It's a happy and sad day. John Constantine has been starring in HELLBLAZER since 1988. Today DC has announced that the series is coming to an end. Constantine first made his debut in THE SAGA OF SWAMP THING #37 in 1985. HELLBLAZER, currently under the Vertigo imprint is ending after 300 issues.
This doesn't mean the end of Constantine's adventures. With the return of Alec Holland and Swamp Thing during BRIGHTEST DAY, Constantine has gained a bigger presence in the New 52 Universe. He has a major role in JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK and has appeared in ANIMAL MAN and SWORD OF SORCERY.
To take the place of HELLBLAZER, DC will launch a new series, CONSTANTINE, rooted in the New 52. The ongoing title will begin in March 2013. It will be written by upcoming DEMON KNIGHTS writer (and New York Times bestselling author) Robert Venditti with art by Renato Guedes.
Venditti was quoted on DC's The Source saying the following:
Few characters in comics are as complex and entertaining as John Constantine, and I'm finding him to be every bit as enjoyable to write as he is to read. It's my goal to have the new CONSTANTINE series be equal parts familiarity and surprise. This will be the Constantine we all know and love, but facing new and unexpected challenges from both inside and out.
HELLBLAZER #300, due in February, will mark the final issue of the series. Longtime writer Peter Milligan and artists Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Landini plan to give him the bloody best sendoff he deserves.
HELLBLAZER #34 (1990) was my first issue and still is one of my all-time favorite covers.
R.I.P. HELLBLAZER.
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