Connect with us

News

Review: ‘Clive Barker’s Hellraiser’ Comic is the Third Installment Fans Deserve

Published

on

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser brings the master of the Stygian lore back to his dark roots to explore the demonic mythos that made him legendary. And how very fitting, dear reader, that we – after celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the original film – now dare to unlock further revelations into this hellish saga and explore deeper into the undiscovered depths of the Carnal House of Pain.

Hell awaits us in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser

 

Image via Comics Alliance

The dimension of horror is no stranger to the searing visions of Clive Barker’s resplendent imagination. When we think of his work we typically get a visceral display of crimson images. Torn flesh strung wetly across dripping chains. Long passages leading to perpetual depths of yet-to-be discovered agony. And standing in the sickening glow of sweet decay are the misshapen visages of graceful beings disfigured beyond recognition but ripe with repulsive elegance. This is a peek into Hellraiser, Clive Barker’s most successful contribution to horror

 

Image via popmatters

 

After its initial success the little independent project became a franchise that’s spawned a throng of sequels, many of which I’ve seen, but admittedly they all get lost in each other. Mainly because their stories are embarrassingly too similar. With very little distinction, the Hellraiser franchise became all about – “oh no! We’ve found the Box! Oh no! We’ve opened it! Oh no! Pinhead! Oh fuck, now I’m dead” and that was as deep as it got.

 

Lacking in each succeeding film – from Hell on Earth onward – was the primal philosophies introduced to audiences by Clive Barker. Those being – the terrors of the flesh, and the price of carnal demands. Pinhead was gradually degraded into another slasher villain, rather than the Hell Priest who looked on with dull indifference to the fetid affairs of Mr. and Mrs. Everyday Man. It was a far cry from the original inspiration, and was not the vision Clive Barker had in store for his obsidian creation.

 

Image via In The Mouth of Dorkness

 

Clive Barker’s idea for the third-film installment was expected to take a grand departure from the franchise we already knew.

 

Image via Wicked Horror

 

The third segment of the trilogy would have taken us back into the ancient past. To the times of mystic Egypt. In Clive Barker’s Hellraiser III we would have been introduced to the first Cenobite, the mighty Pharaoh, a man obsessed with the secrets of the dead and seeking the key to immortality. In that movie-that-never-was the first Lament Configuration would have been the great pyramid itself. Its entire structure being a magnanimous construction of the Occult, making it a conduit of enormous supernatural energy. Enough energy to split open the fabric of reality and pry open the forbidden lairs of the Underworld.

 

Image via flickering myth

 

The scale of such imagination for a horror film is titanic, as would have been its undertaking. In a perfect world Clive Barker would have been given a budget befitting to Lord of the Rings and this movie would have happened. No doubt going on to be a master-class horror trilogy worthy of the name Hellraiser.

 

We do not live in a perfect world though. What we were given instead was Hell on Earth, a decent enough slasher, but nowhere near the depth of Barker’s genesis concepts. What then followed was Pinhead in space and a myriad of sequels that lost both fans and respect for the original lore along the way.

 

Image via Art Abyss

 

The fans deserved far better, and Clive Barker knew this. That’s why he treated us to Clive Barker’s Hellraiser, the continuation of Kirsty Cotton’s battle against the pale denizens of the Labyrinth. And the true third installment to the trilogy according to many.

 

Image via comixology

 

This time around Kirsty – together with Tiffany (survivor of Hellbound) – has formed a group known as The Harrowers, an esoteric team dedicated to ridding the world of the Lament Configuration and all of its many differing forms. That in itself is one of the many incredible insights this comic series offers us. The Lament Configuration is not limited to the box alone, but has several different incarnations, each one opening a new door to an altered dimension in the many levels of Hell.

 

Image via popmatters

 

Yet Kirsty is not the only one with followers. The Hell Priest has disciples of his own on Earth. Lost souls locked away inside the decaying husk of humanity, desperate and eager to gain the favors of Hell and serve its masters by shedding as many liters of innocent blood the Beast may require. If you’re wanting gore, look no further. This comic delivers.

 

Image via popmatters

 

This story also continues the peculiar dynamic between Kirsty Cotton and the Hell Priest which was established in the original two films. Overall this comic-book run genuinely feels like a more fitting third installment to the dark saga we’ve always wanted. It ties the beautiful cord between both Kirsty and Pinhead, entwining their bizarre connection even tighter.

 

Image via wall.alphacoders

 

If you’re a Hellraiser fan or if you love horror comics Clive Barker’s Hellraiser is a must read. This has been Manic Exorcism, and once again thank you for joining me in Hell

To preorder your copy of the upcoming Clive Barker’s Hellraiser Omnibus be sure to click here. You won’t regret it.

Or – if you have a little Manic in you too – you can visit your local comic book stores and collect each of the individual comic issues just like I did. The stunning cover art alone is worth the price.

 

 

 

 

 

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

Published

on

Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

Published

on

Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

Published

on

the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title