History Main / TrenchcoatBrigade

** Due to the above, Creator/GrantMorrison created Willoughby Kipling for ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'' (which, ironically, would join the "mature readers" club six months later). He also based him on Withnail from ''Film/WithnailAndI''.

* Though many writers have wanted to use Constantine in their series, DC [[ExecutiveMeddling denied them]] up until 2011 because of the "mature readers" status of ''Hellblazer'' and fears that including the character in the more supposedly family-friendly parts of the Franchise/DCUniverse might cause controversy. So, instead, various [[CaptainErsatz analogues and homages]] to John have appeared.

* Kiritsugu Emiya from ''LightNovel/{{FateZero}}''. He wears a grungy longcoat, smokes so much and has cold and calculating facade. Top of all that, he's also a MageKiller specializing in killing rogue mages with his own brand of magic.

* ComicBook/{{Gambit}} from ''Franchise/XMen''. Trenchcoat, stubble, mysterious past, dubious morality, all that's missing is the occult specialty.

* Pete Wisdom from ''Comicbook/{{Excalibur}}'' (even when he wasn't being written by Warren Ellis, his creator) was always like this. He's cleaned up a bit recently, though. Given up smoking and everything. Some fans have theorised that the original character ''was'' the NinetiesAntiHero version of the character, and this is just a [[CharacterDevelopment natural progression]]. Since Excalibur deals with Marvel's mutants in England, and ''lots'' of dimension-travelling, there's no question about the supernatural elements he's had to face.

* The UrExample is, of course, John Constantine from ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'' of Creator/VertigoComics. He first appeared in ''Comicbook/SwampThing'' and spun-off into his own series some years later. (''Comicbook/SwampThing'' showed the title character and John Constantine both active in the ''Comicbook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', although Constantine had only a ''very'' small role in the actual miniseries.) Constantine was created by Creator/AlanMoore based on his idea of "creating a character who looked like Music/{{Sting}}", although Sting did not tend to wear trenchcoats or smoke (at least in public).

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Harry Dresden, private investigator and wizard, ticks every box on the list but the smoking. He technically wears a leather duster rather than a trenchcoat, but the visual effect is the same. It's also justified, because the duster is enchanted to be bulletproof, fireproof, and waterproof. His [[http://img01.spacenode.com/article/5pc_dresden-new-cover.jpg book covers]] add a NiceHat to the formula, but the actual character makes a point of [[CoversAlwaysLie not being a hat person.]] The MagnificentBastard tendencies take a while to come in, but [[Literature/BloodRites when]] [[Literature/TurnCoat they]] [[Literature/SkinGame do]]...well, suffice to say that you ''really'' don't want to hurt Harry's loved ones.

* ''ComicBook/{{Trese}}'' is a relatively rare female example: a babaylan[[note]]Indigenous Philippine spiritual leader[[/note]] who works as an OccultDetective who in fact wears a trenchcoat and has a rather moody personality, at times involved in surreal antics fitting of John Constantine. The [[WesternAnimation/Trese animated adaptation]] does the additional work of removing her signature HornedHairdo and (at least per WordOfGay) making "sapphic" much as Constatine is bisexual.

** Due to the above, Creator/GrantMorrison created Willoughby Kipling for ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol''. He also based him on Withnail from ''Film/WithnailAndI''.

* Bigby Wolf from ''ComicBook/{{Fables}}'', who wears a trenchcoat and smokes thin cigars. The actual [[TheBigBadWolf Big Bad Wolf]], Bigby nonetheless has supernatural powers in him, and he's a detective too.
** Beast is also one when he plays dress-up as Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe as he tracks down his demonic wife.
** The character Jack Horner also fits this trope. While not wearing a trenchcoat, or smoking that many cigars, or being British at all, Jack fits the bill for being the snarkiest selfish bastard in the Fables series, much akin to John Constantine. Like him, Jack also tricks gods and devils from time to time and also does some hustling conjobs along the way.

* Alucard from ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}''. The guy's a cold-hearted bastard who loves to taunt his foes, but occasionally sides with the good as an OccultDetective.
* Damien from ''Manga/{{Nightschool}}''. He doesn't have stubble, but when you can [[spoiler:stop bullets from reaching your skin, break bones, and flatten NYC ''just by thinking about it'']] then you can be a nitpicker.
* ''Anime/PhantomQuestCorp'' has U Division's Detective Karino, who's usually seen in his trencoat and PermaStubble, and he's a smoker. {{Subverted}} in that he isn't hard-boiled. Instead, he's an UnluckyEverydude who's overworked and a bit of a bumbler, but still [[LetsGetDangerous reasonably good at his job.]]
* Kiritsugu Emiya from ''LightNovel/{{FateZero}}''. He wears a grungy longcoat, smokes so much and has cold and calculating facade. Top of all that, he's also a MageKiller specializing in killing rogue mages with his own brand of magic.

* Creator/NeilGaiman also created John Constantine's ancestor for ''Comicbook/TheSandman'': Johanna Constantine. Even though she doesn't wear a trenchcoat, she's still a MagnificentBastard. It's also implied that Constantines gravitate towards this trope especially if their initials are "JC".
* ComicBook/{{Gambit}} from ''Franchise/XMen''. Trenchcoat, stubble, mysterious past, dubious morality, all that's missing is the occult specialty.
* Bigby Wolf from ComicBook/{{FABLES}}, who wears a trenchcoat and smokes thin cigars. The actual [[TheBigBadWolf Big Bad Wolf]], Bigby nonetheless has supernatural powers in him, and he's a detective too.

* Pete Wisdom from ''Comicbook/{{Excalibur}}'' (even when he wasn't being written by Warren Ellis, his creator) was always like this. He's cleaned up a bit recently, though. Given up smoking and everything. Some fans have theorised that the original character ''was'' the NinetiesAntiHero version of the character, and this is just a [[CharacterDevelopment natural progression]]. Since Excalibur deals with Marvel's mutants in England, and ''lots'' of dimension-travelling, there's no question about the supernatural elements he's had to face.
* Constance Johanssen was Warren Ellis's homage/parody of Constantine in the ''Pryde and Wisdom'' mini-series: "Constance Johanssen. Excellent occult detective. Has a habit of getting her friends killed. Two hundred at last count."

* Cal [=McDonald=] from the ''CriminalMacabre'' comics by Steven Niles isn't British, but otherwise fits this trope to a T. He even uses ghouls as informants.
* Franchise/{{Hellboy}} from Dark Horse: not only is he an {{occult detective}}, he's a trenchcoat fan and a heavy smoker.
** He first appeared on earth in Britain (though he was actually born in Hell.) He considers himself American, though.
* Marcos Bizancio from ''ComicBook/{{Bizancio}}'', is an Argentinian equivalent.
* Also Alex Bujarin from ''ComicBook/{{Bujarin}}''.

* The film version of ''Film/AloneInTheDark2005'' has a more snarky and jerky (but less life-like) Edward Carnby.

* A recent addition to the brigade is Jimmy Stark, antihero of Richard Kadrey's ''Literature/SandmanSlim''. Ragged & snarky, with a dark past and hellish powers; wearing a black silk trenchcoat with no irony, and smoking Maledictions, the cigarettes from Hell.
* [[Literature/TheDresdenFiles Harry Dresden]], private investigator and wizard, ticks every box on the list but the smoking. He technically wears a leather duster rather than a trenchcoat, but the visual effect is the same. It's also justified, because the duster is enchanted to be bulletproof, fireproof, and waterproof. His [[http://img01.spacenode.com/article/5pc_dresden-new-cover.jpg book covers]] add a NiceHat to the formula, but the actual character makes a point of [[CoversAlwaysLie not being a hat person.]] The MagnificentBastard tendencies take a while to come in, but [[Literature/BloodRites when]] [[Literature/TurnCoat they]] [[Literature/SkinGame do]]...well, suffice to say that you ''really'' don't want to hurt Harry's loved ones.

* Simon R. Green's {{Literature/Nightside}} series has John Taylor, who is basically a nicer John Constantine.
* The ''Literature/RedRoom'' series is about Derek Hawthorne, a snarky trenchcoat-wearing secret agent who deals with the supernatural. Later, he learns the bare basics of magic and becomes sort of John Constantine meets James Bond.

* Ronan O'Connor from ''Videogame/MurderedSoulSuspect''. Though he doesn't wear a coat, he still smokes and snarks like it's running out of style, even in the afterlife.
* Sissel from ''VideoGame/GhostTrick''.

* Riff of ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' fits most of the trope. His dark and troubled past working as a Hereti Corp freelancer is often brought up even today. His inventions potentially destroying all (or most) of mankind is another for which he's visibly trying to redeem himself for. Dimensional travel, hell's kittens, and time travel all rear their heads in this (supposedly) Slice of Life series. He also has a string of girlfriends he left behind. He doesn't smoke though.

** Spike really, really wants to be one of these after his HeelFaceTurn. He is, however, a bit too punkish, vibrant, and {{Adorkable}} to fulfill the grizzled coolness of the trope--though he does have the trench coat, the smoking habit, and the (albeit bleached) blond hair.

* Damien from ''Manga/{{Nightschool}}''. He doesn't have stubble, but when you can [[spoiler:''stop bullets from reaching your skin, break bones by thinking about it, and can flatten NYC'']] then you can be a nitpicker.

Members of the Trenchcoat Brigade are those characters who are strongly influenced by, inspired by, or out and out {{expy}}/copies of the character of [[ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}} John Constantine]], first introduced in 1985 by Creator/DCComics. He has all of the above characteristics, as well as being British, blond, and pretty much a loner. (The strings of loved-and-lost women -- or occasionally men -- they may take up with don't count.)

** Spike really, really wants to be one of these after his HeelFaceTurn. Unfortunately, there's a reason why BadassDecay used to be called Spikeification -- Spike never quite managed to get the requisite level of cool.
** Angel borderlines it, there have even been comments about similarities between Constantine and Angel, or possible inspiration. Angel doesn't smoke, although he did once have one as Angelus.

* ''Series/KamenRiderWizard'': The title character, Haruto, is described as modelled on a "modern-day wizard", and notably wears a black trenchcoat ''[[HenshinHero while transformed]]''. His powers come from bargaining with a "Phantom" that [[EnemyWithin awakened inside him]] after he ''almost'' crossed the DespairEventHorizon, and he protects people from [[TheHeartless fully-manifested Phantoms]] using a combination of [[RingOfPower magic rings]] (crafted for him by a local jeweller) and a gun loaded with {{Silver Bullet}}s.[[note]]Being a ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series, his gun is still {{toyetic}} in design (it [[SwissArmyWeapon turns into a sword]]!), but it has a simple silver finish reminiscent of an old-school revolver.[[/note]] Though in practice he's much LighterAndSofter than most of these characters, being a {{Badbutt}} and ShowyInvincibleHero whose snarkiness mainly manifests as [[SmugSuper smugness to his allies]].
* Castiel from ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' was influenced by Constantine's image. Though he's not British and doesn't smoke (as far as we know), he does wear a trenchcoat and is morally dubious, [[OurAngelsAreDifferent even though he's an angel]]. He was originally meant to ''be'' Constantine, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen but adding him to the show's lore was too complicated.]]

* The vampire private detective Franklin from ''Series/TrueBlood'' is introduced as one of these, but turns out to be a villainous psycho.
* Jack Harkness from ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'', an immortal, snarky, morally questionable [[TheMenInBlack Man In Black]] who is one of the few people on this page to seriously rival John Constantine for the number of his friends and allies who have ended up horribly dead or broken. (Jack's coat is dark blue wool.) He doesn't smoke, though.

* While his literary counterpart below has some aspects of this, Anton in the ''Literature/NightWatch'' films is an even better example, wearing a trenchcoat and CoolShades, and is clearly an alcoholic. Dealing with the "Others" is probably enough to turn anyone sour.

* Ginko from ''Manga/{{Mushishi}}''. The guy attracts supernatural plague called Mushi and have to deal with unfortunate people who had encountered it occasionally.

Members of the Trenchcoat Brigade are those characters who are strongly influenced by, inspired by, or out and out {{expy}}/copies of the character of [[ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}} John Constantine]], first introduced in 1985 by Creator/DCComics. He has all of the above characteristics, as well as being British, blond, and pretty much a loner. (The strings of loved-and-lost women -- [[BiTheWay or occasionally men]] -- they may take up with don't count.)

->"I heard that, Constantine."\\

-->-- '''Ambrose Bierce''' in Creator/PhilFoglio's ''ComicBook/StanleyAndHisMonster''

The most famous spitting image of an OccultDetective, many creators figure that if they give a bloke a [[BadassLongcoat trenchcoat]], a pack of [[SmokingIsCool smokes]], a [[PermaStubble five o'clock shadow]], a [[DeadpanSnarker quick wit]], [[FirstPersonSmartass hard-boiled and self-referential dialogue]] and a [[DarkAndTroubledPast dark]], [[MysteriousPast mysterious past]], they've got themselves a MagnificentBastard of an {{antihero}} that they can send out to fight [[EldritchAbomination occult foes]].

!!Examples

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

** TropeNamer "Trenchcoat Brigade" was coined in the ''Comicbook/TheBooksOfMagic'' MiniSeries by Creator/NeilGaiman. There was even a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trenchcoat_Brigade four issue Trenchcoat Brigade mini-series.]] In the minis - and in the main ''Comicbook/TheBooksOfMagic'' series - Constantine was teamed with DC characters ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger, [[OccultDetective Doctor Occult]], and Mister E; the Trenchcoat Brigade functioned as something of a mystical/magical ComicBook/JusticeLeague.

[[folder:Fan Fiction]]

[[folder:Film]]
* While his literary counterpart below has some aspects of this, Anton in the ''Literature/NightWatch'' films is an even better example, wearing a trench coat and CoolShades, and is clearly an alcoholic. Dealing with the "Others" is probably enough to turn anyone sour.

* Lindsey Davis doesn't let the fact that her Roman public informer Literature/MarcusDidiusFalco lived seventeen centuries before the invention of the trenchcoat get in the way of this trope. [[Film/TheMalteseFalcon Falco]] is often seen on investigations lurking in a dark out-of-the-way corner whilst wearing a big dark hooded cloak, often loosely fastened in front with a belt.

* Spike in ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' really, really wants to be one of these after his HeelFaceTurn. Unfortunately, there's a reason why BadassDecay used to be called Spikeification - Spike never quite managed to get the requisite level of cool.

* Being an adaptation of the UrExample and TropeNamer [[ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}} John Constantine]], of course ''Series/{{Constantine}}'' features this.

-- ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger, ''Comicbook/TheBooksOfMagic''

** TropeNamer "Trenchcoat Brigade" was coined in the ''Comicbook/TheBooksOfMagic'' MiniSeries by Creator/NeilGaiman. There was even a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trenchcoat_Brigade four issue Trenchcoat Brigade mini-series]]. In the minis - and in the main ''Comicbook/TheBooksOfMagic'' series - Constantine was teamed with DC characters ComicBook/ThePhantomStranger, [[OccultDetective Doctor Occult]], and Mister E; the Trenchcoat Brigade functioned as something of a mystical/magical ComicBook/JusticeLeague.

* Bigby Wolf from ComicBook/{{FABLES}}, who wears a trenchcoat and smokes thin cigars. The actual {{Big Bad Wolf}}, Bigby nonetheless has supernatural powers in him, and he's a detective too.