The first five episodes of the new animated series Constantine: City of Demons are now available on the CW Seed. In support of the debut of the first half of the season, the CW Seed has made available online the first episode of the show. Each episode is around 6 to seven minutes long, resulting in about half an hours' worth of Ryan's Constantine gracing your screen. While only 5 episodes have aired, the season supposedly will have 10 episodes total. The series is an adaptation of the story "All His Engines," even though the title of the show pays homage to a different miniseries publication of the same name.
It is currently unclear how the series itself fits into the Arrowverse, if at all. While initially rumored as a continuation of the cancelled NBC live action series, the animated series has yet to make any references to Ryan's live action appearances and portrays several key events from the character's backstory a little differently from how they were portrayed on Constantine. At the very least, the show seems to focus on a younger John who is still battling his inner demons and has just rekindled his relationship with his best friend Chas. The first five episodes, and presumably the next five, are centered around John helping Chas, whose daughter is threatened by dark magic. The series shows a darker, more violent take on the character (at least with his surroundings) than has been explored in live action on Constantine or Legends of Tomorrow.
Check out the first episode of the season, now available online below, followed by John Constantine himself, Matt Ryan, explaining how you can view the other four episodes released (hint: download the CW Seed app). Are you excited to see Matt Ryan play John Constantine again on his own show, even if is not live action? Have you had the chance to see the first half of the season? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the usual spot!
CITY OF DEMONS: John Constantine uses his skills as a demon hunter and master of the dark arts to protect the world from the supernatural terrors that threaten it. Armed with an arcane knowledge of the dark arts and a wicked wit, he fights the good fight. With his soul already damned to hell, he'll do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. With the balance of good and evil on the line, Constantine uses his skills to face the supernatural terrors that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows… maybe there's hope for him and his soul after all.
The first five episodes are written by J. M. DeMatteis and directed by Doug Murphy. Starring Matt Ryan as John Constantine, Damian O'Hare as Chas Chandler, Laura Bailey as the Nightmare Nurse, Emily O'Brien as Renee Chandler, and Jim Meskimen as Beroul.