''John Constantine, Hellblazer: All His Engines'' is an original

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

featuring the

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character

John Constantine John Constantine () is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Constantine first appeared in ''Swamp Thing'' #37 (June 1985), and was created by Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, Rick Veitch, and John Tot ...

, written by Mike Carey, with art by Leonardo Manco. The graphic novel is a spin-off of the long-running series ''

Hellblazer ''John Constantine, Hellblazer'' is an American contemporary horror comic-book series published by DC Comics since January 1988, and subsequently by its Vertigo imprint since March 1993, when the imprint was introduced. Its central character is ...

'', published by the DC Comics imprint

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. It was first published in January 2005. The graphic novel follows John Constantine's investigation into a worldwide phenomenon that is placing innocent people into comas. ''All His Engines'' was loosely adapted into the animated series (later compiled as a direct-to-DVD film) titled '' Constantine: City of Demons'', an installment of the

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Publication history

''All His Engines'' was only published in graphic novel format ().CCI, Day 2: Keanu Sold Separately: Carey talks "Hellblazer: All His Engines" OGN

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, July 23, 2004

Plot

A mysterious plague begins putting its victims into unexplained comas, including

Chas Chandler Bryan James "Chas" Chandler (18 December 1938 – 17 July 1996) was an English musician, record producer and manager, best known as the original bassist in The Animals, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He ...

's granddaughter Tricia. Chas' best friend

takes up the case in

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, 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 in

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. Constantine and Chas find the address and discover that a demon named 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 Mictlantecuhtli for a favor. Constantine summons Beroul's enemies in a church and Mictlantecuhtli, immune to the effects of Christian holy paraphernalia, effortlessly slaughters them. Beroul doesn't keep his end of the bargain and makes a business pact 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

Stephen Holland of Comics Bulletin wrote in his review of the graphic novel that "Carey is on the toppest form I've known of him" and felt that the style evoked earlier periods of the long running series as the "script felt like Ennis, the art like a moodier, more solid John Ridgway."''Hellblazer: All His Engines'' softcover review

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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 replaced with

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supervillain

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and Chas's daughter being the victim of the curse instead of his granddaughter. The episode also takes the creative liberty of providing an origin for supernatural healing powers for Chas. *The

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series '' Constantine: City of Demons'' is loosely based on the graphic novel. While initially following the plot of the comic, the plot diverges into material not covered in the comic and features some unique elements such as Beroul being a disguise for the demon Nergal, and a variation of the Newcastle incident.

Notes

References

* * {{Hellblazer 2005 graphic novels 2005 comics debuts Hellblazer Horror comics Fantasy comics Vertigo Comics graphic novels Comics by Mike Carey (writer)