The Hellblazer Vol. 2: The Smokeless Fire

The Smokeless Fire serves as the second volume of The Hellblazer series, published by DC Comics under the Rebirth imprint starting in 2017. This run sought to reintroduce John Constantine to his roots in London, distancing the character from his Justice League Dark crossovers and refocusing on the gritty, street-level occultism that defined the original Vertigo series. The narrative explores Constantine's struggle to balance his cynical survivalism with the supernatural threats lingering in the British capital.

Written by Simon Oliver with contributions from various artists including Moritat and Pia Guerra, the volume reflects a deliberate aesthetic shift toward traditional neo-noir comic storytelling. The design and artistic direction aim to capture a sense of unease and urban decay, utilizing a visual language that balances Constantine's sharp, sarcastic wit with the visceral horror of the demonic entities he encounters. Upon release, the volume was received as a grounded exploration of the character's core identity, appealing to long-term fans of his darker, standalone origins.