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Post by HoM on Jan 22, 2010 7:35:51 GMT -5
Please tell us what you thought of this DC2 debut!
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Post by HoM on Jan 22, 2010 7:42:39 GMT -5
I'm very particular in my enjoyment of John Constantine. Sometimes I think he's used too much, and he becomes too... "vivid" a character, when he should always remain in the shadows, a mystery to all those around him. My favourite Hellblazer story was the unpublished (go figure) Ellis/Jimenez collaboration "Shoot", a story that encapsulated everything I enjoyed about Constantine-- he'd be the watcher, lurking on the fringes of the story until the final moments when he revealed why the horrific events had been so horrific, and why they'd happened in the first place. Grisly stuff. That's where Moore took him, I think, and it was always very tight, and very mysterious. Just what I like in a story.
"RagnaRock" had everything I loved about John Constantine in one concise package. Collateral damage. If you know John Constantine, even by association, you're going to get hurt. It's all coincidence, right? And it always involves something near to him. The main character didn't even make an appearance until the second half of the story, but you could *feel* him throughout. Gemma has been tainted by her association, and she's well aware of it. Even thinking about him sends a shiver down her spine. The mystery was set up. Horrific and recognisable, right? I don't know about you, but I've been stood in a queue waiting to be ID'd, and hoping that it won't happen (what can I say, you're only 17 once ;D). But there was a palpable fear beneath the neon sign. And then, with Gemma begging John for help, and the whole set up to that moment... very well written. I could fear her fear, her discomfort, and I could also feel John's love for her, even if he would try to run away from that.
I'm psyched to be editing this series. Dave is positioning himself as a very talented newcomer to the site, and I can't wait to see more of his stuff come to light as the months progress. A brilliant debut, and one that holds lot of promise for the horror to come.
Bravo.
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SympleSymon
Staff 
New writer for BATMAN - Returning Soon!
Posts: 97
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Post by SympleSymon on Jan 22, 2010 8:22:50 GMT -5
I'm very particular in my enjoyment of John Constantine. Sometimes I think he's used too much, and he becomes too... "vivid" a character, when he should always remain in the shadows, a mystery to all those around him. My favourite Hellblazer story was the unpublished (go figure) Ellis/Jimenez collaboration "Shoot", a story that encapsulated everything I enjoyed about Constantine-- he'd be the watcher, lurking on the fringes of the story until the final moments when he revealed why the horrific events had been so horrific, and why they'd happened in the first place. Grisly stuff. That's where Moore took him, I think, and it was always very tight, and very mysterious. Just what I like in a story. "RagnaRock" had everything I loved about John Constantine in one concise package. Collateral damage. If you know John Constantine, even by association, you're going to get hurt. It's all coincidence, right? And it always involves something near to him. The main character didn't even make an appearance until the second half of the story, but you could *feel* him throughout. Gemma has been tainted by her association, and she's well aware of it. Even thinking about him sends a shiver down her spine. The mystery was set up. Horrific and recognisable, right? I don't know about you, but I've been stood in a queue waiting to be ID'd, and hoping that it won't happen (what can I say, you're only 17 once ;D). But there was a palpable fear beneath the neon sign. And then, with Gemma begging John for help, and the whole set up to that moment... very well written. I could fear her fear, her discomfort, and I could also feel John's love for her, even if he would try to run away from that. I'm psyched to be editing this series. Dave is positioning himself as a very talented newcomer to the site, and I can't wait to see more of his stuff come to light as the months progress. A brilliant debut, and one that holds lot of promise for the horror to come. Bravo. Cheers for that, Charlie - your check is in the post  Can't wait to see what everyone else thinks of this debut story - I've BIG plans for Constantine that could well take him through to Summer 2011, so trust me when I promise...it's only going to get bigger and better from here. - Dave |
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Post by Ammunition88 on Jan 22, 2010 13:28:54 GMT -5
I really enojyed this issue. A great way to kick off a series for a character who tends to get pushed into the background in main DC continuity.
There were a couple of typos here and there, but nothing too serious. It happens.
That said, I give the issue five stars. Most fun I've had reading ol' Johnny boy in a long time.
-Cam-
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Post by HoM on Jan 22, 2010 18:24:51 GMT -5
There were a couple of typos here and there, but nothing too serious. It happens. It does happen. And I blame Dave. Because I think I can, right?  And because I can't get enough of this amazing cover, and just in case those of you who have already read the issue haven't seen it yet: Hellblazer #1[/b] cover by James McNeill. |
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SympleSymon
Staff
New writer for BATMAN - Returning Soon!
Posts: 97
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Post by SympleSymon on Jan 22, 2010 20:42:54 GMT -5
Hey! They say a bad workman blames his tools - I'm not a bad workman, but you ARE a tool ;D Editors are supposed to catch those things easier than us mere creative engines - its what gives you the superiority complex, right?  Thanks again, Cam - my first five-stars! I'm glad you feel so highly of it right off the bat. There's plenty more dark fun to be had before I give up the reins, lol! |
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Post by jmcneill on Jan 22, 2010 21:00:11 GMT -5
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your beginning, Dave, and how much I'm looking forward to illustrating the series to come. Great stuff. You've got a knack for sucking the reader directly in, and you're definitely doing Constantine justice.
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Post by HoM on Jan 23, 2010 20:17:08 GMT -5
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your beginning, Dave, and how much I'm looking forward to illustrating the series to come. Great stuff. You've got a knack for sucking the reader directly in, and you're definitely doing Constantine justice. I can't wait to see more covers from you, James. That piece... oh, I just want to stare at it. |
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Post by ryokowerx on Jan 25, 2010 15:52:07 GMT -5
Not a whole lot for me to say that hasn't already but, man, you pulled off the miserable old bastard like you were born to write him (good thing I watch some BBC America or I wouldn't know some of the slang).
Damn fine work!
'Nother five (deserved) stars.
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Post by lissilambe on Feb 2, 2010 14:48:57 GMT -5
This was a solid, standard introduction to John Constantine, through the lens of one of his few (so far) surviving supporting cast. It did what it needed to, but it seemed to take a while to get there. There were times when the scene-setting went a little overboard (and this is coming from me, who can be pretty damned purple at times). The opening alone, with rain lashing from the skies and moon glinting off the drops of rain...but most heavy rains I've been in have had skies totally clouded over, so I don't really get to see any moon. I'm also not one to pick on typos, Charlie, but in this case, there were a couple that actually affected the way I could read the story, such as a comma used for a period in some dialog that confused me as to who was speaking. Some of the elements seemed kind of irksome, like the shopkeeper, who may as well have been Apu from the Simpsons. One more "my friend" and I was going to reah through and wring his neck. John was relentlessly morose, and reminding me of why I stopped reading his titles. It's a dark series, and the character's a pessimist, but for me there's a line where morose turns to emo and again, more neck-wringing.
The hints of the plot are interesting, and I am curious to see what it will be about. There's a genuine love for the character and setting, which shines through while at the same time not allowing it to break out of that mold and show me what you're bringing to the table that's new and unique, but it's also the first issue, and a kind of short one at that, and so I'll gladly wait and see if there's more to come.
So a solid work on this one, with some first-time and first-issues stumbles and set-ups, enough to keep a cynical person like me to come back for more (and clearly, evn more than that for other readers). Keep up the good work and see you in issue two.
Take care
Don
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SympleSymon
Staff
New writer for BATMAN - Returning Soon!
Posts: 97
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Post by SympleSymon on Feb 4, 2010 12:18:50 GMT -5
This was a solid, standard introduction to John Constantine, through the lens of one of his few (so far) surviving supporting cast. It did what it needed to, but it seemed to take a while to get there. There were times when the scene-setting went a little overboard (and this is coming from me, who can be pretty damned purple at times). The opening alone, with rain lashing from the skies and moon glinting off the drops of rain...but most heavy rains I've been in have had skies totally clouded over, so I don't really get to see any moon. I'm also not one to pick on typos, Charlie, but in this case, there were a couple that actually affected the way I could read the story, such as a comma used for a period in some dialog that confused me as to who was speaking. Do you mean the slang words where the 'g' is missed off words like "dancing"? Or are those apostrophes? (I'm useless with grammar terms - I can construct proper sentences, just don't ask me which is a verb, noun or adjective!). If it's that, it's because I tried to give them a bit of 'cockney London' which - let's face it - is how all British folk who aren't rich are portrayed in American comics (we have Americana for them, they have what for us lot? Britainana? Englandana? I dunno...). I'll try and limit that in future, and see where any of it might get confusing... Some of the elements seemed kind of irksome, like the shopkeeper, who may as well have been Apu from the Simpsons. One more "my friend" and I was going to reah through and wring his neck. Lol, I see what you mean - and that's the last time I take the age-old 'base characters on people you know' rule! That shopkeeper was actually based on the man whose cornershop I[/ii] always go to on my way to college to get a drink and a breakfast bar! And yes, stereotypical as it may seem in the story, he really does address me like that...but, then again, maybe that's just because we're always friendly to one another.
John was relentlessly morose, and reminding me of why I stopped reading his titles. It's a dark series, and the character's a pessimist, but for me there's a line where morose turns to emo and again, more neck-wringing.
Hmmm...I'm working on making him more of the wry, sarcastic person who knows the world's crap, but is fine with it that way. This was just an exception because - let's face it - who hasn't been pissed off when caught out in the hammering rain?
I think you'll like where I take him from #2...
The hints of the plot are interesting, and I am curious to see what it will be about. There's a genuine love for the character and setting, which shines through while at the same time not allowing it to break out of that mold and show me what you're bringing to the table that's new and unique, but it's also the first issue, and a kind of short one at that, and so I'll gladly wait and see if there's more to come.
Oh, I've got a fair few ideas - over half a dozen at last count! And yeah, I love John (as a character, before you start), but I also know what a big player I was bringing into the DC2. As such, I want to have fun with him, keeping him true to character as I can because I'm sorta worried what the reponse would be if I took things even a little too far. Now, I'm not saying he's gonna go all guns-blazing like Hollywood almost ended up making him do in 'Constantine', but there will be a fair bit of action when the time calls for it.
...solid work on this one, with some first-time and first-issues stumbles and set-ups, enough to keep a cynical person like me to come back for more (and clearly, evn more than that for other readers). Keep up the good work and see you in issue two. Take care Don
Thanks Don! Until then! |
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Susan Hillwig
Staff
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Posts: 1,612
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Post by Susan Hillwig on Mar 2, 2010 11:59:05 GMT -5
I was reluctant to take a peek at this when it came out. While I'm not a massive Constantine fan, I did always enjoy when he turned up in Swamp Thing, and didn't want to read something that could possibly spoil my image of him.
Silly me, eh?
This story was like a slow burn, taking its time to show you around but not trying your patience while doing it. It's all atmosphere in a good way (I'm not a smoker, but I could feel John's pain when it came to slogging through the rain looking for his beloved Silk Cuts!), and I smiled every time I saw the word "synchronicity" (the word automatically makes me think of the Police album, and served to reinforce John's resemblance to a certain Mr. Sumner). The real acid test will be when we finally see the monsters, but for now, I'm enjoying it for the character work alone.
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