This was only a "meh" at best for me. I completely believe the cenobites are one of the most brilliant creations to come out of Barker's magnificent mind, unfortunately, I don't think they've ever truly been pushed to their horrific extreme.

I was hoping for that here. It didn't happen.

Instead, we got some behind-the-scenes manipulations that left the cenobites mostly off-stage. While I agree they can easily be overexposed by too much screen time, there's still a perfect balance there that hasn't been found yet.

Ah well.

As for the art, it wasn't bad, but I actually preferred the second artist's work in the back half of the collection. ( )

This was so good!

I think you have to watch the movies first otherwise you are going to be left in the dark about who the players are in this graphic novel.

We have Pinhead, the rest of his crew, Kristy Cotton, and of course, the box.



In this volume 1, we have a Pinhead that is bored with the sights and torture he has seen. He wants something more..he wants to be human.



We get a gruesome opening scene of a woman torn apart by Pinhead and the Cenobites, and than Pinhead being all, well I have seen all that Hell has to show me. I am ready for something more. It appears he needs someone to take his place, and than we move to Kristy Cotton who it appears is still haunted by Pinhead and what she experienced while institutionalized.

I liked the writing and the panels a lot. The panels be warned are kind of explicit. So if you have a weak stomach, I suggest skipping over this.

I don't want to get too spoilery, but Kristy seems to be on the hunt for Pinead and his friends and it looks like she has some sidekicks to help her out.

Aside: Who the heck tries to go up against some demons? Are you all crazy? FYI none of the characters doing this are black. I just want to restate that, none of the characters who are all, let's throw down on some demons are black.



I would have been out like a shot.

I will eventually go and get volume 2. Maybe in the month of October to finish off my second card! I really did like this. Gruesome as anything, but I have to say, I really do enjoy Clive Barker.
( )