Imagine changing James Bond or Harry Potter from Brits into Americans.

True, John Constantine isn't as well known. But the antihero from DC's "Hellblazer" comic — who bears scant resemblance to Keanu Reeves in the new "Constantine" film (opening tomorrow) — is worth striking up an acquaintance with.

The Englishman with the blond, spiky hair and the trench coat recently passed the 200-issue milestone in his own series from DC's adult-oriented Vertigo line. Groundbreaking writer Alan Moore ("The Watchmen") introduced him in the pages of a 1985 "Saga of the Swamp Thing" (modeling him after a young Sting), and he's stood out from the Spandex types ever since.

Not the two-fisted type unless you count the chain-smoking and drinking, Constantine's a magician and a con man with no super powers. His most frequent description: "bastard." Mainly on the side of good, he manipulates everyone around him, plays dark forces against one another, and eventually brings misery to anyone close to him. A few of his good yarns, in trade paperback collections:

"Dangerous Habits" ($14.95): This plot shows up in the movie. Mortality and damnation loom as the chain-smoker gets terminal lung cancer and hatches a soul-risking scheme to beat it.

"Hard Time" ($12.95): Framed and sent to prison, Constantine uses all of his wiles to survive amid rival gangs.

"Fear and Loathing" ($17.95): Constantine meets his match in a sharp new girlfriend, who tries to dissuade his niece from going into the same line of occult work; meanwhile, he ties one on for his 40th birthday with some spectral friends, and engineers the comeuppance of a fallen angel.

"All His Engines" ($24.95): An original new graphic novel. The granddaughter of Constantine's old pal and driver, Chaz, has fallen victim to a coma plague. To save her, they agree to do some dirty work for a bloated cancer demon in L.A., and face a terrifying creature from Constantine's childhood. Also included: a history lesson on the character and his various scribes. Cigarettes not included.

Mark Rahner: 206-464-8259 or mrahner@seattletimes.com