By: Mike Carey
Pub: Vertigo
Having reviewed Hellblazer Pandemonium last week and then cited this as a better entry point into the Constantine world I thought I’d better talk about it.
All His Engines follows Constantine across the Atlantic to LA in search of whatever supernatural being has caused his best mates granddaughter to fall into a coma that the doctors can’t diagnose.
Now I’m well aware that the above doesn’t sound terribly gripping, but I’m trying to leave as much out as I can, so in lieu of plot details here are some highlights to look forward to on John and Chas's personal journey into hell; a swimming pool full of bodies, the Inferno of bad plastic surgery, seeing the heart of a demon, fights in both slaughterhouses and prisons and demons in church, all drawn jaw droppingly well by Leonardo Manco.
The plot pulls Constantine one way and the other, shedding light on both his relationship with Chas and some of the motivations behind the man. While still an addict, hooked on magic there is a nobler side to Constantine that comes across it little flashes, making him a far more likeable character than can be found in the recent trade paper backs.
Writing and story combine to make this Constantine at his bastardly best. Being a standalone collection it provides a perfect setting off point, as opposed to the other TPB which either require knowledge of significant portions of back story, or are part of a larger story arc.
As already hinted, I'm not sure where I stand with the latest story arc but I'll put a review up when it's been squared away and can be examined as a whole.
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