Razorline

Publication history

The Razorline imprint consisted of four interrelated titles, based on Barker's detailed premises, titles and lead characters. These were:

• Ectokid — written first by James Robinson, then by Larry Wachowski, and pencilled by Steve Skroce
• Hokum & Hex — written by Frank Lovece, penciled by Anthony Williams
• Hyperkind — written by Fred Burke, pencilled by Paris Cullins and inked by Bob Petrecca
• Saint Sinner — written by Elaine Lee, pencilled and inked by Max Douglas

Marcus McLaurin was the editor. The four titles were preceded by a one-shot sampler cover-titled: Razorline: First Cut.

As Barker described:

Razorline was launched in 1993 as several other publishers, including Malibu Comics, Defiant Comics, and Dark Horse Comics, were launching superhero lines. There was a second wave of titles that were written but were not released.

In 2005, the appendix page of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe one-shot involving alternate universes revealed that the Earth of the Razorline imprint is designated as Earth-45828. Relatively real-world, without other superheroes, it includes Marvel Comics as a comic-book publisher, with Razorline characters making references to "X-Men comics" and to Marvel editor Stan Lee's Fantastic Four writing.

Hokum & Hex and Hyperkind were superhero series, while the other two were supernatural series. All were released with a Comics Code seal. The Razorline's short run of seven to nine issues each was due in large part to market conditions.

Two one-shots followed: Hyperkind Unleashed (which included a "Hokum & Hex" prose short story) and Ektokid Unleashed (which included a "Saint Sinner" prose short story).

Other titles

In total, 10 comic lines were planned. Before the cancellations, several issues of four subsequent series were in various stages of completion: Wraitheart (written by Frank Lovece, art by Hector Gomez), Schizm (written by Fred Burke), Mode Extreme (written by Sarah Byam), and Fusion Force.

Columnist and former comics publisher Catherine Yronwode wrote:

In other media

A 2002 Barker telefilm titled Saint Sinner bore no relation to the comic. In Barker's words: "I was always disappointed with the way that Marvel handled that entire line of comics, particularly Saint Sinner. I thought that's a waste of a good title. It was something that called for finding a new life in some way or another".

References

References

1. (January 10, 2013). "Leaving an Imprint: 10 Defunct Marvel Publishing Lines: Star Comics". Newsarama.com (Purch Company).
2. [http://www.comics.org/series/5016/ ''Hyperkind Unleashed'' #1] at the [[Grand Comics Database]].
3. "Hokum & Hex".
4. "Hyperkind".
5. "Saint Sinner".
6. [http://www.comics.org/issue/271717/ ''Razorline: The First Cut''] (indicia title) / ''Razorline: First Cut'' (cover title) at the [[Grand Comics Database]].
7. Russo, Tom. (July 1993}} Quote excerpted in {{cite web). "Razorline". CliveBarker.info.
8. (June 18, 1993). "Everyone wants piece of superhero action". News-Press.
9. (2018). "American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1990s". [[TwoMorrows Publishing]].
10. [https://www.looper.com/1058170/clive-barkers-dark-worlds-authors-recall-horror-icons-forgotten-marvel-comics-work-exclusive/ Clive Barker's Dark Worlds Authors Recall Horror Icon's Forgotten Marvel Comics Work - Exclusive - Looper]
11. Yronwode, Cat. (March 27, 1995). "Fit to Print". (column) Reprinted at Hoboes.com.
12. "Hector Gomez". Glasshouse Graphics.
13. "Hector Gomez Gallery". ComicArtFans.com.
14. [http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=36203&GSub=2066&GCat=0&UCat=0 "''Wraitheart'' #3, p. 14"], ComicArtFans.com. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928163035/http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Page=1&Order=Date&Piece=36203&GSub=2066&GCat=0&UCat=0 Archived] on May 7, 2013.
15. Watt, Mike. (n.d.). "Clive Barker". HollywoodIsBurning.com.