Hellblazer #248 - Vertigo

I've said this over and over, the last few issues of this book, but I honestly think that Andy Diggle is the perfect writer for this series. In my opinion he's really brought a new spark of life back to this book. It just feels like his point of reference, or experiences, or interests . . whatever the source of his inspiration . . aligns perfectly with the subtext and feel of this book. And I honestly think that because of the infusion of his ideas and stories presented here . . it's overflowed into the pencils of Leonardo Manco. Leonardo has been on and off this book for quite a while now, but I think that the stuff he's been doing for Andy's stories are the best he's ever done. Creatively, I think this book is right on track with these guys. The best it's been in quite a while now. This story kind of wraps up the Mako story-line. Mako has been searching for Constantine. In doing so he's been taking out quite a few of his friends and colleagues. But he's never actually seen, or gotten to, John. To do so, he's aligned himself with this Lord Burnham. And really the only reason for the cooperation is because Mako needs the Hell Mirror that Burnham has in his possession. So, Lord Burnham as offered him the mirror in exchange for a soul cage. Basically, it's a trinket that will capture his soul after he dies. But he's filled the cage with all of his earthly delights, in hopes of spending eternity enjoying the things he does the most. He's about to pass over. He's got Mako in the cage putting in the final touches . . he doesn't want to lose interest over the course of time . . when Burnham shows up early . . unexpectedly. Only, it's not Burnham . . it's Constantine. John's going to take 2 birds out with one stone. First he traps Mako in there, by severing his connection to his power source, then he abides the Lords wishes by helping him to pass over. The only thing is . . John has removed all of the things the Lord wanted in there. It'll be Burnham and Mako, trapped in there together, forever. And then . . he destroys the mirror. But John's dissatisfied with the outcome. It's all been wrapped up to neatly. "I like loose ends. I trust looses ends. Real life is supposed to be messy, but this . . . this all feels a bit too neat. A bit too orchestrated. Like someones been pulling my strings." By the end of the book he finds out that it's been . . . himself? This should be an interesting wrap-up next issue. I really love the direction this books taken in the last year or so. By the way, as I'm doing this, I'm listening to Cemetery Gates by Pantera, and Master of Puppets by Metallica. I can't believe how well both of these songs fit with the feel of this book. Serendipity!