In issue #3 of John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America, penned by Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell, we witness a significant shift in the character’s trajectory. Tasked by Dream of the Endless with a crucial mission—to retrieve missing grains of sand from Dream’s pouch—Constantine accepts, driven not only by his innate sense of duty but also by his deteriorating health. Stricken with heart failure and facing his mortality, Constantine finds himself compelled to embark on this perilous journey.
Throughout his tumultuous life, John Constantine has been no stranger to making difficult choices, often at the expense of losing friends. However, in this instance, he deviates from the traditional Hellblazer mold. Unlike his past actions, where he prioritized the greater good even if it meant sacrificing individuals, Constantine is now determined to save everyone, including his allies Noah and Natalie, who find themselves ensnared in legal trouble due to crimes orchestrated by him.
This departure from his usual modus operandi is spurred by the deaths he’s witnessed among his close circle. Constantine, typically focused on his own survival, now feels compelled to protect those dear to him. His encounters with supernatural beings—demons and angels alike—have taught him that saving everyone isn’t always feasible. Nevertheless, he’s determined to defy the odds and ensure the safety of his friends, even if it means challenging his established principles.
Constantine’s life has been marked by tragedy, with creators introducing and subsequently killing off new friends in a cyclical fashion. While this pattern allows for fresh storytelling, it also underscores Constantine’s perpetual struggle with loss and grief. Despite this, there have been instances where his friends survived, albeit harboring resentment towards him for the choices he’s made. Now, after decades of navigating this cycle of tragedy, Constantine seeks to break free from its grip and forge a new path.
Coping with the weight of his past decisions and the grief of losing loved ones, Constantine remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all, transcending his own interests. While he may have let others bear the consequences of his actions in the past, he’s now determined to change his fate and rewrite the narrative, ushering in a new era where personal connections are preserved, and sacrifices are minimized.
