Forever Evil: Blight - PNP Review

 Genre: Superhero | Writer: J.M. DeMatteis, Ray Fawkes | Release Date: 2014

Publisher: DC Comics

After the Justice Leagues vanish, an ancient evil called Blight emerges. Now, Justice League Dark, Swamp Thing, Pandora, and the Phantom Stranger must unite to stop it from consuming the world.

Writing

Written by J.M. DeMatteis and Ray Fawkes, Forever Evil: Blight is a dense, character-driven mystical crossover that spans Justice League Dark, Constantine, Pandora, and Phantom Stranger. The primary arc follows John Constantine as he obsessively tries to rescue Zatanna, who has been lost in the chaos following the Trinity War and Forever Evil. Constantine, always morally ambiguous, becomes the emotional and ethical backbone of the story, showing both heroic desperation and callous pragmatism. His journey is one of internal conflict, vulnerability masked by arrogance, and ultimately, abandonment—leaving Zatanna behind in a finale that feels heartbreakingly incomplete and emotionally unresolved.

The central plot pits a fractured Justice League Dark—including Swamp Thing, Nightmare Nurse, Pandora, and Phantom Stranger—against Blight, the living embodiment of human darkness. Blight functions as both a physical enemy and a symbolic force, representing the spiritual and psychological corruption left in the wake of the world’s greatest heroes vanishing. His appearances bring philosophical weight to the story, examining the collective trauma of humanity through a supernatural lens. However, while conceptually fascinating, Blight lacks personal depth and acts more as a force of nature than a character.

The second major arc, Project Thaumaton, sees Felix Faust and Nick Necro turning captured magic users—Zatanna included—into living weapons. These experiments, commissioned by the Crime Syndicate, add a layer of horror and urgency to the narrative. Thaumaton becomes a powerful metaphor for the abuse of power and manipulation of identity, especially through the lens of trauma and trust, as seen in Nick Necro’s toxic relationship with both Constantine and Zatanna. Necro, torn between love, vengeance, and insecurity, is a deeply tragic villain who adds a personal, emotional foil to Constantine’s arrogance.

Supporting characters shine throughout. Nightmare Nurse adds dark humor and mischief, a chaotic yet competent healer who contrasts Constantine’s darker urges with her own cryptic motives. Swamp Thing, traditionally portrayed as stoic, is given surprising warmth and purpose, becoming one of the standout characters in the ensemble. Pandora and Phantom Stranger, both eternal and tormented figures, bring unique worldviews that elevate the philosophical core of the narrative—especially as they confront their roles in the grander divine order of the DC Universe.

What’s especially effective is the rotating narrative structure, which moves between characters and allows for internal reflection, building emotional weight and moral nuance. Constantine’s obsession, Stranger’s guilt, and Pandora’s yearning for redemption are all woven into a cohesive meditation on identity, purpose, and moral compromise. Despite the story’s ambition, the pacing occasionally suffers under the weight of constant battles and repeated failures. The “fight Blight, lose, regroup” cycle, though realistic in the context of a drawn-out war, does wear thin over time.

Ultimately, the biggest flaw is the ending. After all the emotional investment in Zatanna’s rescue, Constantine's decision to abandon her is jarring. It undermines the emotional payoff of the story and feels like a betrayal of everything the arc built toward, weakening what could have been a thematically rich resolution.

Ranking: 3 out of 5

Art Style

The artwork across Forever Evil: Blight is handled by several artists due to its nature as a crossover spanning multiple titles. The primary contributors include Mikel Janín (Justice League Dark), Aco and Beni Lobel (Constantine), Francis Portela and Fernando Blanco (Pandora), and Diego Bernard and Guiu Vilanova (Phantom Stranger). Despite the rotation of artists, the visual identity of the event remains impressively cohesive and atmospheric, thanks to consistent color palettes and character design continuity.

Mikel Janín’s work on Justice League Dark is a standout—his clean, expressive linework and dynamic panel layouts are perfectly suited to the eerie, arcane energy of the team. He renders John Constantine with a constant aura of exhaustion and cynicism, often illuminated by magical glows or surrounded by demonic threats, reinforcing his internal conflict. Janín’s depiction of Blight is menacing and otherworldly—an armored skeletal demon fused with a shadowy serpent form that evokes dread without being overly grotesque. His visual pacing during action sequences is excellent, with elegant transitions and effective use of space that keep even chaotic magical battles readable and emotionally tense.

The other artists maintain a tone that balances grounded realism with high fantasy. Aco and Beni Lobel bring a grittier, darker aesthetic to Constantine, emphasizing shadow, close-up facial expressions, and chaotic magical effects. Their pages are especially effective in internal dialogue sequences, using shadows and color shifts to mirror Constantine’s mental state. Francis Portela and Fernando Blanco offer a more traditional superhero comic style in Pandora, with powerful character poses and mythic lighting that match the philosophical themes of fate and free will. Diego Bernard’s contributions to Phantom Stranger stand out in quiet, introspective moments, particularly when exploring spiritual or biblical imagery.

The use of color throughout the event is a highlight. Muted earth tones dominate quieter scenes, while vivid greens, purples, and reds explode in action-heavy sequences. These bursts of color, particularly during magical combat, underscore the stakes and give each magical effect or possession a unique visual identity. Credit goes to colorists like Jeremy Cox, Hi-Fi, and Blond, whose work enhances the supernatural atmosphere and bridges the various titles together.

Paneling and layout are mostly fluid and cinematic. Whether the reader is observing a massive magical explosion or an intimate conversation in the shadows, the panel composition helps control tempo and clarity. Dialogue bubbles are carefully placed, and unique lettering techniques—especially the use of colored word balloons for different magical entities—keep conversations from becoming confusing.

Altogether, the art style elevates the narrative with a clear, moody, and emotionally resonant visual language. Even as the creative teams rotate, the tone remains consistent, giving Blight a surprisingly unified aesthetic for such an ambitious crossover.

Ranking: 4 out of 5

The Verdict

In the end, Forever Evil: Blight is a strong magical crossover that digs deep into DC’s darker, more arcane characters. Despite pacing issues and an ending that feels emotionally dishonest, the character work, action, art, and existential undertones make this a rewarding read. For fans of Justice League Dark or anyone looking for mystical DC storytelling beyond capes and Kryptonians, this is worth checking out. Forever Evil: Blight gets 4 out of 5.