The destiny of Clive Barker

Fate had a hand in Clive Barker's new Jump Tribe series. Barker, painted 240 characters on a 20-foot canvas and thought nothing of it, until he was approached by Art Asylum, New York. Alas, the characters had a place in the outside world—in story and in plush.

The cast of characters, for ages six and older, feature creatures like Yaboo, a purple elephant with big, bug eyes. The series, introduced at last month's Comic-Con in San Diego, Calif., will launch at retail next month with four books to start the line in 2005. Approximately eight books will follow each year after with new character adventures.

Each book runs 1,500 words and comes with a plush doll by Art Asylum. Adam Unger, vice president, Art Asylum, says they are first focusing on specialty retailers. Eventually the series may move on to playsets, figures and a novel by Barker with more mass appeal.

“We wanted to get out of the aggressive, boys action figures,” Unger tells Playthings. “It's neat to see the development going through Clive's head.”

Barker believes that kids will escape into the Jump Tribe world. Adults will also pick up the books, especially the Clive Barker fans out there—with or without kids.

“They jump through holes, they jump through dimensions,” Barker tells Playthings. “By writing stories about the good, the bad and the ugly, we begin to create sub tribes. Wacky and weird can be loving and likable. That's one of the reasons I love playing with the Jump Tribe stories. I over think things—it's about the joy of the creation,” Barker quips.

While all 240 characters will be incorporated into the stories, there will not be individual books and plush per character. Barker says he will listen to the audience and move forward based on what they like—something he learned in his horror movie life (Hellraiser, Candyman).

“I thoroughly enjoy writing for a younger audience,” says Barker. “When I look at these canvases, there are 240 of these guys. The best illustrations are the ones that go on in your head—to me that's the best thing about this kind of storytelling. It's a place to take refuge from a world.”