John Constantine Came Home!: The Final Plea To The Disenfranchised (Part 1 of 3)

Here we are; one week after we last saw John Constantine and company take down the Man and we learn of Manny's true intentions. For some time the programme's been in the "on the bubble" watch in light of the ratings being not as what fans and NBC had wanted. Another upheaval the show's faced is some long-time fans of the character upset over our favourite magus not smoking as much due to the bizarre standards and practice of major TV networks (and moreso the FCC and our ever wayward Surgeon General) and those who cry over "bi-erasure" when the show was following the Hellblazer series to the letter rather than treat the character in the manner of circa Russell T. Davies' Torchwood and other non-Who related television shows  (no offence, to the man himself but I digress...). The following you're about to read is a final plea to those who still remain disenfranchised with the programme as much as they are with the New 52 comic (which is as offensive and garish as the 2005 Keanu Reeves film).

"Hello, kids! I'm the worst thing to happen to your favorite character since Shaq as John Henry Irons/Steel circa 1997.  Screw the deep stuff, you should enjoy my holy shotgun and my plagurist sidekick cum utter looney Shia LeBeuf as directed by the man behind your beloved Hunger Games! Be on the look out for my appearance as Nick Necro in DC's allegedly defunct New 52 comics. 

- With discontent, the Keanu Reeves version of John Constantine from Earth 40 where I hang 

out with the George Clooney's Batman, Cathy Lee Crosby's Wonder Woman,  and Rick Springfield's Human Target (if you can remember him)"

The day of November 8th 2012 was every John Constantine fan's worst nightmare: Hellblazer was announced as cancelled after nearly 25 years and 300 issues (with the 1/3 of the 300 were the worst period for the character and the comic to date under the pen ship of Peter Milligan). I, like the rest of you, was deeply gutted by the horrible news and was/still am too angry and disgusted to give the New 52 comic a try; especially after learning from very good friends over at the Voices From Beyond message boards (I've long been associated with for a decade come this). It was like I lost a very good friend (Bastard though he was to others). Then came the news of a TV show about our man in the works on that one September in 2013.

As noted in a paragraph in my review for Non Est Asylum, I had my own misconceptions and fears about the programme assuming it'd be either in line with the awful and soulless New 52 (much like Arrow and The Flash are in their own right) or giving the 2005 film version a comeback despite the disdain for that particular version of the character and those around him. Fast forward to early 2014 and we learn of notes and tidbits from the pilot and the scepticism still remains until this time last February we learned of the casting of Matt Ryan along w/ the casting appointments of Charles Halford, Harold Perrineau and the original leading lady Lucy Griffiths.  The first thing that came to mind is "Thank the gods they're going with the true Constantine and not Reeves!" Of course we all wondered about getting the details visually right and lo & behold in March, we saw the first promotional picture of Ryan as Constantine. It was a damn good sight to see that day. Plus wanted to know how the rest play into the then developing series. All was need it next is how the pilot looked...

Then came the Summer of Leaked Pilots. Like many, I couldn't resist the peak and got to saw the whole pilot presentation. I enjoyed the majority of it! It pleased me dearly the TV!John would be the John Constantine we knew from his first appearance in Swamp Thing to Hellblazer #300 and not the New 52 imposter Dan DiDio, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Bob Harras (w/ Peter Milligan, Jeff Lemire and later Ray Fawke) passed off as the real deal. The pilot presented us Ravenscar, Roger "Piggy" Huntoon, references to Newcastle, Astra, Nergal...even John's one armed estranged father and his deceased mother. And yes, he's still a smoker; the no smoking rule was always the ever overreacting FCC's doing to major networks like the original 3 and Fox. I was even impressed with a Chas who was at last was not Shia leBeuf but one with a twist (which can be look back to the opening of Hellblazer #203 to some extent), an jerk off angel in Manny who might as well be a Time Lord from Doctor Who (classic series, naturally) though the odd one out was Liv Aberdine. Granted she was intended to be the viewers eyes into the twisted world of John Constantine but proved to be an all too flawed concept in execution to where late Summer Liv was written out in favour of a familiar canon character Zed in the form of Angelica Celaya. Another part of why I gladly support the show 100 percent is how faithful to the source material just like 8 out of the 24 James Bond films that were despite minor changes (namely Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Living Daylights and Casino Royale '06) when others just stitch things together out of joint to see if its accepted or not; I'm looking at you, Arrow and Flash plus the recent Preacher developments when I say this.... It was also pleasing to see the writing staff as well as the cast reading all of the Hellblazer back issues and trades which proved they've done their homework and not thrown the baby out of the bathwater the way the film screenwriters for the 2005 film did.  Seeing Ryan's performance in the leaked and later aired pilot made me realize that he was our John just as he was under Moore, Veitch, Delano, Gaiman, Ennis, Jenkins, Ellis, Carey, Mina, Diggle and even Rebus creator Ian Rankin (yes, I left out certain folks. You know who you are and why I'll gladly personally tell it to you via Twit Messages) as well as John Shirley (who wrote 2 novel treatments of our man). As I would watch for all 13 fridays, I saw the John Constantine we knew as if he never left us. Nevermind the Vietnam War veteran (from Hellblazer #5); John Constantine, came home! He came home just as we last saw him via Andy Diggle rather than in the hell Peter Milligan put him in concluding the series.

With the pre-premiere hype increased we enter into Friday October 24th of 2014 where things wouldn't be the same again.... (TO BE CONTINUED)

Constantine - Quid Pro Quo Review

Now this is one episode to remember. Especially for yours truly for two reasons: 1) On my 16th Birthday, I accuired the Hellblazer Graphic Novel All His Engines (hardcover edition) and I've read it religiously aong with my trades and back issues for over a decade so to have it be another line of adaptations the show would do was a real treat (late last summer there was a Twitter pic of the writting staff reading the paperback editions) and 2) I, along with the audience got the chance to learn of Chas' ability to come back from the dead. Adapted for the screen by Brian Anthony and directed by Mary Harron, Quid Pro Quo, tells of a slew of mysterious mystic comas impacting parts of Brooklyn, NY; even to claim Chas' only daughter Geraldine. Upon this, Chas enlists, John and Zed in finding out the source behind it as its all traced back to one powerful sorceror: Felix Faust!

Much like the original 2005 stand-alone, the episode's plot is strong and fires on all cyllinders in horror, suspense and the odd body count. The two stories also put Chas and his family front and center in the drama in providing a glimpse in to the Chandler family. Unlike her comic counterpart Renee divorced Chas and shares custody of their daughter which in a way harkens back to Geraldine

s much older comic counterpart and her strained relationship with the father of her daughter Tricia (the doll TV!Geraldine named). You really feel for poor Chas: juggling the fight against evil with his best mate in John Constantine, making time for his kid. To top it all off, has the lives of the 47 people who died in the club he and John were in; John was reponsible for Chas' multiple lives by casting a spell on him while drunk. Four months prior, I assumed John put a sigil on him. Close but no cigar, eh? DC diehards are in for a treat when the audience is introduced to the episode's big bad (and one of the many member of the Justice League's Rogues Gallery) Felix Faust. For the tale, Faust takes up the role the fat blobby demon Beroul from the original story as the root behind the soul stealing and making Constantine do his bidding in taking out competition; or here, a demon. 

Boy did Matt Ryan and Charles Halford really give their all as the duo flesh out John and Chas' friendship to a T whether in the flashbacks or present day showing the long-surviving relationship in our man's life. Even in the last act will folks on the edge of their seats. Amanda Clayton manages to bring the former Mrs. Chandler to life even edging out her comic counterpart in slapping the Silk Cut out of John. Angélica Celaya bring on more to Zed as we see her endure her fear of the Crusade's neverending quest, acting as bait to the demon Faust wanted taken out and hit a deep emotive subject that hit close home to John: his mother. Special Guest Star Mark Margolyes brings on the dark magic and awe as Faust making the character a bigger threat in a Vertigo-esue level compared to his comic counterpart (pre-52, of course). The set designs from Dave Blass are, as always, nothing short of awesome as is Bear McCreary's music.

Quid Pro Quo joins a long line of episodes that out does itself week after week. Its on par with the very story it's loosely based on and above all another winner to show to new viewers interested in stepping in to the world of John Constantine. Next week, Jeremy Davies returns as Ritchie Simpson in an episode that deals with a different kind of reality. See you next Friday, Hellblazers!

Constantine - The Saints of Last Resorts (2 of 2) Review

Woo boy, was that one hell of a mid-winter return! With a new timeslot (8:00pm), Constantine concludes its epic two parter with the stakes going beyond the call of the smoke. As we last left our man, John Constantine was near death's door having been shot by Sister Anne Marie as a sacrifice to save the kidnap newborn infants. With one desperate effort, John summonds Pazuzu to take hold of his body. Unforfunately for him, his friends, and strangers abroad, catastrophy and bloodshed takes centerstage. Even the prisons aren't safe from #PossessedJohn. Not even out resident angel can't and won't save up.

Part two really gets its meatiest of material as it goes into the aftermath of a Pazuzu posessed John and the aftermath of Anne Marie's betrayal. The plot manages to have Zed breaking free from her Crusading captors as she and Chas challenge the Sister to help save him even if it means infultrating the prison he's being held at. Many diehards can detect bits of Brian Azzarello's infamous 25 issue run in the prison scenes which manage to surpass Hard Time in its own right. Plus we finally treated to some more gore that proves a 8pm time slot is not the family viewing hour some keep percieving it to be in the 40 years since the Circuit Courts deemed the infamous Family Viewing Hour mandate from the FCC got struck down. Here's hoping the overnight ratings.

Matt Ryan pulls out all the stops jugging our boy and in Pazuzu posessed form to where you may assume the scenes in prison and on the exorcism bed  that Pazuzu was really there. Angélica Celaya's Zed brings on the buttkicking and bringing the lads to they yard in her stake in saving herself and John. The Crusade's quest however is far from over.... Charles Halford gives his finest performance yet as we see Chas at his most (and increasing) active as he not only takes his posessed mate on but also one of the best scenes in the prison sequence that'll make you laugh knowing how grusome the beatings from the security guards is. Harold Perrineau's Manny shows how bemused he is with our man whilst still managing to turn up and disappear off behind the scenes in his signature way. Clare van der Boom's Anne Marie manages to snap herself out of her relegious judging of John's bluff and manages to go the distance in one of the most intense exorcisms ever recorded on film. Who would've though we'd find Nepolean Dyanmite own "Pedro" Efren Ramirez turning up of all places, eh?

The Saints of the Last Resorts altogether proves the most epic two parters ever to come out the stable of the WB's DC based shows and the finest hour of television to ever air on NBC. Next week we're treated to a loosely based adaptation of the 2005 GN All His Engines, Felix Faust, and most of all how Chas is able to survive death.

See you in 7!

Counting To Ten: The Ratings

Hello, all! After some thinking, I've decided to created a ratings page for the Constantine TV series. All data posted here comes from The Futon Critic, Deadline, etc. Not only the overnights but also the Live+3, Live+7, plus the Alternate Formats (NBC.com, Hulu, AmazonPrime). I do point out that some of the L+7 results aren't accounted due to their being sometimes left out the NBC Ratings press releases.


1x01 Non Est Asylum (original airdate: 10/24/14)

Overnight/Final: 4.3 Million Viewers (1.4)
L+3: 6.2 Million Viewers (2.0)
L+7: 7.1 Million Viewers (2.5)


1x02 The Darkness Beneath (original airdate 10/31/14)

Overnight/Final: 3.06 Million Viewers (0.9)
L+3: 4.8 Million Viewers (1.6)
L+7: N/A


1x03 The Devil's Vinyl (original airdate 11/07/14)

Overnight/Final: 3.14 Million Viewers (1.0)
L+3: 4.7 Million Viewers (1.6)
L+7: 5.8 Million Viewers (1.9)


1x04 A Feast of Friends (original airdate 11/14/14)

Overnight/Final: 3.5 Million Viewers (0.8)
L+3: 4.8 Million Viewers (1.5)
L+7: 5.5 Million Viewers (1.8)


1x05 Danse Vaudou (original airdate 11/21/14)

Overnight/Final:  3.54 Million Viewers (1.1)
L+3: 5.5 Million Viewers (1.8)
L+7: N/A (1.9)


1x06 Rage of Caliban (original airdate 11/28/14)

Overnight/Final: 3.30 Million Viewers (0.9)
L+3: 4.7 Million Viewers (1.5)
L+7: N/A


1x07 Blessed Are The Damned (original airdate 12/05/14)

Overnight/Final: 3.17 Million Viewers (0.8)
L+3: N/A (1.5)
L+7: N/A


1x08 The Saints of Last Resorts Pt. 1 (original airdate 12/12/14)

Overnight/Final: 3.30 Million Viewers (1.0)
L+3: TBD
L+7: TBD


1x09 The Saints of Last Resorts Pt. 2 (original airdate 01/16/2015)

Overnight/Final: 3.08 Million Viewers (0.8)
L+3: TBD
L+7: TBD


1x10 Quid Pro Quo (original airdate 01/23/2015)

Overnight/Final: 3.50 Million Viewers (0.9)
L+3: TBD
L+7: 5.3 Million Viewers (1.75)

Constantine - The Saints of Last Resorts (1 of 2) Review

Hell of a way to end the first half of a two parter: With a Bang! As NBC's renewal decision looming next month, we're presented the first of the two part doozie, The Saints of Last Resorts. Penned by Carly Wray and directed splendidly by T.J. Scott, Part 1 kicks off with a mysterious being kidnapping newborn babies at a convent in Mexico City as it serves its roll in the rising darkness. Upon a astral projected message from Sister Anne Marie, John and Chas head to her neck of the woods as the reunion would revisit old wounds and coming face to face with the Invunvhe. While the lads are away, Zed is left behind only to come face to face with her passed as she learns of Eddie's true intentions and he's not alone.....

The story is definitely meaty and grimdark as f*** as it takes the show not only deep into Hellblazer mythology but also the early days of favorite magus in the pages of Swamp Thing as it's rising darkness is the same beast that wrecked havoc admists the Anti-Monitor's follies in the soon to be 30 year old Crisis of Infinite Earths. The episode also paints a lucrative portrait of John's relationship with Anne Marie the way the comics rarely did let only gotten the chance. Here we learn there was a thing between the two especially prior to Newcastle and during that triggered Anne Marie to take a vow of silence while our John to Ravenscar. She feels its her own fault for exposing John to magic as she (and the rest of us) would see the adreneline junkie he's become. The scene where John was haggling with the beast with a baby's life shows us that the John Constantine of TV is every bit the bastard as his four color media counterpart (Vertigo, not the New 52). We also see Zed now coming face to face with the Resurrection Crusade who want her back. For what, we may have to find out soon (granted those of us who read the original arc would know...).

Man, does this episode sets up the two parter as Matt Ryan's tour de force as we see John put through the wringer several times over leading to the most shocking cliffhanger no one would see coming. Charles Halford's Chas is equally active and going by the preview for the January 9th return and the forthcoming Chas centered episode, we definitely get to see out long suffering cabbie front in center for what's coming next. Angélica Celaya gets the equal amount of the action as we see her Zed put up a fight against the Crusaders and giving David Gregory's Eddie a right smacking before his fellow crusaders deemed him expendible. Guest star Clare van der Boom (Rush, Hawaii Five0) is definitely a revelation as Sister Anne Marie. compared to the acid scared comic counterpart, she fleshes the character out very strongly. Even to deliever the last shot of the evening managed to make her a Twitter trend of the night! Dave Blass' production designs for the episode is indeed nothing short of awesome along with Bear McCreary's score.

Now things are definitely heating up on scorching preportions. The only downside is the long wait between today through January 9th. Still, with part 2 looking to raise the stakes, let's hope NBC really does give the show the 2nd season it deserves as its laying the groundwork for it as the best underdog show if the TV season. Onward, January 9th! 


9/10  #Save Constantine

Essential Reading: Hellblazer Recommendations Pt. 2

Continuing off from the previous installment, we now come to late Delano and into the legendary Garth Ennis Era where it cemented the comic's status as the most remembered series in DC's Vertigo imprint twenty plus year existence.

Dangerous Habits

Unlike the previous edition that contains the iconic six-parter, the current edition holds both the arc and the remaining seven issues of the Jamie Delano era. #34-36's trilogy deals with a journey in to Constantine's subconscious and childhood horror of his earliest experience with magic as he reunites with Marj and Mercury. The following two parter (#37-38) deals with the dark side of the human heart. The final two parter (#39-40) closing out the Delano run as we discover a deep secret our magus had been supressing for all his life as he comes face to face with the mysterious Golden Boy. Now we enter the Garth Ennis era with the landmark Dangerous Habits (#41-46). The story tells of John dying from terminal lung cancer seeking out other to help him whether its a old friend in Brendan Finn (who's dying from a liver disease) to the Snob. The arc is most remembered for the first encounter of The First of the Fallen (and well as his two brothers) as well as the introduction of the love of John's life (and Brendan's former girlfriend) Kit Ryan and the succubus Chantinelle (or Elle for short).

Bloodlines

Continuing the Ennis era, this volume see's John about to enjoy a year of bliss in his love life while still in the thick of it in The King of the Vampires, the demon that possesed Jack the Ripper, and we're treated to the backstory of the succubus Elle's association with John began on one Christmas night as she and her angel lover went on the run from their respective domains. Also included in this updated edition of the volume is #51 penned by guest writer John Smith (2000AD) set in-story between the end of Delano and the start of Ennis. The Royal Blood arc introduces the wannabe socialist Nigel Archer.

Tainted Love

All happy things slowy come to an shocking and unexpected end for John in this volume. Kicking off the volume is #62 and 63; the first story shows Constatnine steering his niece Gemma (now in her teens) from magic while paying a visit to his late ancestor. The story was the last time the comic was published under the DC bullet as the next issue would be published under the then newly formed Vertigo imprint. This issue is centered on John's 40th Birthday as his friends ranging from Nigel, Header, Rick the Vic (both introduced) Mange, as well as the one time guest appearance of Zatanna.along with a small appearance from Swamp Thing and The Phantom Stranger. Fear and Loathing (#64-66) see John and Elle's plan to bring down Gabriel go into full effect as John and a friend are held captive (with said friend tortured to death) by National Front member Charlie Patterson. The follwing coda to the arc sees Kit breaking up with John after the fall out from the arc. Unable to handle losing Kit, John freaks out at local bystanders to Chas only to wind up out in the street; homeless and drinking heavily leading two the following stories where John deals with the King of the Vampires and rebuilt himself upon discovering a corpse of a dead RAF fighter pilot. A cutaway issue (#70) sees Kit's return to to her native Belfast. Also collected is a short story from Vertigo Jam #1 and the Hellblazer Special "Confessional".

Rake at the Gates of Hell

We come to the end of the Ennis era as it closes out on a mighty high. The preceding arc Damnation's Flame (#72-75) see our man in New York to take a wee holiday from London only be taken down the voodoo spectrum courtesy of Papa Midnite; also a short story featuring the first time John met Kit at Brendan's circa 1980. Another standalone, #77, tell of Chas reminencing a botch job of Johns gone awry leading to the man himself arriving at his own funeral as our lads reunite in present day after their fallout. Now, to the title arc itself (#78-83) where the First of the Fallen goes on the full assault on the magus, a final goodbye from Kit, John saving an ex from her scum of a pimp, and racial unrest in Towers Hamlet which is more relevant now in light of the event of Ferguson and elsewhere as it was back in 1994, two years after the LA Riots.


Next Time: Rainbow Snake, dopplegangers, and a convo with God (?) as we enter the Paul Jenkins era plus an encore from Ennis.

Constantine - Blessed Are The Damned Review

AAAND the winning streak continues! This episode will definitely leave you in awe as we deal with misguided spiritual healing gone awry and how it all ties to the grander scheme of things. Penned by Sneka Koorse, Blessed Are The Damned takes the show into new heights as John and Zed investigate a preacher who's gained the mysterious ability to heal his congregation...only to trigger slithering, hissing repercussions and how it all ties back to the Angels at large. If you thought the bugs creeped you out just wait until you see a load of snakes!

The plot is very strong in all counts as it sheds light on how blind faith and spiritual powers make for a recipe for anarchy. Also tied into the dark side of religion is the surprising twists it conveys. Most noted is the an appearance of another angel aside from Manny named Imogen, who wanted her feather returned from the deranged preacher. Of course like all things Hellblazer, even the weakest angel isn't as always what they appear to be leading to Manny himself doing the unthinkable in the most bad ass way. Plus near episode's end, many Hellblazer fans will punch the air as we learn who Zed is running from and how this Eddie chap factors into it. I wonder if Nergal's Damnation Army's not far behind....

Matt Ryan and Angélica Celaya are on top form here as John and Zed get knee deep in snakes and angels. Speaking of angels, Harold Perrineau steals the show in the later half as we see Manny endure a moral dilemma regading one of his own now fallen. Megan West (How To Get Away With Murder) joins in on the show stealing as the turnheal Imogen accompanied by the stunnign visuals of her wings morphing from their angelic white to a deadly jet black as we learn the fallen angel's true intentions.  Patrick Carroll's Zachary may appear sinister at first til we learn he's just a pawn in a bigger plan.

All in all, Blessed Are The Damned, truly kicks the season into full gear as we slope to the Resurrection Crusade's hunt for Zed and how the rising darkness is doing far more harm even Heaven's not immune from the madness. Next Week, we meet another member of the Newcastle crew and a menace just as severe as it was in the comics. See you in 7, squire!

9.5/10