CABAL FROM CLIVE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IDIXWqT-HeA

(Hellraiser theme by Christopher Young... love it.)

The book was called Cabal. I got it for fifty cents at a yard sale. The author was Clive Barker. You know that name surely. You may know Cabal too, under the name of Nightbreed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, a movie directed and written by Clive Barker and released in 1990. I read the book in 1989 and would not see the movie for another four years. This novella was my introduction into the clashing worlds of Cenobites and Nightbreed. In 1990 Epic Comics
produced an adaptation of the movie in four comics. This was successful enough for Epic Comics to continue the story line for twenty-five issues. (Cool beans.)






Hellraiser came first, released as a movie in 1987 and was based on the 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart.
I think most people are familar with this guy to the left.
The Cenobite Pinhead. In 1989, Epic Comics began a line of Hellraiser themed comics with Barker serving as consultant. Probably five years or more would pass before I became interested in the Hellraiser series of books, movies and comics.

Cenobites and Nightbreed are not good or evil. They are agents of order (Cenobite) or chaos (Nightbreed). They exist to repair damage to promote their perspective assignments. They do not concern themselves with the needs of humans as a general rule.


I suppose because I began with Cabal and its Nightbreed folk, that my loyalties and sympathies have settled there. I do get a kick out of Pinhead, who has more of a personality than most Cenobites. But the Nightbreed were hunted and hated. They were victims, and were not as strong like the Cenobites. Must be that mom thing... I would protect them. I found their city, Midian fascinating. I liked that the real monsters were the "normal" humans, not the often grotesque Nightbreed.

As you know, I'm into books and that is the direction I went with Clive. Once I read a book and like it, I have to follow that line. Here are two books of his that I thought were original and entertaining. They are part of a trilogy.
Unfortunately Clive has not given us the third yet. It has been so long that I wonder if he has not given up on the project. These three books are known as The Art Trilogy.

The Great and Secret Show was easy to slide into and carried me away. However, Everville - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia is more of a challenge to break into the swing of it. These do not have anything to do with Cenobites or Nightbreed. They deal with the battle over the dream sea, Quiddity.


Another of Barker's books that I find different and interesting is Weaveworld, a very unique book about an entire world that is woven into a very special carpet. It has some elements of horror, but is more of a fantasy.


I will leave you with this one thought to consider. Clive Barker is not an author that I recommend to students and other people's children. Mine have read these, but we talk about books. Many of the areas that Barker hits on have confusing themes, like sadomasochism, homosexuality and perversities. Not issues that I feel I have a right to expose other people's children to, even if we were to talk about the issues... which I sure wouldn't try either. Yikes... what a good way to get one of those villager mobs with pitchforks and torches chasing me!

Do you have a favorite Barker film, book, comic or character? Not a fan at all?
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For those of you who stop in to read, but are too shy to comment... here's lurking at you! hahahaha
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