John Constantine

John Constantine is one of DC Comics' most enduring and complex characters — a working-class British occultist, con artist, and reluctant hero who navigates the darkest corners of the supernatural world armed with little more than his wits, a cigarette, and an unshakeable nerve. Born in Liverpool, Constantine carries a legacy of tragedy and hard-won wisdom that makes him unlike any other figure in comics. He is simultaneously the most dangerous man in any room and the one most likely to get everyone in it killed. His first appearance in DC Sampler #3 in 1984 — created by Alan Moore as part of the legendary Saga of the Swamp Thing run — is a holy grail for serious DC collectors, a preview item that introduced the world to a character who would go on to anchor one of the most celebrated Vertigo titles of all time.

Constantine's breakout role in Swamp Thing led directly to his own landmark solo series, Hellblazer, which launched in 1988 and ran for an extraordinary 300 issues. That debut issue is one of the most sought-after Bronze-to-Modern Age keys in the hobby, marking the beginning of a title that defined the mature readers imprint and gave writers like Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Brian Azzarello, and Mike Carey a canvas to explore addiction, politics, religion, and the occult with unflinching honesty. Ennis's run in particular — featuring arcs like Dangerous Habits, where Constantine faces terminal lung cancer — remains some of the finest character writing in the medium and is essential reading for any collector serious about the era.

In the New 52 and beyond, Constantine crossed over into the mainline DC Universe more formally, joining Justice League Dark alongside Zatanna, Deadman, and Swamp Thing. His New 52 solo title and his pivotal role in Forever Evil: Blight expanded his footprint significantly, and collectors chasing his key appearances in team books have plenty of ground to cover. Constantine has also been explored in limited series, crossover events, and even the DC Rebirth era, demonstrating the character's remarkable staying power across decades of publishing history.

For collectors, John Constantine represents one of the richest and most rewarding rabbit holes in all of comics. Between the key Swamp Thing issues, the 300-issue Hellblazer run packed with iconic story arcs, the New 52 relaunch, and a growing list of modern appearances, building a complete Constantine collection is a genuine challenge and a badge of honor. First appearances, early Vertigo issues in high grade, and signed copies from legendary creative runs command serious prices — and for good reason. This is a character whose books have only grown in cultural relevance, especially with television and film adaptations keeping him in the spotlight.