- "Gonna be one of those nights... suits me. Three hours in and I'm pissed as a fart."
- ―John Constantine
| "Forty" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Hellblazer | |
| Title: | "Forty" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 63 |
| Cover price: | $1.75 |
| Cover date: | March, 1993 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics Vertigo |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Karen Berger |
| Writers: | Garth Ennis |
| Pencilers: | Steve Dillon |
| Inkers: | Steve Dillon |
| Cover artists: | Glenn Fabry |
| Cover inker: | Glenn Fabry |
| Cover colorist: | Glenn Fabry |
| Colorists: | Tom Ziuko |
| Letterers: | Gaspar Saladino |
| Editors: | Stuart Moore |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Hellblazer #62 |
| Next: | Hellblazer #64 |
"Forty" is the title to the 63rd issue of the Hellblazer ongoing comic book series published by DC Comics under their Vertigo imprint. The story was written by Garth Ennis with artwork and inks by Steve Dillon. It was colored by Tom Ziuko and lettered by Gaspar Saladino. The cover art illustration was composed by Glenn Fabry. The story was edited by Stuart Moore. This issue shipped with a March, 1993 cover date and carries a cover price of $1.75 per copy (US).
"Forty"[]
John Constantine takes longer than usual to realize what day it is. It's his fortieth birthday, and unfortunately, his girlfriend Kit Ryan has disappeared leaving a note that she is visiting her sick Aunt June.
Disappointed to be abandoned on his birthday, John turns to his friend Chas Chandler for some company. Unfortunately, Chas is stuck working until six in the morning. He would give up the work if his wife weren't on his back. Regretfully, Chas promises to reschedule for tomorrow.
Sighing, John gives up on the thought of a happy birthday, and heads to the shop for a carton of Silk Cuts. The lady at the register casually comments that the previous customer bought a surprising amount of booze just before John popped in. John snidely responds that he's glad someone is having a good time.
John returns to his darkened apartment to be surprised by a group of acquaintances. Though they aren't the friends he expected, they are still friends. John catches up with old friends like Chantinelle, the Lord of the Dance, Zatanna and Nigel Archer. In the process, John gets quite drunk and ends up relieving himself on the wall outside. A voice from behind startles him, and he turns around, accidentally urinating on his visitor's shoes. He looks up to see the imposing Phantom Stranger, who had originally intended to join the celebrations, but has now become so embarrassed by the urine on his shoes that he must remain a stranger.
Later, the party is interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Swamp Thing, who is suspicious of a letter he received inviting him to this location. As usual, he is impatient and distrustful of John until it is revealed that it is John's fortieth birthday. Feeling obligated to make amends for his negativity, the Swamp Thing agrees to help out by turning one of Nigel's small marijuana plants into a voluminous bush. With this development, the partygoers proceed to get stoned and drunk out of their faces.
After a good time, partying long into the morning, the guests begin drifting back home, until just John and the Lord of the Dance remain, drinking whisky. Their conversation becomes more serious, as the Lord of the Dance admits that John will be in for a rough few years. John has pissed off the last people he ever should have, but he promises to be there for him when the time comes.
Later in the morning, Kit returns to her flat to the horrific mess left behind by the party, and when she finds John still quite drunk and asleep in her bed, she warns him that he is a dead man.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Chantinelle
- Chas Chandler
- Header
- Kit Ryan
- Lord of the Dance
- Mange (1st appearance)
- Nigel Archer
- Rick the Vic, Richard Neilsen (1st appearance)
- Swamp Thing, Alec Holland
- Zatanna Zatara
Villains
Minor characters
- Janine
- Phantom Stranger (Cameo appearance only)
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- John Constantine was created by writer Alan Moore and artist Rick Veitch. he first appeared in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 in June, 1985.
- This series contains strong language and graphic content. It is suggested for mature readers.
- This issue shipped to retailers on January 21st, 1993.
- This issue is reprinted in the John Constantine, Hellblazer: Fear and Loathing trade paperback collection, published in March, 1997. It is also reprinted in the John Constantine, Hellblazer 30th Anniversary hardcover collection, published in November, 2018.
- Welcome to the Vertigo universe, John Constantine! Hope you survive the experience. This is the first issue of the series produced under DC's newly formed Vertigo imprint.
- Lord, lordy, look who's forty! Happy birthday, John Constantine! John's birthday is established as May 10th.
- This is the second issue of the series with Steve Dillon as artist and inker.
- This issue was ranked #53 in Wizard magazine's list of "100 Best Single Issue Comics Since You Were Born".
- Despite the series' usual creative separation from other DC publications, this issue features several other DC Universe characters, including Swamp Thing, who would go on to continue its own series under the Vertigo imprint in the same month. The issue also features Zatanna, a prior romantic interest of Constantine and prominent member of the Justice League.
- This is the first appearance of Mange, who was once a human, but is now a very, very angry bunny.
- This issue establishes a previous romantic fling between John Constantine and Zatanna.
Featured Quote[]
- Zatanna Zatara: I'm out of my face..." ("m'I tou for ym ecaf...")