Constantine # 1 2013 NM-

Constantine # 1 (2013), titled "The Price We Pay," launched John Constantine's solo adventures within DC's New 52 universe, re-establishing the character as a cynical occultist living in New York City. 

The issue follows Constantine as he hunts for Croydon’s Compass, a dangerous artifact capable of locating major magical resources globally. 

• The Mission: Constantine is approached by a young man named Chris, who has a map of the compass "burning" inside his mind. John takes Chris under his wing and travels to Norway, specifically a hotel made of ice located at a specific magical longitude.
• The Cult of the Cold Flame: During their travel, Constantine is targeted by the Cult of the Cold Flame, an ancient evil magical group. He is forced to kill an assassin disguised as a flight attendant while on a plane to Norway.
• Betrayal and Sacrifice: Upon finding a piece of the compass (the "needle"), they are ambushed by Sargon the Sorceress (Jaimini Sargent). Sargon demands the artifact, threatening to kill Chris.
• The Outcome: True to his manipulative nature, Constantine chooses to sacrifice Chris to save himself and secure the artifact. He uses magic to teleport away, leaving Chris to be brutally killed by Sargon. 
• John Constantine: The protagonist, portrayed as a "liar, cheater, and manipulator" who uses dark skills to protect the world.
• Chris: A temporary companion and innocent victim of John's cold pragmatism.
• Sargon the Sorceress: The primary antagonist and a high-ranking member of the Cult of the Cold Flame.
• Dotty: John's landlady in New York who lets him live in her pet shop, which he uses to mask his magical signature. 

This series replaced the long-running Vertigo title Hellblazer after its 300th issue, integrating Constantine more directly into the broader DC superhero universe. It established a new status quo where John is prohibited by a curse from entering London.