JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #0

[ A MAGICAL PRICE ] 

I've always wondered about John Constantine. He's never polished and quite unrefined. Like an old work of art. He'll find a way to fart. At an image that is very hard to find. No. Not one conjured up by Writer: Jeff Lemire; Artist: Lee Garbett; and Publisher: DC Comics in October 2012. Another image I've never seen before. Shhh!

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Searching for knowledge is a very difficult thing to accomplish at times. Take a young John Constantine in this issue entitled 'Young Bastards' for instance. If it wasn't bad enough that he has to fly to New York City, trick his way into the 'Oblivion Bar', and then coax the mage known as Nick Necro, to teach him his otherworldly craft. Worst still, he's got stop himself from falling for Nick's girlfriend, Zatanna, too.

• But can John do that? Whilst at the same time battling Nick's enemies, 'The Cold Flame'?
• Moreover, can he prevent Nick from going mad after he has an encounter with 'The Books of Magic'?
• Ouch! Time will tell I'm sure. Time; compiled with a turn-coat that fits very nicely once a traitor is revealed, and a final hand is played.

A beginning.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Now this might only be funny to me, but when I first visited America all those years ago, I -- like John in this story -- couldn't help but joke with the security chap at JFK, by saying to him 'Cheer's mate. And God bless America and all that'.

Seriously! Are English people that predictable to Americans?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

For me, one of the winning aspects about this tale, was that it did three things in retrospect. Firstly; via this Nick chap, it connected John and Zatanna together with some communal history. Secondly; it introduced their introduction to the 'Book of Magic'. And thirdly; it gave John's coat an origin story.

Well, all garments need to start somewhere, huh?

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

My only gripe with this issue is that John Constantine is depicted as having a London accent, whilst stating that he comes from Newcastle.

Why? Cheryl Cole comes from Newcastle, and she sounds nothing like a Londoner. In fact, the only similarities between these two English provinces, is that they both say the words 'mate' and 'darling' a lot. As for everything else on the other hand? No. Not buying it myself. I think Jeff has to give Peter a ring, and try to iron out this colloquial snafu.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: As I have mentioned previously, I did like the way that this issue amalgamated three different story elements into one mystical adventure, whilst at the same time relaying a tale of times past that can easily be expanded upon.

Oh! I did like the title too. 'Young Bastards' has a nice ring to it.

ART: Lee Gabbett drew one very sexy Zatanna in this issue. My God, as soon as she appeared on the scene -- all sleek and demure -- I had to splash water on my face just to calm myself down. Can't say the same thing about John though, he looks too pretty-pretty to be the bad ass I know and love. Too 'men's wear catalog' -- if you get my gist.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

JOHN: If his hair color was a bit more lighter, and his face was a bit less smug, I'm sure that Robert Pattinson from 'Twilight' would be able to give Miss Constantine's little lad, John, some much needed justice.

ZATANNA: Mainly because I currently have Newcastle and an image of this sexy sorceress running through my head, I might as well put a lid on it and cast Cheryl Cole in this role. Well, according to Jeff, accents don't seem to matter. Ha!

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Remember That Teachers Have Feelings Too. So Please Make Sure You're Kind To Them, And Don't Shag Their Misses.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

In a rather loose manner this tale is about how John Constantine got his coat, right? So why not compare it to a thrift store? Conceptually, both are entities which entail perseverance, some drama, and a bargain thrown in for good measure.

FINAL thoughts...

Since Jeff has jumped onto this series, he's introduced 'The Book of Magic', he's set-up a personal connection with this ledger and two members of this team (John and Zatanna), and he has started to integrate Justice League Dark into the mainstream as well.

Not bad for a couple of issues, huh? But I wonder where all of this is headed next. Obviously Jeff has a 'final destination' in mind with this tale. However, will this journey 'but-heads' with any other book upon the way? Stormwatch perhaps? As they both have a magical connection!

Hmmm? Food for thought, huh?

MARKS out of 10? 8.8