Hellblazer #250

I've been thinking about jumping on to Hellblazer. I know Diggle just ended his run, so would this be a good point to climb aboard, or should I wait for the next, non-filler issue?

I think this would be a fun jumping on point due to the sheer talent involved in this issue.  This is the thing I am looking forward to the most this week.

im jumping on from trades to issues with this one. Im sad to see diggle go thought.

Sean Phillips is doing the Gibbons story I believe.  China Mieville is scripting one too?  Jesus, this is gonna be rollicking!

ill buy this just to see BAZZ write John again, but after this im gone, cuz ever since his x-statix days, milligin has been a complete miss as a writer.  hey, at least i got to read john again, for a few years.  it was like visiting an old friend in new house.

No Ennis?

I'm very much looking foward to this.  Hellblazer has been one of the best series this year, hands down.

@Viewt

I think this'll be a good trial issue for you.  A variety of stories to give you an idea of what the character is all about, without any oobligation to finish a story arc.

Unfortunately, it seems like Milligan is going to use alot of John's past as the impetus for his upcoming run, so you may be a bit lost next month.  I highly recommend reading the wiki, if you don't have the cash to pick up the trades.

I love this book and character, and want people to read him, but am well aware of how intricate his past is.  Diggle's run was a perfect mix of new material and nods to the past.  Definitely worth purchasing.

so was diggle's stuff actually relating to old Hellblazer stories?  this has always seemed like a book that played fast and loose with character continuity (of course ive only ever read the Ennis, Ellis, BAZZ, and Diggle stuff, so theres that)

Diggle did refer to old stories, but if you didn't know that, it wouldn't make a difference.  Basically, it's there if you're looking for it, but you don't need it.

And I thought Simon Oliver was on this book soon.  I've bought ever issue of Hellblazer for the past 10 years or so, and I haven't really loved anything I've read of Milligan's.  This will be a Flash like challenge to me.

ok i'm gonna pick this up, will be my first experience reading hellblazer. assuming i like it, any recommendations for what trades to grab?

@josh

Milligan did a pretty good John in Shade, The Changing Man.

@josh: I was looking forward to Oliver as well, but I think the Exterminators adaptation made it impossible for him to write HB on an on-going basis.  His Chas mini was allright though.

@watchthesparks: the entire Ennis run is great, and Diggle's run was fantastic too.  Start with those, unless you wanna be a stickler about reading things in order.  I like the Azz and Carey stuff too, but not nearly as much as the Ennis and Azz work.

*the Ennis and Diggle work

man, i love that azzarello & grampa lil poem...

China Mieville is a (insert adjective denoting very good) writer.  His New Crobuzon stuff really takes the fantasy genre and turns it inside out.  He's the most exciting name for me to see in that list of talent and if it means he's going to start writing comics regularly, you can count me in.

can someone please tell me if this is a single issue, or a paper back or what, cuz i ordered it and im low on cash and im hoping it's a peperback.. Also is diggles run over? the roots of couincidence one that is

@TheSpirit - It is a single issue, but it is oversized at 48 pages.  I really enjoyed it.  It is my POW.