‘Paul’s the resident Hellraiser expert.’ – Clive Barker, author of The Hellbound Heart and director of Hellraiser.
‘The world’s leading expert on the Hellraiser films and their mythology.’ – Peter Atkins, scriptwriter of Hellraisers II-IV.
‘It would be, perhaps, facile of me to say that he has such sights to show you, but the simple fact is, he has…’ – Doug Bradley, the actor who portrays Pinhead.
Publications
Published by McFarland, hardback. ISBN: 0-7864-2752-3
The critically acclaimed and British Fantasy Award-Nominated book following the production and examining the themes of all the Hellraiser films, plus the comics series and beyond. With rare and unseen photographs and original Cenobite sketches by Clive Barker.
Praise for the publication:
‘A significant piece of work and certainly the best sustained piece on the movie that anybody’s yet done. Paul not only contextualises from fellow-travellers both literary and cinematic, he reads the frame. He’s also particularly good on the elektra-complex underpinnings of the Larry-Kirsty relationship. ’
( Peter Atkins)
‘ Paul Kane has chosen to follow in the great man’s (Clive Barker’s) footsteps: to reach down into the reeking heart of this mythology and see what he comes up with. I’ll leave it to you to find out exactly what that might be, but I can assure you that he has left few, if any, stones unturned in his pursuit.’
( Doug Bradley)
‘There’s pleasure without pain in this groundbreaking look at the Hellraiser franchise…To say Kane delivers the ultimate guide to Hellraiser is an understatement. He absolutely nails it.’
(Five Star Review in Total Film Magazine)
‘Like the Lament Configuration (the intricate puzzle box at the centre of the Hellraiser films), Paul Kane’s book unlocks the series’ multitude of facets. Kane’s prose is refreshingly free of the sneering-down-the-nose that often emerges when “serious” film scholars discuss genre material. It’s clear he knows and loves his subject, even approaching the lesser entries with passion and enthusiasm…This is an intelligent and detailed study of a series that continues to fascinate and disturb in equal measure.’
(Rue Morgue Magazine)
‘The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy by Paul Kane takes its subject seriously and works through a surprising number of thoughtful ideas, from horror’s fascination with all things medical to the recurring voyeuristic tropes in Clive Barker’s work. There’s no reason why a study of B-movies shouldn’t reveal as much as any volume on the great directors, and this is a definitely well-researched fan volume about a film series made for fans.’
(Independent on Sunday New Review magazine)
‘This book from respected freelance writer, author and tutor Paul Kane takes a step back and examines every aspect of the Hellraiser film franchise… I couldn’t fault this publication. I tried to find something wrong or amiss, but totally failed… Kane should be championed for never digressing or sounding too much like an awestruck fanboy. He keeps his prose educational, entertaining and honest…In his foreword, Pinhead actor Doug Bradley states that Paul Kane has such sights to show. Never has a truer word been said, as this is probably the final word on the movie series.’
(The Dark Side Magazine)
‘Paul Kane takes us on a geek’s wet dream of a tour through Hell…Diehard Hellraiser Heads NEED this book. No excuses, you MUST own it!’
(Five Star Review on Joe Horror Website)
‘While the book is clearly a must for fans of the series, it’s actually quite readable even if you’re neither hot nor cold on the films. The parts I found most interesting were those which wander tangentially to the myth of Orpheus and into Judeo-Christian beliefs concerning Hell and The Devil…Kane contends that Barker’s version of Hell breaks with these traditions and is, in fact, entirely original. Conversely, diehard fans will prefer sections in which Kane covers all eight films.’
(Video Watchdog)
‘Kane’s writing style is easygoing and the book is packed with information and critique on the films…This seems to be the first book to look at the films in a developmental and critical light, the fact that it’s well-researched and detailed is most welcome.’
(Shivers Magazine)
‘Paul Kane has pulled out all the stops in creating this insightful love-letter to the Hellraiser movies… a must for any Hellraiser fan’s bookshelf - keep it next to your puzzle box at all times!’
(Frazer Lee, director of On Edge and Red Lines)
‘Paul Kane’s The Hellraiser Films and their Legacy is more than just a book about the eight Hellraiser movies and their spin-offs. It is an in-depth collection of the history, production, detailed cast listings, psychological and social ramifications of the Children of Leviathan and how they relate to popular culture. Suffice to say The Hellraiser Films and their Legacy is the perfect compendium for any fan of the series. Open this one up and see what pleasures await.’
(SFSite.com)
‘Paul Kane explores all aspects of the films, their mythology, their effectiveness as films, some of the history of the creation of the story and the effects in the movies, and the levels of symbolism that the casual viewer probably would not notice.…Fans of the movies might find entire new levels of meaning here.’
(Critical Mass)
‘Author Kane has definitely done his homework here, digging up a lot of material about the series…There’s plenty of interviews and quotes from people involved throughout the movies. These are not only new quotes, but taken from interviews at the time the films were being made. Gives a nice perspective from then and now…Die-hard Hellraiser fans, you will enjoy this book!’
(Kitley’s Krypt)
‘This book does not just cover the thought process and behind-the-scenes of Hellraiser, but it also takes a deep dive into Clive Barker’s life, and how each of his previous projects and works led to Hellraiser’s birth. A movie that piqued my interest in writing horror and also encouraged my exploration of writing body horror… This is a fascinating read. As a fan of Clive Barker I knew some things about the films and The Hellbound Heart, but Kane takes an amazing psychological approach to this, sharing thoughts on the make-up of the characters, their relationships, and how the story’s visuals made it a cult classic. Kane doesn’t just focus on Hellraiser though, he also focuses on the external influences that led to Hellraiser’s rise to success. With an immense overview of the Cenobites’ construction and concept art that would make any horror fan drool, Kane shares his expert opinion and also shares with the reader the complex research he did to find answers for fans of the franchise. Plus, we get some unique viewpoints and first-hand accounts from the cast and crew involved, from make-up artist Bob Keen about creating the look for the Cenobites to Doug Bradley’s experiences on set as well as during production. All make for an engrossing read, as we traverse the darkness and become one with Leviathan, journeying through each film and projects linked to Hellraiser.
This profound dissection of each film and how each one contributes to the world-building style of Barker gives the fans and lovers of the series everything they could want in terms of creation, visuals, and the decisions made behind each part, crossing through time to modern-day literature and film where we see how it still holds massive sway over how horror has evolved and changed through the ages. But it is not just fascinating from a fan standpoint, it is also invaluable research material. You learn so much about the process of writing, storyline creation, character design, and all the other aspects of making a good story, one that sticks with an audience. For a writer, it shows the breakdown of creating a series and keeping a strong relationship with readers. From a film standpoint, it gives a bird’s-eye view of making a story into a movie and brings it to life visually from paper to the big screen, the difference between creating your work and then producing and directing it. Incorporating everything that shows deep love and respect for the author and his work, Paul Kane also shows dedication as he showcases his collaborations to match the same amazing creative energy. Honestly, I adored this book and every chapter as I traced Clive Barker’s journey. It encourages writers of horror and shares important history with the fans.’
(Nat Whiston, Phantasmagoria)
Available to buy from
The Independent Books Direct
(10% discount)
Plus at The Good Book Guide, here
And you can read news and interviews about the publication here, here, and here.
Above: Author Paul Kane (left) with Michael Marshall Smith and Doug Bradley at the book’s launch, at Ye Olde Cock Tavern, December 2006. Also in attendance were Nick Vince (Chatterer), Barbie Wilde (Female Cenobite from Hellbound), Stephen Jones (unit publicist on Hellraisers I-III) and Phil and Sarah Stokes who run Clive Barker’s Revelations site. For more pictures click here.
Cinema Macabre edited by Mark Morris, published by PS Publishing in hardback and the British Fantasy Society in paperback. Featuring critical essays on favourite horror movies from the likes of Neil (Stardust) Gaiman, Simon (Shaun of the Dead) Pegg, Mark (Dr Who, Jekyll ) Gatiss, Jeremy (League of Gentleman) Dyson, Douglas E. (The Dark Fantastic) Winter, Kim (Anno Dracula) Newman, Stephen Jones, Peter Atkins and more. For full list of contributors and films click here. Originally introduced by Jonathan Ross, paperback introduced by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane. Nominated for a Bram Stoker Award and winner of the British Fantasy Award.
Includes Paul’s Essay on Hellraiser.
FantasyCon 2006 Booklet celebrating Clive Barker as on of the Guests of Honour. Includes an original Barker painting on cover, with design by Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan, a Clive Barker Bibliography, Filmography and interview conducted by Paul, plus extract from Abarat Book 2.
Pocket Books(Simon & Schuster), co-edited with Marie O’Regan. Cover artwork by Clive Barker (‘Vestimenti’ Cenobite). September 2009, $16.00/£10.76
ISBN-10: 1439140901 ISBN-13:978-1439140901
Featuring: ‘Foreword’ by Clive Barker; ‘Introduction: Raising Hell, Again’ by Stephen Jones; ‘ Prisoners of the Inferno’ by Peter Atkins; ‘ The Cold’ by Conrad Williams; ‘ The Confessor’s Tale’ by Sarah Pinborough; ‘ Hellbound Hollywood’ by Mick Garris; ‘ Mechanisms’ by Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola (illustrated by Mike Mignola); ‘ Every Wrong Turn’ by Tim Lebbon; ‘ The Collector’ by Kelley Armstrong; ‘ Bulimia’ by Richard Christian Matheson; ‘ Orfeo the Damned’ by Nancy Holder; ‘ Our Lord of Quarters’ by Simon Clark; ‘ Wordsworth’ graphic insert by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean; ‘ A Little Piece of Hell’ by Steve Niles; ‘ The Dark Materials Project’ by Sarah Langan; ‘ Demon’s Design’ by Nicholas Vince; ‘ Only The Blind Survive’ by Yvonne Navarro; ‘ Mother’s Ruin’ by Mark Morris; ‘ Sister Cilice’ by Barbie Wilde; ‘ Santos del Infierno’ by Jeffrey J. Mariotte; ‘ The Promise’ by Nancy Kilpatrick; ‘ However…’ by Gary A. Braunbeck and Lucy A. Snyder; ‘ Tis Pity He’s Ashore’ by Chaz Brenchley; ‘Afterword’ by Doug Bradley; ‘Special Bonus Material: Wordsworth Graphic Short Story Original Script’ by Neil Gaiman.
‘Kudos MUST go to Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan who have pulled out of the bag a magnificent clutch of tales and have managed to coax from the authors many rich, dark and some truly frightening stories that have added a new and complex light to an already vastly complex universe. It’s a great read and I hope that Pocket Books, the publishers, commission a second volume soon. 9.5/10.’
(Johnny Mains, All Things Horror)
Buy this book here, here or here.
Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell
First published by Solaris Books in the UK, July 2016. Mass Market Paperback, £7.99. ISBN: 978-1-781084-54-0
‘If you’re a Holmes and Watson fan, you’ll love this book. If you’re an admirer of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser mythology of labyrinths, Cenobites and the exploration of the ultimate in sensual suffering, you’ll also love this book. If you like vivid, imaginative and muscular writing, then, hell, you’ll adore this book.’
(From the Introduction by Barbie Wilde – Female Cenobite from Hellbound: Hellraiser II and author of The Venus Complex and Voices of the Damned)
‘The prologue takes us right into the thick of the box-opening action. We’re sitting in that circle, surrounded by filth, obsessing over the box and how it could be opened, when… ahhhh, but that would be a spoiler, wouldn’t it? This 90,000-worder (approximately) opens with the words of Dr Watson, who is chronicling (apparently for his own purposes) how he met Holmes and touching on some of their adventures together… I suspect Paul Kane will have spent considerable time ensuring his references are as accurate as possible. As a Holmes fan himself, he is doubtless hoping to please the armchair sleuths who are likely to pick this up and accept it for what it is, a believable Sherlock Holmes tale…
A perfectly plausible storyline follows, as Watson goes on to discuss how, after his feigned death, Holmes went travelling, and how, since Moriarty’s demise, Holmes was lacking a challenge. It’s not a great leap of intuition to put the two things together and wonder how Holmes might have sought some excitement (and danger) to keep him away from his self-destructive habits of choice. I really enjoyed the tie-ins to the Cotton family and the address on Lodovico street, which Hellraiser fans will recognise… While the first names of the major characters echo closely the characters in Hellraiser, they are clearly some predecessors from a previous era, lending a kind of alternate universe feel to a fairly familiar tale. This is a skill that Kane has mastered through various retellings of faerie tales such as his treatment in modernising Red Riding Hood in RED and Blood RED… The parallels with the established Hellraiser mythos continue, and of course are augmented by the addition of Holmes and familiar characters from other well-known sources… But I won’t spoil it here. Suffice to say, whether you’re a fan of the first two movies, or Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Heart novella, or Paul Kane’s Hellbound Hearts anthology of short stories, or the Sherlock Holmes adventures, you’re in for a treat and I doubt if any but the most die-hard purist fan will have any qualms over Kane’s treatment of these subjects that he knows and loves so well…’
(Dread Central 5 star review)
Buy Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell here.
Hellraisers: Brand New Interviews with the Creators of the Hellraiser Mythology
Published by Avalard, 2018
‘Hellraisers by Paul Kane was published in 2018 and is an accompaniment to The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy from 2006. It is one of the most extensive recollections of accounts you will find for the series, comprising of interviews with the creators and the cast, and rare artwork and photographs from private collections. We open with an introduction on how the book started to take shape, leading the reader straight to the “Hellbound Heart” of the source: its creator Clive Barker and how his nightmarish dreams took to the stage. Barker provides an in-depth explanation into everything that encompasses the mythology of Hellraiser and where his inspirations are drawn from, describing the Cenobites as the Priests from Hell! It’s an extremely fascinating read of its progression. This brings us to Doug Bradley – who played the Lead Cenobite “Pinhead” – and where we are treated to a three-part interview that is spread out over the book. The list of people interviewed is phenomenal, and the connection Kane makes with every creative person genuinely stands out. You are taken right back to the start of the Hellraiser films with Ashley Laurence, who played Kirsty Cotton, and how she found working with the amazing Clare Higgins as Julia Cotton, and Andrew Robinson as Larry Cotton. This takes us to a gripping interview with Higgins herself, concerning her involvement in Hellraiser and how the script, upon first impressions, terrified the living daylights out of her!
Next is Nicholas Vince, known as the Chatterer Cenobite in the first two Hellraiser films, and this is where we learn about the thought processes behind the creation of one of the most unsettling Cenobites, which takes the reader then to Bob Keen who did the effects for the first three Hellraiser films. What draws you into this unique set of interviews is how multi-talented everybody is, how their connections to Hellraiser came about, their enthusiasm, and how highly they speak of Clive Barker. You have the exceptional actor, writer and director Simon Bamford, who made the “Butterball” Cenobite his own with the framed iconic sunglasses, and Peter Atkins who wrote the screenplay for Hellbound: Hellraiser II (and the third and fourth entries in the series), created the god Leviathan, and so much more! Other significant interviews include the composer Christopher Young, director Tony Randel, Barbie Wilde who played the Female Cenobite, actor Kenneth Cranham about his double role as Doctor Channard and the Cenobite version of him, Anthony Hickox, Ken Carpenter, Kevin Yagher and Gary J. Tunnicliffe. There is a real feel for the time and how ground-breaking it was. The subject matter ranges from questions of sexuality, the advancement of technology, and how horror as a genre evolved into the modern world. Many of the interviewees explain about their achievements with the Hellraiser series, but also the tribulations they faced behind the scenes. There are plenty of hidden rumours uncovered and gems for the fans to sink their pins into. This book is an anatomy of references, enticing you further with links to websites, other books, films and merchandise to fulfil to your Cenobitic amusement.’
(Sarah Graven Weir, Phantasmagoria)
You can buy the ebook of Hellraisershere.
The Hellbound Heart: Full Cast Audio Adaptation.
Bafflegab, 2018.
ALICE LOWE as Kirsty
TOM MEETEN as Frank and Rory Cotton
NEVE MCINTOSH as Julia
EVIE DAWNAY as Cenobite 1/Amy
CHRIS PAVLO as Kircher/Cenobite 2
NICHOLAS VINCE as Businessman/Cenobite 4
SCOTT BROOKSBANK as Cenobite 3/Sykes/Doctor
LISA BOWERMAN as Susan/Nurse
Written by CLIVE BARKER
Adapted by PAUL KANE
Produced and directed by SIMON BARNARD
Sound design by SIMON ROBINSON
Music by EDWIN SYKES
Artwork by MATTHEW DOW SMITH
Design by MATT BRIGHT
Recorded at MOAT STUDIOS, London
‘As the first-ever full-cast audio adaptation of Clive Barker’s novella, which was translated to the big screen as the original Hellraiser movie, Bafflegab’s drama has to confront the “inevitable comparison” that will be made with Barker’s own big screen version. With its fresh but authentic take on the source material, Bafflegab rises to the challenge with admirable self-confidence and conviction. The visuals, icons, characters and voices of the 1987 Hellraiser film are so ingrained in collective genre consciousness that “taking a different approach” to bringing the story to life could be seen as highly risky. But while, for the most part, Paul Kane’s adaptation stays faithful to the novella’s narrative, both the script and the audio realisation are determined to be neither a pastiche of, nor a homage to, the franchise’s first film.
Central to Kane’s drama is the different life experience of two brothers. Rory has chosen the settled and staid life of work and marriage, a normality he is comfortable with. Frank has embraced the reckless pursuit of carnal pleasures and of indulgence and excess, always wanting to push things to new extremes. After Frank brokers a deal with the hellish Cenobites, the punishment is cruel and overwhelming. When the brothers inherit their parents’ home, fiancé Julia finds her world torn apart as a blood spill revives Frank’s atrophied remains.
Bafflegab has assembled a uniformly strong cast. Neve McIntosh channels the venal selfishness and moral torpor of Julia, but finds her more human side too; Tom Meeten is doubly fantastic, as both the risk-averse everyman Rory (arguably the hardest role of the piece); and as the seductive and merciless Frank; while Alice Lowe brings the right mix of naivety and toughness to the role of Kirsty. The distinctive sounds of the Cenobites do take some adjusting to. Evie Dawnay’s vocalisation highlights their chilling and ruthless nature over out-and-out horror. But the creatures’ unwavering certainty works in the context of this version. Sound design is top notch throughout, with Frank’s reanimation, the visceral hands-on killings, and the sticky, nasty couplings all invested with just the right kind of disturbing squelches, rips and thwacks. As events darken, there are several full-on gruesome turns; and with its brutal depictions of violence, sexual scenes, gory themes and “coarse” language, The Hellbound Heart is unashamedly for adults’ ears only. This is a very impressive audio presentation that more than does justice to Barker’s vision, imagining just where “desire” that breaches the limits of reason and moral constraint might lead.’
(Starburst Magazine)
Buy The Hellbound Heart here.
‘The Scribe Configuration’ designed by Paul Kane, art by Mark Buckle. Produced by The Pyramid Gallery – find the page for it here.
‘The Servants Configuration’ by Derek Neal (ConfigurationBoxes.com)
Leviathan Documentary – Dead Mouse Productions, 2015. Including a special Featurette Interview with Paul Kane.
Leviathan: The Book – Dead Mouse Productions, 2017. Including an Afterword by Paul Kane.
War is Hell: Making Hellraiser III Hell on Earth by Danny Stewart, published by Bear Manor 2021. Afterword by Paul Kane.
Magazines
‘Hellbound’ Four page article on Hellraiser Collectables published in Area 51 Magazine, No. 6, May 1998.
‘Raising Hell’ Three Page article on the history of the Hellraiser movies published in The Dark Side magazine Issue 128, August/September 2007.
‘Raising Hell’. Five page article on Hellraiser Collectables published in TV Film Memorabilia Issue 5, September 2007.
‘To Hell With You’ Five page article on the history of the Hellraiser films and their mythology published in Scars magazine Issue 3, September/October 2007.
‘Hellraiser: Such Sights to Show You. A HorrorHound Retrospective’. Mammoth 12 page, 8,000 wd article published in HorrorHound Issue 09 Jan/Feb 2008.
Phantasmagoria Hellraiser Special, Paperback and Limited Hardback. Featuring Paul’s article about the Hellraiser Theatrical Sequels and exclusive extract from Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell.
Interviews
Live Onstage Interview with Clive Barker for FantasyCon 2006.
‘Hellraiser’s Back in Town’. Two page interview with Clive Barker published in DeathRay Issue 3, August 2007.
'Clive Barker Gets Darker with Mr. B. Gone'. Interview with Clive published in Dreamwatch Presents Total Sci Fi, November 2007. Please click here.
‘Mind Probe: Clive Barker’. Interview with Clive published in SFX 163, December 2007.
‘ A Great Way To Make a Living’. Interview with Clive published in Writers’ Forum Issue 78, February 2008
For a Clive Barker interview posted up on the Shadow Writer site, simply click here.
‘Boo Bradley’. Three page interview with Doug Bradley and director Russell Cherrington about To The Devil His Due in Dark Side #132.
‘Book of Blood Report’ including interviews with Clive Barker and John Harrison in Rue Morgue # 81, August 2008.
‘Book of Blood: Highways of the Dead’. Set report on the Book of Blood adaptation, including interviews with producers Joe Daley and Jorje Saralegui, and actress Sophie Ward on Total Sci-Fi site. Click here
Photos
Paul with Clive Barker
Paul with Doug ‘Pinhead’ Bradley
Another shot of Doug and Paul
Paul with FX maestro Bob Keen, who worked on Hellraisers I-III…with friend in the middle!
Paul with Clare ‘Julia’ Higgins
Paul with Ken 'Dr. Channard' Cranham
Paul with Nick ‘Chatterer’ Vince
Paul with Simon ‘Butterball’ Bamford
Paul and 'Female Cenobite' Barbie Wilde
Paul and Marie with Pete Atkins
Paul outside the Hellraiser House as it is today
Signed Items
