DC’s Latest Direct To Home Release Justice League Dark Doesn’t Do Everyone’s Favourite Occult Anti-Hero Any Favours
The reason Batman is so popular is because he hits above his weight class. Light years above his weight class actually, and while he may lack any actual super powers, the reason The Dark Knight is so formidable is because of his ingenuity, his resourcefulness, his steadfast will and the fact that he always finds a way to win no matter the odds. Combine all of that with his unrivaled training, physical prowess and endless arsenal of gadgets and you can see why he’s a premier badass who every other super hero on Earth has on their speed dial (especially when it really hits the fan).
Now imagine if Bats was as powerful as Superman. No rhyme or reason, just one day he started juggling oil tankers and deflecting bullets off his eyelids. While that may sound awesome on paper, it would cancel everything that makes the Batman what he is, everything that defines him as a character. Which is pretty much what Justice League Dark does to our favourite warlock, John Constantine.
Video: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
In DC Comics latest direct to home release, the Justice League finds itself facing a global outbreak of homicidal insanity. The League soon realizes its dealing with a supernatural threat and a reluctant Batman embarks on a quest for renowned mystic and grade A pain-in-the-ass John Constantine. Constantine’s former girlfriend Zatanna and “Dead Man” Boston Brand wind up going along for the ride and soon Jason Blood (and his demonic alter ego Etrigan) are caught up in the action. Even Swamp Thing makes an appearance or two before the final curtain falls. And the one thing every mystical practitioner and creature in the DCU seems to have in common is that they all know and detest John.
The problem with Justice League Dark isn’t the story (which is mediocre) or the characterizations (which are actually pretty accurate, especially Constantine as voiced by Matt Ryan). It isn’t the animation (which was reasonably strong) or the dialogue (which is pretty standard super hero fare). It’s how powerful they made Constantine and how that strength takes away from the character.
Constantine is a shifter and a con man. He’s connected to all the major mystical players in the DCU and he isn’t averse to playing both sides against the middle for his own gains. His knowledge of magic, its practitioners and his collection of mystical artifacts are second to none.
He’s a smart ass with no impulse control, less discretion and a penchant for telling the truth (no matter how ugly) without a filter. He’s a cynic who can see through every one around him with merciless scrutiny and never truly buys the delusions he tries to sell himself or others. He’s a rougher, cruder, far less polished version of Batman’s self-aware and tactical detective.
Because like Gotham’s Dark Knight Detective, John Constantine is not a super powered heavyweight. He doesn’t have planet bending strength or mind-crushing power. What makes him so interesting is wondering how he’ll get himself out of the trouble his mouth usually gets him into. He won’t hesitate to get into a demon lord’s face and tell him how ugly he is or how bad he smells. Not only is it entertaining watching how he avoids winding up a charred skeleton or a pile of steaming entrails, but how instigating a King of Hell was all part of a con to begin with.
He’s a schemer whose always two steps ahead of his latest mark, and while he has a few literal tricks up his sleeve, his true power is his ability to assess anyone and any situation and manipulate it to his advantage. He was never the guy throwing fireballs or causing Earthquakes; he was the one bringing those guys down with illusions, guile and sheer chutzpah.
Yet in Justice League Dark, he’s slinging spells that would make Dr. Strange do a double take. Which is a shame, because with that much power he doesn’t need to rely on his ingenuity or resourcefulness (and there’s less reason for his trademark snark). He’s a walking weapon of mass destruction who doesn’t need anyone else. Like Batman, Constantine has always had to out smart and out plan both his adversary and the situation. But in Justice League Dark, he just needs to throw some impossibly powerful spell at whatever is in front of him.
Case in point, when a poker game with some very nasty demons goes sideways, Constantine asks Jason Blood to unleash the demon Etrigan for back up. When Blood refuses, Constantine merely possesses him and does it for him. There’s no need to be clever or cunning when you can just get others to do your dirty work for you.
Or when you’re powerful enough to do anything you want yourself.
Image: Warner Bros. Home Animation
