John Constantine

1st app.- Swamp Thing #37

Nothing is known of the past surrounding John Constantine. He is apparently a man tied in with things supernatural and has been involved with practitioners of magic. Among the few bits of information revealed to date is that he is a world-traveler, has contacts on all seven continents and was romantically involved with Zatanna while she was in college.
The enigmatic John Constantine was first encountered by the Swamp Thing prior to the so-called crisis on infinite earths. Constantine warned the Swamp Thing about an impending catastrophe, leading the creature on a cross-country chase by continually promising him additional information. This series of adventures, which came to be called "American Gothic," eventually led to South America, where Swamp Thing encountered the eternal Parliament of Trees and then battled a group known as the Brujeria. The Brujeria sought to take advantage of the Crisis and its impact on the supernatural planes to take control of the Earth. Constantine helped build the Swamp Thing's own strengths so that the creature could combat this scheme.
At the same time, Constantine united a group of people with supernormal powers -- Zatara, Zatanna, Baron Winters, Sargon, Mento, and Dr. Occult (see individual entries) -- to further combat the schemes of the Brujeria. During this ultimate battle, Sargon and Zatara were killed and Mento was rendered insane.
With the Brujeria defeated, Constantine disappeared. As has happened in the past, Constantine is sure to turn up when there is trouble. He is also found of Swamp Thing and is looking in on him from time to time.
Constantine displayed no special powers, except perhaps for precognition regarding the Crisis and its ultimate effects. His knowledge of the supernatural and the extent of the powers of some of the heroes mentioned aided him in organizing the battle against the Brujeria. Indeed, it was Constantine who showed the Swamp Thing how he could regenerate himself and move from one place to another.