The Ghoul

In *The Ghoul*'' (orReflections on Death and The Poetry of Worms**''), Hellboy confronts a poetry-spouting Ghoul.

Publication History

The Ghoul was first published as part of the anthology The Dark Horse Book of the Dead in June 2005. The volume is part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Horse_Book_of... Dark Horse Book of...] series of horror anthologies. The story was later reprinted in both Hellboy Comic Con Breda 2010 and the Hellboy 20th Anniversary Sampler.

Synopsis

One night in 1992, an old woman, Mrs. Stokes sits watching a puppet show of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The B.P.R.D. sends agent Pauline Raskin to speak with an old woman, Mrs. Stokes. Her husband Edward is out late that night, and Raskin shows her a number of photographs taken in a cemetery. Mrs. Stokes identifies her husband in the picture, but is confused by it.

The action cuts to Hammersmith Cemetery where Edward Stokes is reciting poetry, as he walks around. Hellboy startles Stokes and asks if he will come in quietly. Stokes runs and Hellboy follows. Stokes begins to reveal his true form, and bears his large inhuman teeth. Stokes continues to recite his poem as Hellboy beats him around the cemetery. Stokes rips off his shirt and dives down into a tomb. Images of Stokes being devoured by maggots are interspersed with scenes of Hamlet talking about the fact that in the end maggots eat all people, king and beggar alike.

Content

Characters

• Puppets on TV
• Mrs. Stokes
• B.P.R.D.
  • Pauline Raskin
  • Hellboy
• Edward Stokes ("The Ghoul")

Locations

• England
  • London
    • Stokes Residence
    • Hammersmith Cemetery