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Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Collected Best #1
Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Collected Best I
Neil Gaiman and Alex Ross are among the heavyweights who contributed to this landmark comicbook anthology based on the horror classic, Hellraiser, which ran from 1989 to 1993. Featuring short stories in the Hellraiser millieu written and illustrated by the leading lights in the comic book industry, this series shocked and entertained millions of comics and Clive Barker fans. Checker Book Publishing collects for the first time the best of these short stories into a single full-color trade paperback collection. A must have for Hellraiser, Clive Barker and quality comics fans
232 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 22, 2015
*This review applies to both Volume 1 & Volume 2 of 'Hellraiser: Collected Best'.
So, I absolutely LOVED the film 'Hellraiser', Clive Barker's directorial masterpiece. I also loved 'Hellraiser 2'. Then as the movie sequels went on I liked them less and less until I got downright sick of it all (didn't we all?).
But the first two movies really grabbed my attention, as did Pinhead and the 'Cenobites'. There was also lots of talk of the Lemerchand Puzzle Box and made clear that it was steeped in mystery and history. I remember really wanting to know more about this entire world that Barker had dreamed up. The horizons seemed endless.
Thankfully, the graphic short stories arrived, done by new writers and artists (with Clive Barker's blessing) who imagined their own tales of the Cenobites and Lemerchand Boxes, ranging from the crusades through to the modern day to even the distant future. Some stories are better than others, but I enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. Same goes for the artwork.
Clive Barker is a visual artist as well as a writer, and I think those that took on his work fully understood that. The visuals in these graphic novels can be haunting, and the stories are grim and frightening. All these Faustian dealings in comic book form were a real and welcome treat and a fantastic companion to the whole Hellraiser universe. If you're a fan, I can't recommend it enough!
So, I absolutely LOVED the film 'Hellraiser', Clive Barker's directorial masterpiece. I also loved 'Hellraiser 2'. Then as the movie sequels went on I liked them less and less until I got downright sick of it all (didn't we all?).
But the first two movies really grabbed my attention, as did Pinhead and the 'Cenobites'. There was also lots of talk of the Lemerchand Puzzle Box and made clear that it was steeped in mystery and history. I remember really wanting to know more about this entire world that Barker had dreamed up. The horizons seemed endless.
Thankfully, the graphic short stories arrived, done by new writers and artists (with Clive Barker's blessing) who imagined their own tales of the Cenobites and Lemerchand Boxes, ranging from the crusades through to the modern day to even the distant future. Some stories are better than others, but I enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. Same goes for the artwork.
Clive Barker is a visual artist as well as a writer, and I think those that took on his work fully understood that. The visuals in these graphic novels can be haunting, and the stories are grim and frightening. All these Faustian dealings in comic book form were a real and welcome treat and a fantastic companion to the whole Hellraiser universe. If you're a fan, I can't recommend it enough!
August 6, 2020
I was stoked and sad at the same time to find out there are hellraiser books, stoked because they were done with the approval of the master himself clive barker and sad because they are hard to get a hold of.
Since I was a teen I've been a fan of his creepy movies and its been kind of odd how good this holds up, I wasn't this disturbed in a long while. I should've expected it since its labled as horror, but this is the horror of the good kind, not just gore and guts (altho thats in there too), but psychological horror of the finest sorts.
I removed one star as the story that kicks this book off is soo good but leaves you hanging since this storyline just stops in the beginning. Even tho there are other stories that are killing it, there are some less good ones depending on the writers which makes it an inconsistent read. If you are hating art changes, don't even think about picking this book up... the changes are among the most extrem I've seen in any series.
Still a enjoyable creepy read, 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Since I was a teen I've been a fan of his creepy movies and its been kind of odd how good this holds up, I wasn't this disturbed in a long while. I should've expected it since its labled as horror, but this is the horror of the good kind, not just gore and guts (altho thats in there too), but psychological horror of the finest sorts.
I removed one star as the story that kicks this book off is soo good but leaves you hanging since this storyline just stops in the beginning. Even tho there are other stories that are killing it, there are some less good ones depending on the writers which makes it an inconsistent read. If you are hating art changes, don't even think about picking this book up... the changes are among the most extrem I've seen in any series.
Still a enjoyable creepy read, 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
January 11, 2021
I got a puzzle bug recently during the Corona and it inevitably led to a morbid remembering of the classic Clive Barker, the cube, and the idea of pain.
That's normal, right? It leads perfectly from one thing to another. :)
Of course, I'd also been thinking about picking up these old comics and doing a completionist thing in the hope that the COMIC stories must be better than all the later Hellraiser films. And they were, for the most part. They even stick with the story bible surrounding the first two films, expanding upon things and not particularly relying on the cube, itself, to tell the stories.
Obsession, pains of all types, more obsession. This is the core, after all.
The comics in this first volume are a mixed bag. Sometimes I dislike the art, but most of the time I'm meh'd by the stories. But a FEW, however, were quite delicious, pretty, and satisfying in a way that spreads its bloody wings from the original stated core. I admit I like the ones with subtlety and more gorgeous hints of Lovecraft pressed into Barker's service.
Some were just plain stupid.
Fortunately, the good far outweighed the bad. There WAS some decent creativity in here.
That's normal, right? It leads perfectly from one thing to another. :)
Of course, I'd also been thinking about picking up these old comics and doing a completionist thing in the hope that the COMIC stories must be better than all the later Hellraiser films. And they were, for the most part. They even stick with the story bible surrounding the first two films, expanding upon things and not particularly relying on the cube, itself, to tell the stories.
Obsession, pains of all types, more obsession. This is the core, after all.
The comics in this first volume are a mixed bag. Sometimes I dislike the art, but most of the time I'm meh'd by the stories. But a FEW, however, were quite delicious, pretty, and satisfying in a way that spreads its bloody wings from the original stated core. I admit I like the ones with subtlety and more gorgeous hints of Lovecraft pressed into Barker's service.
Some were just plain stupid.
Fortunately, the good far outweighed the bad. There WAS some decent creativity in here.
September 18, 2011
I did the picture of Abigor that is on the cover when I was in high school and won people's choice--and I'm still a HUGE pinhead fan so I've probably read everything in this collection but in separate places--this is one I would really love to find!
July 30, 2022
*This review applies to both Volume 1 & Volume 2 of 'Hellraiser: Collected Best'.
So, I absolutely LOVED the film 'Hellraiser', Clive Barker's directorial masterpiece. I also loved 'Hellraiser 2'. Then as the movie sequels went on I liked them less and less until I got downright sick of it all (didn't we all?).
But the first two movies really grabbed my attention, as did Pinhead and the 'Cenobites'. There was also lots of talk of the Lemerchand Puzzle Box and made clear that it was steeped in mystery and history. I remember really wanting to know more about this entire world that Barker had dreamed up. The horizons seemed endless.
Thankfully, the graphic short stories arrived, done by new writers and artists (with Clive Barker's blessing) who imagined their own tales of the Cenobites and Lemerchand Boxes, ranging from the crusades through to the modern day to even the distant future. Some stories are better than others, but I enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. Same goes for the artwork.
Clive Barker is a visual artist as well as a writer, and I think those that took on his work fully understood that. The visuals in these graphic novels can be haunting, and the stories are grim and frightening. All these Faustian dealings in comic book form were a real and welcome treat and a fantastic companion to the whole Hellraiser universe. If you're a fan, I can't recommend it enough! (less)
So, I absolutely LOVED the film 'Hellraiser', Clive Barker's directorial masterpiece. I also loved 'Hellraiser 2'. Then as the movie sequels went on I liked them less and less until I got downright sick of it all (didn't we all?).
But the first two movies really grabbed my attention, as did Pinhead and the 'Cenobites'. There was also lots of talk of the Lemerchand Puzzle Box and made clear that it was steeped in mystery and history. I remember really wanting to know more about this entire world that Barker had dreamed up. The horizons seemed endless.
Thankfully, the graphic short stories arrived, done by new writers and artists (with Clive Barker's blessing) who imagined their own tales of the Cenobites and Lemerchand Boxes, ranging from the crusades through to the modern day to even the distant future. Some stories are better than others, but I enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. Same goes for the artwork.
Clive Barker is a visual artist as well as a writer, and I think those that took on his work fully understood that. The visuals in these graphic novels can be haunting, and the stories are grim and frightening. All these Faustian dealings in comic book form were a real and welcome treat and a fantastic companion to the whole Hellraiser universe. If you're a fan, I can't recommend it enough! (less)
November 7, 2013
Like many fans of horror from the 80s, I've since had to reevaluate Clive Barker's contribution to literature, movies, and comics.
When the best he can give us is chopping people up and impaling people on meathooks, it just comes across as a collection of immature ideas and sickness.
Not to say that some of his novels weren't good. Some were (Damnation Game in particular was awe inspiring). But that Pinhead nonsense just needs to be put to pasture.
Barker likes to say that there were 9 movies of Pinhead and crew, and people keep demanding more. That's partly true, but I'm not sure if the general population has even heard of the last 7 of those movies, so I'm not sure there is a demand. There were about 2 half-decent horror movies in that bunch, and he could have retained the rights to make the rest good or shoot them down. Since that didn't happen, I'm thinking he's okay with letting any hack play with his intellectual properties so long as they pay a licensing fee.
This is an example of the trash that results when you sell your efforts for a paycheck and never look back.
It's not good comics, not good horror, it's just not good.
When the best he can give us is chopping people up and impaling people on meathooks, it just comes across as a collection of immature ideas and sickness.
Not to say that some of his novels weren't good. Some were (Damnation Game in particular was awe inspiring). But that Pinhead nonsense just needs to be put to pasture.
Barker likes to say that there were 9 movies of Pinhead and crew, and people keep demanding more. That's partly true, but I'm not sure if the general population has even heard of the last 7 of those movies, so I'm not sure there is a demand. There were about 2 half-decent horror movies in that bunch, and he could have retained the rights to make the rest good or shoot them down. Since that didn't happen, I'm thinking he's okay with letting any hack play with his intellectual properties so long as they pay a licensing fee.
This is an example of the trash that results when you sell your efforts for a paycheck and never look back.
It's not good comics, not good horror, it's just not good.
October 19, 2009
Bought it mainly because I wanted to find out more about Leviathan and the Cenobytes. Unfortunately it seemed more like Barker was trying too much to appeal to a traditional comic audience than his usual sort of audience. Artwork was generally nice though and the stories were generally enjoyable.
December 21, 2018
Got this one (and maaaybe some others that haven't come in yet) from the library because I was looking to track down the stories that, it turns out, were in the other volumes I already got. But I read this anyway, and it had a few stories that weren't in the other ones. Most of the best stuff here was probably duplication, but there was a good Scott Hampton story.
October 27, 2008
I picked this up for a Halloween reading. I borrowed it via Interlibrary Loan through my library as well. Anyhow, fans of Clive Barker and Hellraiser will definitely like this one. It is a collection of short graphic novels by a good roster of authors. I saw it included Neil Gaiman, so that was the draw for me. Since there are different artists for the stories, you get a sampling of different art styles, which I think will appeal to the more visual readers of graphic novels. I liked it, though I am not a fan of the Hellraiser series (I liked the first film ok, but I disliked the sequels, quality just went downhill it seems). However, this is much better than the films in my view.
This comic compilation is part of a series. Not sure I will seek other volumes; it would depend on whether I go on another horror reading spree or not anytime soon. On another positive note, it has made me curious, and I may seek other Clive Barker works to read. We'll see.
This comic compilation is part of a series. Not sure I will seek other volumes; it would depend on whether I go on another horror reading spree or not anytime soon. On another positive note, it has made me curious, and I may seek other Clive Barker works to read. We'll see.
June 17, 2022
Wow... just wow... is what another reviewer said on here who loved it. I had the same reaction, but with a very different tone. To be fair, there are a few decent or okay stories in here, but the bulk of the book is... not good. I was most surprised by The Harrowing which is written by Barker and illustrated by Alex Ross. Even though it's the second story listed, I saved it till the end which was unfortunate. It's nice to know the future of horror (Stephen King quote from the 80s) thinks horror comes in the shape of an egg. I couldn't believe that this story is basically a current MCU project - a bunch of random people get superpowers... but since it's Hellraiser, they get to fight demons... and win! One person spits and it pains the demons. She also bleeds (a la Alien) and it harms them. Huh? It's so bad. And Ross, whose art I normally enjoy, does no service to the story. At times I couldn't tell what was happening (during important action scenes) and other times he has characters with looks of horror that are so exaggerated, they look comical.
A few other stories kind of meander or go nowhere or are disappointing, but there were a few I enjoyed enough to prevent me from giving this the one star review it really deserves. The real torture was getting through this book.
A few other stories kind of meander or go nowhere or are disappointing, but there were a few I enjoyed enough to prevent me from giving this the one star review it really deserves. The real torture was getting through this book.
June 6, 2023
The first and best volume of the Hellraiser comics; after this, things quickly derailed and turned really dumb. This one contains a lot of good, thoughtful and quite horrific stories, my favourite probably being "For My Son", which is about a refugee father who hides away from the authorities, trying to keep himself and his only son alive from day to day. Perhaps not a mandatory read, but don't hesitate to pick it up if you stumble upon it, particularly if you're fond of Hellraiser and would like new perspectives on the setting. This one offers such from authors who actually know how to tell stories, as compared to the undeserving clowns who have for far too long held the license to make movies.
January 24, 2023
Hellraiser de Clive Barker es una novela de terror de culto que explora la oscuridad y la sed de venganza que existe en el corazón humano. La novela está llena de personajes misteriosos, escenas de terror y una trama profunda y desgarradora. La historia es contada con una voz narrativa única que cautiva al lector desde el principio. Barker escribe con una habilidad increíble y una sensibilidad que hace que el lector se sienta parte de la trama.
August 30, 2023
This is CRAZY. Like a supergroup that’s actually good and not a tremendous disappointment. Dave McKean, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Alex Ross, Colleen Doran and Clive Barker (and many more!!!) write and illustrate some of the best self contained stories in the Hellraiser universe. Cool new cenobites, freaky little battles between pleasure and pain - it’s all there baby!!!!
“Wordsworth” is my favourite in the collection. This collection is a an absolute must for any Hellraiser/Clive Barker fan.
“Wordsworth” is my favourite in the collection. This collection is a an absolute must for any Hellraiser/Clive Barker fan.
January 6, 2024
I really enjoyed how the individual authors and artists depicted what the leviathan was to them. The varying forms of obsession and puzzle-solving that the characters were faced with was really interesting. With that said, some stories and art were not as good as others, but overall there was something I could say I liked about each of the stories. Time to rewatch some of the movies now!
September 23, 2019
A great variety of approaches to Hellraiser lore. I was very pleased how close we get to many of the characters. Phenomenal, intricate art.
April 22, 2021
Wow! Just...WOW!!!
May 20, 2021
One of the worst pieces I've read in a while, complete waste of time
January 27, 2024
Masterpiece
July 2, 2024
I too would cut the arms off a demon if they tried to harm my cat
September 26, 2024
I wish Neil Gaiman wasn't part of this 🙏
August 11, 2025
'she thought she had seen it all when she met evil man. little did she know super mega evil man was right behind her'
September 6, 2017
I love Barker's novels, and the expansion of the hellraiser world is always welcome, as long as its done well, and in the spirit of the original.
this is one of the best collections out there, gathering some of the best writers to play in the shadows of barkers hellish landscape.
this is one of the best collections out there, gathering some of the best writers to play in the shadows of barkers hellish landscape.
July 20, 2015
An interesting collection of material from the 1990s' Clive Barker's Hellraiser anthology title, featuring 11 stories, out of which one is a double length (as in two issues) one.
Apart from the double length story, "The Harrowing", on which Barker has a story credit, this volume is all about a variety of writers and artists interpreting Barker's Hellraiser mythos in different ways. The stories vary in quality, but highlights include "Dead Things Rot", written by D. G. Chichester and co-plotted and drawn by Mike Mignola (one of the most genuinely horrifying Mignola pieces I have come across); "Dear Diary", written by Sholly Fisch and illustrated by Colleen Doran; "Like Flies to Wanton Boys", written by Bunny Hampton-Mack with art by Scott Hampton; "The Girl in the Peephole", written by Del Stone Jr. And drawn by Arc Hempel; and finally the Gaiman / McKean collaboration "Wordsworth" on the very nature of obsession.
Some of these stories wrap themselves in the big dramatic cloth of the mythology, e.g. "The Harrowing" and "Dead Things Rot", whereas others, like "Wordsworth", work more intrinsically with the inherent themes of it rather than its paraphernalia.
Definitely worth reading if you are a fan of Barker's mythos, and if you are not already you may want to check out the film Hellraiser, or better yet, the novella it was based upon: The Hellbound Heart.
Apart from the double length story, "The Harrowing", on which Barker has a story credit, this volume is all about a variety of writers and artists interpreting Barker's Hellraiser mythos in different ways. The stories vary in quality, but highlights include "Dead Things Rot", written by D. G. Chichester and co-plotted and drawn by Mike Mignola (one of the most genuinely horrifying Mignola pieces I have come across); "Dear Diary", written by Sholly Fisch and illustrated by Colleen Doran; "Like Flies to Wanton Boys", written by Bunny Hampton-Mack with art by Scott Hampton; "The Girl in the Peephole", written by Del Stone Jr. And drawn by Arc Hempel; and finally the Gaiman / McKean collaboration "Wordsworth" on the very nature of obsession.
Some of these stories wrap themselves in the big dramatic cloth of the mythology, e.g. "The Harrowing" and "Dead Things Rot", whereas others, like "Wordsworth", work more intrinsically with the inherent themes of it rather than its paraphernalia.
Definitely worth reading if you are a fan of Barker's mythos, and if you are not already you may want to check out the film Hellraiser, or better yet, the novella it was based upon: The Hellbound Heart.
January 3, 2013
This one was... wow. Snagged it at Frugal Muse when I was selling books. Waffled on it. Glad I got it. But it had stories by Neil Gaiman and Mike Mignola... so yeah.
Of course, the themes are very adult, and some of them are stomach turning (there is one serial killer story, one pedophilia story, and a WHOLE lot of nauseatingly inventive cenobite / hell tortures.) The art is very visceral and disturbingly dark. (Frankly, being the horror-hound I am, I'm almost delighted when I end up with such an acute reaction to two-dimensional art. I had to say to myself 'ok, that's enough of THAT for tonight. Gonna give myself nightmares.' several times.)
Of course, the story that Neil Gaiman did "Wordsworth" was with Dave McKean. I liked that it was about language and 'words.' But... ultimately, it's kinda forgettable.
Mike Mignola's contribution was the art for "Dead Things Rot" by G.G. Chichester. THAT one was one of my favorites. Mainly for the art, but the story stands up.
One of the problems with the collection is that a few of the stories are kinda dated. (Early 1990s) and they just don't stand up well. Hard to put my finger on it, but they lack a certain timelessness in either the art or subject matter.
But overall, damn worth the time and effort.
Of course, the themes are very adult, and some of them are stomach turning (there is one serial killer story, one pedophilia story, and a WHOLE lot of nauseatingly inventive cenobite / hell tortures.) The art is very visceral and disturbingly dark. (Frankly, being the horror-hound I am, I'm almost delighted when I end up with such an acute reaction to two-dimensional art. I had to say to myself 'ok, that's enough of THAT for tonight. Gonna give myself nightmares.' several times.)
Of course, the story that Neil Gaiman did "Wordsworth" was with Dave McKean. I liked that it was about language and 'words.' But... ultimately, it's kinda forgettable.
Mike Mignola's contribution was the art for "Dead Things Rot" by G.G. Chichester. THAT one was one of my favorites. Mainly for the art, but the story stands up.
One of the problems with the collection is that a few of the stories are kinda dated. (Early 1990s) and they just don't stand up well. Hard to put my finger on it, but they lack a certain timelessness in either the art or subject matter.
But overall, damn worth the time and effort.
August 26, 2015
I love a good horror book that is nothing like anything else and is not easily guessable. Hellraiser was a good read and Clive Barker at his best with the interesting characters that come alive to scare the crap out of you! I wouldn't want to run into any of them in the dark!
And by the way...the movie was good when it first came out, but doesn't do the book any justice! Don't bother watching it now because being 2015, the special effects are so outdated that the scariness is completely lost.
And by the way...the movie was good when it first came out, but doesn't do the book any justice! Don't bother watching it now because being 2015, the special effects are so outdated that the scariness is completely lost.
February 23, 2015
This would have rated a 5 for me but the way that each individual short story was seperated and mixed together confused me slightly until about half way through the book but all in all I loved the stories, and the art when available was awesomely drawn.
November 3, 2012
I've read all three volumes of Hellraiser: Collected Best, and they're all great, if you're into that morbid mythology that is....
May 8, 2013
Awesome!
May 19, 2014
2.5: A collection of different authors/artists will provide varying quality. I enjoyed the ones involving the Harrowers the most, but there are other gems in there as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews