Clive Barker's brilliance comes across better in the text. The graphic adaptations don't match the intensity and horror that Barker so fluidly conveys in the text. They're simply okay. ( )

Horror done in true Clive Barker style. Sex, beliefs and humanity all come into question in these 5 graphic novels.
There are two stories / graphic novel and each story is not only different in content but also in art style. Essentially it's like reading 12 different comic books with the same writer. It's almost like reading an animated Books of Blood. And just like the Books of Blood some stories are better than others, nevertheless, Barker definitely has a handle on the short story format. And in book 3 we get to see one of his tried and true stories "Midnight Meat Train" come to life in true graphic novel form.
As always he is a fabulous writer and the artwork just accentuates his amazing writing. I do wish however that Clive Barker would have done some of the illustrations himself as he is a brilliant artist and some of his sketches are completely out of this world! I think it would have been nice to see a few of his sketches within these books. Perhaps at least on the covers.
All things considered these books definitely have my heart. ❤️ Clive Barker's work. Do recommend! ( )

This is a collection of adaptations from Clive Barker's Books of Blood, originally published in smaller installments in 1989-1990. Actually, they are closer to illustrated stories, as Barker's text appears to be largely preserved.

"Human Remains" is about a prostitute who makes a personal connection with a client's prized relic.

In "Pig Blood Blues" an ex-policeman starting work at a juvenile detention facility learns the legend of an escaped inmate.

In "Skins of the Fathers," a small boy discovers his true lineage when his real fathers come back for him.

"The Midnight Meat Train" concerns a series of murders in the NY subway system.

"In the Hills, the Cities" is about two lovers vacationing in Yugoslavia who are witness to a bizarre and fantastic ritual enacted by two neighboring towns.

"How Spoilers Bleed" is the story of developers who attempt to drive native Indians off their land in the Amazon, and what their greed brings down upon them.

An old, abandoned bathhouse is set to change hands in "The Madonna," but its central pool holds secrets unknown to either the seller or it's prospective new owner.

In "Down, Satan" a jaded billionaire uses his wealth to tempt the devil into walking the earth once more.

"Scape-Goats" has a small group of travelers stranded on an island whose very ground seems to resent their presence.

For some reason, "Hell's Event" is not included here.

I enjoyed re-reading most of these stories, and the superb art by P. Craig Russell, John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Bo Hampton and others is worth a look, but ultimately I prefer the stories in their original form. ( )

Unbelievably awful. Worse than Harry Potter. ( )