Hellraiser is Back!
Because you demanded it (or at least I did), Clive Barker returns to Hellraiser in a new ongoing series!
The Good
Pinhead, the Female and Chatterer are back. Things begin with that box, you know the one. What happens when someone opens it? If you're concerned this book will shy away from the gruesomeness you would expect from Hellraiser, have no fear...unless you have fear of blood and wasted flesh. Remember in the second movie when we got to see where the Cenobites reside? That's here too. Have you ever wondered if Pinhead answers to a being higher than himself? What's the deal with the Leviathan? Man oh man, is it good to be back into this world.
As I was reading the issue, there was one thing I wasn't sure if I wanted to see. I won't mention what (or who). The inclusion of this will be recognizable to Hellraiser fans. Part of me isn't sure if it should be here or if we should see something new but the other part of me was more than happy.
You might wonder what a Hellraiser comic will be like? Are we going to just get person after person fiddling around with the Lament Configuration until they open it, inviting the Cenobites to come and destroy their existence? That is definitely not the case. There is a bit of a turn here that could have a big effect on the franchise.
The art by Leonardo Manco fits the story perfectly. Along with Charlie Kirchoff's colors, we get a great presentation that surpasses the usual mundane attempt at adapting movies or television and capturing the likenesses of the characters involved.
Besides the main story (with an ending that will make fans want to come back for the next issue), there's also a 16 page preview of Hellraiser Masterpieces.
The Bad
The Hellraiser Masterpiece preview just didn't compare to the main story. I don't want to think it's just because Clive Barker wrote the new story. Then again, maybe it is. The second story just didn't feel it mattered as much as the main one. Larry Wachowski succeeds in telling the story he set out to but it just felt like something was missing. The art was okay but didn't amaze me as much as Manco's did. But this was just a preview for Hellraiser Masterpieces which will be in stores "soon."The Verdict
If you've ever seen a Hellraiser movie (and enjoyed them), you will want to check this out. Whether it's because Clive Barker, who created the concept, co-wrote the main story or whether it's also because the art and color manage to fully capture and create the proper mood for the story, you will want to see what this is about. Horror comics don't always work. They usually come across as too two-dimensional with no payoff. Here you can get a strong feel for the characters as they were intended for the big screen. We don't simply have a comic based on a successful franchise attempting to tell bloody stories filled with shock value. There is a progression in moving the story further along. Pinhead isn't just here to do his duty. We find out a little more as to what motivates him and what he might want. From the first page I started thinking how long could he do what he does. That and more will be addressed. New readers should be able to pick up on what's going on as well. If you're looking for a horror comic with an actual story and great art, this is where to look. Oh, and this isn't one for the kids.Here's the preview from BOOM!
