Career

Clive Barker was born in Liverpool, England in 1952. Though known primarily for his novels - as well as his work on phenomenally successful Hellraiser series, which was based on Barker's novella The Hellbound Heart - he has also had a significant impact on the world of comic books, having created, written and inspired more than 20 different titles.

Working mostly in the horror/fantasy genres, Barker is the author of numerous best-selling books, and has received great critical acclaim for the complexity of his imagined worlds, as well as his skillful command of written language.

Razorline

In 1993, Marvel launched the short-lived Razorline imprint, giving Clive Barker an opportunity to create his own set of superheroes. He later stated that his Razorline heroes were a chance for him to imagine what being a superhero might mean in a 90's context. The four titles were inextricably linked, with multiple crossovers between stories and characters from each title.

The four comic book titles were:

• Saint Sinner
• Ectokid
• Hokum and Hex
• Hyperkind

Though each title had it's creative team of writers and artists, they were all based on detailed outlines and concepts provided by Barker. Unfortunately, not one of the titles had a run of more than 9 issues and in 1995, Razorline was discontinued. Many reasons have been cited for this, including the 90's slump in the comic market, and the content of the comics frequently violating Marvel's Comics Code.

Other Adaptations

As well as his collaborative input on numerous other works, several titles have been inspired by the works of - or created by - Clive Barker, including:

Marvel/Epic

• Hellraiser
• Jihad
• Nightbreed
• Pinhead
• The Book Of The Damned
• The Harrowers

Eclipse Books

• Dread
• Rawhead Rex
• Revelations
• Son Of Celluloid
• Tapping The Vein
• Yattering And Jack

Boom Studios

• Clive Barker's Hellraiser
• Clive Barker's Hellraiser: The Dark Watch
• Clive Barker's Hellraiser: The Road Below
• Clive Barker's Hellraiser: At The Tolling Of A Bell
• Clive Barker's hellraiser Masterpieces
• Clive Barker's Next Testament
• Clive Barker's Nightbreed

Other works include The Great And Secret Show, The Thief Of Always and Seduth.

Other Media

Clive Barker's novels have been adapted into comic books, video games, films (most notably Hellraiser and Candyman) and art. He has also enjoyed success in costume design and painting, and has illustrated several of his own books. He is often actively involved in the adaptation of his works, having produced, directed or written a number of them himself. Barker has repeatedly publicly stated his disappointment in Marvel for their treatment of the Razorline titles, as well as the sub-standard quality of the later Hellraiser films.

Film

Clive Barker has been involved in the making of the following films, most of which are based to some extent on his written works:

• Book Of Blood (writer)
• Candyman (producer)
• Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh
• Candyman 3: Day of the Dead
• Dread (producer)
• Gods and Monsters (producer)
• Hellraiser (writer/director)
• Hellbound: Hellraiser II (producer)
• Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth (producer)
• Hellraiser: Bloodline (producer)
• Hellraiser (remake, producer)
• Lord Of Illusions (producer/writer/director)
• Midnight Meat Train
• Nightbreed
• Rawhead Rex (writer/producer)
• Salome (director)
• The Forbidden (director)
• The Plague (producer)
• Transmutations (writer)

Video Games

The following video games were inspired by the works of Clive Barker:

• Clive Barker's Undying
• Clive Barker's Demonik (cancelled)
• Clive Barker's Jericho
• Clive Barker's Nightbreed: The Action Game
• Clive Barker's Nightbreed: The Interactive Movie

Personal Life

Clive Barker is openly gay, and in 2003 received the Davidson/Valenti award, which is presented to homosexual, bisexual and transgender individuals who have made a profound contribution to the promotion of equal rights for members of the LGBT community. Barker came no. 72 in the Independent on Sunday 2006 Pink List, which lists the most influential gay men and women.

Barker currently lives in Beverly Hills with his partner of 6 years, Johnny Ray Raymond Jr.