A Christmas Underground
| Writer | Mike Mignola |
|---|---|
| Art | Mike Mignola |
| Colorist | Dave Stewart |
| Lettering | Pat Brosseau |
| Editor | Scott Allie |
| Published by | Hellboy: Christmas Special |
| Issues | Hellboy #14 |
| Publication date | December 1997 |
| Collected edition | Hellboy – Volume 3: The Chained Coffin and Others |
| Collected in | Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories – Volume 2 |
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 short-form work by other writers and artists connected by the themes of Christmas and ghosts.
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