Issue 17 of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser sees the hit series from Boom Studios reaching a fever pitch as the story arc builds to an epic crescendo. Hell has come to earth as Pinhead/Elliot Spencer’s plan comes to full fruition after his violent betrayl of The Harrowers. The world watches with horror as legions of the damned poor out of hell’s portal to wreak their unholy perversions upon the innocent.
This most recent chapter is really an example of the new broad scope of the book. Not only are we treated to Kirsty and other familiar faces, but the book has reached beyond the original vision of the films as the Harrowers and even Harry D’Amour work to thwart Pinhead’s ambitions of turning earth into a second home for the souls of the demented and lecherous that follow him. As Kirsty confronts her own demons and those of Spencer’s past In hopes of finding the secret to defeat him, the world’s governments prepare for the worst, enacting a last ditch effort that might be as disastrous as the ghastly consequences of Spencer’s evil war on the flesh.
As always, the writing is solid here and although the metaphysics of Kirsty and Spencer’s personal journeys might be a little too cerebral for new readers, fans of the book will nonetheless be turning the pages right up until the issue’s cliffhanger ending. My only complaint lies in some uneven artwork as the book is a little inconsistent in quality from cover to cover. That doesn ‘t stop the brisk pace though and by the end I was clamoring for the next installment. Highly Recommended.
