The title in turn lead to the launch of DC's mature readers imprint Vertigo Comics, that went on to publish many landmark works of the medium over the years, such as The Sandman, Transmetropolitan, 100 Bullets and Y: The Last Man. Hellblazer remains the imprints soul title since its inception to continue running till this day.
Not bad for a character that was created partly because the artist wanted to draw someone who liked like Sting, is it?
Hellblazer got the big screen treatment in 2005, directed by Frances Lawrence in his directorial début and starring Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz and (groan) Shia LeBeouf, titled Constantine, because Hellblazer sounded too much like Hellraiser.
Reception of Constantine would charitably be called mixed, with the fans, more so. There was some to be liked about the movie, such as the art direction exemplified in the depiction of hell as an alternate reality, barren Los Angeles in the direct aftermath of a nuclear strike, and the noir aesthetic present in the real world as well as the acting of Peter Stormare, Tilda Swinton and to a degree, Keanu Reeves. However, too many of the hallmarks of the series had been removed, stripping away the essence of the source material. Gone was Constantine's traditional stomping ground of London with all its warts to be replaced by LA; and gone was the irreverent, street-wise, blue working class magician to be replaced by a catholic demon hunter.
Hellblazer isn't the type of property to warrant a reboot anytime soon, so it wouldn’t be pessimistic to say the ship has long sailed, never to return.
That being said, just because it is nice to dream, here's one fan's vision of what a good Hellblazer movie would be.
JOHN CONSTANTINE
"I'm the one who steps from the shadows, all trench coat and cigarette and arrogance, ready to deal with the madness. Oh, I've got it all sewn up. I can save you. If it takes the last drop of your blood, I'll drive your demons away. I'll kick them in the bollocks and spit on them when they're down and then I'll be gone back into darkness, leaving only a nod and a wink and a wisecrack. I walk my path alone... who would walk with me?"
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits
"He dances on the edge of the known like a crazy man, pitting himself against Heaven and the Pit, because he is John Constantine, and because he is alive."
Doctor Occult, The Books of Magic
CHAS CHANDLER
John's longest surviving friend and his reluctant sidekick. Not too bright and with zero interest in John's magical mucky muck, nevertheless the much put-upon Chas often acts as John’s chauffer and bodyguard.
KIT RYAN
One of John's most notable lovers, perhaps the love of his life.
NIGEL ARCHER
Twenty-nine year old teenage rebel. Psychic medium. Rubbish poet.
RICK THE VIC
A highly eccentric man of the cloth. Rick is the Kalashnikov-packing', weed smoking kind of clergyman.
HEADER
Typical Scot and Falkland conflict veteran. John has called upon him now and again as muscle and firepower.
BRENDAN FINN
Another of John’s friends. A connoisseur of wins and spirits.
PAPA MIDNITE
Powerful voodoo priest and ruthless crime lord. Not exactly the pimp, Rick Blane-esque shaman portrayed by Djimon Hansou.
ELLIE
Succubus and one of John's more unlikely allies.
GABRIEL
Angel of the host. Elitest snob. He can regularly be found at the Cambridge Club, having a drink and conversing with neo-Fascists.
LORD OF THE DANCE
The spirit of celebration. Pretty much what it says on the tin.
THE FIRST OF THE FALLEN
Before the heavens and the earth, god created the first. And by the time Lucifer fell, the first was already there at the bottom.