A Christmas Underground was first published in December 1997, as part of the Hellboy: Christmas Special.
Publication History[]
The Hellboy: Christmas Special included A Christmas Underground by Mike Mignola along with work by other writers and artists connected by the themes of Christmas and ghosts: Ernie's Holiday Ditty by Steve Purcell; A Strange Story by Gary Gianni; Christmas by Geof Darrow; Toybox by Steve Purcell; Corpus Monstrum in A Gift for the Wicked by Gary Gianni; and Further Reading by Mike Mignola.
Synopsis[]
Hellboy visits a dying woman in England on Christmas Eve 1989. He learns that the woman's daughter Annie disappeared five years ago, and agrees to give Annie a Christmas present from her mother. It is shown that she delusionally thinks that Hellboy is Santa. Hellboy enters an old grave nearby, and enters a hidden mansion. Annie is there and explains that she followed a mouse with silver eyes into a hole, and married the prince it became there. As her family die, they come to live with her. Annie cannot remember what Christmas is, but Hellboy gives Annie her mother's present, a cross necklace. The ring on her finger unwinds and becomes a lizard, thus breaking the "prince's" hold over Annie. Hellboy fights the now ghoulish family members, and the "prince" himself, a large mouse-like monster. Annie's spirit visits her mother as she dies, and the house burns down.
Story Chronology[]
The story takes place on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1989.
Content[]
Characters[]
General[]
- B.P.R.D.
- Unnamed Doctor
- Unnamed Priest
- Hatch Family
- Mrs. Hatch
- Ann Hatch
- Unnamed family members
- Talking Rat and Mouse
- Second son of a king (Monster)
Locations[]
- England
- Hatch Residence
Noteworthy artifacts[]
- Mrs. Hatch's crucifix
- Wedding Ring
Hellboy Publication Order | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Almost Colossus |
A Christmas Underground |
Followed by Heads |
Hellboy Trade Paperback Order | ||
---|---|---|
Vol. 3 The Chained Coffin and Others | ||
Preceded by The Baba Yaga |
A Christmas Underground |
Followed by The Chained Coffin |
Hellboy Story Chronology | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships |
A Christmas Underground |
Followed by Dr. Carp's Experiment |