Warning: spoilers for DC vs. Vampires #4 are ahead.
When it comes to DC Comics, no two characters under that banner could be more different than Superman and John Constantine. One is a morally righteous, all-powerful being from outer space. The other is a supernatural conman detective with a penchant for magic, often playing the underdog against stronger foes.
If there are any glaring similarities between them, it’s that they exist under DC Comics and both serve on their own respective versions of the Justice League. On paper, the similarities should begin and end right there. However, both men have an often overlooked similarity that audiences would hardly expect them to share. Even stranger than this similarity is what connects them: vampires. Although Constantine is no stranger to taking on such mythical creatures, vampirism has never been seen as Superman’s expertise. Nonetheless, as is the case with both men, the power to fend off vampires lies in their blood, literally: the blood of Superman and Constantine is as lethal to vampires as sunlight and holy water.
In Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Hellblazer #69, Constantine has an encounter with a centuries-old predator known only as The King of the Vampires. What separates this self-professed King from other vampires is that he has traveled from planet to planet feeding off of helpless people for the sport of it all. It’s only when this James Dean lookalike crosses paths with John Constantine that his reign of terror is put to an end. When he takes a swift chomp into Constantine’s neck, he doesn’t expect this homeless blond Brit to carry the demonic blood of Nergal in his veins. That’s enough to melt the King’s mandible off as he lays dying in horror, all while Constantine laughs hysterically in the background. It doesn’t help that Constantine drags him into the rising sunlight, as an extra cherry on top for killing his friend Davy moments earlier.
Meanwhile, Superman has his own rare, yet notable encounter with a vampire in Superman #180 by Jeph Loeb, Geoff Johns, and Ian Churchill. This foe was arguably the true king of vampires himself, Dracula. Dracula is powerful enough to hypnotize the Man of Steel long enough to bite into his neck, but can’t enjoy the feeling, neglecting to understand that Superman’s blood is infused with solar power energy due to his relationship with the sun. That’s enough to put The Count out of commission for good.
This shared ability is particularly relevant for Constantine and Superman as the DC Universe is currently being overrun by bloodsuckers in the 12-issue limited series, DC vs. Vampires, from James Tynion IV, Otto Schmidt, and Matthew Rosenberg. Both characters have appeared in the story already, with Constantine deducing that Zatanna was a vampire from just one glance at her in issue #4. He and Superman’s shared ability could be an unforeseen key to stopping this growing horde of vampires from spreading across their world.
If nothing else, Superman and Constantine of all people sharing a power showcases the beauty of the DC Universe: the idea that readers will seldom find two heroes who are totally alike in power or personality, but they are connected by DC’s universal idea of heroism. John may never be as law-abiding or strong as the Man of Steel, but both men share the drive and the brave will to protect people one villain at a time–even if that villain has fangs, can’t walk in daylight, or suck out either Superman or Constantine’s blood without falling into the brink of death.
