We’re now deep into October and the spooky vibes are coming in strong. As I write there’s a nor’easter pummeling the coast; the sky is gray, the wind is howling, the leaves are flying off the trees. It’s time to amp up the fear level on the Monster Toy Blog and take a look at one of horror cinema’s most iconic villains. We have such sights to show you!
Today we’re looking at Pinhead, the head cenobite from the Hellraiser series. And I apologize, because this figure probably isn’t hitting you with a feeling of dread but perhaps instead with a feeling of endearment. And that’s by design of course. This figure is one of Funko’s Dorbz (a shortening of adorable) figures. You see, I don’t actually collect monster figures and don’t have a lot to share that feels appropriate for Halloween. But my wife will collect anything that’s a cute version of something she likes. The original Hellraiser (1987) is one of her favorite horror movies. It is required viewing every October, so of course she has a cute version of the film’s lead extra-dimensional explorer in the further regions of experience.
Dorbz figures were originally labeled under the Vinyl Sugar brand, which was co-created by Funko in 2015, the same year this figure was released, but was eventually absorbed by Funko. Funko is, of course, responsible for the immensely popular Funko Pop! figures. For those that like stylized cute vinyl figures but not the large heads and vacant eyes of Funko Pop! then the Dorbz line might be a good alternative. Sadly, the Dorbz line is not nearly as large and all-encompassing as the Pop! line and have actually been discontinued. Old stock of many figures is still readily available, however.
Turning to the figure, it represents Pinhead, so named for the nails sticking out of his head. Pinhead first appears in Clive Barker’s 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart, and then in the film adaptation titled Hellraiser in 1987, written and directed by Clive Barker. Pinhead is only known as Lead Cenobite in the first film and got his name from the production crew. Doug Bradley played Pinhead in the movie and would go onto play him in 7 sequels. Cenobites are sadomasochistic monsters that were once human that can be summoned by solving a puzzle box known as the Lament Configuration. They’re angels to some, demons to others.
Much like how the cenobites blur the line between pain and pleasure we have an interesting juxtaposition of opposites with this 3″ tall figurine. A grid-like pattern is cut into his pale bald head with pins sticking out of it. He wears bondage-like attire, complete with exposed muscle tissue over his chest, and various cutting tools hanging off a length of rope that loops through his belly button. It’s a grotesque concept, and grotesque in the films, but made positively adorable here thanks to the large head, rounded features, closed eyes, and happy smile that all Dorbz figures possess. Although out of production the Dorbz Pinhead figure can still be found for about $10-20.
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