Reddit reviews John Constantine, Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins
We found 31 Reddit comments about John Constantine, Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Vertigo
If DC imprints count:
I think these would be right up your alley.
Hellblazer is a pretty linear series. Pick up issue one and go from there. There are a few annuals and extra stories and whatnot, but Vertigo has been releasing awesome trades of every Hellblazer story in chronological order. Just buy these, and continue to buy this series until it is all collected.
If you get all of these trades, you will have:
And that's only in volumes 01-09. Vertigo has been doing a great job with this series, and I truly believe that they will collect all of it.
The reprinted paperback collections are on amazon and very likely at your FLCS (8-10 issues each and bound in an order that makes sense this time, they've tried this before). Not all of the volumes are out yet, a new one comes out every month or so, but they're almost through the whole series I think.
IMO, what you really want is Constantine's original series, Hellblazer, which ran for 300 issues before ending and being replaced by the "Constantine" series.
Obviously 300 issues is pretty damn long, but all the different runs within it are pretty self contained so you can jump around following different writers without a problem if you fancy doing that.
If you want to start from the beginning, you want to look for the Jamie Delano stuff, which starts here. However, while I like that run a lot, I don't think it's aged particularly well and comes across as pretty hammy sometimes (Delano's a big fan of purple prose) so you might be better off starting with the second run, which was written by Garth Ennis (he starts at issue 41 if you're not looking at trades) and is, IMO, quite a lot better.
Other good Hellblazer writers (I don't have the volume numbers for these guys so I'm just giving you starting issues) include Warren Ellis (134), Mike Carey (175), and Peter Milligan (250).
I just started with the first volume. Pretty cheap in TPB off Amazon.
They are reissuing the whole series now which you can see after the short Swamp Thing run.
https://www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501766537&sr=8-1&keywords=hellblazer+vol+1
Either begin by reading through Alan Moore's run of Swamp Thing (http://www.amazon.com/Saga-Swamp-Thing-Book-1/dp/1401220835/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1453185873&sr=8-3&keywords=swamp+thing+1) where the character is introduced or start with Hellblazer vol 1 (http://www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453185919&sr=8-1&keywords=hellblazer)
Honestly I would start with Hellblazer volume 1: Original Sins. You can find it on Amazon here I would recommend it, but the art is a little hard to stand sometimes as it's always a gritty type style.
New 52 also has a Constantine series that's ok but nothing special. Some die hard fans hate it, I think it's an infinitely less imaginative take on the character but not horrible.
This: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hellblazer-Original-Sins-John-Constantine/dp/1401230067/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416094533&sr=8-3&keywords=original+sins is the first book you should buy, and it's got 9 issues of Hellblazer, the first two being the ones the last episode adapted, and then two issues of Swamp Thing, where John first appeared. I have it, and it's great value for money, and it's easy to get straight into it.
The original Hellblazer series that started in the 80s is the definitive John Constantine book. Reprinted in trades it's titled John Constantine, Hellblazer for some of its volumes.
Volume 1 Amazon link
Don't confuse this with Constantine: The Hellblazer, a 13 issue series from 2015 or The Hellblazer, the current series that kicked off during Rebirth, you want the old Vertigo run.
An omnibus is just a large collection of books, usually including a full run by a certain author, or an entire series.
That 1st volume
Introduction to Comics
How to Get Into Comic Books (13:40) | Patrick Willems
Consider your intent/commitment. Think about your favorite shows, movies, books, etc. Reading primarily for enjoyment or encyclopedic knowledge? Collecting? Have the time/resources to read 50 or 500 comics per character?
Don’t try to read everything at once. There’s too much. Forget about catching up, continuity, universes, etc. for now. Older comics can be an acquired taste for modern audiences, so they aren’t necessarily ideal starting points. Writers change often, characters get re-worked, and origins are re-told. Remember, there are many great characters, creators, publishers, etc. to explore.
Pick an interesting character/team and seek their most popular/acclaimed stories. Focus on self-contained, complete stories in one corner of the universe. There will be unexplained references/characters, just persevere or Wiki. Don’t let the tangled web of shared-universe comics overwhelm you. Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle one small piece at a time until you finally see the big picture.
Discover your preferences and let them guide you. Don’t get stuck preparing/over-analyzing, just start reading. Do you like/dislike old/new comics? Specific writers/genres? Cartoony/realistic art? Familiar/weird concepts? References/self-contained? All-ages/mature content? Follow these instincts. Didn’t understand a reference? Maybe read that next.
Acquire/Buy comics:
Marvel
DC
You can skip to the 2016 re-launch with DC Universe: Rebirth and then any Rebirth series #1.
Other
http://www.amazon.ca/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067
Sorry about the mobile link but here you go.
Alright then, maybe try #3 will be successful -grumble-
I see it's already on your wishlist, and it's something I read when it first came out... 1602. First of all, you have the father of The Sandman at the helm writing the book. Right off, you know it'll be amazing with Gaiman writing it. Besides that, it's just fun, you know? It has a damn good story, and it gives a little twist on all of those Marvel characters you know and love in one way, but in a new one!
Gaiman did a fantastic job with classic Marvel characters putting them in the classic setting and put each of them in the proper spot. Dr. Strange as the Queen's mage, Nick Fury as the head spy. You have the Fantastic Four as travelers gone missing. You have 'Carlos Javier' (Charles Xavier) running a haven for "witchbreeds" (aka mutants).
Another great thing about this story is why Gaiman put the Marvel creations in 1602, found here, but the TL/DR is that he was trying to figure out what to write when 9/11 happened here in the States, and he didn't want to write out a war story or anything with bombs, or anything that might make the reader think of anything having to do with terrorists. That, plus his trip to Venice, and he knew he wanted to do.
There's even more backstory as to what Gaiman did with the money he earned (tried to fight for rights of a character he helped work on), or the fact that he wrote it because he wanted to do something far different than The Sandman, though he claims it was a bit hard for him to do (though he did do an amazing job with it), and for some... it might be good news, but it's a Marvel book that does not have The Wolverine in it. I know, I know... people love Wolverine, but really? Enough is enough. Deadpool was right when he said Wolverine's real power was popularity.
So, anyway... that ends my third try [;p]... Deadpool is still my favorite comicbook character because he's a bad guy who can be good... sometimes..... when he wants to be.
I'd still like to get into Hellblazer
First step is to figure out what characters you think you might like, then find out what the recommended reading is for those characters.
The sidebar is a good resource for that.
My person recommendations:
Batman: Death of the Family: You can't go wrong with Batman, and this is a great Joker story. It is the third Volume of Batman New52, this collects Issues #13-17. #1-13 is also worth your time if you're a Batman fan.
Batman Eternal Vol.1: A great on-going series, following the wake of Forever Evil, which was a recent big event.
Green Arrow: The Kill Machine: Vol. 4 of Green Arrow New52, this collects #17-24, and is a great arc, Vol. 5 Outsiders War collects #25-31 and is also amazing. Other essential Green Arrow books: Year One, Longbow Hunters.
Flashpoint: This is a large scale book, it is the event that led to the creation of the New52 universe, worth checking out, but if you want to save time, there is an animated DC movie that covers this story pretty reliably. Justice League: War is another decent DC movie which covers Vol. 1 of Justice League new52.
Stories outside of the New52 world:
Batman: The Killing Joke: an amazing Batman/Joker story from Watchmen writer Alan Moore.
The Flash: Rebirth: This is an essential pre-new52 Flash story that covers Barry Allens return to comics after being dead for a very long time.
Kingdom Come: A very interesting older book. Good story, and unique art.
Injustice: Year One: This is a comic based on the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, but it has turned into so much more. Absolutely amazing on-going elseworlds book.
If you're looking for darker themed books, check out:
Hellblazer, Vol. 1 Original Sins: Very different from classic hero comics, in this series Constantine deals with magic, demons, etc.
The Sandman Vol. 1 Preludes & Nocturnes: Another great book, this follows the story of Dream, younger brother of Death, and sibling to the other Endless.
Lucifer: Book One: Lucifer Morningstar started out as a side character in Sandman, but received his own book later. This series begins where his character left off in Sandman, having resigned his post and abandoning his kingdom of Hell he lies low on Earth, however things change when he receives an offer from his father, God himself.
I'll add some more if I think of anything, or if you even find this helpful. I imagine it is pretty overwhelming. Good luck.
http://www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414260401&sr=8-1&keywords=hellblazer
https://www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067/
Between those two? You can't go wrong with Saga. Ever.
Other Batman suggestions: Batman and Robin (wrote by Morrison), Court/City of Owls or Hush.
General recommendation: Hawkeye (Fraction), Sandman, Constantine. Flashpoint Paradox, Daredevil: Born Again.
Those thirty volumes or so are being replaced by ones that have the trade title "John Constantine: Hellblazer vol #." They are up to 19 thicker volumes released, with 229 issues recollected.
/u/ohnoampz , if you want to read the original Hellblazer this wikipedia page is actually very good. It tells you the names and contents of the newer released trades, as well as the unnumbered ones that haven't been recollected.
Keep in mind that some names from both sets of volumes are the same, so be sure to grab the ones with the newer covers and the "John Constantine" name in front of it (for example, the first volume of both sets was called "Original Sins," but the newer one contains very important issues of Swamp Thing that were skipped before).
If you wish to start without the Alan Moore Swamp Thing issues, this would be the first one. I first read it without reading Swamp Thing, and everything made sense.
If you like Spider-Man, the current run is great. The first volume will be released in October here. If you like Batman, Snyder's run for The New 52 starts here and has been incredible. Green Arrow starting from Volume 4 is good, as is GA: Year One. I always love pushing people to read Danger Girl by Andy Hartnell and J. Scott Campbell (he does a lot of variants for Spider-Man). Spawn, Witchblade (Good jumping point) and Hellblazer are all great series (Hellblazer has a TV show Constantine coming out soon).
If you want more recommendations, or there is a character you want to read let me know.
Start with Hellblazer Volume 1, it includes his appearance in Swamp Thing. http://www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324938667&sr=8-1
I'd recommend trades of DMZ, XIII, or Planetary, or as others recommended, Astonishing X-Men.
And I suppose Hellblazer as well, seeing as how Constantine is my flair.
Start here.
I've flown through the first two volumes. They're very entertaining reads. Constantine is much more of a charismatic asshole in the comics than in the movie.
Would that be this?
The movie is based off of a very specific run of the comics, and bears little more than a passing resemblance to them. You should read the series; it's beyond good. Start with Dangerous Habits and if you find you like it, Original Sins is where it all began. Note: Hellblazer is an adult-adult comic, meaning that there will be nudity, graphic violence, and the themes are not PG.
Start here and just continue on with each volume from there.
I believe vertigo has been in the process of re-releasing the trades of Hellblazer. Just start with volume 1 (http://www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067) and you should be fine honestly.
I would stay far far away from any of the new52 stuff though.
Buy Volo's, but you don't need to buy anything else, really. Instead use that money to immerse yourself in some fantasy and other adventure genres. That's what i'm currently doing and it's the best thing as a DM. Steal, steal steal! Mix and match ideas so you end up with something of your own.
Read/watch Conan; Dune; Alice in Wonderland; Willow; John Carter.
Read The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny (The first two in the Witcher series). They're short story fantasy books that twist fantasy tropes. I ran a one-shot based on one of the stories barely changed and it went amazingly well.
Just anything except Tolkien and Game of Thrones - people know it too well and can spot the tropes from a mile away.
EDIT: If you're in a place where you have other means to watch movies and don't want to read long books, may I suggest some comic books?
John Constantine: Hellblazer and Saga of the Swamp Thing. Neither are strictly in the fantasy genre - more surreal horror. Instead they are very good at tone, pacing, immersion and "What the hell did I just experience?" - all good aspects to incorporate into D&D. They do heavily feature monsters and demons so they do provide some grounding points straight into D&D.
Thank you, kind sir!
Already ordered this (www.amazon.com/John-Constantine-Hellblazer-Vol-Original/dp/1401230067/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462466397&sr=1-1&keywords=hellblazer) TPB #1, will go deeper to the Hellblazer world :)
Correct me, please, if I'm starting with the wrong issue
These jumbo editions give you a lot for your money. If you want the full experience you should read Alan Moore's Swamp Thing where he first appeared, but you can jump straight in if you want.