Hellboy: The Crooked Man Comic (2026): Which Collection to Buy and What to Read Next
The Mignola and Corben folk-horror comic behind the 2024 Hellboy film: what it is, which collection contains it, how it compares with the movie, and what to read next.
By Web Admin
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a three-issue comic from 2008, written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and drawn by the late Richard Corben, and it’s widely considered one of the best Hellboy stories ever told. It’s also the basis for the 2024 film Hellboy: The Crooked Man. If the movie sent you looking for the comic, it’s short and self-contained, but it has never had its own standalone book until recently, so knowing which collection contains it saves some confusion. This guide covers what the comic is, every edition that includes it, how it compares with the film, and which Hellboy books to read next.
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How we chose: we compared the Hellboy collections currently listed on Amazon with our own reading of the series, and picked the editions that include The Crooked Man plus the books we’d recommend after it. All picks are official Dark Horse editions available now. Prices and availability change, so the buttons show Amazon’s current price.
What is Hellboy: The Crooked Man?
The story is set in 1958, with Hellboy wandering the Appalachian backwoods on his own. He falls in with Tom Ferrell, a man coming home after years away, who years earlier got mixed up with the local witches and with the Crooked Man, a devilish figure who bargains for souls. Together they head into the hills to deal with what Tom left behind.
It’s folk horror more than superhero action: churches, graveyards, hymns, hollers and the kind of witch stories passed around a fire. Mignola built it out of American folklore rather than the European myths that run through most Hellboy books, and Corben, a legend of underground and horror comics, draws it with lumpy, grotesque, deeply creepy figures that nobody else could have produced. Dave Stewart’s colors and Clem Robins’s lettering round out the creative team.
You don’t need to know anything about Hellboy to read it. He’s a big red demon who works for the paranormal investigators of the B.P.R.D., he’s tired, he’s decent, and he hits monsters. That’s enough.
| Pick | Best for | Why | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellboy: The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb | Best for film fans |
| See Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Vol. 1 | Best value collection |
| $19.81as of Nov 13, 2026 8:23 pm UTC | View on Amazon |
| Hellboy Library Edition Vol. 4 | Best for collectors |
| $49.66as of Nov 13, 2026 7:57 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Hellboy Omnibus Boxed Set | Best read next: the main saga |
| $78.51as of Nov 13, 2026 7:57 am UTC | View on Amazon |
| Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Vol. 2 | Best read next: more short stories |
| $29.95as of Nov 13, 2026 7:57 am UTC | View on Amazon |
Prices and availability change; check Amazon for today’s price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Hellboy: The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb — Best for film fans
The Crooked Man and its sequel, together in one slim 2024 paperback.
Check price on AmazonWhy we like it
- The story with no unrelated material
- Includes the sequel, The Return of Effie Kolb
- Slim and inexpensive to try
- Published to coincide with the 2024 film
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artists | Mike Mignola / Richard Corben, Zach Howard |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Collects | The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb; issue counts not stated in listing |
| Pages | 128 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; horror violence, older teens and up |
Hellboy: The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb — Mignola, Corben and Howard, Dark Horse, 2024, 128 pages
Dark Horse released this paperback in June 2024, the same year as the film, and it's the cleanest answer to "where do I read The Crooked Man?" It pairs the 2008 story with The Return of Effie Kolb, a later follow-up written by Mignola and drawn by Zach Howard that brings back one of the original's witches.
That makes it ideal for someone who watched the film and wants the source without buying a big anthology. The downside is that it's only two stories, so if you already know you want more Hellboy, the Complete Short Stories volume below gathers far more of Hellboy's short tales for the money (check its contents list for The Crooked Man before buying). Stock on this listing was limited when we checked.
Pros
- Focused on The Crooked Man and its sequel
- Short and easy to start
- Good gift for film fans
Cons
- Only two stories
- Duplicates the anthologies if you buy those later
- Limited stock when we checked
Get Hellboy: The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb on Amazon
2. Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Volume 1 — Best value collection
Hellboy's short adventures from 1947 to 1961, in story order; check its contents list for The Crooked Man.
Check price on Amazon$19.81as of Nov 13, 2026 8:23 pm UTCWhy we like it
- Many of Hellboy's best stories in one book
- Arranged in in-story chronological order
- Several stories drawn by Corben
- Short stories are the easiest way into Hellboy
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artists | Mike Mignola / Mignola, Richard Corben, Duncan Fegredo, Mick McMahon and others |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Collects | Short stories set from 1947 to 1961; full contents not stated in listing |
| Pages | 368 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; horror themes, older teens and up |
Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Volume 1 — Mignola, Corben and others, Dark Horse, 368 pages, paperback
Dark Horse's two Complete Short Stories books reorganize Hellboy's standalone tales by when they happen in Hellboy's life rather than when they were published. Volume 1 covers 1947 to 1961, which takes in The Crooked Man's 1958 setting, alongside other fan favorites from Hellboy's early years.
This is the one we'd buy for anyone who suspects they'll want more than one story. Many readers consider the short stories the heart of Hellboy: they're folk tales and ghost stories with Hellboy as the visitor, and they're where Corben did much of his best Hellboy work. It's not the place for the long-running plot about Hellboy's destiny, which lives in the main saga (pick 4).
Pros
- Lots of stories in one volume
- Chronological order is easy to follow
- Paperback, easy to read anywhere
Cons
- Listing doesn't give a full contents list
- Doesn't include The Return of Effie Kolb
- Mixes moods from story to story
Get Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Vol. 1 on Amazon
3. Hellboy Library Edition Volume 4: The Crooked Man and The Troll Witch — Best for collectors
An oversized hardcover pairing The Crooked Man with The Troll Witch stories.
Check price on Amazon$49.66as of Nov 13, 2026 7:57 am UTCWhy we like it
- Oversized pages show off Corben's art
- Durable, shelf-worthy hardcover
- Part of a matching Library Edition set
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artist | Mike Mignola and others |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Collects | The Crooked Man and The Troll Witch stories; full contents not stated in listing |
| Pages | 312 |
| Format | Oversized hardcover, about 12.2 by 9.3 inches |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; older teens and up |
Hellboy Library Edition Volume 4 — Mignola and others, Dark Horse, 2011, 312 pages, oversized hardcover
Dark Horse's Library Editions reprint Hellboy in large-format hardcovers, and Volume 4 is the one built around The Crooked Man and the Troll Witch short stories. Corben's art in particular benefits from the extra size: his textures and faces are more striking at this scale.
It's the collector's choice, and the listing said it usually ships in about five to six days, so it's not an instant pickup. If you're already building the Library Edition run, it's essential. If not, the Complete Short Stories paperback is far more practical.
Pros
- Largest format available
- Matches the rest of the Library Editions
- Built to last
Cons
- Heavy, and a lot of book for one story
- Slower shipping per listing
- Doesn't include The Return of Effie Kolb
Get Hellboy Library Edition Vol. 4 on Amazon
4. Hellboy Omnibus Boxed Set — Best read next: the main saga
The four Hellboy omnibus volumes in one box: Hellboy's main storyline, start to finish.
Check price on Amazon$78.51as of Nov 13, 2026 7:57 am UTCWhy we like it
- The complete main Hellboy storyline
- Four volumes in a single box
- Pairs with the Short Stories books
- Includes Duncan Fegredo's acclaimed arcs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artists | Mike Mignola, John Byrne / Mignola, Duncan Fegredo and others |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Collects | Four omnibus volumes (4 items per listing) |
| Pages | 1,600 |
| Format | Paperback omnibus volumes in a box |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; horror violence, older teens and up |
Hellboy Omnibus Boxed Set — Mignola and others, Dark Horse, 4 volumes, 1,600 pages
The Crooked Man is a side story. If it makes you want the big picture (where Hellboy came from, what he's destined for, and how it all ends), the four Hellboy omnibus volumes collect the main saga, from Seed of Destruction through Hellboy in Hell, and this box bundles all of them.
Together with the two Complete Short Stories books, this gives you essentially all of Mignola's core Hellboy series. For the full order of everything, including the B.P.R.D. spin-offs, see our Hellboy reading order and our Hellboy review.
Pros
- Whole main storyline at once
- Matching paperback omnibuses
- Better value than separate trades
Cons
- Doesn't include The Crooked Man
- A big commitment
- Thick paperbacks can be awkward to hold
Get Hellboy Omnibus Boxed Set on Amazon
5. Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Volume 2 — Best read next: more short stories
The second half of Hellboy's short stories, in in-story order, with more Corben art.
Check price on Amazon$29.95as of Nov 13, 2026 7:57 am UTCWhy we like it
- Completes the short-story collection
- More Corben, plus P. Craig Russell
- Same format as Volume 1
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer / Artists | Mike Mignola / Mignola, Richard Corben, P. Craig Russell, Scott Hampton and others |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Collects | Later short stories; full contents not stated in listing |
| Pages | 368 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Reader age | Not stated in listing; older teens and up |
Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Volume 2 — Mignola and others, Dark Horse, 368 pages, paperback
Volume 2 picks up where the first book leaves off, continuing Hellboy's short adventures in story order. If The Crooked Man's mix of folklore and horror is what hooked you, this is the most direct next step after Volume 1, with more Corben and guest work from P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton, according to the listing.
It reads well before or alongside the omnibuses. We'd buy Volume 1 first, then decide between this and the main saga based on whether you prefer standalone ghost stories or a long, building plot.
Pros
- More of the series' best format
- Strong roster of guest artists
- Matches Volume 1
Cons
- Listing doesn't give contents
- Check which stories it holds
- Best after Volume 1
Get Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories Vol. 2 on Amazon
Which collection contains The Crooked Man?
| Edition | Format | What else is inside |
|---|---|---|
| The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb (2024) | 128-page paperback | The sequel story only |
| The Complete Short Stories Vol. 1 (2018) | 368-page paperback | Short stories set 1947–1961; listing has no contents list, so confirm The Crooked Man is included |
| Library Edition Vol. 4 (2011) | 312-page oversized hardcover | The Troll Witch stories and more |
| Hellboy Vol. 10: The Crooked Man and Others (2010) | 160-page paperback | Shorter stories from the same period |
The original 2010 trade, Hellboy Volume 10: The Crooked Man and Others, is the edition many longtime fans own, but the listing showed no stock status when we checked, so we haven't made it a pick. The three-issue story also exists as single digital issues if you prefer reading on a screen.
Comic vs. film: how they differ
The 2024 film, directed by Brian Taylor with Jack Kesey as Hellboy, was co-written by Mignola himself, and it's much closer to the comic in spirit than earlier Hellboy films: small-scale, rural, and closer to horror than action. It keeps the core setup of Hellboy, Tom Ferrell, Appalachian witchcraft and the Crooked Man.
At a high level, the film adds a B.P.R.D. agent partner for Hellboy who isn't in the comic, and stretches a three-issue story to feature length, so it fills in scenes and expands the cast. The comic is tighter, stranger and more of a campfire tale, and Corben's art gives it a texture no live-action version can match. Whichever you start with, the other is worth your time.
Content and age notes
This is a horror comic. Expect witches, demonic bargains, corpses and violence, all drawn in Corben's grotesque style. There's nothing gratuitous by modern horror standards, but we'd call it older teens and up. If that's your taste, our guides to the best horror comics, the best supernatural comics and comics for horror movie fans have plenty more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hellboy: The Crooked Man a comic?
Yes. It's a three-issue Dark Horse comic from 2008 by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben, and the basis for the 2024 film of the same name.
What book is The Crooked Man in?
It's collected in Hellboy: The Crooked Man and The Return of Effie Kolb, Hellboy Library Edition Volume 4, and the original Hellboy Volume 10: The Crooked Man and Others.
Do I need to read other Hellboy comics first?
No. The Crooked Man is a standalone story and works as a first Hellboy comic.
Is the Hellboy: The Crooked Man film faithful to the comic?
Broadly, yes. Mignola co-wrote it and it keeps the comic's setting, tone and main characters, though it adds characters and scenes to reach feature length.
Who drew The Crooked Man?
Richard Corben, the influential horror and underground artist who drew several Hellboy stories before his death in 2020.
How long is Hellboy: The Crooked Man?
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a three-issue story, so it is short enough to read in a single evening. That makes it one of the easiest Hellboy comics to try, especially if you came from the 2024 film. Because it shares a book with other stories in most editions, you will usually get more Hellboy than just The Crooked Man for your money.
Is Hellboy: The Crooked Man scary?
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is one of the creepier Hellboy stories, a slow-building folk horror tale of witchcraft and a damned man in rural Appalachia. It leans on dread and grotesque imagery rather than gore, and Richard Corben's art makes the monsters genuinely unsettling. It suits older teens and adults; younger readers who are fine with spooky stories may cope, but check the content notes first.
Where does The Crooked Man fit in Hellboy's timeline?
The Crooked Man is set in the 1950s, early in Hellboy's career as a B.P.R.D. agent, long before the big events of the main saga. Because it is a self-contained flashback adventure, you can read it at any point: first, in the middle of the series, or after finishing everything. It spoils nothing about the main story.
Is there a sequel to Hellboy: The Crooked Man?
Hellboy: The Return of Effie Kolb is the closest thing to a sequel to The Crooked Man: it brings back the witch Effie Kolb from the original story for a new confrontation with Hellboy, written by Mike Mignola with art by Zach Howard. That is why some editions pair the two stories in one volume, which is handy if you want both.
What other Hellboy comics did Richard Corben draw?
Richard Corben drew several Hellboy stories beyond The Crooked Man, including Makoma and House of the Living Dead, along with work in the wider Mignola universe. His rounded, eerie style is a striking contrast to Mike Mignola's heavy shadows. If The Crooked Man's art is what hooked you, look for the Corben stories collected in the Hellboy short-story and Library Edition volumes.
