HELLBLAZER #174 (Best of the Week!)
"Ashes & Dust in the City of Angels, Conclusion"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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DC Comics/Vertigo imprint
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Pencils: Marcelo Frusin
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Clem Robins
Editor: Will Dennis
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
Though it's a couple of months late, Azzarello brings this story arc -- and his run on the title -- to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. He provides several answers to the mysteries that have prevaded this story, but he leaves the reader with a lot of questions as well. This dark conclusion suits the tone of the series and the lead character perfectly. Azzarello and Frusin once again demonstrate that no matter what supernatural evil Constantine has encountered in his travels, none of it is more horrific than what the human heart is capable of.
As his priest listens, Stanley Manor finally confesses what went on at the Los Angeles S&M club that night that John Constantine burst into flame and died a painful fiery death. Unfortunately for him, his confession coincides with FBI agent Frank Turro's visit to his estate, as well as a seemingly spectral visit from the chain-smoking English magician himself. Hatred, self-loathing and blood blend into a tumultous climax, with nary a happy ending in sight.
If it wasn't clear to some of us readers before, it certainly is now. Azzarello takes a look at a rather noted character from comics fiction: Bruce Wayne. But he's taken away the costume, the thirst for vengeance and disdain for criminals, leaving only an empty, angry shell. Imagine what such a figure might do with unlimited resources, unlimited rage and a good deal of imagination and intelligence. What's truly disturbing about Stanley Manor is that it would be a simple matter for such a monster to exist. Think of it... a grown man, forever haunted by a childhood trauma, with a young boy in a dark, cavernous space decorated in a gruesome gothic style. That's a core part of the essence of the Batman character, but viewed through more mature, cynical eyes, it's makes for horrific possibilities.
Frusin's inky art sets the mood perfectly for those disturbing possibilities. But the real key to the horror of his art is the expressiveness of his characters. From Stanley's deranged smile to Constantine's steely demeanor, we can see the extreme nature of these characters in their faces, long before we see them in their actions.
A particularly effective visual moment came later in the book, as Stanley finally reveals what went on in the club. Loughridge drenches the background in an unusually bright pink hue. The color is completely out of place. It's unnatural, unsettling, and therefore, it reinforces the tone of the story and characters.
My favorite aspect of this story is that Azzarello offers no clear answers to the core mystery: how did Constantine die, if he died at all? Like any good magician, Constantine -- and Azzarello -- refuses to reveal the secret of the trick. In fact, the only indication that Constantine isn't dead is that the series continues beyong this issue. Sadly, Azzarello's stint does not. It's a shame to see him leave the title. He brought a great deal to it, and fortunately, his replacement -- Lucifer's Mike Carey -- is a worthy successor.
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