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

Constantine: The Darkness Beneath Review

A second episode that one up its predecessor! What a rush, eh?  The new series soldiers on and raises the stakes with The Darkness Beneath. Tonight's episode of Constantine takes place in a small town Phillidelphia where it mining community is plagued by a Welsh spirit and John heads over there to investigate. While there he encounters his artistic admirer in the form of Zed Martin. The plot holds together very well in the twists and turns. While it may be considered filler-esque to some (even most fillers in TV in general vary) but it does seem more like the standalone issues of old in its own right.
The pre-title sequence with the shower bursting out fire was one no one saw coming as well as its twist in the end as to who's been summoning them. Plus we see the production team showcasing new ways to show our boy smoking without stepping on the fat Orwellian feet of the FCC. Keep up the good smoke, guys and gals! Speaking of the title sequence, I definitely love it: its brief and to the point wit the sigils and visualization of dismembowled demons that serves as a companion to Bear McCreary's score.

On to our regulars! Two weeks in and Matt Ryan's definitely proof he's our John. right down to the razor sharp wit, aloof investigation and distraction providing (whether its getting hold of the bulldozer or simply shirtless). His rapaport with new leading lady Angélica Celaya makes the episode all the more amusing. The character of Zed as many will inform you is one of John's two love interests during Jamie Delano's run in Hellblazer; the other being the New Age hippy woman Marj. Much like her comic counterpart, Zed here is indeed a headstrongm independent woman with artistic talents. Plus the telepathy doesn't hurt as it's much in line with her later appearances during the Delano era. Guest Stat James LeGros hold his own in his key scenes as the haunted religious type Ellis.

As all told, The Darkness Beneath is a might tough gem that proves that some second episodes can be stronger aside from it not having enough room to delve into the motives of the big bad in question. Next week, we meet an uneasy ally of Constantine by the name of Papa Midnite. See you in 7, squire!

9/10

Constantine: Non Est Asylum Review

Nearly 30 years ago, comic readers were intoduced to a blue-collar Liverpudlian magician named John Constantine in the pages of  Alan Moore's (w/ Stephen Bissette, John Totleben, and Rick Veitch) The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 in June 1985. The magus gained a immediate following which gave way to the starring spin-off series Hellblazer (1988-2013) and subsequent appearances in not only in Swamp Thing but also multiple cameos in various DC titles and inspired a slew of homages, parodies and influenced series like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and the long running WB/CW series Supernatural. Tonight's premiere marks the 2nd attempt at bringing Constantine to the big screen in the nine years since the infamous misfire in 2005 with Keanu Reeves miscast in the role. Coming to the TV series, I, along with other fans, were very skeptical having been burned from Francis Lawrence/Laura Shuler Donner and Akiva Goldsman misinterpreted effort until showrunners David S. Goyer (DaVinci's Demons, Blade, Chris Nolan's Batman Trilogy, & Man of Steel) and Daniel Cerone (Charmed, The Mentalist, Dexter) stated many times over that the Constantine TV series wil be very faithful to the Hellblazer series. Upon the reveal of Matt Ryan in costume as out beloved anti-hero and the notorious leaked version of tonight's episode (and before it the trailer) with him, the rest of the cast and writing staff reading the source material that Goyer and Cerone are indeed men of their words. 

The series begins at Ravenscar, a facility for the dangerously deranged where we meet John Constantine, who's been in there for the last few months in the wake of the tragic incident at Newcastle which claimed the life and soul of the young girl Astra. The stay would be cut short when John recieved a message from a dead collegue about his only daughter's life being threatened by demon of electrical abilities. Along with this, Constantine would ecounter an angel who requires his aid for his and Heaven's own gain. With the aid of his long suffering friend Chas and a fellow associate in the Newcastle incident, he desposed of the demon vowing he'll rescue the little girl and go after Nergal.

The plot itself, much like every 1st issue from the comic's series writers serves as the viewers introduction story and one that ticks all the right boxes. Ravenscar (and Dr. Roger "Piggy" Huntoon), Astra & Newcastle (plus Jeremy Davies' Ritchie Simpson), Nergal, Baron (Jasper) Winters, you name it. As noted prior to tonight's broadcast there was two changes to the episode: the first being the demon now going from the security guard to darkly image of John; the other being Liv abandoning her destiny as opposed to joining our man in stopping evil. Another change that manage to tick the biggest box of all is as we cut to John flaming hands and all, we transfer to an artist depiction of it along with every image of him and the artist in question is none other than Zed (Angelica Celaya). Zed's small appearance in the official pilot harkens back to her small panel cameo in Hellblazer #1 where John saw her making art which immediately reminded him of his dead girlfriend. If you watch closely, you'll also see some renditions of Tim Bradstreet's cover art surounding her.

Matt Ryan not only looks the part of John Constantine but also embodies him in his performance to where you realize the character walked off the pages. Plus his John is indeed still a smoker much to NBC's standards and practice jargon. Harold Perrineau's Manny provides an amusing rendition if John's bemusement of angels in general while not the quintissential snob like Gabriel (whether both in comic or Tilda Swinton). Charles Halford's Chas is equal welcomed change having suffered the equally miscast Shia LeBeauf the nine years before. Many will wonder how does Chas survive having a cable plunged through him; if you stick around you may get the chance to learn about those 'survival skills'.Then we come to Lucy Griffiths' (Robin Hood, True Blood) Liv Aberdeen who on all accounts is indeed wide eyed and needed things explained to her as she was to serve as the audiences identification figure had the character remained. Having seen both the leaked and the broadcast versions, we can all agree that Goyer and Cerone made the right call in sweeping her aside; afterall, the show is called Constantine, not Aberdeen. The production value for both Ravenscar, the house and Atlanta at night were sublime accompanied by the incidental music of Bear McCreary. Neil Marshall's direction in the episode gives it the strengthened pace and flow needed without hurrying it and dragging it out.

All in all, Non Est Aslyum is an electrifying (pun unintended) way to kick off what could shape up to be the successful show under the NBC banner and DC/Warner. Next week, we get to meet Zed and celtic spirits. See you next week, squire!

8/10