Hellblazer: Mike Carey #2

Hellblazer issue 176, the second installment of Mike Carey's acclaimed run, was published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint in 2002. Following the departure of Brian Azzarello, Carey assumed writing duties for the series, bringing a nuanced, scholarly approach to the character of John Constantine. This specific arc, titled 'Red Sepulchre', was illustrated by Marcelo Frusin, whose gritty, textured style served to deepen the supernatural noir atmosphere that had defined the title since its inception in the late 1980s.

The creative direction for this period sought to refocus the series on Constantine's personal history and his propensity for magical misadventure in London. Carey was noted for his ability to balance the character's cynical pragmatism with profound existential dread. Upon release, the run was well-received by fans and critics alike, credited with revitalizing the series' intellectual weight and cementing Carey’s reputation as one of the definitive writers for the occult investigator.