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John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits Paperback – March 1, 1994

by Garth Ennis (Author)

4.7 68 ratings

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John Constantine, the main character in Hellblazer, was originally a very minor character in DC Comics' Swamp Thing. Next came his only series, in which this hard-smoking, hard-drinking, all around manipulator walked the thin line of magic between this world and hell. So when Irishman Garth Ennis was asked to write this comic book, he had asked himself, "What could I possibly do to John Constantine that hadn't been done before? And one course of action suddenly stood out above all others: Kill him." The result is a tense supernatural drama that begins with Constantine being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Though this book only hints at the freeform casualness and over-the-top vulgarity that became Ennis's trademark in the Preacher series, this is an immensely enjoyable read with strong characters and dynamite plot twists. --Jim Pascoe

Collects Hellblazer #41-46.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

John Constantine, the main character in Hellblazer, was originally a very minor character in DC Comics' Swamp Thing. Next came his only series, in which this hard-smoking, hard-drinking, all around manipulator walked the thin line of magic between this world and hell. So when Irishman Garth Ennis was asked to write this comic book, he had asked himself, "What could I possibly do to John Constantine that hadn't been done before? And one course of action suddenly stood out above all others: Kill him." The result is a tense supernatural drama that begins with Constantine being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Though this book only hints at the freeform casualness and over-the-top vulgarity that became Ennis's trademark in the Preacher series, this is an immensely enjoyable read with strong characters and dynamite plot twists. --Jim Pascoe

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vertigo (March 1, 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1563891506
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1563891502
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.75 x 0.5 x 10.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,594,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,694 in Horror Graphic Novels (Books)

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4.7 68 ratings

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Garth Ennis

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Garth Ennis is the award-winning writer of Hellblazer, Hitman, Punisher, Preacher, Pride and Joy and War Stories. He is much in demand for his hard-edged, wickedly humorous style.

Photo by pinguino k from North Hollywood, USA (william and garth ennis) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Jake

Of Mortality and Magic

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2021

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Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits is intended for Mature Readers Only. When you see this label, you'll often think of swearing and violence, naturally. And while Hellblazer certainly has plenty of both, this story has a lot more depth than your average adult oriented cartoon. John Constantine is part of the DC Universe, but he's no superhero. The villain of this tale is something much more grounded: cancer. This simple concept may sound low stakes by 90s comic book standards, but it paves the way for a dark, introspective tale full of humanity and heartbreak. The supernatural twists and turns only heighten the drama, and the finale effectively reinforces Constantine's reputation as a clever and ruthless master of the mystic arts. This is one of the best Vertigo comics you can buy.

One person found this helpful

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N. Durham

Cheers mate

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2005

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Before Garth Ennis wreaked havoc with his classic critically acclaimed Preacher series, he made a name for himself when he took over Hellblazer. John Constantine, the hard drinking, hard smoking manipulator of magic, meets his toughest opponent yet: his mortality. Constantine is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and he doesn't have long to live. While Dangerous Habits (or most of Ennis' Hellblazer work) doesn't have the over the top vulgarity and brilliant insanity of his later work on Preacher, Ennis still weaves a powerful and surprisingly effective tale that finds Constantine at his weakest (and in following volumes we witness his deconstruction of the character) as he struggles to not only save his life, but his soul as well. Some of the art can be an acquired taste, but it suits the book, and Dangerous Habits is the beginning of the definitive Hellblazer stories. After reading this, you may even think about giving the smokes a break for a while, I know I am.

12 people found this helpful

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Joseph Dewey

An awesome Hellblazer story, and it's the book the movie is based on

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2011

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This is a great book to start the Hellblazer series with, because it's a self-contained story. That's probably why they based the movie Constantine on this book. The plot of book is different enough from the movie, that you get a different experience from reading this book, with a different resolution to the book.

I liked this a lot! It really flushes out Constantine's character, and helps to explain the kind of person he is.

Pros:
+Now I understand all of the confusing parts of the movie that didn't seem to make sense
+Excellent artwork
+Great story
+Seems to discourage smoking, since all the smokers in this book are dying
+Very amusing story, as Constantine tricks multiple devils

Cons:
-None, I liked everything about it

3 people found this helpful

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Robert Beveridge

Ennis gets it right with his first try.

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2005

Garth Ennis, John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits (Vertigo, 1994)

It is entirely likely that anyone reading this review doesn't need me to say a thing about it. You already know who John Constantine is (even those of you who don't follow comics, thanks to the recent Keanu Reeves vehicle). You probably even know what issue numbers are contained in this book, which was the beginning of Garth Ennis' stint as the primary writer, and what happens in them. On the off chance, however, that someone who's not into comics stumbles across this review, I'll go ahead and say "get this."

Chain-smoking, hard-drinking John Constantine, rake, magician, and all-around bad guy, has just found out he has terminal lung cancer. He's going to die. He has few to turn to for help; most of his friends are dead, and both friends and adversaries still alive are loath to help him for various reasons of their own. Thus, Constantine has to come up with a typically brilliant, diabolical plan in order to get himself out of an inextricable mess.

Granted, this is a regular day in the life of the Hellblazer, but Ennis, the man behind the great Preacher, brings a style and energy to Constantine's character that's undeniable and attractive. He's a bit less comfortable with some of the minor characters from older issues, as if he's still getting used to being thrust into their skins, but as this story arc is highly centered around Constantine and a new character, that doesn't play as important a part as one might at first think. (The Snob, especially, is... well, downright boring here.) Ennis' writing is as witty and wiseacre as ever, and, well, it's simply a load of fun. If you're not familiar with Constantine, you may want to hunt down Original Sins before this, but this is one you'll definitely want to go on to. *** ½

7 people found this helpful

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The Blue Thunder Bomb

"The Sting", Magus Style...

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2005

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Garth Ennis is one of the most consistently entertaining writers in comics today, and one of the most challenging. DANGEROUS HABITS is the beginning of that. Obviously his great work has continued through his run on HELLBLAZER to his unbelivably innovative and instantly addictive series PREACHER, to his challenging work on WAR STORIES and his hilariously over-the-top reboot of THE PUNISHER. In regard to DANGEROUS HABITS, although he is missing his best artistic sidekick, Steve Dillon, that does not prevent this run of HELLBLAZER from being the best I've ever read, with one of the greatest plot twists in comic history. It's simply brilliant.

2 people found this helpful

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Greg Bosworth

Read This Book First

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2011

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'Dangerous Habits' is the first Hellblazer book you should read. If you loved Preacher, Sandman, or similar, this is of the same calibre. Poignant, gripping, and fun. It's no coincidence that when they decided to make a Constantine film, they used this for the blueprint.

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Aaron Allison

This deal was amazing! On every other site this book was $15

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016

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This deal was amazing! On every other site this book was $15. Great deal. The gn was in great shape.

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Top reviews from other countries

Jonathan Conrad

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on March 29, 2016

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solid novel!

Thomas-Jack Roberts

"Old Habits Die Hard"

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2013

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An interesting look at the loss of friends, facing inevitable death, and the rules by which heaven and hell play in order to maintain balance and keep fighting. Constantine doesn't lose that quick wit and arrogant smirk not even whilst staring the devil in the face. Literally.

This is the storyline that springs to mind first when I think of Hellblazer and John Constantine, Garth Ennis produced a vivid landmark in the series.