This issue was nostalgic in a sense that it was a callback to the very first Delano issue of the entire series where John Constantine first made an appearance in his own solo title. Here, readers get to see John traveling to American once more, specifically to New York City. I thought this was a clever device to establish that this is some kind of a "rebirth" for John who just got out of a relationship but has changed since the very first issue we met him. He continues to change once again.
We get another multiple-part arc entitled Damnation's Flame. Now, nothing much happens in this issue, really, at least nothing that captivated me instantly. The only noteworthy thing that this premise has done is to introduce Papa Midnite into the fold again which made me very giddy because I really loved NBC's version of the character and he hasn't been shown again since Delano's arc about the hunger demon so it pleases me to no end that Ennis decided to pick him up again.
From what I can gather, John hardly remembers some stuff about his last experiences in New York about Gary and the hunger demon, and teaming up with Midnite to perform the savage ritual of imprisoning said demon inside his own friend. Can't say I blame him for having selective amnesia all of a sudden but that's probably because he spent literally the last six months in London, just wandering the streets in a drunken haze. That has to be some kind of record. Anyway, John has fully recovered from whatever poison and intoxication he allowed himself to surrender to. He's in another country, trying to take it easy as he talks to the people at the pub he frequents in. One of Midnite's goons recognized him even though John didn't, and he immediately reported this to Midnite who was intrigued and eager to take advantage of the opportunity to do something damaging for John.
Yeah, Constantine couldn't just catch a fucking break. He was just minding his own business, trying to get to know the locale better when Midnite decided to, I believe, perform some voodoo spell on him which trapped John in some twisted version of New York City. People and animals alike are being filthy and gory and stuff. One moment John was having a normal conversation; the next a part of his body is turned into a skeleton, the bartender is decaying before him, and some skinned cat starts threatening him. Afraid and absolutely getting too old for this bollocks, John runs away and discovers himself in a waking nightmare of red landscapes and frightening skyscrapers. And that's how this issue ends....because life is shite when you're John Constantine.
I don't know what to make of this yet so I'll just patiently wait for the next installments.
RECOMMENDED: 7/10
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