I usually review single issues of comics, but in honor of the upcoming Constantine movie, I wanted to spotlight a great trade paperback from the Hellblazer series. Here we go!

Hellblazer: Hard Time Trade Paperback
Collects issues #146-150 of the regular series
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Richard Corben
Price: $12.95

Rating: 4 stars

The horrors of prison have never been satirized in quite the same manner as Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben do in the Hellblazer trade paperback ?Hard Time?. From the stark reality of prison life to the fantastic consequences brought to the table by John Constantine, this is the ultimate prison read. Azzarello and Corben reel in the reader with the opening sequence, and things get more raw and naked as the arc reaches its climax. After reading the trade for the first time, I had a hard time sleeping, so the second time I read it, I made sure to cleanse my palate with a nice soothing issue of Punisher, enabling me to sleep like a baby. Folks, this book ain?t for the faint of heart, but for the true horror fan, this is an anthem.

I have been a fan of Azzarello?s since the minute I picked up the first 100 Bullets trade paperback. My interest in John Constantine along with my appreciation of his work is what enticed me to pick this up. It was a good decision, as this is one of the most compelling reads I have encountered for quite some time. There is a grit and realism to Azzarello?s work that is at times startling and disturbing and at other times darkly humorous. That type of writing works well with Constantine and his life.

Corben holds his own here with incredible line work and some of the starkest depictions of violence I have encountered. He does it unflinchingly, with an edge. His characters bring to life the feelings of creepiness that I get from turning the page at times. It is an incredible thing to behold. I would like to see Azzarello and Corben collaborate again, as they did in the Marvel mini-series Cage.

The story runs five issues, in which time Constantine acclimated to prison life. As he is introduced to different cliques, the subsequent challenges and outcomes he faces are painted in vivid color. When he first meets Traylor, who wants to be more then friends, it isn?t readily apparent who the more dangerous of the two men is. As the story progresses, it becomes obvious who is to meet the more fitting end. With that dynamic in place, Constantine continues to meet other players in the prison who claim to have a high rank in the pecking order. The end of this tale astounded me and disgusted me a bit. When man meets his base instincts, the end results are not always pretty, and that is aptly illustrated here.

I really enjoyed the cinematic vision put forth by the creative team in this trade. After being mostly familiar with Garth Ennis? run on the book, it was a great palate cleanser that stood on its own. I would recommend it to adult readers who are looking for a horrific thriller. It won?t disappoint.

Comic Reviews