Banishing The Feces Demons: ‘John Constantine: Hellblazer #5’ Reviewed
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
John Constantine wakes up in Tommy Willowtree’s apartment with a monster of a hangover. Tommy himself is doing fine and he explains to John how he became the new “Magelord of England” and “Guardian of the Merlintrove.” John knows it’s all lies and he dips out on Tommy to dig up the ones responsible for the ruse. First, however, he has to deal with the person sending feces elementals after him. Meanwhile, a masked man ambushes Tommy while he’s waiting for John to get back.
John Constantine: Hellblazer #5 concludes John’s adventures with young Tommy Willowtree. Tommy annoys the piss out of John, but he knows the young mage means well–even if he’s annoying as all hell.
Many of the jokes about Tommy Willowtree in these past two issues do come off a bit as “old man yells at cloud.” That said, there is something really funny how everything about Tommy’s personality almost acts as Kryptonite for John Constantine. Tommy really is everything John isn’t.
John tracking down the creator of the feces elementals is pretty damn entertaining too.
The ending to this one is actually pretty sweet. I won’t spoil it, but John really does come to be concerned for Tommy. I honestly found myself coming to like Tommy Willowtree a bit too.
Matías Bergara once again provides his fantastical and surreal artistic talents for this issue. The characters have distinct shapes and detailed features, but there is something almost impressionistic in the representation of it all. Jordie Bellaire’s color work is vibrant and bright, but it is balanced by darker browns, grays, and blacks.
John Constantine: Hellblazer #5 is a funny and charming issue that still builds some dark foreshadowing and undertones in the margins. John is as irreverent and crass as ever and Tommy Willowtree makes for an endearing foil. This issue earns a recommendation. Check it out.
John Constantine: Hellblazer #5 comes to us from writer Simon Spurrier, artist Matías Bergara, color artist Jordie Bellaire, letterer Aditya Bidikar, and cover artist John Paul Leon.
Final Score: 8.5/10
