Originally known simply at “Lead Cenobite” or Hell Priest, the character of Pinhead is one of horrors modern iconic staples. The original film and its sequel portrayed Pinhead more as a counter balance to the good in the world. The Cenobites used extreme pain as a form of pleasure to to torture those who dare open the Lemarchand’s box, AKA the Lament Configuration. In Hellraiser III, Pinhead’s character was altered drastically, becoming a purely evil entity, bringing death and destruction before being sent back to his dimension. It’s this third installment that many companies are licensing to bring Pinhead figures and collectibles to fans.
The Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth – Pinhead 12″ Scale Figure by Mezco Toyz is available in stores now. The figure was released earlier this month, and is showing up in Toys “R” Us stores and at many online retailers. Pinhead is mainly constructed of soft vinyl, includes about 7 points of articulation, interchangeable hands, a Lament Configuration and assorted blades. I purchased the figure over the weekend and have a photo shoot and review. Read on to check out over 45 high resolution images.
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth – Pinhead 12″ Scale Figure
Pros
- Excellent sculpt
- Paint deco is great
- Pins on the head sculpt are solid
- Good accessories
Cons
- Very limited articulation
- Price feels a bit high for what you get
Overall
The Pinhead figure comes packaged in a collector friendly window box. The box features the decorative pattern seen on the Lament Configuration. The back of the box contains a couple of photos and details on the character and figure itself. The figure sits on a plastic plastic tray that allows the figure to easily be placed back in for storage or display. Pinhead includes two interchangeable hands, the Lament configuration and three bladed tools that can be held in hand or displayed on the figure.
The first thing I noticed when I took Pinhead out of the box is that the sculpt is outstanding. Every detail is captured in all its gruesome beauty. The head sculpt, especially, is quite outstanding. The likeness to both actor Doug Bradley and the character of Pinhead appear to be spot on. The fine detail work on areas such as the chest is quite impressive. Paint work is also strong here, with deep blacks used for the costume, and a soft, almost glowing light blue is used for the head sculpt and exposed skin. There are soft washes over the skin areas, bringing out the details in the sculpt and adding to the realistic look. The pins used in the head sculpt are strong and sit firmly within their grooves. they do appear to be a little large, but it likely would have been tough to get accurate sized pins to not feel overly fragile. Hands are very easy to swap out and each of the included accessories are handled very well as those are cast in a harder plastic. The details on the Lament Configuration seem to match up well with the prop from the film.
The Pinhead figure is extremely light weight. It’s mostly constructed of the type of vinyl you would find in a Pop! Vinyl figure, with harder or thicker vinyl used for the head sculpt and arms. It has the feel of a DST Vinyl Bank, which is a little disappointing considering the higher price point of the figure compared to other, more highly articulated 12″ releases from Mezco. Speaking of articulation, there’s not much here. Only the arms have joints, and the articulation that is there doesn’t offer much variation. The shoulders are ball sockets, with the elbows simply being swivel jointed. The elbows do not bend at all. The lack of any torso or wait articulation is also surprising.
Hellraiser 3 Pinhead figure should be more treated like a slightly articulated statue. The sculpted details are pretty much perfect, with an equally well done paint job and good accessories. If you can look past the low articulation, then you’ll find a beautiful display piece that really captures the look of Pinhead. Check out some photos below, with the ful gallery after that.
Mezco 12-Inch Scale Hellraiser 3 Pinhead Figure – Toyark Photo Shoot



Saw this guy at TRU, not impressed enough to buy it. Doesn't have the right look on his face.
I absolutely love this figure. I don't usually buy 12", but I had to have it once I saw it. In my opinion, the head sculpt is spot on. I may even have to track down the bloody, snarling version at some point.
I've been known to nitpick at horror figures in the past, but looking at this, there is no doubt to that head sculpt capturing Doug Bradley's look in the film.
To each his own I guess. The expression as well as the likeness seem pretty spot on to me. Pinhead often had a chilly, emotionless expression in the movies.
Sure, there were moments where the muscles of his face were completely flaccid. However, even in those instances, the actor was able to convey contempt and sternness. I haven't seen this toy in person, but these pics betray an almost cherubic (first pic) quality present in the head sculpt. The last two pics capture what appears to be both a soft and double chin. All three pics highlight a mouth down-turned in such a way that makes the expression less than intimidating.
The eyes are good...nice and dead...inhuman...nihilistic.
The eyes are good...nice and dead...inhuman...nihilistic.
Anyway, another thing I'd like to address is the figure being made of soft vinyl. I saw no mention of this when the figure was first announced so I assumed it would be made of a plastic more typical for action figures(PVC, I think?). I wasn't really even sure what soft vinyl entailed but then I read that it's what they use to make rubber ducks. So is the figure squeezable and hollow? I dunno, just seems like an odd choice of material for a detailed, adult-oriented figure.
Anyway, another thing I'd like to address is the figure being made of soft vinyl. I saw no mention of this when the figure was first announced so I assumed it would be made of a plastic more typical for action figures(PVC, I think?). I wasn't really even sure what soft vinyl entailed but then I read that it's what they use to make rubber ducks. So is the figure squeezable and hollow? I dunno, just seems like an odd choice of material for a detailed, adult-oriented figure.
You don't like "flaccid" as an adjective??? HaHA! Well, it fits the expected lexicon when referencing muscles. As far as the "consensus" of Hellraiser fans goes, I must have missed the gallup poll on that...this Hellraiser fan, when presented with a static choice for an action figure, prefers a more menacing expression...but that's the case for almost any figure I buy.
I just meant that of the people talking about Pinhead figures(which isn't many considering Hellraiser isn't exactly on fire popularity-wise right now), there seemed to be a preference for the stern, emotionless face over the scowling face. Most seemed to prefer the Mezco figure over the Threezero figure for that reason, and then I noticed there was some disappointment when only the scowling faced Pinhead(the basis of what eventually was revealed to be the Black Friday exclusive "bloody" variant) was shown at a convention which lead some to believe Mezco had changed the face at the last second.
Or if they were going for this I think they missed it.
@Toys
Thanks for telling me that, I wasn't aware of the other two figs. I actually like the look of the 3zero, but not this one....I looked at the bloody one, and that thing is the BOMB! imo lol
At least there are options for everyone...
I also agree, again, with Byrnes...I saw the fig at TRU today and the pins almost look like tacks...exaggerating here, but it was noticeable.
I've been debating on whether or not to get the ThreeZero version. I think it looks stellar. I've been disappointed with most of the 1/6 scale figures I've handled (outside of Robocop who is awesome).
BBTS has 1.0 on clearance for $118.99 (regular 229.99).
BBTS has 1.0 on clearance for $118.99 (regular 229.99).
Thanks for telling me that, I wasn't aware of the other two figs. I actually like the look of the 3zero, but not this one....I looked at the bloody one, and that thing is the BOMB! imo lol
At least there are options for everyone...
I also agree, again, with Byrnes...I saw the fig at TRU today and the pins almost look like tacks...exaggerating here, but it was noticeable.
The pins appear to be to thick on the figure
Mezco said they did that because the thinner pins were fragile. That's what's hard about making a figure out of him. The Funko ReAction figure really didn't even have pins because of this.
Full Thread: Mezco 12-Inch Pinhead - Toyark Gallery
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