The TV series Constantine is presumably on shaky ground at NBC, stopping production on the show at 13 episodes, rather than extending its first season to the 22 episodes that network programs typically get. (Ratings for the show’s return after its winter hiatus weren’t promising, further endangering its chances for a second season.)
Constantine‘s first (and perhaps only) season has three episodes remaining. But DC Entertainment is apparently doing what it can to keep the show on the air. Or at least, the company is having fun with the characters while it still can, producing a three-and-a-half-minute claymation short featuring series star Matt Ryan voicing his character.
If you haven’t watched (possibly because NBC has relegated the show to a Friday night time slot), the show is an adaptation of the DC Comics series Hellblazer, which follows occult detective John Constantine and his investigations into supernatural occurrences throughout the country. (On the show, likely for budgetary reasons, most of these incidents seem to occur in the South.)
You might also remember the character from the 2005 Keanu Reeves movie, which veered from the source material more than fans liked. The TV show hues closer to the comic books, though that doesn’t appear to be helping its ratings.
The animation doesn’t look much better than something you might see at a Spike and Mike’s Festival of Animation. And if you’re not a fan of the show (or comic books), there’s really not much reason to care — unless you just like claymation. Personally, I like that Constantine smokes in this cartoon, something he’s not allowed to do on television.
Constantine airs Friday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Who knows how long he’ll live on in clay form?
[io9]
