John Constantine, Hellblazer: All His Engines is an original graphic novel featuring the DC Comics character John Constantine , written by Mike Carey , with art by Leonardo Manco . The graphic novel is a spin-off of the long-running Hellblazer series, published by the DC Comics imprint Vertigo . It was first published in January 2005. [1]
Publication history
All His Engines was only published in graphic novel format ( ISBN 1-4012-0317-5 ). [2]
Plot
A mysterious plague begins putting his victims into unexplained comas, including Chas Chandler’s granddaughter Tricia. Chas’ best friend John Constantine takes up the case in London , using his acquaintance Fennel to communicate with Tricia’s soul, but the ceremony is hijacked by a third party who kills Fennel and instructs Constantine to travel to an address Los Angeles . Constantine and Chas beroul is responsible for the coma. He blackmails Constantine into working for him in return for Tricia’s soul. He commands Constantine to hunt down a list of demons who are interfering with his work. Constantine summons the Aztec God Mictlantecuhtlifor a favor. Constantine summons Beroul’s enemies in a church and Mictlantecuhtli, immune to the effects of holy paraphernalia, effortlessly slaughters them. Beroul does not keep his end of bargain and makes a business deal with Mictlantecuhtli. John then makes another deal with Mictlantecuhtli, who has the ability to knit souls and bodies back together. In a final confrontation with Beroul, Mictlantecuhtli does so and restored Tricia, possessing her body. Constantine then feigns a gamble with Tricia’s life, and Mictlantecuhtli leaves her. Chas and Tricia leave for England while Constantine decides to stay in Los Angeles for a while.
Reception
Although no fan of Carey’s run on the main title, Stephen Holland thought that “Carey is on the toppest form” and that the style evolved earlier periods ” Ennis , the art like a moodier, more solid John Ridgway . ” [3] [4]
In other media
The tenth episode of the NBC television series Constantine , “Quid Pro Quo,” is a loose adaptation of All His Engines with the Demon Beroul served with DC Universe Supervillain Felix Faust and Chas’s daughter being the victim of the curse instead of his granddaughter. The episode also provides the creative freedom of supernatural healing for Chas.
Notes
- Jump up^ Irvine, Alex (2008), “John Constantine Hellblazer”, in Dougall, Alastair, The Vertigo Encyclopedia , New York: Dorling Kindersley , pp. 102-111, ISBN 0-7566-4122-5 , OCLC 213309015
- Jump up^ CCI, Day 2: Keanu Sold Separately: Carey talks “Hellblazer: All His Engines” OGN,Comic Book Resources, July 23, 2004
- Jump up^ Hellblazer: All His Engines hardcover review,Comics Bulletin
- Jump up^ Hellblazer: All His Engines softcover review,Comics Bulletin
References
- ‘ All His Engines’ at the Grand Comics Database
- All His Engines at the Comic Book DB