r/Hellblazer • u/TheEyeofNapoleon • 22d ago
Reading advice?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, either on this topic or additionally.
I saw that they’re adding a compact for Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits.
I’ve heard it’s a great jumping on point. But I’ve always said that, when I get around to Hellblazer, I wanna read The Fear Machine. I’m told it has a Masonic conspiracy, and I’m an IRL Freemason.
I’ve seen there’s a Volume One omnibus for Hellblazer that collects the first three arcs.
(Original sins, #1-9
The Devil you Know #10-13
The Fear Machine, my white whale #22-32).
But there’s an arc between, The Family Man, that leads to Dangerous Habits. (I also saw a neat title called “Rake at the Gates of Hell”).
So, here’re my questions. Riddle me this.
A) Are Original Sins and The Devil you Know worthwhile, or necessary for The Fear Machine? Or should I just try to get that one arc separate?
B) Is The Family Man worth tracking down?
C) Is it true that I can skip to Dangerous Habits and back track to Fear Machine? Should I just try to get a Vol 2 omnibus? I may not be able to save up $200 for comics by April, but I can for sure save $10, ya know?
D) Am I missing anything obvious that would be good?
Thank you for whatever suggestions you have!
5
u/Kontarek 22d ago
A. I consider most of Delano’s stuff necessary yeah. The early issues may not tie directly to The Fear Machine but they establish everything about Constantine as a character.
B. Yes. I enjoyed that one.
C. Dangerous Habits is Ennis’ first arc and as such it’s kind of a clean slate with new characters and villains. Obviously it’s better to read Delano first, but it mostly works on its own.