Marvel Razorline (1993–1995) – Complete Collection Overview
Marvel's Razorline imprint was a bold, surreal experiment in superhero storytelling, fusing horror, fantasy, and metaphysics into the comic book form. Created by legendary filmmaker and horror author Clive Barker, Razorline featured a self-contained universe separate from the mainstream Marvel Universe. Running from 1993 to 1995, it included four core titles—each distinct in tone, theme, and artistic ambition.
📚 Genre
Razorline is best classified as a blend of supernatural superhero fiction, psychological horror, dark fantasy, and metaphysical drama. These comics went far beyond traditional heroism, diving deep into twisted dimensions, existential dread, and moral ambiguity.
🦸♂️ Main Characters
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Ectokid (Dexter Mungo): A half-human, half-ghost teenager who can see and travel into the Ectosphere—an alternate dimension teeming with spirits.
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Saint Sinner (Philip Fetter): A troubled priest possessed by both good and evil spirits, fighting a war within and without.
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Hokum & Hex (Trip Monroe): A struggling stand-up comic who gains magical powers to fight otherworldly invaders.
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Hyperkind (Amokk, Armata, Bliss, Logix): A new generation of super-powered beings fighting to protect Earth while uncovering truths about their origins.
🖋️ Writers
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Clive Barker – Concept Creator and Co-Plotter for all titles.
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Larry Wachowski (of The Matrix fame) – Wrote Ectokid #1–3.
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Fred Burke – Principal writer for Hyperkind and Hokum & Hex.
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Elaine Lee – Wrote several issues of Saint Sinner, adding emotional depth and philosophical themes.
🎨 Artists
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Steve Skroce – Dynamic visuals in Ectokid.
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Norm Breyfogle – Gothic and expressive art for Saint Sinner.
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Paris Cullins – Designed colorful, surreal environments in Hokum & Hex.
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Joe Phillips – Brought vibrant energy to Hyperkind's futuristic heroes.
📋 Editor Details
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Marcus McLaurin – Primary editor and liaison between Clive Barker and Marvel. McLaurin’s editorial guidance helped maintain a consistent voice across the Razorline universe.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
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Publisher: Marvel Comics
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Imprint: Razorline (creator-owned under Marvel's publishing umbrella)
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Brand Identity: Dark, experimental, and horror-tinged—outside standard Marvel continuity.
📅 Release Year
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First Issues Published: 1993
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Final Issues Released: 1995
📖 Brief Plot Summary
Ectokid follows Dexter Mungo as he discovers his ability to perceive a parallel ghost dimension—"The Ectosphere"—where time and identity are fluid. Struggling between two realities, he learns that his father is a ghost and his mother, a mortal.
Saint Sinner delves into the duality of man through Philip Fetter, who becomes a vessel for both divine and demonic forces. This spiritual conflict unleashes monsters from a nightmare realm into the real world.
Hokum & Hex features Trip Monroe, a down-on-his-luck comedian granted immense magical powers by the Lords of Order and Chaos. He must master these abilities quickly to stop a supernatural invasion.
Hyperkind introduces four college students gifted with strange powers, representing archetypes of an older generation of heroes. Together, they uncover cosmic secrets and battle entities that bend reality itself.
📌 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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"The Ectosphere Saga" (Ectokid): A multi-issue dive into the dreamlike logic of the Ectosphere, filled with spectral beings, philosophical riddles, and Dexter's struggle to reconcile his dual nature.
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"Blood and Redemption" (Saint Sinner): A visceral arc examining guilt, sexuality, and the burden of redemption.
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"The Hex War" (Hokum & Hex): Trip faces off against the Architects of Order and Chaos in a hilarious yet terrifying confrontation.
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"Legacy Protocols" (Hyperkind): Explores the team's psychic link to an ancient order of protectors and the moral dilemmas of wielding great power.
🌀 Fan Theories or Interpretations
🔮 Razorline’s universe is often interpreted as Clive Barker’s answer to superhero mythology, using archetypal storytelling to explore the human psyche.
👁️ Fans speculate that Ectokid’s Ectosphere parallels the "Further" realm in Insidious—another dream-realm concept frequently tied to Barker’s narrative style.
💀 A recurring theory suggests that Saint Sinner was an allegorical depiction of addiction and mental illness, where spirits act as metaphors for internal struggle.
📝 Review Summary
✨ Razorline’s ambition was unmatched for its time. The imprint dared to go where few comics of the early ‘90s would—into spirituality, horror, and surrealism, all while preserving superheroic energy. The art ranged from nightmarishly beautiful to abstractly experimental, with Saint Sinner and Ectokid often lauded for their unique visual flair.
📚 The stories were dense, occasionally polarizing, but full of raw emotional depth and originality. While Razorline didn't achieve mainstream success, it developed a cult following, especially among fans of Clive Barker’s darker visions.
👍 If you're into supernatural powers, metaphysical realms, or unconventional heroes, Razorline is a forgotten gem worth rediscovering.
🧠 “They weren’t just comics. They were visions.” – a common sentiment among Razorline readers.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
