John Constantine has faced some of the ugliest things ever to spring from Heaven or Hell. But for true ugly, read Highwater for a peek into racism and hate.

Constantine's journey across America takes him into the heart of the neo-Nazi movement. Constantine -- like the reader -- is horrified by the calm and dispassionately logical presentation of the party platform, and he tackles the matter in a brutal, suitably ironic way.

The destination is richly satisfying, with a hearty serving of just desserts, but the trip there passes through some unpleasant scenery.

And Highwater, a satisfyingly thick collection, doesn't end there. Before moving onto the second main course, writer Brian Azzarello cleanses the palate with a bit of Bingo and debauchery.

And then Constantine's American travels reach their end, when he faces the man who framed him for murder and wraps up a plotline that began in his illspent youth. This portion of the story is disturbing and unsavory, casting a whole new light on Constantine's character and stumbling to an awkward, uncomfortable end.

The concluding chapter, "Ashes & Dust in the City of Angels," puts an end to Constantine's American wanderings and caps Azzarello's dark tenure on the series.

by Tom Knapp
Rambles.NET
9 June 2007