The comic adaptation of Clive Barkers classic horror movie Hellraiser was more impressive than I originally thought it was going to be. Most of the time that there is an adaptation of a movie, no matter how good the movie is, the reader is disappointed, but Boom really has a good book on their hands, both well written and illustrated.
The book starts off with the classic Hellraiser story line, someone has found the box and Pinhead and his minions have come to claim their lives with a beautifully gruesome death, which is illustrated in this book by Leonardo Manco. The story continues, focusing more on Pinhead himself as he seeks out a new experience in his life, becoming mortal. It will be interesting to see how this endeavor pans out, and how the life of Kirsty Cotton will play a role in it.
The story is written by Clive Barker himself, which is probably why the quality of the story is good as it is. It has the classic horror feel of the original films, but is painted in a light that lets it transition easily into comic format without missing a beat. The book ends with a cliffhanger that has an explanation that is almost non-existent, but gives off such an ominous feel, that the reader cant help but be intrigued.
As said before, Leonardo Manco, who is known for his work on the Vertigo series Hellblazer, illustrates the book. His art has a dark and gritty style that works perfectly for the Hellraiser franchise, and brings to life the Barkers character with ease. He does a great job preserving the feel from the movies and keeping the brutality that Hellraiser is known for.
I usually speak out against movie adaptations, but this is a rare exception. Hellraiser is a quality book, with great art and a great storyline. If you are a fan of the movie, a fan of horror, or just a fan of a good product in general, this is definitely a book to check out, books like this a few and far between.
9.5 out of 10
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