Fans of the horror film franchise have been ecstatic since Peter Block, better known as the executive producer of the Saw film franchise, said that a remake of the Pumpkinhead film series is in the works. From the 1988 original Pumpkinhead film through the 1994 direct-to-video sequel Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings, the franchise has also produced two made-for-television slasher horror drama films, Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes in 2006 and Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud in 2007.
Let us not forget about the Pumpkinhead: The Rites of Exorcism comic book series, which was released in 1993 by Dark Horse Comics, an American comic book and manga publisher. The comic was supposed to be a four-issue mini-series, but only two were released, with the second issue sporting a cliffhanger conclusion — a flying Pumpkinhead, to be precise! And to think it all started with a poem named Pumpkinhead by Ed Justin, who would have guessed?
Returning to the property, American comic book publisher Dynamite Entertainment took things to the next level in 2018 by releasing a five-issue limited series with Cullen Bunn as a writer and Blacky Shepherd as an illustrator.
While it is hard to believe there are still people who have not heard of Pumpkinhead, we would rather not take any chances. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this creature, the namesake demon is a colossal, gangling beast that may be called by someone seeking vengeance.
The demonic monster embodies both the wrath and desire for vengeance of the person who summoned him in the first place. As a result, the criminals are marked for death, and no matter where they hide, Pumpkinhead will find them. The purpose of this vengeful demon is to ensure that his chosen victims die in agony.
In that regard, he is unforgiving; additionally, his sadistic personality will make him go to great lengths to ensure that the death sentences he administers to his victims are terrible in every way conceivable. Mind you, the demon is quite picky about who he kills! He will not touch anyone who is not one of his targets, but God help them if they even try to stop him.
It goes without saying that in his community, this demonic beast is more like a legend, and everyone is aware of his presence. Stan Winston’s 1988 Pumpkinhead, or, to put it another way, the first picture in the franchise, has been markedly superior to the rest of the films in the franchise with a massive cult following.
Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings, directed by Jeff Burr in 1994, is a direct-to-video sequel to the original film that is the perfect example of a surreal retribution tale that continues the premise and themes introduced in the first film. Given that they very systematically strive to make connections with the 1988 original release, the third and fourth installments in the franchise surprise turned out to be quite effective and decent.
You might want to pay a visit to our YouTube channel Marvelous Videos, where we have a terrific dissection of the entire Pumpkinhead franchise. But be ready for today’s film, in which we will go beyond the movie to look at Pumpkinhead. We will go over all five issues of Dynamite Entertainment’s Pumpkinhead limited series in detail.
The Demon Of Vengeance Has Awaken
PUMPKINHEAD ISSUE #1
The readers are taken to Bradley Mountain and the time frame cannot be deciphered but what we do know is that it’s definitely occurring in the past. It is nighttime and we can see a cottage. Inside it, happens to be a bunch of small girls paying close attention to what is being told to them by an old lady, who seems more like a witch. She is telling them that the time has finally arrived for the children to make the right powerful choice.
The witch tells them to go to the Razorback Holler where they will find graves that will call them. She commands them to find their demon and the children set off on their journey. On the way, one of the girls called Haggis gets bullied by another girl called Nettie telling her to be fast or she will end up getting the leftovers like always. Haggis, in due course, finds what she is looking for!
Cut to present, there has been a hit and run case and there are two officers investigating the matter. While Sheriff Andi Ferris still has not been able to get a clue on who might be behind the accident, officer Daryl fills in about the hillbillies who apparently don’t have much faith in the law. While speaking about their concerns regarding vigilante justice, Bunt, one of the locked-up convicts tells the duo that it has come down to revenge and whoever has killed the children will get what they rightfully deserve. Of course, Bunt is not taken seriously but he keeps murmuring that he knows what’s going to happen.
The demon of vengeance has been summoned and he will not stop until he serves his purpose and anyone who even thinks of stopping him is bound to meet the same fate just like his targeted victims. The readers finally get to catch a glimpse of the hidden, wrecked car that still has blood on it. The whole place seems to be guarded by a bunch of some heavily armed men. It does not take one long to comprehend that the person accountable for the death of the girls is being guarded inside and while Clayton wants to leave, he is told by a certain Lucas Bellworth that he is his responsibility and will be kept safe till the former’s father comes to get him.
In the meantime, Ernst Kinkade pays Haggis a visit at Black Ridge and the latter tells him to bring inside the dead bodies of his grandchildren and put them on a table. She further tells him that she already knew that he would be paying her a visit and if he wanted her to help him out, he had to utter the words himself. No points for guessing that Kincade had revenge on his mind.
Back at the police station, Daryl tells Sheriff Andi to come with him and follow up on a lead that he has finally managed to lay his hands on. That’s when Andi catches the attention of a few children and she goes to them in the hopes of being able to get some clarity on the case. But the children refuse to tell her anything and go to extent of saying that none of them were even present there when the accident took place. So much so that the sheriff is eventually asked to mind her own business! Back at the backwoods crime family, it has been four days and Clayton’s father still has not come to take him. Clayton is all the more agitated and his actions have also been putting Lucas on edge.
Outside, a huge roar is heard coming from the garage and two of the armed men go inside to investigate. The duo is shocked beyond words to see what is standing right in front of them. The shadow of a terrifying gigantic monster can be seen. With gunshots being heard from the garage, the rest of the armed men go inside only to find a mutilated, bloodied body of one of the men lying on the covered bonnet of the car. But what appears in front of them is even more petrifying – a huge demonic creature that is entirely hairless has an exceedingly large head with plenty of lumps, pale white eyes, and a very large mouth with pointed teeth. The four-fingered clawed hands and barbed tail are his primary weapons and it is absolutely horrifying to see him clawing at the lifeless body of one of the armed men like that.
PUMPKINHEAD ISSUE #2
Vengeance does come with a terrible price and Ernst Kinkade experiences the gruesome murders one by one through the monster’s eyes. With the rest of the armed men attacking Pumpkinhead with a shower of heavy bullets, the monster’s body seems impervious against them and it goes without saying that he overpowers them with ease. Clayton, having heard the shooting stop assumes that the men outside must have killed whoever was out there but immediately gets proved wrong when the body of a mauled dog is hurled towards him that comes crashing right through the window. Pumpkinhead appears and Bedelia recognizes the monster at once.
The horrified trio barely manages to get themselves out of the house and into the truck to escape. Bedelia tells Clayton that the beast has been summoned by the Kinkade’s because Clayton killed their children and drove off. Pumpkinhead effortlessly manages to jump on the roof of the truck, all set to ambush Clayton but Lucas manages to hit the brakes fast enough to make the creature topple over and hit the ground. With Clayton thinking that they have lost the monster, Bedalia breaks to him the news that the monster will only stop after he is done killing his marked victims or if he dies in the first place.
The next morning, while arresting one of the locals in town for possessing drugs, Andi and Daryl get a tip from the local about the people he got the pills from. On the other hand, Lucas, Bedelia, and Clayton have made it to Nettie’s house who initially refuses to help them out. Post-hearing about the involvement of her sister Haggis and how she has marked each of them by summoning Pumpkinhead, Nettie lets them in. As for Andi and Daryl, they have reached the massacre site by then and are absolutely shocked to see the dead body count.
While the duo realizes that the corpses that lay ahead of them have all been the men of Lucas Bellworth but what appalls them is the solitary fact that there aren’t any bullet marks or wounds on the bodies. While investigating, Andi also chances upon the hidden car that’s parked there. The duo quickly makes their way back to Bunt and offers him a bottle to know more about his opinions on the hit and run case thinking he might actually be able to help them out.
Meanwhile, Nettie has also called upon the other sisters. The others ask her if Haggis will be joining them and Nettie confirms that she will not. She further tells them that they have been told to work against their estranged sister. Highlighting on elements like pride, greed, envy, lust, and sloth, the sisters offer their effigies to the fire that they had brought along with them. What emerges in front of them are five dreadful demons out of each of the sins.
PUMPKINHEAD ISSUE #3
Post the revelations by Bunt, Sheriff Andi along with Deputy Daryl and Bunt are on the hunt for the demonic monster. While Daryl has his reservations, Andi is determined to get to the crux of the matter. They stop by at the Kinkade residency to ask a few questions. Of course, they are greeted with the usual hostility but a loud scream is heard coming from inside. The sheriff goes inside to see Ernst Kinkade, his eyes glowing at the mere thought of how everything will be taken care of that night. Meanwhile, Bedelia, Lucas, and Clayton have taken refuge somewhere safe when they hear a loud growling outside.
The dark silhouette of Pumpkinhead can be seen making his way craftily on top of the roof and within seconds, the monster rips apart the roof, hissing at his victims. But what Pumpkinhead was not aware of was the supernatural backup plan of the Bellworths and the fact that a bunch of infernal demons, each raised from the sins of man have already been summoned to tackle him. What follows is an intense battle amongst the demons, each taking their turns to overpower Pumpkinhead. It is also known here that these demons are not only for the revenge demon, they are here to tackle every enemy of the Bellworth family. Back at the Kinkade residency, Ernst Kinkade confesses to having summoned Pumpkinhead and also tells the sheriff how the Bellworths have unleashed Hell into their world.
It is precisely then that the police truck gets lifted up by one of the demons and Bunt makes it back to the house just in time to alert the others. The demon makes his way inside the Kinkade home. Meanwhile, Pumpkinhead is still in the midst of a very heated battle against the other demons and one can hardly make out what the end result will be. As for Bedelia, she is seen telling Clayton and Lucas that Pumpkinhead will have further important matters to attend to post his combat against the demons. If her words are to be paid heed to, Haggis is seen sitting by herself near the fireplace in her cottage when she hears a sudden creak. Alerted, she goes outside to see what the matter is and one can clearly see a demon waiting to leap on her from above the roof.
PUMPKINHEAD ISSUE #4
The trio of Lucas, Bedelia, and Clayton manage to lay their hands on the car keys of their neighbor. Haggis, on the other hand, having sniffed the trouble that her sisters have caused tries escaping when she gets stopped by the demon that was lurking on her roof earlier. But just when she is about to get attacked by it, Pumpkinhead comes to her rescue. Both the demons are literally on top of each other trying their best to outdo one another. Haggis is shocked by what her sisters have done. The demons are clearly not meant to roam around all at the same time.
As for the demon back at the Kinkade residency, it attacks one of the members of the Kinkade family and kills him in front of everyone. The actions of the demon horrify everyone, especially the children for that matter. Daryl, seeing no other options left, starts shooting at the demon. Coming back to the battle that concerns Pumpkinhead, he is decapacitated when the demon he is fighting against impales him and he lets out a huge shriek. As for Daryl, he is attacked by the demon and ripped apart into two pieces.
Sheriff Andi narrowly manages to escape from the house. Outside, Bunt realizes that the only way to end the mess that they are all in is by killing the one who has called up the demon in the first place, or in other words, Kinkade to be more precise. Bunt is all geared up to kill Kinkade when he gets stopped by Andi and is instead, told to take all of them to Haggis. Pumpkinhead, who has managed to rise up again faces all the five demons together this time. Andi, along with the rest catches up with Haggis and tells her that her help will be required in order to send back the demons to their respective places.
PUMPKINHEAD ISSUE #5
No points for guessing that an exceedingly deadly fight takes place between Pumpkinhead and the other demons and with Pumpkinhead getting hurt in the process, Ernst Kinkade cries out in pain too. Andi, unaware ask Haggis, to which the witch tells them that the demon and Kinkade are linked with each other and both are one till Pumpkinhead is done serving the purpose. That’s when Bunt recalls Ed Harley summoning Pumpkinhead and how both of them felt pain together. He tells them what the only solution is but Andi stops him right there.
The group reaches Coleman Place. Andi breaks into the house, leaves the children under the guard of the Colemans, takes one of their trucks, and continues the journey along with Ernst Kinkade, Haggis, and Bunt. Meanwhile, at the Valley View Motel, Clayton is seen reuniting with his father. It is quite clear that Mr. Reese is absolutely furious by the actions of his son; he chides him and even goes to the extent of hitting him in front of everyone. Bedelia takes credit for herself and her brother for paying a visit to the covens and calling upon the other sins to tackle Pumpkinhead and defend Clayton in the process. Mr. Reese, happy with the service provided by Lucas even offers him to discuss some more business before leaving.
As for Andi and the group, they reach the house of the other sisters. Andi decides to do all the talking and Haggis tells her the difference between the demon that she had called for and the ones that her sisters did. She tells her Vengeance is bound to the blood and flesh of the person who called for it and how it cannot be rid of till it has satisfied itself. Andi knocks at the door only to look back and see the dreadful monster that had attacked them at the Kinkade residency making its way towards them.
Asking the rest of the people to run, Andi shoots open the lock of the house and tells the sisters to send back all the creatures where they came from. Nettie denies knowing what the sheriff is talking about and this enrages Andi enough to point the gun towards them. Nettie seems unaffected; by then even Bunt has made his way inside the house with Kinkade. All of a sudden, Haggis leaps from behind and brutally slaughters all of her sisters telling Andi that it is precisely what she needed to do so as to allow Pumpkinhead to complete his task. Her actions immediately led to the death of the other demons and as for Pumpkinhead, he made his way towards the motel to end what he began. He found his marked victims and leaped straight into the room through the window.
Pumpkinhead brutally kills the guards in no time and Clayton is more than petrified, almost to the extent of pissing in his very own pants. Meanwhile, Kinkade can see everything that’s happening. Andi tells Haggis to put a stop to this but she simply tells her that she cannot. Andi aims her gun towards Kinkade and Haggis tells her to kill him as it is the only way. Back at the motel, Mr. Reese abandons his son; Lucas unable to take things further ends up firing at Pumpkinhead despite Bedelia warning him that the demon will kill him. That is exactly what happens – Lucas is brutally slaughtered in front of his sister, next in line is Bedelia herself followed by Clayton in the end as Pumpkinhead drags Clayton outside by his legs and rams the truck on him.
As for Andi, she ended up not being able to shoot Kinkade, thus allowing Pumpkinhead to fulfill his revenge. Ernst Kinkade bursts into flames and Haggis gathers whatever is remaining of Kinkade. While Andi firmly tells Haggis that she would not let her summon Pumpkinhead ever again, the latter simply tells her that vengeance cannot be stopped, no matter how hard one actually tries to. She further tells Andi that she might be able to prevent her from summoning the demon but someone will be somewhere else in the world. Without chains to keep vengeance in control, it will find its way back and end up causing agonizing pain wherever it manifests.
Pumpkinhead Movie Remake
Back in 2016, Saw executive producer Peter Block did make things official about a Pumpkinhead reboot that he was developing. That brings us to the year 2019 where Block reassured fans of the franchise about the remake that was still in the works and also the fact that further news about the movie would be shared very soon. So, here’s what we know about it: Block is accountable for co-writing the remake script along with Nate Atkins. He has said earlier that the movie will have a lot of things taken from the original 1988 flick, things that are bound to please the fans. Having said that, the remake is not going to be a copy-paste of the original movie.
Block is also reported to have plans of making use of practical effects to pay homage to the legendary Stan Winston. Further details about the film have not been divulged yet nor has there been any information on the cast for that matter. Fans of the franchise, including us, have only been impatiently waiting for further movie updates and in the hopes of Lance Henriksen making an appearance or two. So, there is no reason not to look forward to this fresh take on the franchise, one that is inspired by the original.