A New Comic Tests Friends Against the Puzzle Box as Hellraiser Returns 40 Years Later
A new chapter for Hellraiser
Clive Barker’s film adaptation of The Hellbound Heart reached theaters in the fall of 1987. In 2027, Boom! Studios is marking the 40th anniversary with Hellbound Hearts, an ongoing comic series that takes its name from Barker’s novella.
The project is separate from the 2022 film reboot and the television series rumored for years. Horror writer Mike Costa and artist Jan Bazaldua are leading the new direction. The comic draws its visual style from the film while taking its title from the book.
Friends face multiple boxes
The story centers on a desperate group of friends described as scarred, flawed and unprepared. They are trying to stop the Puzzle Box from being opened again, but more than one Box now exists.
Boom! Studios says the series will explore questions about why people crave pain and find horror beautiful. Its world also includes the Cenobites, the Lament Configuration, and themes of sex, violence, pain and desire.
Characters and mythology
The series has room to explore Hellraiser’s mythology, but its new cast may be just as important. The article argues that horror sequels can falter when they emphasize lore over developing characters beyond their iconic antagonists.
For Hellbound Hearts to succeed, readers will need a reason to care about the characters before they face gruesome suffering. The series aims to combine that character focus with the franchise’s disturbing ideas.
A history in comics
Hellraiser comics date back to 1989, when Epic Comics, a Marvel imprint, began a series that ran for twenty issues. Epic published more comics intermittently through 1994, with some proving more memorable than others.
Boom! Studios acquired the franchise rights in 2011 and has since published Hellraiser comics and reprinted Epic stories. Hellbound Hearts #1 is scheduled to debut January 6, 2027, as the franchise reaches its 40th anniversary.
Key points
- Hellbound Hearts is an ongoing Boom! Studios comic, not a continuation of the 2022 film reboot.
- The story follows friends trying to keep the Puzzle Box closed, though more than one Box exists.
- The series is scheduled to launch January 6, 2027.
- Hellraiser comics began with an Epic Comics series in 1989.