Hellboy Universe Reading Order, 1994-Present: The Devil You Know

The saga of Hellboy concludes with the introduction of… Hellboy!  

Hellboy made his true debut in 1994 with the Seed of Destruction mini-series. Since then, numerous tales taking place before that story have been told – some not featuring Hellboy at all – as the world of Hellboy was fleshed out to become something greater.

You can start with our first Hellboy Universe reading order which covers the period of time building up to the character’s arrival on Earth that expands on the histories of characters like Edward Grey, Witchfinder and Lobster Johnson (see HELLBOY UNIVERSE, 1339BC-1948).

We continued with our second reading order which chronologically runs through Hellboy’s earliest missions with the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense and included stories that feature the other members of the BPRD (see HELLBOY UNIVERSE, 1949-1993).

Alternatively, if you want to stick to the core Hellboy comics then this, right here, is the reading order for you. Beginning with the aforementioned Seed of Destruction, Hellboy truly walks the path to his destiny. But what is his destiny, exactly? And, of course, there are futher tales that star other characters from the Hellboy Universe like Abe Sapien and the rest of the BPRD. Once you’re done here, you can always go back and read the stories set earlier in the timeline, if you want to. After all, that’s pretty much the way they were originally released!

If you’re looking for Hellboy’s debut appearance, a prototype version of the character appeared in Dime Press #4 in 1993, so see our HELLBOY UNIVERSE, 1949-1993 reading order for more on that. The more familiar version made his true first appearance in San Diego Comic Con Comics #2, later that same year (which is included in the reading order below) and his first full-colour appearance in John Byrne’s Next Men #21 (which is clearly set outside of regular continuity) is also included in the 1940-1993 entry. The reading order below marks his official beginning, from a story perspective.

While majority of Hellboy stories in this entry are written and drawn by creator Mike Mignola, you’ll also find a wealth of other great creators contributing to the saga of the BPRD and its other ancillary characters, including John Arcudi, Brian Augustyn, Richard Corben, Guy Davis, Duncan Fegredo and many, many more.

A huge thank you to Dark Horse Comics, the Hellboy Wiki, Comic Vine and particularly Fraser Sherman for their invaluable assistance.

Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔ are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read. Some tales told in flashback that are set during this period will be marked as required reading in later Hellboy Universe Reading order entries.

Chronology: Every appearance of the characters from the Hellboy Universe set in this period are included in chronological order, laying out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.

Anthology Issues: When an issue contains multiple stories, the relevant story is denoted with square brackets. For example, [2/5] refers to the second story of the five stories in that issue, so you don’t need to read the other four.

Out-of-Continuity: The Hellboy appearances printed by publishers other than Dark Horse that are likely to be set outside of regular continuity are listed below in the ‘Alternates’ section; any other appearances that are likely to be outside of continuity have been included in the main list if Dark Horse produced them.

Spoilers: I’ve tried to keep spoilers to a minimum, but the story descriptions in the Full Reading Order may have the occasional one. So be warned!

Head back to the beginnings of the world of Hellboy with this reading order:

Want to keep it simple? Here’s the core reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns – just the stories:

  •      Next Men #21
  •      Danger Unlimited #4 [1/2]
  • Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1-4
  •      Dark Horse Presents #11[1/6]
  • Dark Horse Presents #88 [1/3]
  • Dark Horse Presents #89 [1/3]
  • Dark Horse Presents #90 [1/3]
  • Dark Horse Presents #91 [1/3]
  • San Diego Comic Con Comics #2 [8/9]
  •      Babe 2 #2
  • Dark Horse Presents #100.2 [1/6]
  •      Ghost/Hellboy #1-2
  • Hellboy: Wake the Devil #1-5
  • Hellboy: Almost Colossus #1-2
  • Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #2 [2/2]
  • Dark Horse Presents Annual 1998 [1/7]
  • Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #1 [1/2]
  • Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #2 [1/2]
  • Hellboy: The Right Hand of Doom tpb [10/10]
  •      Hellboy: Being Human #1
  • Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #1-2
  •      The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5
  • Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #3-4
  • Hellboy: Conqueror Worm tpb [5/5]
  •      BPRD: The Ectoplasmic Man #1
  •      Dark Horse Extra #42-44 [BPRD]
  •      BPRD: Hollow Earth #1-3
  • Hellboy: The Third Wish #1-2
  •      BPRD: The Soul of Venice #1
  •      BPRD: Dark Waters #1
  •      BPRD: Night Train #1
  •      BPRD: There’s Something Under My Bed #1
  •      BPRD: vol.1: The Soul of Venice [5/5]
  •      Criminal Macabre/The Goon: When Freaks Collide #1
  •      The Goon #7
  • BPRD: Plague of Frogs #1-5
  •      Hellboy Premiere Edition [2/2]
  • BPRD: The Dead #1-5
  •      Crimson Lotus #1-5
  •      Abe Sapien #15
  • Hellboy: The Island #1-2
  • Hellboy: Into the Silent Sea
  • BPRD: The Black Flame #1
  • BPRD: War on Frogs #1
  • MySpace Dark Horse Presents #8-9 [BPRD]
  • BPRD: War on Frogs #4
  • BPRD: War on Frogs #2
  • BPRD: The Black Flame #2-6
  • BPRD: War on Frogs #3
  • BPRD: The Universal Machine #1-5
  • BPRD: Garden of Souls #1-5 (2007)
  •      Free Comic Book Day: Hellboy [1/3] (2008)
  • Hellboy: Darkness Calls #1-6
  • Hellboy: Darkness Calls tpb [7/8]
  • Hellboy: Darkness Calls tpb [8/8]
  • BPRD: Killing Ground #1-5
  • Free Comic Book Day: Hellboy [3/3] (2008)
  • BPRD: The Warning #1-5
  • BPRD: The Black Goddess #1-5
  • BPRD: King of Fear #1-5
  • Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1-8
  • Hellboy: The Storm #1-3
  • Hellboy: The Fury #1-3
  • Hellboy: The Storm and the Fury tpb [7/7]
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – New World #1-5
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – Gods #1-3
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – Monsters #1-2
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – Russia #1-5
  • Dark Horse Comics Presents #8 [1/10]
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Devil’s Engine #1-3
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Long Death #1-3
  •      BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Pickens County Horror #1-2
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Abyss of Time #1-2
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Return of the Master #1-5
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #107-109
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth – A Cold Day in Hell #1-2
  • Abe Sapien #1-3
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #110-114
  • Abe Sapien #27
  • Abe Sapien #4-5
  • Hellboy in Hell #1-4
  • Abe Sapien #6-7
  • Abe Sapien #9-11
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #115-119
  • Abe Sapien #12-14
  • Abe Sapien #16-17
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #120-124
  •      BPRD: Hell on Earth – Exorcism #1-2
  • Abe Sapien #18-22
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #125-129
  • Abe Sapien #24-26
  • Abe Sapien #28-29
  • Hellboy in Hell #5
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #130-132
  • Abe Sapien #31-33
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #135 [1/2]
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #136-139
  • Hellboy in Hell #6-8
  •      BPRD: Hell on Earth #140-142
  • Abe Sapien #34
  •      Dark Horse Presents #16 [7/7]
  • Hellboy in Hell #9
  • Koshchei the Deathless #1-6
  • Abe Sapien #35
  • Hellboy in Hell #10
  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #143-147
  • Abe Sapien #36
  • BPRD: The Devil You Know #1-15
  •      Sword of Hyperborea #1-4
  •      Sir Edward Grey: Acheron #1
  •      Koshchei in Hell #1-4
  •      Frankenstein: New World #1-4

Must ReadsTitle, Synopsis & First AppearancesEvent/Crossover
Next Men #21 (1993)
1993: Hellboy saves two kids who fall prey to a subway tunnel collapse, fighting a monster to allow their escape.
Note: This story is set outside regular Hellboy continuity.
Danger Unlimited #4 [1/2] (1994)
Hellboy is present at the formation of Danger Unlimited.
Note: This is likely to be set outside of regular Hellboy continuity.
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1 [1/2] (1994)
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #2 [1/2] (1994)
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #3 [1/2] (1994)
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #4 [1/2] (1994)
Hellboy learns about his true purpose on Earth when Grigori Rasputin returns, allied once more with theNazi scientists of Project Ragna Rok; Hellboy, Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman tackle frog monsters and avenge the death of a key member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD).

1st appearance: Trevor Bruttenholm, Elihu Cavendish, Emma Cavendish, Lady Cynthia Eden-Jones, Malcolm Frost, Ilsa Haupstein, Kroenen, Leopold Kurtz, Director Tom Manning, Ogdru Jahad, Sven Olafson, Grigori Rasputin, Sadu-Hem, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, Klaus Werner von Krupt, Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense/BPRD, Project Ragna Rok
Dark Horse Presents #11 [1/6] (2015)
1994: ‘Subconscious’ – While confronting a deadly creature, Abe Sapien sees visions of his future.
Dark Horse Presents #88 [1/3] (1994)
Dark Horse Presents #89 [1/3] (1994)
Dark Horse Presents #90 [1/3] (1994)
Dark Horse Presents #91 [1/3] (1994)
‘The Wolves of St August’ – Hellboy looks into a wild animal attack in a small town, discovering a werewolf may be the more likely cause.

1st appearance: Dr Kate Corrigan, William Grenier
San Diego Comic Con Comics #2 [8/9] (1993)
Hellboy takes on the Egyptian god Anubis at a gas station.

1st appearance: Hellboy, Anubis
Babe 2 #2 (1995)
Babe is assisted by Abe Sapien when a band of cyborg alligators rise up from under the city; Hellboy reports Babe’s activities back to Danger Unlimited.
Note: This is likely to be set outside of regular Hellboy continuity.
Dark Horse Presents #100.2 [1/6] (1995)
‘The Chained Coffin’ – Hellboy returns to the church in East Bromwich where he first emerged on Earth to learn secrets of his past.

1st appearance: Azzael, Sarah Hughes
Note: This issue is sometimes referred to as Dark Horse Presents 100 #2
Ghost/Hellboy #1-2 (1996)
Hellboy and Ghost are tricked into fighting each other.
Note: This is likely to be set outside of regular Hellboy continuity.
Hellboy: Wake the Devil #1 [1/2] (1996)
Hellboy: Wake the Devil #2 [1/2] (1996)
Hellboy: Wake the Devil #3 [1/2] (1996)
Hellboy: Wake the Devil #4 [1/2] (1996)
Hellboy: Wake the Devil #5 [1/2] (1996)
Project Ragna Rok resurrect the vampire Vladimir Giurescu while Hellboy continues to investigate his own origins; Liz Sherman discovers a homunculus.

1st appearance: Baba Yaga, Father Nicholas Budenz, Scott Clark, Vladimir Giurescu, Sir Edward Grey, Hecate, Koku, Sidney Leach, Roger the Homunculus (unnamed), Roger’s brother, Lawrence St George, Bud Waller
Hellboy: Almost Colossus #1 [1/2] (1997)
Hellboy: Almost Colossus #2 [1/2] (1997)
Hellboy hunts the homunculus that drained Liz Sherman’s powers, hoping to restore them before the loss takes her life.

New identity: The homunculus as Roger
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #2 [2/2] (1999)
Abe Sapien vs Science’ – Abe Sapien and the BPRD seek a way to restore Roger the Homunculus to life.
Dark Horse Presents Annual 1998 [1/7] (1998)
‘The Right Hand of Doom’ – Hellboy learns a little about the origin of his stone hand.
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #1 [1/2] (1997)
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #2 [1/2] (1997)
Hellboy’s destiny is stolen from him and passed to the demon Ualac by Igor Bromhead.

1st appearance: Astaroth, Igor Bromhead, Robert Isherwood
Hellboy: The Right Hand of Doom tpb [10/10] (2000)
‘Box Full of Evil: Epilogue’ – Hellboy starts to question his role in the BPRD.
Hellboy: Being Human #1 (2011)
Hellboy and Roger the Homunculus interrupt a witch’s creepy dinner party.

Must ReadsTitle, Synopsis & First AppearancesEvent/Crossover
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5 (pp.1-9) (2017)
The Visitor delivers his final report and heads to Austria.
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #1-2 (2001)
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #2 (pp.1-5) (2001)
The BPRD truly test Hellboy’s loyalty when they send him and Roger on a mission to destroy an experimental Nazi rocket before it can return to Earth.

1st appearance: Inger von Klempt
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5 (pp.10-11) (2017)
The Visitor is held prisoner by Herman von Klempt.
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #2 (pp.6-14) (2001)
Lobster Johnson and Roger uncover the hidden labs beneath Hunte Castle.
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5 (p.12) (2017)
The Visitor is woken by gunfire.
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #2 (pp.15-20) (2001)
Lobster Johnson and Roger uncover the hidden labs beneath Hunte Castle.
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5 (p.13) (2017)
The Visitor senses Hellboy’s arrival.
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #2 (pp.21-27) (2001) / The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5 (pp.14-22) (2017)
Hellboy battles Kriegaffe; the Visitor reveals he’s been watching Hellboy for years.
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #2 (pp.28-29) (2001)
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #3-4 (2001)
The fate of Lobster Johnson is revealed; the machinations of Rasputin and his Nazi allies threaten to unleash the Ogdru Hem and the Ogdru Jahad.

1st appearance: Conqueror Worm, Ogdru Hem, Inger von Klemt
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm tpb [5/5] (2002)
‘Conqueror Worm: Epilogue’ – Rasputin’s fate is decided.
BPRD: The Ectoplasmic Man #1 (2008)
The origin of Johann Kraus is revealed.
Dark Horse Extra #42-44 [BPRD] (2001-2002)
BPRD: Hollow Earth #1-3 (2002)
Kate Corrigan decides to recruit Johann Straus; troglodytes kidnap Liz Sherman; Straus goes on his first mission with the BPRD, alongside Abe Sapien and Roger.

1st appearance: King of Fear, Johann Strauss
HOLLOW EARTH
Hellboy: The Third Wish #1-2 (2002)
Estranged from the BPRD, Hellboy travels the world seeking the truth about his purpose on Earth and encounters all manner of strange creatures.
1st appearance: Ananse, Bog Roosh, Mohlomi
BPRD: The Soul of Venice #1 (2003)
The BPRD investigate the sudden pollution of Venice’s canals and discover vampire Romulus Diovanni’s attempt to steal the city’s soul.
BPRD: Dark Waters #1 (2003)
Abe Sapien and Roger the Homunculus discover a twisted conspiracy in a small Massachusetts town.
BPRD: Night Train #1 (2003)
Liz Sherman and Roger the Homunculus encounter a ghost train and the spirit of the Lobster in Alabama.
BPRD: There’s Something Under My Bed #1 (2003)
A group of monsters are kidnapping children in Pennsylvania, prompting a visit from the BPRD.
BPRD: vol.1: The Soul of Venice [5/5] (2004)
‘Another Day at the Office’ – Abe Sapien and Johann Kraus face zombies n Moldavia.
Criminal Macabre/The Goon: When Freaks Collide #1 (2011)
Hellboy cameo; following the Goons team-up with Cal McDonald, Hellboy emerges.
Note: This is likely to be set outside of regular Hellboy continuity.
The Goon #7 (2004)
Hellboy and the Goon fight zombies, play cards and drink beer.
Note: This is likely to be set outside of regular Hellboy continuity.
BPRD: Plague of Frogs #1-5 (2004)
The origin of Abe Sapien is revealed when a wave of Frog Monsters is unleashed.

1st appearance: Dameron, Ensner, McWhirter, Professor James Henry O’Donnell, Oannes Society, Edward Musgrove Sundborne
Hellboy Premiere Edition [2/2] (2004, Dark Horse/Wizard Magazine)
2004: ‘Born Again’ – The remains of a gigantic creature are reanimated when the BPRD accidentally reconnect its body and spirit.
BPRD: The Dead #1-5 (2004-2005)
The BPRD and their new Field Team Commander Ben Daimio unearth a conspiracy inside the US Government with connections to Nazi scientists and the Spear of Destiny.

1st appearance: Black Flame/Raimund Diestel, Edith Caul, Crimson Lotus/Yumiko Daimio, Gunter Eiss, Memnan Saa
Crimson Lotus #1-5 (2018-2019)
Flashback to 1932: The origin of the Crimson Lotus is revealed as she begins her deadly quest for revenge.
Abe Sapien #15 (2014)
Abe Sapien and Rager battle a soul-stealing creature while arguing about their methods for dealing with their own true natures.

Must ReadsTitle, Synopsis & First AppearancesEvent/Crossover
Hellboy: The Island #1-2 (2005)
Hellboy finally learns the origins of his stone hand when he’s washed up on an island and a follower of the Ogdru Jahad tries to steal it.
1st appearance: Queen Mab, Thoth, Urgo-Hem
Hellboy: Into the Silent Sea (2005)
Having escaped the island, Hellboy sails into a ghost ship.
BPRD: The Black Flame #1 (2005)
The BPRD discover the Frog Monster plague is more prevalent that they thought.
BPRD: War on Frogs #1 (2008)
MySpace Dark Horse Presents #8-9 [BPRD] (2008)
BPRD: War on Frogs #4 (2009)
BPRD: War on Frogs #2 (2008)
The BPRD’s war on the Frog Monsters escalates and spreads across America.
Note: MySpace Dark Horse Presents #8-9 – also referred to as ‘Revival’ – were later reprinted as BPRD: War on Frogs #5 in 2008 and is extended in collected editions.
WAR ON FROGS
BPRD: The Black Flame #2-6 (2005-2006)
The BPRD discover the mastermind behind the plague of Frog Monsters; the new Black Flame summons the third Ogdru-Hem, Katha-Hem; a member of the BPRD falls in the conflict.

1st appearance: Black Flame/Landis Pope, Martin Gilfryd, Katha-Hem, Shonchin
BPRD: War on Frogs #3 (2009)
The Black Flame’s power continues to grow as his war with the BPRD continues.

1st appearance: Ashley Strode
WAR ON FROGS
BPRD: The Universal Machine #1-5 (2006)
Kate Corrigan makes questionable decisions in a desperate effort to revive Roger the Homunculus; Captain Daimio reveals the cause of his death; Abe Sapien tells of a past mission with Hellboy.

1st appearance: Manuel Antonio Chaves, Marquis Adoet de Fabre, Andrew Devon, Iblifika, Marchosias, Daryl Tynon
BPRD: Garden of Souls #1-5 (2007)
Captain Daimio and Abe Sapien investigate an occult group who have connections to Abe’s past; Johann Strauss makes a shocking discovery about the BPRD.

1st appearance: Lord Adam Glaren, Panya
Free Comic Book Day: Hellboy [1/3] (2008)
2006: ‘The Mole’ – After a card game with three ghosts, the mole on Hellboy’s hand turns into a demon… or did it?
Hellboy: Darkness Calls #1-6 (2007)
Hellboy is hunted by Baba Yaga’s immortal agent, Koshchei the Deathless.

1st appearance: Henry Hood, Koshchei the Deathless, Harry H Middleton, Perun, Vasilisa
Hellboy: Darkness Calls tpb [7/8] (2008)
‘Epilogue One’ – The BPRD receive a letter from Hellboy who’s clearly unaware what the team have gone through in the six years since he’s been gone.
Hellboy: Darkness Calls tpb [8/8] (2008)
‘Epilogue Two’ – Sir Edward Grey’s past and future are revealed by Hecate.
BPRD: Killing Ground #1-5 (2007)
A creature is leaving a trail of blood as it makes its way through BPRD headquarters.
Free Comic Book Day: Hellboy [3/3] (2008)
BPRD: The Warning #1-5 (2008)
BPRD: The Black Goddess #1-5 (2009)
Abe Sapien heads up a search party to find the missing Captain Daimio; the BPRD turn to the ghost of the Lobster got help in finding the mind-controlling Martin Guilfryd; Guilfryd warns of the impending final battle.

1st appearance: Bagha Yai, Doris, Brunan Karhu, Gustav Strobl
THE WARNING
BPRD: King of Fear #1-5 (2010)
The War on Frogs reaches its climax as the BPRD face the King of Fear and the Black Flame with the fate of the world at stake.

1st appearance: Evelyn, Gibney
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1 (2008)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #2 [1/2] (2009)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #3 [1/2] (2009)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #4 [1/2] (2009)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #5 [1/2] (2009)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #6 [1/2] (2009)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #7 [1/2] (2009)
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #8 (2009)
Hellboy leaves Italy for the British Isles and is invited to become a member of a band of monster Hunters called the Wild Hunt; more secrets from Hellboy’s past emerge when the group seek the Queen of Blood and face betrayal by one of their own.

1st appearance: Eligor, Hunt Master, Morgan le Fay, Nimue/Queen of Blood/Lady of the Lake
Hellboy: The Storm #1-3 (2010)
The Oghdru Jahad take control of the Queen of Blood as the Wild Hunt continues.
Hellboy: The Fury #1-3 (2011)
The Wild Hunt comes to an end as Hellboy clashes with the possessed Queen of Blood with England paying a terrible price.
Hellboy: The Storm and the Fury tpb [7/7] (2012)
‘Epilogue’ – The Oannes Society question Hellboy’s true role in the world.

Must ReadsTitle, Synopsis & First AppearancesEvent/Crossover
BPRD: Hell on Earth – New World #1-5 (2010)
Abe Sapien investigates reports of Wendigo sightings and reunites with an old member of the BPRD; Kate Corrigan deals with issues within the BPRD.

1st appearance: Carla Giarocco
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Gods #1-3 (2011)
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Monsters #1-2 (2011)
Chaos erupts in Texas as man-eating monsters descend; Abe Sapien encounters a sixteen-year-old psychic; Liz Sherman’s life away from the BPRD proves to be equally fraught with danger.

1st appearance: Fenix Espejo
GODS AND MONSTERS
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Russia #1-5 (2011-2012)
With two of their key members out of action, Kate Corrigan and Johann Strauss meet with Russian version of the BPRD, though they soon find themselves up against zombies and the Ogdru-Hem.

1st appearance: Dr Lazar
Dark Horse Comics Presents #8 [1/10] (2012)
Kate Corrigan heads to England in search of Hellboy and learns of his death.
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Devil’s Engine #1-3 (2012)
The man-eating monsters continue their killing-spree in New Mexico; the Zinco Corporation begin to make their true intentions clear; Andrew Devon and Fenix Espejo form an uneasy alliance.
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Long Death #1-3 (2012)
With Abe out of action, Johann Strauss becomes the BPRD’s key agent; Daimio and the Wendigo have their ultimate showdown.

1st appearance: Agent Gervesh, Agent Nichols
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Pickens County Horror #1-2 (2012)
With the world in chaos, the undead Agent Vaughn stumbles across a clan of vampires in South Carolina.
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Abyss of Time #1-2 (2013)
Agent Vaughn and Agent Ted Howards discover the existence of the Sword of Hyperborea.

1st appearance: Agent Ted Howards, Sword of Hyperborea
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Return of the Master #1-5 (2012)
A mad Russian scientist who escaped the causes major problems for the BPRD when he assembles is own cult; Zinco attempt the resurrection of Grigori Rasputin.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #107-109 (2013)
The BPRD find the residents of Chicago have been transformed into monsters.
1st appearance: Agent Enos
BPRD: Hell on Earth – A Cold Day in Hell #1-2 (2013)
The Special Sciences Service join forces with the BPRD to prevent Varvara from escaping
Abe Sapien #1-3 (2013)
The transformed Abe Sapien goes on the run from the BPRD, only to find himself fighting more monsters.

1st appearance: Willis
BPRD: Hell on Earth #110-114 (2013)
Liz Sherman fights her way out of a twisted hospital run by a mad doctor; the BPRD discover Manhattan is under the Black Flame’s control.

1st appearance: Agent Tian
Abe Sapien #27 (2015)
Abe begins to recall his past, including his interactions with certain secret societies.
Abe Sapien #4-5 (2013)
Abe discovers a strange egg-worshipping cult at the Salton Sea.

1st appearance: Bob, Gene
Hellboy in Hell #1-4 (2012-2013)
In the afterlife, Hellboy is assisted by Sir Edward Grey who guides him to Pandemonium, the city of demons.

1st appearance: Amdusias, Beelzebub, Hellboy’s wife, Satan, Shax
Abe Sapien #6-7 (2013)
Abe Sapien discovers the connection between the origins of man and the current state of the world.

1st appearance: Elena
Abe Sapien #9-11 (2014)
Abe discovers a mad necromancer summoning monsters from the corpses in Arizona.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #115-119 (2014)
The BPRD and the Special Sciences Service make their move against the Black Flame in Manhattan.
1st appearance: Sergeant Leonid
Abe Sapien #12-14 (2014)
Abe Sapien is mistaken for Satan and gains a new companion; Abe’s guilt over the death toll in Arizona comes back to haunt him; Abe’s efforts to investigate Grace’s past lead him to a crazed witch.

1st appearance: Grace, Nastassja Hansen
Abe Sapien #16-17 (2014)
Abe Sapien returns to the site where he was shot by Fenix and is briefly reunited with the BPRD who suspect Abe of being aligned with the monsters due to his transformation.

1st appearance: Dayana, Megan

Must ReadsTitle, Synopsis & First AppearancesEvent/Crossover
BPRD: Hell on Earth #120-124 (2014)
Kate Corrigan is possessed by a satanic war veteran; in Japan, a giant monster battles the Ogdru Hem for control of the country; Johann Strauss faces the Ogdru Hem in Santa Fe.

1st appearance: Oscar Hashimoto
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Exorcism #1-2 (2012)
In a village in Mexico, Agent Ashley Strode works to free a 100-year-old exorcist of a demon that’s taking possession of him.
Abe Sapien #18-22 (2014-2015)
On the Texas Gulf Coast, Abe and Grace face a deadly necromancer.

1st appearance: Arbogast
BPRD: Hell on Earth #125-129 (2014-2015)
Ted Howards’ connection to his past as a prehistoric warrior come to the fore, which could help the BPRD kill a monster they’re hunting; the Black Flame guides the Zinco Corporation.
Abe Sapien #24-26 (2015)
Abe Sapien discovers a sunken town in Florida with connections to his past and one of Sir Edward Grey’s stranger cases.
Abe Sapien #28-29 (2015)
Abe learns what role he actually played in the world’s current state and the role he’ll play in the future.
Hellboy in Hell #5 (2013)
Hellboy helps a man retrieve his soul.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #130-132 (2015)
Johann Kraus loses his last grasp on his humanity after a massacre in Kansas and the discovery that the death of a fellow agent was far worse than he thought.
Abe Sapien #31-33 (2016)
Memnan Saa’s mentor Gustav Strobl finally makes it to the Black School where he initiates his plans for Abe Sapien; Abe gets answers about his past and discovers Professor Bruttenholm and the BPRD knew the truth about his origins all along.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #135 [1/2] (2015)
BPRD: Hell on Earth #136-139 (2015-2016)
The BPRD lead the final charge against the Black Flame in a last-ditch effort to save New York City.
Hellboy in Hell #6-8 (2014-2015)
Hellboy has a card game with the vampire of Prague; to avoid becoming a phantom, Hellboy goes through a hideous family reunion.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #140-142 (2016)
Ashley Strode investigates a series of disappearances in a small town and finds they’re connected to demon activity.

1st appearance: Balam
Abe Sapien #34 (2016)
Abe Sapien confronts Gustav Strobl as he finally discovers his true destiny.
Dark Horse Presents #16 [7/7] (2015)
In Hell, a corpse tells Hellboy his tale of regret.
Hellboy in Hell #9 (2016)
A meeting with the woman he married in Spain changes Hellboy’s feelings about his destiny.
Koshchei the Deathless #1-6 (2018)
In Hell, Koshchei relays his life (and death) story to Hellboy.
Abe Sapien #35 (2016)
Abe heads to England, pursued by Gustav Strobl in his new form.
Hellboy in Hell #10 (2016)
Hellboy brings about the end of Hell.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #143-146 (2016)
BPRD: Hell on Earth #147 (pp.1-15) (2016)
Abe Sapien #36 (pp.1-4) (2016)
BPRD: Hell on Earth #147 (pp.16-23) (2016)
Abe Sapien #36 (pp.5-22) (2016)
The Ogdru Hem continue to spawn monsters over Earth as the BPRD make their final stand; as the Ogdru Jahad proves to be unstoppable, the BPRD turn to an old foe for help; Abe Sapien faces Gustav Strobl one final time.
COMETH THE HOUR
BPRD: The Devil You Know #1-15 (2017-2019)
With the Ogdru Hem gone, Hellboy and the BPRD faces the outstanding threats of Varvara and Rasputin.
Sword of Hyperborea #1-4 (2022)
With the war over, the history of the Sword of Hyperborea is revealed.
Sir Edward Grey: Acheron #1 (2021)
Edward Grey returns to Hell to carry out the final tasks that will truly save the world.
Koshchei in Hell #1-4 (2022-2023)
Acheron gives Koshchei the talk of defending Pandemonium from Pluto.
Frankenstein: New World #1-4 (2022)
Frankenstein explores the world above, only to find monsters still exist.

Stories featuring different versions of Hellboy and stories set in alternate comics universes:

Must ReadsTitle, Synopsis & First Appearances
Gen13 #13C (1996, Image Comics)
Hellboy assists Gen13 and Monkeyman & O’Brien against the Frenzy Beast.
Savage Dragon #34-35, 41 (1996-1997, Image Comics)
After initially clashing with Dragon, Hellboy teams up with him to take on Hitler’s brain; Hellboy attends Barbaric and Ricochet’s wedding.
Hellboy Junior Halloween Special #1 (1997)
Hellboy Junior #1-2 (1999)
Adult humour comic set outside regular continuity.
Painkiller Jane/Hellboy #1 (1998, Event Comics)
An ancient creature is released into the world; Hellboy and Painkiller Jane must team up to stop it.
Batman/Hellboy/Starman #1-2 (1999, DC/Dark Horse)
Hellboy teams up with Batman and Starman of the DC Universe to rescue the original Starman from Nazis.
Hellboy: Weird Tales #1-8 (2003)
Short, out-of-continuity stories from a host of comic creators, published while Mike Mignola was busy making the first Hellboy film.
Hellboy Animated: Phantom Limbs (2006)
Hellboy Animated vol.1: The Black Wedding (2007)

Hellboy Animated: The Yearning (2007)
Hellboy Animated vol.2: The Judgment Bell (2007)
Hellboy Animated vol.3: The Menagerie (2007)
One-shots set in Hellboy’s animated continuity.
Madman Atomic Comics #1 (2007, Image Comics)
Hellboy is among those who appear to Madman in a strange dream sequence.
Itty Bitty Hellboy #1-5 (2013)
Itty Bitty Hellboy Halloween ComicFest #1 (2013)
Itty Bitty Hellboy: The Search for the Were-Jaguar #1-4 (2015)
A family-friendly version of Hellboy’s adventures.
BPRD: Hell on Earth #135 [1/2] (2015)
The history of the Black Flame is recounted for an angry fan.
Hellboy Winter Special [4/4] (2016)
The Lobster tries to order takeaway.
Fearless Dawn Meets Hellboy #1 (2020, Exploding Albatross Funnybooks)
Hellboy and Fearless Dawn take on an undead Panzer division.
Frankenstein Undone #1-2 (2020)
Originally a 5-issue series which was cancelled and is no longer considered part of continuity.

Must ReadsIssue/StoryCollected in…
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1-4Hellboy vol.1: Seed of Destruction
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.1: Seed of Destruction

Hellboy Library Edition vol.1
Dark Horse Presents #11Abe Sapien vol.9: Lost Lives and Other Stories
 
Ave Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories Omnibus
Dark Horse Presents #88-91Hellboy vol.3: The Chained Coffin
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.1: Seed of Destruction
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.2
San Diego Comic Con Comics #2Hellboy vol.1: Seed of Destruction
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.1: Seed of Destruction

Hellboy Library Edition vol.1
Dark Horse Presents #100.2Hellboy vol.3: The Chained Coffin
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.1: Seed of Destruction
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.2
Hellboy: Wake the Devil #1-5Hellboy vol.2: Wake the Devil
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.1: Seed of Destruction
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.1
Hellboy: Almost Colossus #1-2Hellboy vol.3: The Chained Coffin
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.1: Seed of Destruction
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.2
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #2 [2/2]BPRD vol.1: Hollow Earth & Other Stories
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.1
Dark Horse Presents Annual 1998 [1/7]
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #1 [1/2]
Hellboy: Box Full of Evil #2 [1/2]
Hellboy: The Right Hand of Doom tpb [10/10]
Hellboy vol.4: The Right Hand of Doom
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.2
Hellboy: Being Human #1BPRD: Being Human
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #1-2Hellboy vol.5: Conqueror Worm
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.3
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #5The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed
 
Hellboy Universe Omnibus: The Secret Histories
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm #1-4
Hellboy: Conqueror Worm tpb [5/5]
Hellboy vol.5: Conqueror Worm
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.3
BPRD: The Ectoplasmic Man #1BPRD: Being Human
Dark Horse Extra #42-44
BPRD: Hollow Earth #1-3
BPRD: vol.1: Hollow Earth & Other Stories
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.1

BPRD Omnibus vol.1
Hellboy: The Third Wish #1-2Hellboy vol.6: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Universe Essentials: Hellboy
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.3
BPRD: The Soul of Venice #1
BPRD: Dark Waters #1
BPRD: Night Train #1
BPRD: There’s Something Under My Bed #1
BPRD: vol.1: The Soul of Venice [5/5]
BPRD vol.2: The Soul of Venice
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.1

BPRD Omnibus vol.1
BPRD: Plague of Frogs #1-5BPRD vol.3: Plague of Frogs
 
Hellboy Universe Essentials: BPRD
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.1

BPRD Omnibus vol.1
Hellboy Premiere Edition [2/2]
BPRD: The Dead #1-5
BPRD vol.4: The Dead
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2
Crimson Lotus #1-5Crimson Lotus
Abe Sapien #15Abe Sapien vol.9: Lost Lives and Other Stories
 
Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories Omnibus
Hellboy: The Island #1-2Hellboy vol.6: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.3
Hellboy: Into the Silent SeaHellboy Omnibus vol.2: Strange Places
BPRD: The Black Flame #1BPRD vol.5: The Black Flame
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: War on Frogs #1BPRD vol.12: War on Frogs
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.2
MySpace Dark Horse Presents #8-9BPRD vol.12: War on Frogs
 
MySpace Dark Horse Presents vol.2
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: War on Frogs #4, 2BPRD vol.12: War on Frogs
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: The Black Flame #2-6BPRD vol.5: The Black Flame
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: War on Frogs #3BPRD vol.12: War on Frogs
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: The Universal Machine #1-5BPRD vol.6: The Universal Machine
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.3

BPRD Omnibus vol.3
BPRD: Garden of Souls #1-5BPRD vol.7: Garden of Souls
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.3

BPRD Omnibus vol.3

Must ReadsIssue/StoryCollected in…
Free Comic Book Day: Hellboy [1/3] (2008)Hellboy vol.10: The Crooked Man and Others
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.3: The Wild Hunt
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.5
Hellboy: Darkness Calls #1-6
Hellboy: Darkness Calls tpb [7/8]
Hellboy: Darkness Calls tpb [7/8]
Hellboy vol.8: Darkness Calls
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.3: The Wild Hunt
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.5
BPRD: Killing Ground #1-5BPRD vol.8: Killing Ground
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.3

BPRD Omnibus vol.3
Free Comic Book Day: Hellboy 2008 [3/3]
BPRD: The Warning #1-5
BPRD vol.10: The Warning
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.4
BPRD: The Black Goddess #1-5BPRD vol.11: The Black Goddess
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.4
BPRD: King of Fear #1-5BPRD vol.14: King of Fear
 
BPRD: Plague of Frogs Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.4
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1-8Hellboy vol.9: The Wild Hunt
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.3: The Wild Hunt
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.5
Hellboy: The Storm #1-3
Hellboy: The Fury #1-3
Hellboy: The Storm and the Fury tpb [7/7]
Hellboy vol.12: The Storm and the Fury
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.3: The Wild Hunt
 
Hellboy Library Edition vol.6
BPRD: Hell on Earth – New World #1-5BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.1: New World
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.1

BPRD Omnibus vol.5
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Gods #1-3
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Monsters #1-2
BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.2: Gods and Monsters
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.1

BPRD Omnibus vol.5
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Russia #1-5
Dark Horse Comics Presents #8 [1/10]
BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.3: Russia
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.1

BPRD Omnibus vol.5
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Devil’s Engine #1-3
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Long Death #1-3
BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.4: The Devil’s Engine & the Long Death
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.6
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Pickens County Horror #1-2
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Abyss of Time #1-2
BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.5: The Pickens County Horror & Others
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.6
BPRD: Hell on Earth – The Return of the Master #1-5BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.6: The Return of the Master
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.2

BPRD Omnibus vol.6
BPRD: Hell on Earth #107-109
BPRD: Hell on Earth – A Cold Day in Hell #1-2
BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.7: A Cold Day in Hell
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.3

BPRD Omnibus vol.7
Abe Sapien #1-3Abe Sapien vol.3: Dark and Terrible and The New Race of Man
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.1
BPRD: Hell on Earth #110-114BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.8: Lake of Fire
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.3

BPRD Omnibus vol.7
Abe Sapien #27Abe Sapien vol.9: Last Lives and Other Stories
 
Abe Sapien: The Drowning and Other Stories Omnibus
Abe Sapien #4-5Abe Sapien vol.3: Dark and Terrible and The New Race of Man
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.1
Hellboy in Hell #1-4Hellboy in Hell vol.1: The Descent
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.4: Hellboy in Hell
 
Hellboy in Hell Library Edition
Abe Sapien #6-7, 9-11Abe Sapien vol.4: The Shape of Things to Come
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.1
BPRD: Hell on Earth #115-119BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.9: The Reign of the Black Flame
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.3

BPRD Omnibus vol.7
Abe Sapien #12-14, 16-17Abe Sapien vol.5: Sacred Place
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.1
BPRD: Hell on Earth #120-124BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.10: The Devil’s Wings
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.8
BPRD: Hell on Earth – Exorcism #1-2BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.14: The Exorcist
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.8
Abe Sapien #18-22Abe Sapien vol.6: A Darkness So Great
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: Hell on Earth #125-129BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.11: Flesh and Stone
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.8
Abe Sapien #24-26, 28-29Abe Sapien vol.7: The Secret Fire
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.2
Hellboy in Hell #5Hellboy in Hell vol.1: The Descent
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.4: Hellboy in Hell
 
Hellboy in Hell Library Edition
BPRD: Hell on Earth #130-132BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.12: Metamorphosis
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.5

BPRD Omnibus vol.9
Abe Sapien #33Abe Sapien vol.7: The Secret Fire
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: Hell on Earth #135-139BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.13: End of Days
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.5

BPRD Omnibus vol.9

Must ReadsIssue/StoryCollected in…
Hellboy in Hell #6-8Hellboy in Hell vol.2: The Death Card
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.4: Hellboy in Hell
 
Hellboy in Hell Library Edition
BPRD: Hell on Earth #140-142BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.14: The Exorcist
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.4

BPRD Omnibus vol.8
Abe Sapien #34Abe Sapien vol.8: The Desolate Shore
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.2
Dark Horse Presents #16 [7/7]
Hellboy in Hell #9
Hellboy in Hell vol.2: The Death Card
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.4: Hellboy in Hell
 
Hellboy in Hell Library Edition
Koshchei the Deathless #1-6Koshchei the Deathless
Abe Sapien #35Abe Sapien vol.8: The Desolate Shore
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.2
Hellboy in Hell #10Hellboy in Hell vol.2: The Death Card
 
Hellboy Omnibus vol.4: Hellboy in Hell
 
Hellboy in Hell Library Edition
BPRD: Hell on Earth #143-147BPRD: Hell on Earth vol.15: Cometh the Hour
 
BPRD: Hell on Earth Omnibus vol.5

BPRD Omnibus vol.9
Abe Sapien #36Abe Sapien vol.8: The Desolate Shore
 
Abe Sapien: Dark and Terrible Omnibus vol.2
BPRD: The Devil You Know #1-5BPRD: The Devil You Know vol.1: Messiah
 
BPRD: The Devil You Know Omnibus

BPRD Omnibus vol.10
BPRD: The Devil You Know #6-10BPRD: The Devil You Know vol.2: Pandemonium
 
BPRD: The Devil You Know Omnibus

BPRD Omnibus vol.10
BPRD: The Devil You Know #11-15BPRD: The Devil You Know vol.3: Ragna Rok
 
BPRD: The Devil You Know Omnibus

BPRD Omnibus vol.10
Sword of Hyperborea #1-4Sword of Hyperborea
Sir Edward Grey: Witchfinder – Acheron #1
Koshchei in Hell #1-4
Koshchei in Hell
Frankenstein: New World #1-4Frankenstein: New World

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