Hellblazer #180

Hellblazer issue #180, published in February 2003, is part of the long-running Vertigo Comics series following the occult antihero John Constantine. This specific installment is notable for being part of the acclaimed 'Highwater' arc written by Mike Carey, a run that significantly deepened the character's exploration of his own dark history and his strained relationships with those in his orbit. The narrative reflects the tone of the early 2000s Vertigo imprint, which leaned into gritty, mature themes that often blurred the lines between urban fantasy and psychological horror.

The interior art for this issue was provided by Marcelo Frusin, whose distinct, jagged, and shadow-heavy style became synonymous with the 'Highwater' storyline. Frusin’s work was chosen to complement Carey’s character-driven scripts, aiming for a grounded yet unsettling aesthetic that kept Constantine feeling like a man constantly on the verge of exhaustion and moral collapse. Critically, this period of the series is regarded as a high point, with fans and reviewers often praising how the creative team balanced Constantine’s inherent cynicism with increasingly complex, personal stakes.