No More Phantom Pains
Besides the metaphysics in which Peter Milligan is weaving into his Hellblazer run, there is a constant trend of compelling story. The run started with a false love, which lead John to his now wife. From the wedding John's "demons" come back to haunt him and this issue is the return to the "rape" of Gemma Masters from issues 275. The pace is great with Peter Milligan's run, the stories are not formulated and he really has found ways to maximize his creative team to best tell the story.
In this issue we see how much John Constantine has changed since marriage. Some will say it is a bad thing since he is not the same cold hearted bloke he was years ago. Peter Milligan acknowledged that John Constantine is an old man now and if he doesn't settle down now, he may never. Phantom Pains was a great arc because it plays on the physical change of John Constantine as well as the change we don't see in the exterior, but we know are their.
John and Gemma's relationship may now be strained, but Gemma is not the lady in Johns life anymore and by removing Gemma out of the picture in a brilliant way, Peter Milligan and Co. can now focus on this new John Constantine. The next issue is a stand alone and it will be drawn by BIZ so that should be a treat. I am really loving what Peter Milligan is doing with my favorite character and looking forward to what other tales he will tell with John. Such as to where is John's coat and how much is it really a part of who he is?
Cheers.
- Silkcuts
