The Bullpen

[SimonH]

Read the latest Hellblazer last night, and while I'm enjoying it well enough, I was wondering about who else I'd like to see writing it.  Obviously Milligan has some story lines up  in the air, and dropped hints at others, so I suspect he's got plans to wrap those up (including the eventual fate of Epiphany, I assume).  But Cornell is probably the person I'd be most excited about taking over the reins next.

I'm looking at things like his Wisdom and Knight and Squire series.  Cornell is great at mining quirky bits of English tradition and folklore.  The themes in the Wisdom mini could easily have informed a great Hellblazer story, weaving in ideas about the national unconscious, and ideas of what it is to be a modern Brit. (Hints of the original Delano run, perhaps?)  There's even echoes of the Barker story Vince talked about the other week (In the Hills, The Cities) in there. His run on Action Comics shows He's not afraid to take some big chances with a title, and let's face it, John could use a bit of a shake up.

So yeah, that's who I think should be next in line to drive the cab around.  What's your take?

[leafinsectman (Dan)]

As far as I'm concerned, Paul Cornell was born to write Captain Britain and MI13. I'm still sad that he's not writing it. I'm sure he'd kick butt in Hellblazer though.

[SimonH]

As far as I'm concerned, Paul Cornell was born to write Captain Britain and MI13. I'm still sad that he's not writing it. I'm sure he'd kick butt in Hellblazer though.

No argument from me there.  Too bad that ship has sailed.  I think a Hellblazer run is the closest to that we'd see in the foreseeable future.

[Luke_Sims]

I could see him doing a great Hellblazer. In the 90's he wrote some of the most adult Doctor Who novels in the series one of them being Human Nature. So yeah he'd rock this book.

Having said that though I read the Milligan run in trade and I'm more than happy to see him continue for a good long while.

Whilst I'm not his biggest fan, Morrison is a major writer from the UK and one of the few whose never had a long run on the book. He'd rock Constantine as well.

If another American wrote the book, Scott Snyder.

[elemental]

I love Cornells work and im at the point where I will pick up most new issues that he writes (similar feeling towards Scott Snyders work as well). It was a shame that his Captain Britain didn't sell well enough to keep it going and while he was writting it I was convinced he was the heir apparent to Uncanny X-men when fraction was done with it.

That said I would be very interested in what he would do with Hellblazer, that said Im happy enough with what Milligan is doing with the book.

[Jay Tomio]

One of these days I'm just going to start with Swampthing and do a mega Hellblazer read. Of recent stuff I've only read one issue because China Mieville    had a story in it.

[elemental]

China Mieville    had a story in it.

 

Mieville's books are a great read

[Jay Tomio]

Mieville's books are a great read

I think DC (or someone, perhaps he he himself) dropped the ball when he didn't get a series. The guy is a rockstar.

[Koete]

I'd buy it. 

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

I could see him writing the DCU Constantine, not sure about the Vertigo one.

[mikegraham6]

I could see him writing the DCU Constantine, not sure about the Vertigo one.

ha! You beat me to it! I was going to say the exact same thing. I haven't seen Cornell touch on the dark sensibilities and cruelty needed in a vertigo hellblazer but he'd be fantastic for the regular DCU

[derek gagneaux]

I could see him writing the DCU Constantine, not sure about the Vertigo one.

I'll third that sentiment.

Vertigo John is often a nasty nasty bastard. I love Cornell (so I hope this doesn't sound like a slur) but I think he'd turn the Constantine smirk into a smile.

[SimonH]

I could see him writing the DCU Constantine, not sure about the Vertigo one.

You might have a point.  Wisdom was a little on the darker side, I think it was a Max title, but I could see that concern.  Might be just the chance to let him cut loose a bit too. 

[lugaru]

Wisdom was a mixed bag but could have worked as Hellblazer, so I agree.

I would like to see what sort of Hellblazer story Gerard Way would write.

[derek gagneaux]

Gerard Way ... 

I think that's a great idea.

Actually, I just wish that He'd put out some more books period.

[Luke_Sims]

I disagree. Cornell's books, Timewyrm: Revelation, Love & War and Human nature were filled with horrifying characters, monsters and descriptions.

All three are Who novels and sadly out of print, but ebay is your friend.

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

Don't get me wrong, Cornell can write some great dark stuff (anyone else see the BBC Pilot "Pulse" that he wrote?) I just think I'd enjoy his non-Vertigo Constantine more than his Vertigo one.

[Luke_Sims]

Don't get me wrong, Cornell can write some great dark stuff (anyone else see the BBC Pilot "Pulse" that he wrote?) I just think I'd enjoy his non-Vertigo Constantine more than his Vertigo one.

He did write one of the most manipulative versions of the 7th Doctor and this alone makes me think he could kill on 'Blazer. Using people as pawns for the greater good even his friends.

[Johnny F.Normal]

without reading any of his prose, i would be very hesitant to thumbs up it.
Continuity Constantine i see, not so much Vertigo.
Why not have Niles give it a go?