Hellblazer Vol. 1 (1988–2013): John Constantine's 300-Issue Run Explained
Hellblazer Vol. 1 (1988–2013): John Constantine's 300-Issue Run Explained
Three hundred issues of cigarettes, curses and bad decisions. Here is our guide to the series that made John Constantine a star.
Most superheroes want to save the world. John Constantine mostly wants to get out of the mess he made last week without losing too many friends. The English trenchcoat-wearing magician who anchored DC's Hellblazer for 300 issues is one of the great antiheroes of comics, and the series is one of the best examples of what comics can do with horror, politics and black humour.
We have a good amount of the 90s run at Siomic Comics, so we went back through the series. Here is our guide to Hellblazer Vol. 1: where it came from, who wrote and drew it, and the issues that people still talk about.
Hellblazer Vol. 1 at a glance
- Publisher: DC Comics, moving to the Vertigo imprint in March 1993 (issue #63)
- Run: 300 issues, January 1988 to April 2013
- Character created by: Alan Moore and Stephen R. Bissette, first seen in Swamp Thing #37 (1985)
- Launch team: Jamie Delano and John Ridgway, with covers by Dave McKean
- Landmark writers: Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Paul Jenkins, Warren Ellis, Brian Azzarello, Mike Carey, Denise Mina, Peter Milligan
- Notable artists: John Ridgway, Steve Dillon, Sean Phillips, Marcelo Frusin
- Cover artists: Dave McKean, Kent Williams, Tom Canty, Glenn Fabry, Sean Phillips, Timothy Bradstreet
- Famous story: Dangerous Habits, issues #41 to #46
Where Constantine came from
John Constantine did not begin in his own book. Alan Moore and Stephen Bissette created him as a supporting character in Swamp Thing #37 (1985), a streetwise English sorcerer with a sharp tongue and a talent for manipulating other people. He proved so popular that DC gave him a series of his own. Hellblazer #1, titled Hunger, was cover-dated January 1988 and marks his first solo outing. It also introduces Papa Midnite.
For the first run, writer Jamie Delano and artist John Ridgway set the tone: grimy, political and very British. The early covers are by Dave McKean, who gave the book a distinctive look that was unlike anything else on the shelves.
The big runs, in order
| Issues | Writer | Notable artists | The flavour |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1–40 | Jamie Delano | John Ridgway; covers by Dave McKean, Kent Williams | Occult horror with a sharp political edge |
| #41–83 | Garth Ennis | Steve Dillon on art; covers by Tom Canty and Glenn Fabry | Dangerous Habits and a harder-hitting, darkly funny Constantine |
| #84–133 | Paul Jenkins and others | Sean Phillips, Warren Pleece | Introspective, character-driven stories |
| #134–143 | Warren Ellis | John Higgins; covers by Timothy Bradstreet | A short, sharp run of urban horror |
| #146–174 | Brian Azzarello | Marcelo Frusin | A noir-flavoured, American-road-trip Constantine |
| #175–215 | Mike Carey | Various | A long, character-focused run |
| #216–300 | Denise Mina, Andy Diggle, Peter Milligan and others | Various | The closing years, with Peter Milligan writing more issues than anyone else |
Garth Ennis and Dangerous Habits
Garth Ennis took over the writing with #41, and the six-issue story that opens his run, Dangerous Habits (#41 to #46), is the one most people name first. Constantine learns he is dying of lung cancer, and in order to survive he has to outwit the First of the Fallen, an ancient demon who first appears in #42. It is bleak, clever and darkly funny, and it was the loose inspiration for the 2005 film Constantine.
Family, ghosts and a Neil Gaiman guest issue
Some of the series' most affecting stories are quiet ones. #13 introduces Thomas Constantine, John's father, who becomes a recurring figure. #27 is a ghost story written by guest writer Neil Gaiman, part of a longer story arc that continues in #28, the issue that shows the death of Thomas Constantine. Other guest writers, including Grant Morrison and John Smith, passed through the title at various times too.
Key issues and first appearances
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | January 1988 | First solo series for John Constantine, and the first appearance of Papa Midnite |
| #13 | December 1988 | First appearance of Thomas Constantine |
| #27 | March 1990 | Neil Gaiman guest writer |
| #28 | April 1990 | Death of Thomas Constantine |
| #41–46 | 1991 | Garth Ennis's Dangerous Habits |
| #42 | June 1991 | First appearance of the First of the Fallen |
| #59 | November 1992 | First cover appearance of the First of the Fallen |
| #63 | 1993 | Hellblazer moves to the Vertigo imprint |
| #300 | April 2013 | The final issue of the original series, Finale: Ash |
The creators behind the comic
Jamie Delano & John Ridgway
The launch team, who set the tone for the first forty issues.
Garth Ennis & Steve Dillon
The duo behind much of the 90s run, with Dillon drawing most of #57 to #83.
Sean Phillips
Drew most of #84 to #114 and provided covers for a long stretch of the run, from #85 to #128.
Warren Ellis & Brian Azzarello
Two well-known writers who each took a turn, Ellis on #134 to #143 and Azzarello on #146 to #174.
Mike Carey & Denise Mina
Carey wrote #175 to #215 and Mina followed on #216 to #229.
Dave McKean & Glenn Fabry
Cover artists whose work for the series is some of the most memorable of the era.
Curiosities collectors should know
Three hundred issues
The original run reached exactly #300, with its finale titled Ash.
A change of home
The series moved from DC's main line to the Vertigo imprint at issue #63, in March 1993.
A parade of cover artists
Covers across the run were by artists including McKean, Williams, Canty, Fabry, Phillips and Bradstreet.
Guest stars behind the scenes
Neil Gaiman wrote #27, one of the best-known guest issues in the series.
Revivals
The original series was revived in 2019 under The Sandman Universe banner for twelve issues, and again in a 2024 miniseries.
A series that outlasted its imprint's peak
Hellblazer was one of Vertigo's longest-running and most successful books.
Hellblazer beyond the comics
- Constantine (2005): the film starring Keanu Reeves was loosely based on Dangerous Habits.
- Constantine (2014): an NBC television series starring Matt Ryan ran for 13 episodes. Ryan later played the role in Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, and in the animated series Constantine: City of Demons.
- Animation and games: the character also appears in DC's animated Justice League projects and in games.
Why Hellblazer still matters
Hellblazer helped define the modern occult detective in fiction. Its blend of the supernatural with real-world politics and a deeply flawed lead has influenced everything from comics to television. If you like your stories dark, witty and just a little bit bleak, this is one for the collection.
Where to start reading Hellblazer Vol. 1
- #1 to meet Constantine in his own book.
- #13 and #27 to #28 for the family stories.
- #41 to #46 for Dangerous Habits.
- #84 onwards for the Vertigo-era stories with Sean Phillips on art.
- #300 for the finale.
Hellblazer Vol. 1 covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#2
#13
#22
#27
#41
#42
#99
#300Browse our Hellblazer Vol. 1 back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#28
Hellblazer #28: Thicker Than Water
Part five of the story arc that includes Neil Gaiman's guest issue, and the death of Thomas Constantine.
View our copy -
#43
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#46
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#50
Hellblazer #50: Hampster Heath
The 50th issue of the series, in the middle of Ennis's run.
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#52
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#59
Hellblazer #59: Fallen Women
Features the First of the Fallen's first cover appearance.
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#75
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#90
Hellblazer #90: Dangerous Ground
An issue from Paul Jenkins's long run, with Sean Phillips on covers.
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We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Hellblazer comics.
Frequently asked questions about Hellblazer Vol. 1
When did Hellblazer Vol. 1 start?
It began with Hellblazer #1, cover-dated January 1988.
How many issues are in Hellblazer Vol. 1?
The original series ran for 300 issues, ending in April 2013.
Who created John Constantine?
John Constantine was created by Alan Moore and Stephen R. Bissette and first appeared in Swamp Thing #37.
What is Dangerous Habits?
Dangerous Habits is Garth Ennis's story in Hellblazer #41 to #46, in which Constantine faces lung cancer and a deal with the First of the Fallen.
When did Hellblazer move to Vertigo?
The series moved to DC's Vertigo imprint with issue #63, in March 1993.
Which writer wrote the most Hellblazer?
Peter Milligan wrote the most issues of the series.
Where should I start reading Hellblazer Vol. 1?
Start with #1, or jump to Garth Ennis's Dangerous Habits in #41 to #46.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Hellblazer comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Hellblazer, John Constantine and all related characters are trademarks of DC. Cover images are shown for reference.