MACH 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 Been off in fairy-la-la-land for a while and only been lurking but was wondering if anyone could tell me what they think of the two Hellblazer novels that were released? I have every issue of the comics.....would i like the books? should i get the books? Any info would be just dandy, Hope everyone is well Mach Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogpoet 554 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 No idea, but hopefully somebody who's read them should be along soon: there's a few people on here who've read and enjoyed them, I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apocsol 1 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 I got halfway through Warlord, and wasn't enjoying it. It's competently written, but there are many aspects that don't tie into John's chgaracter. E.g. He says dude He refers to 'pants' He almost cries over a guy he barely knew And thats off the top of my head. However, it may have gotten better later on, and there was one excellent scene in a car in Iraq. Anyone else? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kejoxen 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 No idea, but hopefully somebody who's read them should be along soon: there's a few people on here who've read and enjoyed them, I think. A tad redundant? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 38 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 The first book's harmless enough, but John's dialogue is a bit dodgy and it doesn't fit comfortably into Vertigo's mythological continuity (if you're a bit of a nerd like me and care about that kind of thing). Don't go out of your way, but if you see it at a library or going cheap it's worth a look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogpoet 554 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 No idea, but hopefully somebody who's read them should be along soon: there's a few people on here who've read and enjoyed them, I think. A tad redundant? Possibly, but I had no idea how long it'd take somebody who'd read the things to post a reply. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest spiderlegs Report post Posted May 22, 2007 John Shirley, the author, actually used to be a forum member. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christian 899 Report post Posted May 22, 2007 John Shirley, author, actually used to be one of Harlan Ellison's proteges. Add your fun fact for Trivia Night! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest spiderlegs Report post Posted May 22, 2007 But wait, there's more: he recorded with Blue Oyster Cult and was the singer in a punk band. I think his links to the songs are still on here somewhere. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaynova 1 Report post Posted May 22, 2007 ANd add this...You can call him Shirley! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest spiderlegs Report post Posted May 22, 2007 Surely, Shirley, you are serious... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kejoxen 0 Report post Posted May 22, 2007 No idea, but hopefully somebody who's read them should be along soon: there's a few people on here who've read and enjoyed them, I think. A tad redundant? Possibly, but I had no idea how long it'd take somebody who'd read the things to post a reply. It's not a race, take a few deep breaths and slow down, you'll do yourself a mischief. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damian Kentridge 0 Report post Posted May 22, 2007 Um yeah have to agree with James...Warlord does have some dodgy bits... Not a great read but harmless enough...I enjoyed the sum of the parts. Just started Subterannean (sp) so far its like Warlord meets Strangehaven...lol... I think Shirley does a good enough job satisfying the Vertigo fan in me... I recommend them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogpoet 554 Report post Posted May 22, 2007 But wait, there's more: he recorded with Blue Oyster Cult and was the singer in a punk band. I think his links to the songs are still on here somewhere. He never answered my question as to whether Mick Farren was an influence on him, iirc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy 2 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 I found both books to be interesting enough but nothing spectacular. I give props to John Shirley for trying to place Constantine in different situations. The first novel is a supernatural action thriller and the second one more dark fantasy. I don't believe either one sold well enough to warrant and further novels though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 38 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 Oh, I just remembered one thing I didn't like - making John a latent psychic rather than a self-taught magician. Never mind though! The first one was fun enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christian 899 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 Mike Carey did that in All His Engines also. Was that before or after the books? Weren't the books and All His Engines expected to tie into the movie someway? I thought the movie sort of forced that ret-con on Carey and Shirley. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 38 Report post Posted May 30, 2007 Which bit of AHE are you talking about? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christian 899 Report post Posted May 30, 2007 There's the part where it flashes back to John's youth....I believe somewhere near the beginning of the book....and John is a little kid, laying awake in bed, scared, because he sees entities around him. And, I think his dad comes in and yells at him. The implication being that John had a knack for seeing in the spirit world before he started with magic(k). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 38 Report post Posted May 30, 2007 That was something from 2004 going back in time to scope out John's soul. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogpoet 554 Report post Posted May 30, 2007 That was something from 2004 going back in time to scope out John's soul. I'm big enough not to post this in the postmodernism doing hideous things to one's ego thread we all know love and occasionally feel hideously embarrassed to even be aware of, so don't worry about it. (Ade may not be, mind...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 38 Report post Posted May 30, 2007 what Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TestosteRohne 1 Report post Posted May 30, 2007 What what? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christian 899 Report post Posted May 31, 2007 Apparently there's a "Postmodernism doing horrible things to the ego" thread? Oh, OK. I see that paging through AHE now, James. I remembered it differently. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dogpoet 554 Report post Posted May 31, 2007 Apparently there's a "Postmodernism doing horrible things to the ego" thread? "The Wit And Wisdom"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
