Clive Barker's The Scarlet Gospels gets release date

Clive Barker fans have reason to rejoice for the long mooted The Scarlet Gospels, featuring the return of Pinhead, has been given a publication date of May 19 2015 via St. Martin’s Press.

The announcement was made via Clive Barker’s Facebook Page

The upcoming book from acclaimed writer/artist/imaginer Barker will be the first book to feature the leader of the cenobites, who has become one of the most iconic characters in horror, since he first appeared in Barker’s 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart. The story of hedonist Frank Cotton who discovered the puzzle box known as the Lament Configuration in his quest for the ultimate sensual experience and opened a gateway to the realm of the Cenobites.

The book inspired the film Hellraiser written and directed by Barker featuring British actor Doug Bradley as Pinhead who made a lasting impression thanks to his imposing delivery of quotable dialogue. Interestingly the character wasn’t actually referred to as “Pinhead” until the films follow up Hellbound: Hellraiser II.

The Scarlet Gospels which is set to bring an end to the Cenobite mythology will also feature Harry D’Amour a hardboiled P.I who specialises in the strange. D’Amour has featured in several of Barker’s books first appearing in the short story The Last Illusion. This story was the basis for Barker’s film Lord of Illusions where D’amour was portrayed by Scott Bakula.

As to whether the book will be affected by the current comics co-written by Barker and prominently featuring both characters, Barker’s assistant had this to say via Barker’s Facebook page,

I think that the novel having been laid out decades ago means that while they both take place in the same universe that is Clive’s vision, the events in the comics don’t impact this book. Mark Miller would have a much more detailed answer, and I think it’s worth me setting up a Q and A with him, since he collated this book for Clive and has overseen the comics world for Clive for years.