John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #9: Hollyweird

Hollywood is certainly one of the strangest places in America. Every inch is packed with a storied past or some bizarre history, which makes it the perfect setting for John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #9. Horror and the concept of filmmaking just go so well together, so it is an absolute treat to see Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell’s take on Tinseltown. The issue follows a struggling actor named Marco Redwood as he confesses his recent experiences in Hollywood involving John Constantine. Spurrier’s writing is masterful in this issue and Campbell perfectly lays it all out on the page in some of his best work of the series. The framing narrative and having John as a side character fully sells the unreliable narration. Spurrier achieves a sense of a blurred line between waking life and walking dreams through Redwood, who even suggests that he was drugged by John.

Other issues of John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America have been heavier on the horror elements but something about this issue is just downright creepy. It has its fair share of body and cosmic horror, but something about all of the twisted things happening in this issue barely behind closed doors in Hollywood cranks up the creepy factor. Campbell’s art is simply outstanding and does an incredible job demonstrating the reader Redwood’s descent into absolute chaos. Jordie Bellaire’s colors are such a fine compliment to Campbell’s art. The color palette she uses is simple at times utilizing just a few primary colors but balances it with some spectacular arrays of color that truly sell the idea that the main character of this issue is facing something beyond his comprehension.