The term antihero is bestowed upon characters who may do good but perhaps for the wrong reasons or by means that would offend more virtuous superheroes. They typically have rough edges and often don’t have qualms about killing, and while they flirt with the line between right and wrong, some of them are still very heroic.

John Constantine is a defining example of a comic book antihero. Created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben, Jamie Delano, and John Ridgway, he debuted in The Saga of Swamp Thing #25 (June 1984). Constantine originally appeared as a supernatural advisor to Swamp Thing and has since starred in several comics under the titles Constantine and Hellblazer for both DC Comics and the Vertigo imprint.

Over the years, the occult detective has typically been seen in a trench coat with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Though he is a humanitarian, driven to help people and do good in the world, he’s known for being cynical, a deadpan snarky sense of humor, quick thinking and impressive cunning.

One interesting fact about his creation, is that Constantine’s physical appearance was based on that of musician Sting, particularly how he appeared in the film Brimstone and Treacle. Further homage was paid to the singer when in Swamp Thing #51 Constantine appeared on a boat called The Honourable Gordon Sumner – the singer’s real name.

Constantine is considered to be one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world, with an arsenal of magical spells, curses, and rituals that can involve illusions, invisibility, necromancy, even time travel. He can make his own luck through synchronicity wave travelling which helps him in escaping harm, finding allies, reshaping battles, and in playing games of chance. He’s also good at stage magic like escapology, sleight of hand, hypnosis, and being a pick pocket. Constantine travels with magical artifacts like his trench coat, which possesses demonic powers.

In 1988 he received his own title, Hellblazer, at DC’s Vertigo imprint, which was the longest continuous title published there. Prior to Vertigo’s launch, Constantine had appeared in several DC titles, but for many years after, editorial policy forbade the use outside of Vertigo. In 2011 the policy changed, allowing Constantine to participate in DC’s Brightest Day series and others. He came back to DC for Justice League Dark during the New 52 initiative.

Though heroic, Constantine is no straight-laced superhero. He’s considered an antihero in part for being disillusioned, foul-mouthed, cynical, and an adrenaline addict. He is connected around the world with contacts and allies, though relationships have proven tragic as many of the people close to him have been killed, which has further tethered his cynicism.

In 1992 it was established that he is bisexual, through casual reference of ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends. His early stories showed him mostly with women, then in Ashes & Dust in the City of Angels by Brian Azzarello, he was depicted in relationships with men as well. In more recent comics, he’s dated the magician Zatanna and sorcerer Nick Necro. When the character appeared in a recent episode of the live-action Legends of Tomorrow he simultaneously flirted with Leo Snart and Sara Lance.

Unlike most comic characters, Constantine has been shown aging in real time. During the first year of his solo series he celebrated his 35th birthday and five years later in 1993 his 40th was mentioned. However, during Hellblazer it was pointed out on several occasions that he ages differently due to the presence of demon blood in his system.

Constantine was born in Liverpool in England. Tragically his mother died while giving birth to John and his twin brother was stillborn because John accidentally strangled him with his own umbilical cord. This terrible entry into the world was made worse by his father who blamed John, creating a deep dislike for each other.

Constantine came from the Laughing Magicians, legendary mages who had power over synchronicity. He followed in the family business, learning magic, while leaving home to settle in London. In the 1970s he got involved in London’s occult scene, traveled around the world, and joined a band that was influenced by the Sex Pistols. While touring he encountered an abused child who had conjured a monster to take revenge on her father, who was her chief abuser and captor, but the monster was uncontrollable. Constantine tried to destroy the creature by summoning a demon, but since he hadn’t used the demon’s true name, Nergal, he was unable to bind and control it. That demon would go on to be a regular antagonist during the series.

Once he met Swamp Thing, Constantine became his guide, protector, voice of omen, and taught him how to amplify his powers. They worked together in many situations, including fighting off the Damnation Army from summoning the Antichrist.

He contracted terminal lung cancer in his late 30s after many years of smoking. During this period, he tried to help his friend Brendan who had sold his soul to the First of the Fallen. Constantine tricked the First into drinking holy water, making him helpless, and the First vowed to make John suffer in Hell upon his death. Constantine devised a plan to save himself by selling his soul to the other two Lords of Hell. They realized that the couldn’t let him die because it would cause a war for his soul. Instead they formed an alliance and cured his cancer to keep him alive.

In the early 2000s he got involved in a magic war and was manipulated by a being called the Beast and left in an amnesiac state, serving the demon Rosacarnis. She made him father three demonic children who killed people he cared about, including his sister Cheryl. He journeyed to Hell, hoping to return his sister’s soul. He begged Rosacarnis to kill him and save his sister, but before she could grant the request the First of the Fallen killed her since Constantine’s soul was still his by “right of insult.”

During the New 52 he was a lead member of Justice League Dark, appearing with Zatanna and Nick Necro. He fought enemies from the Cult of the Cold Flame, like Mister E and Sargon the Sorceress, he was transported to Earth-2 where he was helped by Doctor Fate, and once back on his Earth, Darkseid pursued him. When Rebirth began he headed back to London to remove a curse on himself and once again was partnered with Swamp Thing to fight a djinn.

With a demon-fighting résumé and a magical arsenal, Constantine has taken on some terrifying, crafty villains. Though the battle for his soul is an ongoing fight, he still tries to help others in their own dire situations. His attitude and dark side may give him the “anti” but to his fans, he’s definitely a “hero.”