WINM Forums :: The Films of Keanu Reeves :: Hellblazer - comics vs film

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Hellblazer - comics vs film
Anakin McFly
2009-08-25 21:18

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Is it just me, or does John 'Connie' Constantine from the Hellblazer comics seem like a nicer person than Connie from the film? Or is it just his Britishness; because anyone who drinks tea on a regular basis can't be that bad...

and actually after reading half of the Hellblazer comic that LucaM sent me, I think I actually prefer the film version of the character, and not because of Keanu. :\

LucaM
2009-08-25 21:25


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whoa-whoa-whoa.
easy there.

please remind me which issues have I sent you ; then we can discuss this. the two "Taste for Life" issues don't really qualify; they are a bit of a side story linking two major series.
But to get an idea about the character, it's useful to read allissues, at least the ones published until the movie was released. And trust me, it's quite a trip ;)
But that's also the problem of perception the fanboys had with the movie. The character was written by several writers, each with their own style. Add to that each reader's perception of the comics. ( Add to that the form over content nit-picking, but let's not go there. Yet)
But the film presents Connie fighting the ultimate battle, which is trying to save his sorry behind, not someone else - or humanity. Hence the difference...
(Of course, he gets distracted ;) but that's the story of his life. One of them (stories), anyway ;) ) From all the material written until then, the film focuses on the darkest part. Besides, the comics are a different medium. They had years to build the character. The movie had two hours.

For me, the film version of the character captures the basic essence of 'Constantine'. I've seen the film before reading the comics, so yeah, maybe I'm biased, I don't know. But it has nothing to do with Keanu, either. I would have been attracted to the character anyway, not because it was played by Reeves but because of how he played him. If it weren't for "Revolutions", this would have been my "whoa" moment.
... on a second thought, it WAS. it made me ask again " wtf is all this ? who's that guy ? " but I meant who's John Constantine and what exactly is his story.
So from this pov... the film is stronger than some series of the comics.
It makes you wonder why the anger, why the cynicism, why ...
too bad they messed it up with the suicide as a child story. Constantine's real past is way darker than that. If anything, compared to the comics,this is where the movie fails. the lifelong guilt for a botched summoning which led to the eternal punishment of a child to hell... is much stronger.

And yet the ending of the film reveals a nobler character than how most of the writers wrote him. If anything, it's closer to Jenkins' closing series, not to Ennis' "Dangerous Habits" on which most of the story was based upon. Ennis' Constantine wouldn't have chosen to ask for Isabel's freedom. Ennis was about cons and plans, not about redemption.

... but I'm on a roll again , I see ;) :D

anyway, it's not the tea ;) John drinks... whatever the current writer of Hellblazer drinks. and only Garth Ennis has the tea fetish ;)

later edit : it's "High on Life" indeed, sorry. Don't have a memory for titles.

Anakin McFly
2009-08-25 22:09

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It's the 'High on Life' issue. Constantine wasn't particularly angry or cynical in it, which in the film was the main appeal of his character.

Somehow the film version of the character came across as more... concentrated, somehow. It could be an American thing, intensified by the medium of film - less time for character building, so a lot of it is already there from the start.

...All British drink tea. :|

LucaM
2009-08-26 00:06


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please, please, please don't judge the comics based on the "High on Life" issues. It's the first of Mike Carey's series, and its purpose is to make a transition from the 'American stories' of Brian Azzarello to the more occult adventures Carey prepared for John back in England ( most of the time, anyway). And to introduce Angela Spatchcock as a character. ( no, it's not the Angela from the movie ;) )
This is John playing 'incognito'. Actually, playing dead ;)

"The" John Constantine is the one written by Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis ( that's issues 1-84, and then 129-133) , Warren Ellis (134-143). Paul Jenkins plays hard the currency of the druid mystical times...Britain and all that.(That's issues 89-128). But he gives the character 'a heart', too. And makes him sell his soul to the devil. Literally. And then to strike a bargain with God.
Then Mike Carey came along and from sept.2002 until febr.2006 took John in a tour of the occult world... even making him give up magic and then picking it up from where he left it ;)
but he's not really relevant to the film's plot as the script was going under the final revisions when Carey started writing Hellblazer.

Yes, the character came across as more concentrated indeed. there was no time to explain all the past, so the audience had to 'see' him in one instant. there's no way one can 'explain' Constantine in one film only. No more than one can 'explain' Batman in one film only.

The one who gave him the 'attitude' was Ennis. That's where you have to start reading the comics. And with Delano's first issues, because there's the first glimpse of John's past.
But that's not all there is... It's an ongoing process.
Each time I read the comics, it just gets richer ...

Anakin McFly
2009-10-28 17:27

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Updated: After reading more Hellblazer, I still think that comics!Connie is a nicer guy than movie!Connie. He's... happier. Smiles more and stuff. Yeah.
LucaM
2009-10-28 21:31


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well, the movie concentrates on that particular moment when he finds out he's dying. nothing to be happy about. not in his case, anyway.
this might be one of the reasons why it's difficult to come up with a sequel to the movie...
LucaM
2009-11-04 01:51


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just finished reading the novelization of the movie- by John Shirley. (Yes, I am a Hellblazer completist. Reeves and F.Lawrence are totally to blame for that :D )

it's... ok, I guess. But it doesn't do much for me. Plus, it's based on an earlier version of the script, not the final cut. And there's a reason why Lawrence cut several scenes and rewrote others. In the case of this movie, "less is more" actually works. ( I only wish he would have kept the Ellie scene in the hotel room. that's pure Constantine ;) )
Besides, the character IS a comic book character, then translated onto the screen. It's all about images. John's glare or smirk is not meant to be described in three paragraphs. It's one striking image. Visual impact. And I'm a visual person. :D

But I'm scanning the book now - patience, it's gonna take about a week - then I'll send the file to Ani, so she can upload it in the WINM library... and then you can all read it and make your own mind about it ;)


blueclover2009-11-13 10:33


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Can you send me the comics as well?
LucaM
2009-11-14 03:27


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you talking to me ? ;) :D

email me at *email deleted*

lady_majestik2010-01-27 05:29


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Okay, my two cents being a HUGE collector of comics and tons of what I collect being made into big screen movies. It's like a Stephen King novel, it NEVER reflects all of it, and most of the important stuff is removed. The BIGGEST comic collection I own right now is Ghost Rider. I love the movie, have watched it countless times because I love the fact, at the end, they put the original 4 books from the series from the 60's into it. THAT is my WHOLE fandom for that movie. Thing is, when you have 100 to 500 books in a collection spanning 20 to 40 years you can't come up with a script to do it justice.

The other movies based on comics --...Batman, the original, not bad, Batman the new series is more to the book, Superman wasn't too bad, the new SUPERMAN, AWFUL. Hulk was god awful, X-MEN sucked SHIT, they were SOOO OUT OF TIMELINE it begged burning. That X-Men Origins-Wolverine, OMG, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT. The Fantastic Four, OMG, the only good thing about that was Micheal Chitlis, the rest of BOTH movies was awful. Spiderman? Hm, the Jury is still out, I do like the storylines and the introduction of villians, they did a decent job with that.

Right now I'm totally favoring "Iron Man" having Robert Downy Jr, as Tony Stark was the best thing they could've ever come up with. The script for the first one was amazing, I just have to wait and see what Iron Man II gives me. Funniest thing is, the DIRECTOR for the Iron Man movies just happens to be John Favreau from "The Replacements and Something's Gotta Give" Two degrees of Separation for Keanu LOL.

Anakin McFly
2010-01-27 10:34

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...I like X-Men and Fantastic Four. :(

Then again I've never read the comics.

lady_majestik2010-01-28 01:47


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LMFAO, Anakin, that's probably the best thing to do when it comes to going to see a remake of comics. Stupid thing is, I heard so much bitching about Constantine and how Keanu destroyed the character because this wasn't the same, that wasn't the same. Each time I heard that on a message board I would ask what they thought of the X-Men movies and I always heard, I loved them, they stuck to the storyline which was bupkus and I pointed out that Wolverine is short, stocky and not good looking unlike 6'3" totally buff and gorgeous in the movies. Also Rogue's character was all wrong too. Good way to shut people up though LOL.
ShadowSpark
2010-02-10 15:00


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Well, the movie got me into the comics. The Hellblazer comics are really good, but the comic adaptation of the movie - WORST ADAPTATION EVER!! And I've seen some pretty bad ones. They cut out half the movie! I mean, I can see where movies skip over parts of the plots from their books, but come on...!?!


The novelization of Constantine was good though. John Shirley is a good author.

On another note, I'm in the process of collecting the Hellblazer graphic novels - does anyone know where I can get a copy of Bloodlines for under $50? All the places I've checked only have it really expensive, and I'm a bit tight on money. I like the comics, even if they are a bit hard to follow in places. Although, the story "On the Beach" really creeped me out. Otherwise, it's pretty good.

Anakin McFly
2010-02-10 15:02

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but the comic adaptation of the movie - WORST ADAPTATION EVER!!

I wholeheartedly second this.
LucaM
2010-02-10 17:12


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does anyone know where I can get a copy of Bloodlines for under $50?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1401215149?tag=ayearocom-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1401215149&adid=12NKYCP4P79NTF7ECE6H&
or even better
http://www.atomiccomicsstore.com/273525.html

btw, you do realize there are 262 Hellblazer issues published so far, not to mention the special editions, graphic novels and so on? ;) :D


but the comic adaptation of the movie - WORST ADAPTATION EVER!!

I third this ;)
what the hell were they thinking ?

ShadowSpark
2010-02-11 17:22


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Thanks LucaM! I never realized Atomic Comics had a website. Kind of dumb of me, yeah?


btw, you do realize there are 262 Hellblazer issues published so far, not to mention the special editions, graphic novels and so on? ;) :D

Yes, I do know about the other issues, but thanks for the tip. I figure I'll get the graphic novels first, and then get the other issues. It's easier this way - my mom is a Batman fan, and we have this HUGE drawer of comics, so I know what I'm talking about.


what the hell were they thinking ?

I would guess, that they weren't. I mean, that seems to be the only plausible explanation for such a disaster. Maybe the writers were drunk, or something.

LucaM
2010-02-11 17:56


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No, drunk is - usually - a different kind of stupid. ;)
The only thing I can think of is they had a grandmother of all hangovers. Only that can explain the disaster. ;) :D

I heartily recommend "All His Engines" - a graphic novel by Mike Carey which is not included in the monthly issues of Hellblazer.
http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/graphic_novels/?gn=2464

And , of course, the 'classics' of the series.
As much as I like Jamie Delano and Garth Ennis' issues of Hellblazer as being the ones which really defined and fleshed out the character- heck, Alan Moore did create the John Constantine character, but only in terms of trenchcoat, cigarette and sarcastic one-liners - must admit I have a soft spot for Brian Azzarello's stories. And especially for the Mike Carey ones.
Okay, Andy Diggle's stories are good too. He knows how to tie up loose ends, and bring closure to many of the series' subplots.
But don't get me started on what Peter Milligan did with the last issues of Hellblazer. Argh!

... okay, I'll shut up now ;) :D

ShadowSpark
2010-02-11 19:11


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No, drunk is - usually - a different kind of stupid. ;)

Well, how am I supposed to know that? I'm 17 - nowhere near old enough to drink.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep it in mind.

Anakin McFly
2010-02-11 21:12

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No, drunk is - usually - a different kind of stupid. ;)

Like counting bottles, then passing out and not being fully aware of who you're making out with? :|

LucaM
2010-02-11 22:09


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Sort of ;)

Let's just say that alcohol makes one do things one wouldn't dare do when sober. It drowns inhibitions and releases potential creativity ;) :D
Effects can vary from being too honest with one's boss , painting the bedroom wallpaper a very intense shade of purple , having a crazy but viable idea for solving the problem you've been working at for the past month, making embarrassing phone calls to one's ex, to... well, ask Conor ;) :D
But all these come from the back of one's mind ;)

Trying to get work done the morning after, instead... that's when the really idiotic things happen. When one's head hurts even when one blinks, everyone's shouting for no apparent reason and everything's foggy ;) :D

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