"Looks like we'll be staying put, eh?"
Most of the times Stand alone issues don't really mean anything and in this case this comic breaks that rule. Fresh off the Wedding John Constantine and his wife Epiphany comeback from their honeymood. Point of interest, they fly on "Cheap Jet" on "CJ" airlines, CJ being reversed for JC? I loved the opening of this comic, Epiphany asks John who he really is and Peter Milligan really gets to the heart of John Constantine. Another point of interest, in the guest issues Simon Bisley drew over the last year on Hellblazer, we at times see John Constantine have an interesting "Mask" like shadow around his eyes and I am beginning to think that was on purpose to foreshadow this issue or possible a later issue. On page two we see this "shadow mask" again.
Peter Milligan likes dealing with time when writing John Constantine, this trend started when he guest stared John in Shade The Changing Man, further he highlighted the importance of time in his Hellblazer run with arcs like "No Future" and now with High Frequency Man we deal with digital banking and buying and selling seconds ahead of the market.
Marcus Molloy would be the problem in John Constantine's side this issue. Molloy is a "High-Frequency trader", John refers to him as someone who deals with "Voodoo Economics". Molloy is a greedy man and looks to take John Constantine's flat and like any man protecting his home he attacks back. Some of the Con Tricks John pulls are great in this comic and a lot of those cons are great ones.
The Good
As a stand alone this comic has no commitment to it. If you read the Wedding issue or not, this is an access point. Simon Bisley (Biz) is a treat doing the interiors since he rarely ever does it and Biz is good at drawing this type of book; Babes and things that go bump in the night is all he needs. This comics is also loaded with soon to be classic John moments and it is the first full issues of the new married couple. This comic really explores this new dynamic of John and wife, such as where they will live. Speaking of living with Epiphany. if you are into "goth" chicks, there are a lot of moments to covet John's wife, Epiphany, from bubble bath romance to barely anything on epiphany is a treat.The Bad
I do have to say Biz's art is not for everyone. I did enjoy the perv scene when Molloy looks down a girls shirt and Biz illustrates it in aces, but some faces are not as detailed, like Molloy's. Biz spends a lot more time on drawing his women, I don't blame him and God Bless him for it.Verdict
Another solid Hellblazer issue and since Pete showed up in a short story in issue #250, Pete has been nothing but aces on this series. This issues is a nice jump in point because it is a stand alone comic and even long term fans are learning the new dynamic of John and Epiphany. The Honeymoon is over and the real relationship is about to begin.Cheers
- Silkcuts