The Hellblazer: Rebirth # 1 2016 VF/NM

The Hellblazer: Rebirth # 1 released on July 20, 2016, serves as a "soft reset" for John Constantine, moving him from the mainstream superhero setting of the New 52 back to his gritty roots in London. Written by Simon Oliver with art by Moritat, the issue establishes a new status quo that honors the character's original Vertigo history. 

The story revolves around Constantine's high-stakes return to his home city after years of self-imposed exile in New York. 

• The Curse: Flashbacks reveal that a demon named Nybbag (whom John mocks as "Laughing Boy") had previously cursed Constantine. The curse would cause his soul to be painfully ripped from his body if he ever set foot in London again.
• The Homecoming: Deciding to risk the curse (humorously attributing his return to the U.S. political climate), John arrives in London and reunites with his "best mate," Chas Chandler.
• The "Constantine" Solution: To break the curse, John plays a massive "game of chicken" with Nybbag. He uses a magical ritual to tether the curse on his soul to the eight million souls of London.
• The Resolution: John bets that the demon would rather relinquish the curse than deal with the bureaucratic nightmare of claiming eight million souls at once. With the help of the psychic Mercury, who reveals the demon's true name to grant John power over him, the plan succeeds.
• Superhero Cameos: The issue features appearances by Wonder Woman, Shazam, and Swamp Thing. While the heroes discuss the danger Constantine poses, Swamp Thing convinces them to let John handle the situation, reinforcing that he operates in a world they don't fully understand. 

Key Characters 

• John Constantine: The cynical mage returning to his roots.
• Chas Chandler: John’s long-suffering friend and driver.
• Mercury: A psychic young woman from the original Hellblazer run who assists John.
• Nybbag: The demon antagonist who initially cursed John.
• Swamp Thing: Acts as a bridge between the supernatural and superhero worlds. 

This one-shot was intended as a "jumping-on point" for new readers and fans of the Constantine TV series. It effectively integrated Vertigo-era lore—including supporting characters and a more mature tone—into the main DC Universe.