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Heartland
Writer : Garth Ennis
Artist : Steve Dillon
Set in Belfast, and featuring Kit Ryan (John Constantine’s ex-girlfriend) as the lead character, Heartland
offers a look at day to day life in Northern Ireland as well as a family on the brink of destruction. The central
story is based on the conflict between Kit and her youngest sister, Bernadette and the events which transpired between
them and their troubled father. Kit’s father was a drunk and abusive to his wife - with little time for any of his family save his
youngest daughter - Bernadette. A constant level of tension ran through the Ryan household till one faithful
night, after being barred from his local, Kit’s father came home early.
Life in Northern Ireland
Following a stupid accident with a teapot, he looses his head and starts to beat his wife - when his children try
to intervene he knocks them aside. Kit snaps and stabs her father in the cheek - leaving him stunned and
bleeding on the floor. Bernadette, still a young child, raced to her father’s side. Kit’s father continued his
drinking and eventually ended up in hospital - passing away with only Bernadette at his side. These old
tensions come to the fore when Kit gets caught making a move on Bernadette’s boyfriend. All hell breaks
loose and vicious words are exchanged.
No synopsis can really do this comic book justice - it’s almost undoubtedly Garth Ennis’ finest hour as a
writer and Steve Dillon’s rendition of Belfast is excellent (matching his depiction of Dublin back in
HellBlazer #76). Despite Constantine’s absence, this is amongst the best HellBlazer stories ever written.
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