BOOM! Studios; $4.99 

There's something about Pinhead that has always made him one of the most interesting characters in horror. He's not your typical movie monster running around killing people. There's a strange intelligence and almost religious devotion behind everything he does, and that's what makes him so disturbing. Hellraiser: Resurrections – The Return of the Priest #1 reminds us exactly why he's such an unforgettable character. 

Written by Sarah Gailey with artwork by Alessio Avallone, this issue takes us inside the tortured existence of Elliot Spencer, the man who became the Hell Priest. Trapped in Middle Hell, he's subjected to something far worse than physical torture. He's unable to experience pain or pleasure, which, for someone like Pinhead, might be the cruelest punishment imaginable. 

I really enjoyed how this story explores Pinhead's identity and his devotion to Leviathan. Instead of relying entirely on gore and violence, Gailey gives us a look at what drives him and why suffering has become such an important part of his existence. It's a fascinating approach that adds another layer to a character we've known for decades. 

Alessio Avallone's artwork is excellent. The environments are nightmarish, the Cenobites look appropriately horrifying, and the imagery captures that uncomfortable mixture of beauty and brutality that has always defined Hellraiser. There are moments when the artwork alone is enough to make your skin crawl. 

What makes this issue particularly satisfying is how it brings the Resurrections one-shots together. I've enjoyed watching these characters return one at a time, and giving Pinhead the spotlight feels like the right way to finish this chapter before the upcoming ongoing series. 

The Return of the Priest #1 is a disturbing and satisfying conclusion to the five-part Hellraiser: Resurrections collection of one-shots. It gives us a deeper understanding of Pinhead while setting the stage for what comes next. I've really enjoyed this revival, and after reading this issue, I'm more than ready to see the Cenobites reunited. 

–Scott Schlazer