Review: Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Omnibus Volume 1 (2012) ** and 1\2 out of four

When it was announced that Clive Barker was returning to his Hellraiser universe for the first time since Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988), fans around the world rejoiced. Barker and co. promised to bring the franchise back to its glory days of the 80s, and deliver something truly special. After finishing the five volumes that make up this saga, I'm left with ambivalent feelings about the whole thing.

The story begins promisingly enough, with Kirsty Cotton, the heroine of the novella The Hellbound Heart and the first two Hellraiser movies (she was also featured in 2002's Hellraiser: Hellseeker in a very minor role) and her team of "Harrowers" searching for all of Le Marchand's toys and devices and destroying them in an attempt to close the gateways to hell, forever. Then we realize that the Hell Priest a.k.a Pinhead is seemingly tired of hell and his mission, and wants to become human again. And the only way to do that is to find a replacement. To say anymore would be unfair.

The story features twists and turns aplenty, some of them terrific, others hackneyed and contrived. But, for me, the story derails completely with the fourth volume, as the storytelling becomes bigger and bigger (or more epic, if you like), and the plot becomes annoyingly convoluted and overblown.

It is obvious that Barker, who likes things "big", uses the comic book format to do things he knows he'll probably never get a chance to do in a feature or TV show: epic set pieces and extravagant special effects. But it's all to the detriment of the storytelling, with the Hellraiser mythos transforming into an epic dark fantasy adventure, replete with battleships and government conspiracies.

There's a lot to like about this series, including some terrific artwork, some neat twists, surprise appearances by characters from the entire Hellraiser universe, and the return of Barker's unique voice, which has been sorely missing from the franchise for decades. But, ultimately, this is a somewhat disappointing experience, with a true letdown of an ending. Also, be warned: it ends on a cliffhanger.

Review: Stranger Things 2 (The Complete Second Season) ** and a 1\2 out of four

I wasn't a huge fan of the first season of Stranger Things. So going into the second season, my expectations weren't that high to begin with.

If you liked the first season, you will like Stranger Things 2. If you didn't, well, you won't like this so one much, either. It continues to be one of the most technically polished and lavishly produced events on TV (or OTT platforms), and the cast is eminently likable. But if you thought the first season was derivative, watch out, Stranger Things 2 is one big ball of cliches and blockbuster cues.

The writing this time around is surprisingly lazy, even by the show's standards, and the plot is paper thin and annoyingly contrived. Yes, the credentials all around are impeccable, but the whole show, from the get go, is pretty directionless. You get monsters, endearing characters with almost nothing interesting to do, and plenty of mindless action (blockbuster quality stuff, for sure, but mindless nonetheless). If that's your thing, then Stranger Things 2 is for you. But I'd rather watch something with a little more originality and heart.

To me, Stranger Things is a show for people who like 80s kitsch, but don't really know or care what made the 80s so special. It wasn't just style and big, loud movies, folks. It was the heart, the writing, and the attitude, all things Stranger Things sorely lack.

Book Review: The Shadow: The Golden Master. By Walter B. Gibson *** out of four

Featuring The Shadow's arch-enemy, Shiwan Khan, and with nonstop action from the first page, The Golden Master is an enjoyable, if forgettable, read, with a fascinating villain with psychic powers, who is strangely underused. It is the basis for the 1994 film adaptation starring Alec Baldwin. Shiwan Khan next appears in the superior Shiwan Khan Returns.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: MOBSMEN ON THE SPOT By Walter B. Gibson. ** and 1\2 out of ****

Fast-paced, action-packed adventure, with plenty of impressive action set-pieces and chase sequences. It also serves as a backstory for Cliff Marsland, one of the most prominent agents of The Shadow. Recommended.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: SHADOWED MILLIONS By Walter B. Gibson. **1\2 out of ****

Part mystery, part financial thriller, Shadowed Millions is an entertaining and complex entry in The Shadow cannon. It features double identities, murder, plenty of twists and turns, and loads of action. It might not be one of The Shadow's best, but it is an atmospheric page-turner.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE OUTSIDER By Stephen King. *** and a 1/2 out of *****

What begins as an "impossible crime" thriller - a man accused of killing and raping a young boy was seemingly at two places at the same time, providing him with a perfect alibi, while furnishing the police with damning evidence - eventually turns out to be a supernatural thriller with a dash of Dark Tower mythology to round things off. And, truth be told, the transition between the genres ain't exactly smooth. With The Outsider, Stephen King attempts to write a modern take on Dracula, with some elements of the crime novel mixed in. He doesn't entirely succeed, but it's a good read nonetheless.

The first half of The Outsider features some of King's best writing in years, with tight plotting, believable characters, and short, ridiculously readable chapters. For a while there, one would be forgiven for thinking that this was going to be King's version of an Agatha Christie mystery. But, alas, that doesn't turn out to be the case.

The second half of the book is typical King, replete with all his strengths and weaknesses as a writer. You get the readable, unfussy prose, the likable characters, and King's endearing, addictive voice, which keeps you reading even when things aren't exactly moving along. But you also get the cute dialogue, the endless references to pop culture, the occasionally lazy plotting, and the hokey finale, all trademarks of a King book.

But this isn't a bad book. As a matter of fact, it's a damn entertaining one, with a villain that is fascinating and utterly terrifying. That is, till he's unmasked in the underwhelming climax.

This might not be King's best book in years as some have proclaimed it to be. But it is a good one, and, like most of King's work, there's magic to it, .

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE DEATH TOWER By Walter B. Gibson ** and 1/2 out of ****

Highly readable and atmospheric entry in the adventures of The Shadow, with a memorably devious villain and an exciting finale. Recommended.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.