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

Constantine - Rage of Caliban Review

The winning streak continues! Seems like were getting more hits than misses in the last few weeks even now admist the recent announcement of the seasom being only 13 episodes as renewal time is more than the month away (as we now enter December!). This week's Daniel Cerone penned, Neil Marshall directed episode deals with a living spirit hijacking the bodies of children to cause multiple murders all over the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama. Will our boy and Chas put a stop to ir before its too late? Now to the nitty gritty!

The plot does come off like a 2nd episode in a good way as it raises the suspense meter to its limit. All the more surprising to the untrained eye is the episode is indeed the 2nd episode to be filmed during the transition from Lucy Griffiths' Liv and right of the eve of annoucing Angelica Celaya as Zed. The episode also fleshes out more about the rising darkness (Brujeria, Nergal?, The Anti-Monitor? Start again!) as well as John being reluctant about performing exorcisms on children in the wake of Newcastle. Plus Manny filling us in on more of John's childhood and along with it a reference to not only his estranged father but also his sister Cheryl.

Matt Ryan and Charles Halford whip out another double whammy performance as our favorite magus and his long suffering mate as the duo endure the wrath of the spirit posessing the young boy Henry played by Max Charles who really puts lil Ronnie Cooper (from the Son of Man story arc) to shame in the creepy factor. Harold Perrineau puts in another heaven;y (pun unintended) appearance as Manny as we delve more into the rising darkness and give us a snipit of John's cruel childhood. Laura Regan and Niall Matter give their all as lil' Henry's parents as the duo have it rough dealing with a possessed child. Dave Blass provides another slam dunk in the set designs ranging from Veitch High School (Yes, That Veitch!) to the skeletal cavern that echo's the recent Sean Phillips portrait of our man. For those missing Angélica Celaya's Zed, she will return next week.

In a way, Rage of Caliban was the Halloween episode we nearly had but to be pushed back since Zed in was already introduced in story (as her actress was recently annouced along with the character at the time). It throws the punches in the fear factor that can easily tug any parent's heart strings. Next time We join, John, Chas, and Zed against a relegious fanatic who gains healing powers triggering more chaos than peace. See you in 7!

8.5/10

Constantine - Danse Vaudou Review

Huzzah!!! Five weeks in and Constantine delivers another perfect ten episode. This one realy make both full use of both Hellbazer mythology and the mystic side of the DC Universe. Penned by Christine Boylan, Danse Vaudou kicks off with a a series of paranormal murders in New Orleans and how it ties directly back to Papa Midnite. John, Chas, and Zed arrive in the Big Easy to stop the ghostly revivals even if it meant for our favorite Laughing Magician and Midnite to form an alliance to end it. Also in the thick of it is NOLA detective and Spectre to be, Jim Corrigan.

Like with last week's entry, Danse Vaudou goes neck deep in ghosts springing up from the dead via voodoo much to Midnite's horror who onlt thought he was helping loved ones communicate with the deceased. There'a also a cryptic nudge into what Zed's hiding from as Corrigan attempted to get to the bottom of it. Hellblazer fans would be amazed in delight by the inclusion of Midnite's sister Cedella and a very eerie homage to the 1993 Hellblazer Special "Confessions" with the scene with the runaway and the pervy preist. DC die hards also get their fan service when Zed sees a spooky green aura surrounding Corrigan hinting at his future beyond the living as God's Spirit of Vengeance. The debate as to John's sexuality ends with a line that indeed confirms his bisexuality.

Matt Ryan once more brings his a-game full front and center throughout even as we have John and Michael James Shaw's Midnite reading each other for filth before finally working together to close up his voodoo error. The rappaport between Angélica Celaya's Zed and guest star Emmitt Scanlon's Corrigan electrifys especially in the latter half of the episode as the teo deal with the runaway's ghost. Charles Halford goes above and beyong the call of the smoke as Chas finds himself tangoing with a scissor stabby model's ghost in two accounts even giving the paramedic something to be baffled about with the survival skills in full effect. A special round of applause to Dave Blass on the production designs in this episode giving them the well to-do spook factor.

The verdict: Danse Vaudou is definitely the one most DCU heads were gunniing for and certainly another top tier gem of the season that tackles voodoo gone wrong and the grave effects it has on the deceased's loved ones. Plus one that like last week's effort steps it game up in horror and suspense to have you returning for more. Next Week: John and Chas go up against a killer spirit inhabiting a child to commit more bloody terror. See you in 7, squire!


10/10

Essential Reading: Hellblazer Recommendations Pt 1

Now that you're watching Constantine, time I start recommendding a few trades of interest in checking out the very source material the programme's being faithful and dedicated to. For the newcomers, let's start from the beggining to the Graphic Novels. Kicking off the 7 part series of recs is the era that began it all - The Jamie Delano era:

Original Sins

You've seen last Friday's episode based on Hellblazer #1 and 2, now own the original story and a host of others. Also with the Hunger Demon two-parter, the following seven issues include John going against yuppie demons during the UK Elections of 1987, John and Zed's first meeting and eventual rescue of John's neice Gemma from the Man, Nergal and his stitched together skinhead monster Ironfist, our man  gaining Nergal's blood, and a brief mental breakdown aftermath that gave away to John not monly throwing a wrench into the Ressurection Crusade's plans by him and Zed having sex but Nergal's as he tells the Swamp Thing of his plan to help him and Abby Cable have a child; this leads into Swamp Thing #76-77 also collected in the current edition where not onlt does Swampy tak hold of John's bidy to fulfill the plan but also take a trip to a tattoo parlore to get the infamous tree tattoo.

The Devil You Know

The following trade brings the Nergal saga to its end as John returns to Newcastle to the where the Cassanova Club once stood as he remineces back to that fateful night when he, Gaz, and the rest of the crew along with the doomed Astra Logue in going after the Norfulthing which have way to our man summoning Nergal and the rest was Ravenscar and everything. Now remembering his name, John and Ritchie Simpson give Nergal his just deserts. Also collected is the 1989 Hellblazer Annual which was the first to showcase the Constantine bloodline with the life and time of Kon-Sten-Tyn, the king after Arthur. Plus the 1996 two-part miniseries The Horrorist from Jamie Delano and David Lloyd.

The Fear Machine

In the wake of defeating Nergal and on the run from the Met after the demon slaughter his landlady and another tenent, Constantine blends in with a New Age pagen group while something big brews that would bring chaos into the world. The eight issue story arc is notable for the two looks Constantine dons: his New Age look and his Back in Black look where he sports a long black coat, black pants and sweater with sunglasses and a shorter haircut. Most notable is the introduction of Marj and her daughter Mercury, Errol and the return of Zed, who John believed dead after the fall of the Resurrection Crusade. 

The Family Man

Another highlight of the early days of the series. This volume's namesake story is about John befriending Samuel Morris, the notorius serial killer dubbed "The Family Man" who not only goes after families to slaughter but would also kill John's estranged father, Thomas Constantine. Upon leaning of the tragic news, John must stop Morris' reign of terror even if it meant by shooting him in cold blood. The issue prior to the arc introduces Jerry O'Flynn who embroiled in a situation that is very stranger than fiction itself. In between the arc features a two part story from Grant Morrison and David Lloyd set in a town on the brink of a nuclear disaster and a one shot story from Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean which tells of a ghostly homeless man who wanted to kept warm leading frigid and fatal results.

The recommendations will continue with the end of the Delano era and into the legendary Garth Ennis era. 

Constantine - A Feast of Friends Review

 Gary’s had more opportunities handed to him in his life than I’ve had hot dinners. And he’s pissed ‘em all away. Gary’s is a life wasted. 

Now this where the show officially arrives in full circle. No one would think this time last year we'd get any adaptations from the Hellblazer series when we all had our doubt. Fast forward to November 14, 2014, four weeks into the series, old time Hellbazer fans and new (plus the standard casual viewers) were in for a real treat. As noted from Daniel Cerone's twitter four weeks earlier, we learned the fourth episode of Constantine's freshman season qould be an adaptation of Hellblazer #1 and 2; Jamie Delano (& John Ridgway)'s inuagural debut adapted for telly by Cameron Welsh. Like the with the original 1988 story, John's help is needed when his fellow bandmate and school friend Gary Lester's attempt at redemption backfires as the hunger demon known as Mnenoth wrecks havoc on the world.

The adaptation is as stated more faithful to the original story as it not only delves into the mythology deep but also gives the viewers a glimpse of the John Constantine you and I know. One who full of self loathing and refusing to forgive himself for sacrificing friends to put a stop to a demonic entity. Even the scenes with Mnemoth's victims manages to just as gruesome on film as it was in the comic all those 26 years ago. That as well as the scene in Sudan and Constantine's meeting with Nommo, the shaman responsible for the first entrapment of the demon echos the legendary Ridgway drawn panels and Delano's words with the greatest of ease. Even the ending will leave you without a dry eye knowing what it's like to be associated with the magus. 

Matt Ryan delivers yet another knockout performance as our John. His key scenes with Jonjo O'Neill's Gary Lester brings the boys longtime friendship to life as well as its tragedy. Angélica Celaya pulls all the stops as Zed endures Gaz's junkie DTs when physical contact's involve all the way to her outrage and disgust at what she percieved as John sacrificing Gaz when he went voluntarily. O'Neill really brings troubled feaful junkie to life to where you really want to cry for the poor bugger as he only want to redeem himself from the infamous Newcastle episode. Harold Perrineau makes another compassionate performance as Manny especially at episode's end as he appeared for Gary's last rites and early on in the story as regarding Zed and her power. Rounding of the cast is The Last Ship alum Chas Parnell as Nommo whom provides both John and the audience into one hell of a psychedelic trip into the origin of Mnemoth.


On the whole, A Feast of Friends exceeded expectations all across the board as it honors the source material and serves as the crown jewel of the season. If you're hungry for more Constantine , be sure to get you and yours to stay tuned to next week as we see an uneasy alliance as Voodoo goes awry and the man who would be the Spectre: Detective Jim Corrigan. See you in 7!


10/10

Constantine: The Devil's Vinyl Review

What a whopper this episode is! Not to mention the finest to come from both David Goyer and Mark Verheiden.  Tonight's Constantine sees a devilish record that no one should play as it'll be the very depth of them....welll, death of them. With the mudersous record courtesy of the First of the Fallen wrecking havoc in Chicago and claiming multiple lives and that of a old friend, our blue collar magus and his associates are out to get the record before it spells the end of everything. Even admist the chaos, John's not the only one seeking the item....

The plot's a lot meatier compared to the previous episodes as he manages to go futher deep into Hellblazer mythothogy. The First, Mucous Membrane, Ace of Winchesters and Papa Midnite himself (who even coverted his own Twitter hashtag!) is plenty to entice and thrill fans old and brand new. The backstory on the record and its effects manages to raise the horror factor to where it feels right at home with the early portion of the Jamie Delano era and enough to the man himself proud. Even John;s description of the devil is all the more accurate. Now, I understood why the reference was omitted from the offical pilot. Especially when the legendary adversary would be vital to this episode's plot and hopefully future seasons. The song Reaper Man, co-penned by Verheiden, Goyer and Bear McCreary is at the heart of the plot as it and the voice of Mark Yarbrough is  absolutely sublime. 

Three Fridays in and Matt Ryan's hitting it out of the ball park in tonight's performance. I'll admit I was caught off guard by the new spell moves early in the episode before I realized how it reminded me of John doing the same with the Aboriginals in Australia in Paul Jenkins inagural debut two parter. Angélica Celaya throws her punchs here as we see her Zed prove all the more amusing especially with the visions of Jasmine, white tigers and holding her own again Midnite's goons. Charles Halford's Chas gets more to do as he does his part in both stopping the college radio broadcast and holding Ian Fell at knife point as he ate his contract with the First. Also we're treated to a small appearance from Harold Perrineau;s Manny as he came to pick up an ailing soul. Tonight's ultimate revelation comes in newcomer Michael James Shaw's Papa Midnite. Shaw, like Ryan, really excels in his performance as Midnite like he walked right off the pages, far-out jacket and all. Justified's Joelle Carter holds her own as Jasmine Fell who along with Ian are at the center of the high octane tale.

All in all, The Devil's Vinyl delivers another home run for the freshman series. I'd definitely wouldn't object to more episodes of the same caliber and pedigree. Next week, we're treated to an adaptation of Hellblazer's inagural two part debut and more of John's Newcastle crew. All I can say is get your bug spray ready, kids!


9.5/10