, I see why Tom Taylor is a popular writer. The story was quick with a little early childhood scene which comes back to haunt John. It was a very Constantine comic when you have the line “a ghost a magician a deceive and the actual devil walk into a bar”. It had many Constantine moments which draw us into his mythology. Overall the story was basic with a little philosophical class war fare going on. Tom Taylor snuck that in without over doing it. The art was nice as it encompassed a whole page which is my favorite. Yet it was just blah.
October 19, 2020
Once again John Constantine is in a DC Black Label.
As a long time fan I’ve liked these more serious adult stores with Constantine. It seemed the character is being seen as something other than a cash cow.
Intrigued to see where this goes.
As a long time fan I’ve liked these more serious adult stores with Constantine. It seemed the character is being seen as something other than a cash cow.
Intrigued to see where this goes.
April 28, 2021
Tom Taylor is one of my favorite comic writers currently. I wish Rise and Fall had been a little more unusual, a little less familiar, but it is definitely entertaining and I'd love to see Taylor do more with these characters.
November 20, 2023
El arte es maravilloso. La historia del primer y segundo volumen avanzan a muy buen ritmo y me tuvieron enganchadísimo, pero sentí que en el tercero todo se desinfló demasiado rápido. Un final muy fofo para una gran historia.
September 10, 2020
A fun read- interested for the next one!
November 12, 2020
Awesome start!
November 26, 2020
Same old formula
November 28, 2020
Gayet ilgi çekici bir başlangıç oldu. Devam etmeye değer gözüküyor.
Read
December 6, 2020350/365
March 12, 2021
There is a total of four of these and the story arc. It gives a unique tell on John Constantine's childhood and his early years
April 26, 2022
Constantine przylizał się z Lucyferem w kiblu w barze 5/5
October 30, 2022
A somewhat interesting start in places.
June 1, 2023
Not the best, but still very much John Constantine. A rather interesting family interaction at the end, one that I want to see more of in the future.
June 17, 2025
Simplemente es John Constantine, siendo John Constantine en una adorable historia ligera
September 4, 2025
Short and sweet. I love the main character and the sleeping with the devil but. That made me giggle. Also love that billionaires are what he hates most and that he’s blatantly a communist drunk.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews