View source for Constantine: City of Demons



{{Redirect|City of Demons|the adventure for role-playing game ''Torg''|City of Demons (Torg){{!}}''City of Demons'' (''Torg'')}}
{{Infobox television
| image                    = Constantine City of Demons.png
| genre                    = [[Superhero fiction|Superhero]] <br> [[Action fiction|Action]] <br> [[Supernatural horror]] <br> [[Fantasy]]
| voices                   = [[Matt Ryan (actor)|Matt Ryan]]
| based_on                 = {{based on|[[John Constantine]]|[[Alan Moore]]|[[Steve Bissette]]|[[John Totleben]]}}
| composer                 = [[Kevin Riepl]]
| country                  = United States
| language                 = English
| num_seasons              = 1
| num_episodes             = 2
| list_episodes            = 
| executive_producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sam Register]]
* [[David S. Goyer]]
* [[Greg Berlanti]]
* Sarah Schechter
}}
| producer                 = Butch Lukic
| director                 = Doug Murphy
| writer                   = [[J. M. DeMatteis]]
| editor                   = Kyle Stafford
| runtime                  = 29–39 minutes
| company                  = {{Plainlist|
* [[Berlanti Productions]]
* [[Blue Ribbon Content]]
* Phantom Four Films
* Digital eMation Inc.
* [[DC Entertainment]]
* [[Warner Bros. Animation]]
}}
| network                  = [[CW Seed]]
| first_aired              = {{Start date|2018|3|24}}
| last_aired               = {{End date|2019|1|17}}
| related                  = ''[[Justice League Dark (film)|Justice League Dark]]''
}}

'''''Constantine: City of Demons''''' is an American [[animated series|animated web series]] based on the [[DC Comics]] character [[John Constantine]], a demon hunter and [[Occult detective fiction|occult detective]]. It is a loose adaptation of the [[graphic novel]] ''[[All His Engines|Hellblazer: All His Engines]]'' by writer [[Mike Carey (writer)|Mike Carey]] and artist [[Leonardo Manco]]. Tangentially tied to the [[television series|live-action series]] ''[[Constantine (TV series)|Constantine]]'' through actor [[Matt Ryan (actor)|Matt Ryan]], the series is set in the [[DC Animated Movie Universe]], connecting it to the 2017 animated film ''[[Justice League Dark (film)|Justice League Dark]]''. The first half was initially released as five separate episodes on the streaming platform [[CW Seed]] on March 24, 2018, after premiering at [[WonderCon]]. The series was released as a feature-length film released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] on October 9 and later compiled and completed as two episodes on CW Seed on January 17, 2019. It is the 36th film of the [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]].

== Cast and characters ==
* [[Matt Ryan (actor)|Matt Ryan]] as [[John Constantine]]: A seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult. Ryan also voices the Constantine Demons.<ref name="Constantine2018Release" />
* [[Damian O'Hare]] as [[Chas Chandler (comics)|Chas Chandler]]: A long time friend of Constantine since childhood. O'Hare was the voice of John Constantine in ''[[Justice League Action]]''.<ref name="BCrecap" /><!-- 101, 102, 103, 105 -->
* [[Laura Bailey]] as Asa the Healer / Nightmare Nurse, Trish Chandler.<ref name="BCrecap" /><!-- 102, 103, 104 -->
* [[Emily O'Brien]] as Renee Chandler<ref name="BCrecap" /><!-- 102, 103, 104 -->
* [[Rachel Kimsey]] as Angela the Queen of Angels, the plane announcer<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en/Sessions/66478/Constantine-City-of-Demons--The-Movie |title=Constantine: City of Demons – The Movie |access-date=October 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117122301/https://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en/Sessions/66478/Constantine-City-of-Demons--The-Movie |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><!-- 103 -->
* [[Robin Atkin Downes]] as Butler,<ref name="BCrecap" /><!-- 105 --> Nergal<ref name="movie">Constantine: City Of Demons: The Movie, ending credits.</ref>
* [[Jim Meskimen]] as Beroul / Nergal,<ref name="BCrecap" /><!-- 105 --> Cheleb,<ref name="movie" /> Quedbas<ref name="movie" />
* [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] as Mahonin,<ref name="movie" /> old man possessed by Angela<ref name="movie" />
* [[Rick D. Wasserman]] as [[Mictlāntēcutli|Mictlantecuhtli]]<ref name="movie" />

== Production ==
[[Matt Ryan (actor)|Matt Ryan]] reprised his role from the [[Constantine (TV series)|live-action series]] as [[John Constantine]] in the animated series, after having made a guest appearance in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]''{{'}}s fourth season. [[The CW]] president [[Mark Pedowitz]] noted at the time that there were not discussions regarding whether or not any other characters from the live-action series might appear in the web series, or if this version of the character would "connect back to the live-action storylines he's been a part of".<ref name="ConstantineWebSeries">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/08/constantine-is-back-with-matt-ryan-as-a-cw-seed-animated-series |title=Constantine Is Back With Matt Ryan as a CW Seed Animated Series |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |date=January 8, 2017 |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109115758/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/08/constantine-is-back-with-matt-ryan-as-a-cw-seed-animated-series |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017}}</ref>

The series was developed by [[Warner Bros. Animation]], [[Berlanti Productions]], and Blue Ribbon Content, with [[Greg Berlanti]], Sarah Schechter, and [[David S. Goyer]] serving as executive producers, and Butch Lukic as producer. [[J. M. DeMatteis]] wrote the series, which was directed by Doug Murphy.<ref name="Constantine2018Release">{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/constantine-animated-series-poster-cw-seed/ |title=First 'Constantine' Poster Resurrects the Demon Hunter for New Animated Series |last=Keene |first=Allison |date=October 6, 2017 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080613/http://collider.com/constantine-animated-series-poster-cw-seed/ |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=October 11, 2017}}</ref> The series is an adaptation of the graphic novel ''[[All His Engines]]''.<ref name="7Ways">{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/03/25/constantine-animated-series-cw-seed-nbc-tv-show/ |title=7 Ways 'Constantine: City of Demons' Differs From NBC's 'Constantine' |last=Anderson |first=Jenna |date=March 25, 2018 |website=Comicbook.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330230857/http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/03/25/constantine-animated-series-cw-seed-nbc-tv-show/ |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content Vice President Peter Girardi said the series aimed to be "darker" than the live-action series, and closer to the ''[[Hellblazer]]'' comics published by DC's imprint [[Vertigo (DC Comics)|Vertigo]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/constantine-animated-series-details-peter-girardi/ |title=CW Seed's Animated 'Constantine' Series Aims to Be Darker Than the Live-Action Show |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=January 10, 2018 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111050558/http://collider.com/constantine-animated-series-details-peter-girardi/ |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=January 12, 2018}}</ref>

While it was originally stated that ''City of Demons'' would tie into the live-action series ''Constantine'', the two series differ significantly from one another with different takes on characters and plot points.<ref name="BCrecap">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/03/24/constantine-city-demons-recap-review/ |title=Constantine: City of Demons Recap and Review |last=Wickline |first=Dan |date=March 24, 2018 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324215901/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/03/24/constantine-city-demons-recap-review/ |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name="7Ways" /> According to J. M. DeMatteis, the series is not a continuation of ''Constantine'', but is in the same universe as the 2017 film ''[[Justice League Dark (film)|Justice League Dark]]''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=979120312561356803 |user=JMDeMatteis |title=Not a continuation of the series. It IS in the same universe as the JL DARK movie and I guess time will tell if it's in the Arrowverse! |date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=April 2, 2018 |link=https://twitter.com/JMDeMatteis/status/979120312561356803 |last=DeMatteis |first=J.M.}}</ref> Peter Girardi referred to the show as part of the "Constantine animated universe".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/03/25/constantine-city-of-demons-animated-series-arrowverse/ |title=How Does 'Constantine: City of Demons' Factor Into the Arrowverse? |last=Anderson |first=Jenna |date=March 25, 2018 |website=Comicbook.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326000525/http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/03/25/constantine-city-of-demons-animated-series-arrowverse/ |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

== Episodes ==
{{Episode table |caption=''Constantine: City of Demons'' episodes |background=#BA925D |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber2  = 1
| Title           = City of Demons: Part One
| RTitle          = {{efn|Initially released as five short episodes on March 24, 2018. Later released as part of the film release on October 9, broadcast under the title ''Constantine: The Legend Continues'' on October 15, and then compiled and released as one longer episode on January 17, 2019.}}
| DirectedBy      = Doug Murphy
| WrittenBy       = [[J. M. DeMatteis]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|3|24}}
| ShortSummary    = [[John Constantine]] awakes from a dream of whispers from around the world. He finds himself in his apartment surrounded by miniature trench-cloaked projections of his inner demons. They attack John, who then uses magic to absorb the demons back into his subconscious. He is visited by his old friend, [[Chas Chandler (comics)|Chas Chandler]], whom he has not seen in a decade. Chas asks John to help his daughter Trish, who has unexpectedly fallen into a coma, which Chas suspects to be the result of dark magic. John uses magic on Trish and discovers that her aura is tainted. He summons Asa, the Nightmare Nurse, to help pinpoint a diagnosis but Asa cannot find Trish's soul. Trish is briefly able to communicate through Asa before a demonic entity takes over and gives John an address. As John and Chas travel to [[Los Angeles]] to get Trish's soul back, Asa and Chas' wife Renee stay with Trish. Asa magically compels Renee to tell the story of Newcastle that John will not talk about. Renee reveals that John and Chas had been best friends since they were kids and even formed a band together as young adults. When they found out that their mentor Alex Logue was using his daughter Astra to enact a dark spell below his Newcastle night club, John, having practiced [[occultism]] since he was a boy, attempted to save Astra by conjuring a real demon. The demon [[Nergal]] killed Alex and his followers, but also slaughtered the club-goers and took Astra with him to Hell. His trauma regarding the incident even lead him to be committed to a psychiatric institute, but Renee does not remember sharing this information with Asa. John has a dream of the worldwide whispers again and suspects that someone is messing with his mind. Chas drives them to the address and they are greeted at a mansion by an anthropomorphic pig butler. Inside the mansion, John stumbles upon a pool of decaying corpses before the monstrous demon Beroul presents himself. The demon explains that his soul-snatching scheme was just a ploy to enlist John's services. Beroul reveals that he intends to create his own branch of Hell, but needs John to eliminate his demon competitors.
| LineColor       = BA925D
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber2  = 2
| Title           = City of Demons: Part Two
| RTitle          = {{efn|Initially released as part of the film release on October 9, later compiled and released as one longer episode on January 17, 2019.}}
| DirectedBy      = Doug Murphy
| WrittenBy       = J. M. DeMatteis
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|17}}
| ShortSummary    = After surviving being chased on the road by demonic dogs and being saved by an apparently possessed driver, John meets with Beroul again, who reveals himself to be Nergal, and that he is behind the plague of coma victims. The demon forces John to aid him by showing that he has Trish's soul trapped inside his body. Afterwards, John meets Angela, the collective consciousness of Los Angeles, who had been following John ever since he arrived by possessing various people, including the driver that rescued him. Seducing him, she admits that she unleashed his inner demons as a test, and tells him that she will not allow demons of despair to poison a city of hope. Returning to Chas, John admits that he doesn't have the power to defeat Nergal's enemies on his own. He then hatches a plan. He first entices the Aztec death god [[Mictlantecuhtli]] to attack the demons for him. He then lures the demons to an unconsecrated church by promising to hand over Nergal, traps them inside with holy water, and allows the god and demons to fight each other, then finishes off the victorious god with a spell. Returning to the hospital, John summons Nergal. He attempts a bluff: cutting Nergal off from his wards, harassing him with the inner Constantine demons, and opening all of the gates between Hell and Los Angeles, leaving Nergal with 5000 competitors to face instead of 5. Nergal calls John's bluff, forcing him to use his fallback plan: the Camdever Curse. Unleashing all of Trish's and Renee's love for Chas blasts the demon apart, since Trish's soul is locked inside him. This frees the girl, saves the coma victims, and destroys the demon. But later, at a diner, John reveals to Chas that love was the sacrifice that powered the curse: Trish and Renee will never again remember Chas, and, further, Chas will not remember John. Angela appears in the form of an old man, thanks John, and promises to take care of Chas. John heads off to return to London, with one surviving inner demon to keep him company.
| LineColor       = BA925D
}}
}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== Release ==
The first half of ''Constantine: City of Demons'' was released as five short episodes on CW Seed,<ref name="Constantine2018Release" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/23/constantine-city-of-demons-watch-cw-seed-animated-series/ |title=Constantine: City of Demons – Watch a First Look from CW Seed's Animated Series |last=Prudom |first=Laura |date=March 23, 2018 |website=IGN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324163140/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/23/constantine-city-of-demons-watch-cw-seed-animated-series/ |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> on March 24, 2018, after premiering the same day at [[WonderCon]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/the-100-black-lightning-krypton-dc-comics-wondercon-warner-bros-tv-1202305784/ |title='Black Lightning', 'Krypton', 'The 100' & More Part Of WBTV's WonderCon Footprint |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=February 28, 2018 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228183037/http://deadline.com/2018/02/the-100-black-lightning-krypton-dc-comics-wondercon-warner-bros-tv-1202305784/ |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref> Writer J. M. DeMatteis later confirmed that seven more episodes were planned for release,<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=978278024633372672 |user=JMDeMatteis |title=By the way: You can watch the first five episodes of CONSTANTINE: CITY OF DEMONS right here: http://www.cwseed.com/shows/constantine-city-of-demons/episode-one/?play=558e7c11-16e0-453e-bffe-13e15cf2c52d … This is just the beginning. There are seven more episodes to go! |author=J.M. DeMatteis |date=March 27, 2018 |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref> as well as a DVD and Blu-ray release featuring 20 minutes of extra footage, similar to ''[[Vixen (web series)#Home media|Vixen: The Movie]]''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=978302578315456512 |user=JMDeMatteis |title=It's basically a full-length animated movie broken into these mini-episodes. There will eventually be a DVD release with something like 20 minutes more story included. |author=J.M. DeMatteis |date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref> The feature-length version was later released on Blu-ray and digital on October 9,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/07/31/constantine-city-demons-movie-trailer/ |title='Constantine: City of Demons' Movie Trailer Released |date=July 31, 2018 |website=comicbook.com |access-date=August 1, 2018}}</ref> following a special screening at [[New York Comic Con]] on October 4.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2018/09/26/john-constantines-new-movie-gets-a-nycc-premiere |title=John Constantine's New Movie Gets a NYCC Premiere |last=Beedle |first=Time |date=September 26, 2018 |work=DC}}</ref> The series made its broadcast debut on [[The CW]] on October 15, hosted by Ryan under the title ''Constantine: The Legend Continues''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/The-CW-Seeds-CONSTANTINE-THE-LEGEND-CONTINUES-to-Air-on-The-CW-October-15h-20180824 |title=The CW Seed's CONSTANTINE: THE LEGEND CONTINUES to Air on The CW October 15h |website=Broadway World |access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> After the first half was initially released as five separate episodes, the series was later compiled and completed as two episodes on CW Seed on January 17, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/list/constantine-2018/episodes?Season=1 |title=Constantine: City of Demons Episodes |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref>

== Reception ==
Jesse Schedeen of ''[[IGN]]'' awarded the first half of the series an 8.1 out of 10, noting the episodes "build a straightforward but enjoyable conflict featuring the wily magician, and they serve as a reminder that Matt Ryan is a terrific fit for this character in either live-action or animation".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/24/constantine-city-of-demons-review-dcs-occult-detective-shines-in-animated-form |title=Constantine: City of Demons Review – DC's Occult Detective Shines In Animated Form |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=March 24, 2018 |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324201527/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/24/constantine-city-of-demons-review-dcs-occult-detective-shines-in-animated-form |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> Schedeen later awarded the completed film 7.5 out of 10, noting that the plot does "drag a bit in the middle" but "gathers steam again by the time the climax rolls around".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/10/10/constantine-city-of-demons-movie-review |title=Constantine: City of Demons Review – Finding danger on the other side of the pond |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=October 9, 2018 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 7, 2019}}</ref>

Renee Schonfeld of ''[[Common Sense Media]]'', awarding the film 3 out of 5 stars, said that the film's "distinctive animation, rousing battles, and top-notch vocal performances serve this off-beat DC Comic 'hero' well -- with a caution that it's a grisly affair".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/constantine-city-of-demons-the-movie |title=Constantine: City of Demons |last=Schonfeld |first=Renee |date=October 9, 2018 |website=[[Common Sense Media]] |access-date=February 7, 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title|6404896|Constantine: City of Demons}}
* {{IMDb title|9177882|Constantine: City of Demons – The Movie}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|constantine_city_of_demons}}

{{Hellblazer}}
{{DC Animated Movie Universe}}
{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}
{{DC Comics animated films}}
{{DC Comics animated TV series}}
{{CW Seed}}

[[Category:2010s American adult animated television series]]
[[Category:2010s American horror television series]]
[[Category:2018 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2019 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2018 web series debuts]]
[[Category:2019 web series endings]]
[[Category:2010s American superhero television series]]
[[Category:American adult animated web series]]
[[Category:American adult animated action television series]]
[[Category:American adult animated horror television series]]
[[Category:American adult animated superhero television series]]
[[Category:American animated horror films]]
[[Category:Adult animated television shows based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Demons in television]]
[[Category:Superhero horror television shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Animation]]
[[Category:Television shows set in London]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:DC Animated Movie Universe]]
[[Category:Television series by Blue Ribbon Content]]
[[Category:Hellblazer]]
[[Category:Animated television series set in California]]
[[Category:American adult animated drama television series]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Constantine: City of Demons|access_date=2026-03-01}}