5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The bar is set higher for media tie ins, April 13, 2006
This review is from: War Lord (John Constantine, Hellblazer) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am not sure what book some of these people were reading. While not exactly perfect John Shirley's novel takes what could have been a standard boring Comic book tie-in and raised the bar. This novel spans the globe and takes Constantine out of his stomping grounds puts him at the center a demonic attempt spread conflict in the middle east.
As fan of the comic since the first issue and of the author I was very excited about this book. Warlord not only meant all my high expectations but exceeded them.
If you are familiar with John Shirley the author it might help you understand who is at the helm here. Shirley is considered by many to be the godfather of cyberpunk with his mind bending `City come a-walkin' and more recently with apocalyptic thriller `Demons' which took issue with environmental destruction and corporate responsibility in way no one imagined a horror novel could.
Vertigo appear to be more clever than many of the people posting reviews because this kind of political challenge is a great way to move Constantine into the novel format. Constantine always challenged the boundaries of taste, we've been there and done that. By working with ongoing political nightmares that are still evolving in Iraq and in Africa this novel courageously explored issues that few authors have the guts to do.
An early chapter that involved a suicide bomber in Iraq is by far one of the most powerful pieces of fiction I have seen painting us a picture of issues that are in the news(at least in the foreign press). The writing itself is inventive and engaging. Indeed the setting is not typical for the character but my question is must all media-tie in novels be boring carbon copies of the source material? I think not.
The suggestion that you could put any hero into this story sounds like the words of a person who has not read the book. Could you see James Bond teaming up with ghosts of psychic Iraqi- war vets? Could you picture John Rambo doing rituals to conjure demons? This was a Constantine novel. Rich in Constantine's history, early in the book Shirley did a great of outlining his history the idea that Shirley didn't research his history or make it a part of Constantine's world is simply Bollocks.
I found myself dog earing pages that moved me and that doesn't happen when often when you read media tie-ins. Thank you Vertigo for hiring a writer of John Shirley's caliber. You have raised the bar for Constantine and for media-tie ins in general.
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17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
JAR HEAD, March 3, 2006
This review is from: War Lord (John Constantine, Hellblazer) (Mass Market Paperback)
WAR LORD is a strange mix.
On one hand it's trying to be accessible to anyone who might pick it up without knowing anything about Constantine, or may have only seen the film (and that John Constantine is labeled by Shirley as a "parallel" Earth version of the Constantine featured here, and in the VERTIGO comics line), or may have only a passing interest in the subject - for those people, WAR LORD will be a quick read. But for those who've been with John for the long haul, literally to Hell and back, then WAR LORD will be a often difficult and rough read.
The main problem is that it's less John Constantine and more John "Bond" with Constantine running the gambit of boats, helicopters, guns (and more guns) and tanks, with John and his strange band of brothers being chased off of and out of one form of transportation, shoreline, house or catacomb. John is always on the run here, moving from one set piece to the next, one close call after another and not really doing anything but just rolling along with the shambling mess of the plot, arriving in the nick of time, or being nicked just at the right moment. There's enough going on here to fill two novels if Shirley took the time to ease up off the gas and give us some time to admire the view - as it is, it's just an adventure novel - with Constantine standing in for Jack Ryan or Dirk Pitt. It's has magic (John's abilities are on the rise here), adult themes, language and some clever moments that keep you turning the page... but by the end you know you've been cheated.
It's just a long plank walk to a short drop and weak splash of an ending. You never feel John or any of his traveling magic band (of brothers - I must remind you, although it would have been very funny if John was literally part of a "magic band" on tour in Europe... hey, Shirley, let's see that parallel version of Constantine some time) are ever in any danger at all. The villains gab, talk and spit cardboard about their grand plans, none of which makes much sense or even seems worthwhile. And while John is well realized here, he's also leashed too tightly - he never cuts loose once.
But, I give two stars to this book for adding to the "seen it, done it, and read it all before" story with on the spot topicality in dealing with the US lead invasion of Iraq. It's well done, makes its point without going over the top, and it's a real shame that this story did not take place in the middle of the occupation of Iraq (John is in Iran when the story opens - another novel idea, quickly dropped), and end there as well. As it is, it's just IN THE NEWS NOW wallpaper, and a missed opportunity.
For fans, a few moments. For those new to the series - do your homework first, and then give it a try.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put it down., April 13, 2006
This review is from: War Lord (John Constantine, Hellblazer) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am not familiar with this series, so I don't know or care much about whether the author is following what has gone before. I really enjoyed this book. The character developement is well done; the author does an effective job of getting inside the characters' heads and hearts. Another strong point was the weaving of different plot lines, reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I enjoyed the mix of topical subjects (the Iraq war)with the age-old "good verses evil" (ancient gods). A good ride, as I stated earlier, I couldn't put it down. My only small complaint was with some of the military hardware....what is a 16 millimeter machinegun? Well, there wil always be a Trekkie out there somewhere, complaining that "Captain Kirk would NEVER do that". Or something. Enough quibbling, it's a fun book. Take it for what it is.
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