Hubbry Logo
Hellboy AnimatedHellboy AnimatedMain
Open search
Hellboy Animated
Community hub
Hellboy Animated
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Hellboy Animated
Hellboy Animated
Hellboy Animated
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Hellboy Animated
Based on
Hellboy
by
Screenplay byMatt Wayne
Tad Stones
Story byMike Mignola
Tad Stones
Directed byPhil Weinstein
StarringRon Perlman
Selma Blair
Doug Jones
Peri Gilpin
John Hurt
Cree Summer
Kath Soucie
Jim Cummings
Dan Castellaneta
ComposerChristopher Drake
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersLawrence Gordon
Lloyd Levin
Mike Richardson
Stephen Brown
Morris Berger
John W. Hyde
ProducersScott D. Greenberg
Scott Hemming
Sidney Clifton
Guillermo del Toro (creative)
Mike Mignola (creative)
EditorsJohn Hoyos
Jeffrey Perlmutter
Running time77 minutes
Production companiesStarz Media
Film Roman
Revolution Studios
Madhouse
Original release
ReleaseOctober 28, 2006 (2006-10-28) –
March 10, 2007 (2007-03-10)

Hellboy Animated is an American straight-to-DVD anime-inspired superhero film series based upon the Hellboy comic books by Mike Mignola. Both films are anthologies and contain the full-length titles named Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron, received the signature of Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro.

Production

[edit]

Like the live-action films, it was co-produced by Revolution Studios. The animation was done by Japanese animation studio Madhouse. Both films were distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment, instead of Sony Pictures (first film), Universal Studios (second film), and Lawrence Gordon Productions (both live-action films). A third film was being planned but was never greenlit.[1] Both films were re-released in Ultra HD Blu-ray as a double feature by Lionsgate Home Entertainment on April 12, 2019.[2]

Cast

[edit]

Ron Perlman, who played Hellboy in the live-action films, reprises his role in the animated version. Selma Blair and John Hurt also reprise their roles from the film Liz Sherman and Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, respectively. The voice of Abe Sapien is Doug Jones, who played Abe in prosthetic work in the live-action movies but did not provide the voice for the first film (Abe's vocals for that film were done by an uncredited David Hyde Pierce). He did, however, voice the character in the second film. Kate Corrigan is voiced by Peri Gilpin. Music is by Christopher Drake.

Films

[edit]

Sword of Storms

[edit]
Main article: Hellboy: Sword of Storms

In Sword of Storms (2006), Hellboy and Kate Corrigan are dispatched to Japan to solve the mystery of a professor possessed by the Japanese demons Thunder and Lightning. The demons wish to get their hands on a powerful haunted sword, which will free them, and allow them to unleash their brothers and destroy the world. While Hellboy is sent into an alternate dimension, facing Yokai on the way, his B.P.R.D. teammates, Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman, try to stop one of the Dragons on the first wave of the coming chaos.

Blood and Iron

[edit]
Main article: Hellboy: Blood and Iron

Hellboy: Blood and Iron (2007) deals with Professor Trevor Bruttenholm's experience with a vampiress (the blood countess) in 1934 and the present day. Hellboy also faces off against Hecate.

Short films

[edit]

Iron Shoes

[edit]

This short film was included as a bonus feature on the DVD for Hellboy: Blood and Iron.

The Dark Below

[edit]

This short film was released in 2010 on various streaming services, with Hellboy voiced by Zebulon Pike.[3]

Comics

[edit]
See also: List of Hellboy comics § Hellboy Animated comics

As with the DC animated universe's spin-off comic books, Dark Horse released three volumes under the Hellboy Animated range. These continued the adventures of the animated characters.

  • Hellboy Animated:
    • The Black Wedding (80 pages, January 2007, ISBN 1-59307-700-9)[4] contains:
      • "The Black Wedding" (written by Jim Pascoe with art by Rick Lacy)
      • "Pyramid of Death" (written by Tad Stones with art by Fabio Laguna)
    • Judgment Bell (80 pages, June 2007, ISBN 1-59307-799-8)[5] contains:
      • "The Judgment Bell" (written by Jim Pascoe with art by Rick Lacy)
      • "The Menace of the Mechanical Monster" (written and drawn by Tad Stones)
    • The Menagerie (80 pages, December 2007, ISBN 1-59307-861-7)[6] contains:
      • "The Menagerie" (written by Jason Hall with art by Rick Lacy)
      • "Small Victories" (written by Nate Piekos with art by Fabio Laguna)

Additionally, a minicomic titled Phantom Limbs (written by Jim Pascoe with art by Rick Lacy) was included with the DVD of Sword of Storms. Another minicomic, The Yearning (written by Jim Pascoe with art by Ben Stenbeck) was included with the DVD of Blood & Iron.

Merchandise

[edit]

Gentle Giant Ltd, famed for its statues, has been given the license for the Hellboy Animated action figures. A first-look Hellboy figure shrink-wrapped to a copy of the Blood and Iron DVD was released as a Best Buy exclusive.[7][8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hellboy Animated

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hellboy Animated is a collection of American animated films produced as straight-to-video releases, adapting stories from the Hellboy comic book series created by . The series primarily consists of two feature-length films—Sword of Storms (2006) and Blood and Iron (2007)—along with shorter animated works including The Dark Below (2010) and Iron Shoes (2007), all featuring the demonic investigator and his allies combating supernatural threats inspired by global and mythology. These productions were developed with the involvement of key figures from the live-action films, such as voice actor reprising his role as , and director providing creative input. The inaugural film, Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms, directed by and Phil Weinstein, follows , , and as they investigate a cursed that summons ancient demons and thunder gods, blending with the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) lore. Released directly to DVD on October 28, 2006, it was animated by studios including in and in Korea, emphasizing a dark, atmospheric style reminiscent of Mignola's artwork. The voice cast includes as , as , Doug Jones as , and as Professor , maintaining continuity with the 2004 live-action adaptation. Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron, directed by and and released on DVD in 2007, shifts to a Gothic horror narrative where confronts a attempting to resurrect an ancient blood goddess in a haunted Romanian castle, drawing on and flashbacks to Bruttenholm's past. Produced by and Starz Media, the film explores themes of obsession and redemption while showcasing dynamic action sequences and creature designs faithful to the source material. The returns, enhancing the ensemble dynamics of the B.P.R.D. team. The shorter films expand the animated universe: The Dark Below (2010) depicts Hellboy's 1950s encounter with an eldritch in an underwater ruin, serving as a short, while Iron Shoes (2007) portrays a 1961 Irish adventure involving a fairy-tale assassin. Although a third feature-length animated film was initially planned, it was ultimately abandoned, leaving the series focused on these entries that prioritize standalone stories over a continuous narrative arc. Critically, the animated films have been praised for their fidelity to the ' tone, mature storytelling, and high-quality animation, earning ratings around 6.4 to 6.6 on and appealing to fans of the franchise's darker, elements.

Production

Development and Planning

The Hellboy Animated series originated as a series of straight-to-DVD films inspired by aesthetics, adapting elements from Mike Mignola's comic books, with Mignola and director serving as creative producers to ensure fidelity to the source material. During the prolonged development of the live-action films, del Toro and Mignola briefly explored as a cost-effective alternative to avoid budget constraints, though they ultimately pursued live-action before circling back to the animated format post-2004 release. In November 2005, IDT Entertainment licensed all animation rights to the Hellboy property from , announcing the project with Tad Stones attached as supervising director and producer, and plans to develop features alongside potential television content. The initiative quickly evolved into an format, emphasizing self-contained stories drawn from the to allow flexibility in storytelling while building on the established universe. handled co-production, with the decision to partner with the Japanese studio for animation driven by the desire to infuse an anime-inspired visual style that complemented the mythological and folklore-heavy narratives. Scripting for the first film, Sword of Storms, began in 2005 under Mignola's close supervision, with contributions from writer during collaborative sessions that shaped its elements. Production on the follow-up, Blood and Iron, commenced immediately after, incorporating del Toro's detailed notes on character performances and pacing to refine the tone. By 2007, plans for a third titled The Phantom Claw were announced, centering on the pulp-inspired character alongside recurring foes like Dr. Herman Von Klempt, but the project was ultimately canceled due to insufficient DVD sales of the prior releases and constrained marketing budgets.

Animation and Distribution

The Hellboy Animated series utilized a 2D animation style heavily influenced by aesthetics, produced in collaboration with the Japanese studio , which handled the core animation to capture the tone of Mike Mignola's original comic art through shadowy visuals, dynamic action sequences, and atmospheric horror elements. This approach blended Western storytelling with Eastern animation techniques, resulting in fluid character movements and intricate background designs that evoked Mignola's signature gothic and pulp influences, such as exaggerated shadows and minimalist line work. The production also involved additional animation support from South Korean studio for select sequences, ensuring a cohesive visual style across the films. Key personnel included directors and , who oversaw the creative direction for both feature films, with Stones also contributing as a writer alongside for Sword of Storms and Kevin Hopps for Blood and Iron. The writing team adapted Mignola's source material to emphasize threats and character-driven narratives suitable for . Music was composed by , whose scores incorporated orchestral elements with eerie, tension-building motifs to heighten the horror and fantasy aspects, drawing on traditional instruments for mythic undertones in scenes involving demons and . The films premiered on television via , with Sword of Storms debuting on October 28, 2006, during the block, and Blood and Iron following on March 17, 2007, to capitalize on the network's action-oriented audience. DVD distribution for the initial releases was managed by , which issued the films in 2007, with Sword of Storms including extras such as featurettes and a adaptation. In April 2019, Lionsgate re-released the duo in a combined edition, enhancing accessibility for home viewing with improved video quality.

Cast and Characters

Voice Actors

The Hellboy animated productions feature a voice cast that reprises the principal performers from the 2004 and 2008 live-action films, ensuring narrative and stylistic continuity between the mediums. provides the gravelly, authoritative voice of , handling both action dialogue and introspective narration across the series. voices the pyrokinetic , capturing her character's emotional restraint and intensity. Doug Jones lends his distinctive, resonant tone to , emphasizing the amphibious agent's scholarly demeanor and physical grace. portrays Professor , delivering lines with the authoritative gravitas established in the live-action portrayals. Peri Gilpin recurs as the composed Professor Kate Corrigan, serving as a key B.P.R.D. liaison in both feature-length films. The animation style was specifically designed to mirror the live-action actors' physical features, enhancing visual consistency and fan familiarity. In Sword of Storms, supporting roles include voicing multiple creatures such as the and . For Blood and Iron, notable guest performances feature as the enigmatic , as Anna and various harpies, as the stern Tom Manning, as Sydney Leach, and as Erzsébet Ondrushko. These selections highlight versatile voice talent that complements the core ensemble's established dynamic.

Key Characters

serves as the central protagonist in the animated adaptations, portrayed as a reluctant demon-fighter with a gruff sense of humor who combats threats while grappling with his apocalyptic destiny. His design faithfully replicates book aesthetic, featuring red skin, horns filed down to stubs, and a massive stone used for both combat and puzzle-solving. This half-demon, half-human operative of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) anchors the anthology-style narratives, emphasizing his world-weary attitude toward investigations. The recurring B.P.R.D. team provides essential support to across the animated entries. , a pyrokinetic agent, wields fire-based powers to battle foes, often requiring calming from her teammates during intense moments due to lingering instability. , an amphibious humanoid with enhanced intellect and psychic abilities, excels as an investigator and diver in aquatic scenarios. Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, the B.P.R.D.'s founder and Hellboy's adoptive father, acts as a scholarly mentor, drawing on his historical knowledge of the . Kate Corrigan, a and expert, appears as a minor recurring figure, offering research and logistical aid in field operations. These characters are adapted from Mike Mignola's original comics but streamlined for the animated format's self-contained stories, resulting in shortened backstories to fit the runtime. For instance, Liz's pyrokinetic abilities are depicted with more operational control than in her early comic arcs, where uncontrolled outbursts led to her institutionalization after incinerating her hometown; here, she functions reliably as a team member despite occasional flares. The core ensemble retains their comic-inspired dynamics, focusing on camaraderie amid horror, though the anthology structure condenses deeper lore explorations found in the source material. Film-specific antagonists drive the plots, introducing unique supernatural adversaries. In Sword of Storms, Japanese yokai such as the thunder god and lightning spirit Fujin possess a folklore professor to pursue the legendary Sword of Storms, whose spirit embodies destructive power. Blood and Iron features the vampiress Erzsébet Ondrushko, a blood-bathing immortal servant of the witch-goddess , who resurrects to unleash harpies, werewolves, and hellhounds. These villains adapt loosely from comic mythos elements, like Hecate's role in "Wake the Devil," but are tailored for standalone conflicts without extensive prior buildup.

Short Films

In the short film The Dark Below (2010), reprises , with supporting voices including as Bruttenholm and Doug Jones as , focusing on a 1950s-era encounter. Iron Shoes (2019) features as in a 1961 Irish tale, with additional voices by as and others, introducing folklore-based threats like a assassin.

Feature Films

Sword of Storms

Hellboy: Sword of Storms is a 2006 animated in the franchise, serving as the inaugural entry in the animated produced by Media and . With a runtime of 77 minutes, it premiered on Cartoon Network's block on October 28, 2006, followed by its DVD release on February 6, 2007. The film was directed by Phil Weinstein and , who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside , with story contributions from creator . The plot centers on the Bureau for Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) investigating the disappearance of a professor, Dr. Sakai, who has been studying an ancient artifact—a legendary known as the "Dragon ." Possessed by the storm demons (god of thunder) and Fujin (god of wind), the professor unleashes a horde of yokai to retrieve the sword, which has been shipped to the for exhibition. , , and travel to to probe the theft, where encounters and claims the cursed blade during a confrontation with mythical creatures. Touching the sword transports to a spiritual realm resembling feudal , interweaving flashbacks to a 16th-century of a ronin warrior destined to wield the weapon against the demons. Meanwhile, Liz and Abe battle a massive dragon unleashed in the present day. The narrative culminates in 's quest to break the cycle of the ancient prophecy, facing off against the thunder brothers in a climactic storm-ravaged battle. Unique to this film is its deep integration of , drawing from yokai traditions to populate the story with creatures such as the water imp , the ogre-like , the long-necked , and spider yokai like the jorogumo. These elements are not merely decorative but drive the plot, as the demons manipulate legends to ensnare in a predestined role. The animation style emphasizes fluid, dynamic action sequences, particularly the swordplay and supernatural confrontations, with vibrant depictions of mythical beasts and ethereal landscapes that evoke traditional Japanese art influences blended with Western aesthetics. This approach highlights the film's standalone adventure tone, establishing the format by focusing on a self-contained without ties to broader series continuity.

Blood and Iron

Hellboy: Blood and Iron is a 2007 American animated directed by and , serving as the second feature-length installment in the Hellboy Animated series. It premiered on Cartoon Network's block on March 17, 2007, and was released on DVD on June 12, 2007, bundled with the bonus short film Iron Shoes. The film runs for 75 minutes and was produced by Entertainment in association with and , with executive producers Larry Gordon, Mike Richardson, and , and creative producer . It features voice performances by as , John Hurt as Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, as , and Doug Jones as . The story begins with a 1939 flashback in which a young Professor Bruttenholm leads an expedition to destroy the Erzsebet Ondrushko, a bloodthirsty countess who sold her soul to , the Queen of Witches, to achieve by bathing in the blood of innocents. In the present day, the B.P.R.D. team—, , and —accompanies the now-elderly Bruttenholm to investigate ghostly apparitions at a haunted mansion in , , New York, owned by developer Oliver Trumbolt. They uncover a led by a modern descendant of Erzsebet attempting to resurrect the vampiress through rituals, unleashing horrors including a phantom wolf pack, harpies, witches, and a massive guardian. As the ritual progresses, Erzsebet is revived, leading to intense confrontations, culminating in 's battle with herself, who tempts him to embrace his apocalyptic destiny. Distinct from the mythological quest of the preceding film, Blood and Iron emphasizes gothic horror through its shadowy mansion settings, minions like werewolves and spectral wolves, and atmospheric dread infused with themes. The 1930s prologue provides subtle hints at Hellboy's origins by exploring Bruttenholm's early encounters, which prefigure the formation of the B.P.R.D. Creatively, the film highlights greater ensemble dynamics, with and Abe playing active roles in investigations and combats, fostering team-based problem-solving amid the rising threats. Written by Kevin Hopps, , and , it draws directly from Mignola's comic lore while amplifying visceral horror elements over action spectacle.

Short Films

Iron Shoes

"Iron Shoes" is a 2007 animated within the Animated series, released as a bonus feature on the DVD of Hellboy: Blood and Iron. With a runtime of 3 minutes, it adapts the "The Iron Shoes" by , originally published as a backup tale in the 1996 one-shot Hellboy: The Corpse and the Iron Shoes. The story draws from , featuring in a standalone confrontation with supernatural entities. Set in 1961, the plot follows as he responds to a priest's request to investigate an abandoned castle , where local legends speak of murderous fairies drowning children. Inside a ruined tower, Hellboy encounters the Iron Shoes, a brutal redcap variant—a goblin-like creature clad in iron footwear that uses its weight to drag victims underwater and perpetuate its bloody legend. The encounter culminates in the creature crumbling to dust, leaving only its distinctive shoes behind. This short emphasizes a solo adventure for Hellboy, with no significant involvement from B.P.R.D. colleagues, highlighting his role as an independent paranormal investigator against folklore-inspired threats. Produced by the same Madhouse animation team responsible for the feature films, it maintains the series' dark, atmospheric style while delivering a compact, self-contained narrative.

The Dark Below

"The Dark Below" is a 2010 animated short film featuring Hellboy, directed by Jan Carlee and running approximately 6 minutes in length. In the narrative, Hellboy accidentally falls into an ancient underground ruin during a solo investigation, descending through a mysterious doorway into a vast subterranean cavern. There, he encounters a dark lake inhabited by a dormant, tentacled monster awakened by his presence, forcing him to confront ancient eldritch secrets while relying solely on his wits and physical prowess for survival. Unlike the ensemble-driven feature films in the Hellboy Animated series, this standalone vignette emphasizes Hellboy's isolation, devoid of support from the B.P.R.D. team, and highlights his raw survival instincts amid escalating peril. The story draws on elements, portraying an oppressive atmosphere of cosmic dread through shadowy, cavernous visuals and the emergence of an otherworldly aquatic beast. The short was produced independently and released directly to online streaming platforms in 2010, bypassing ties to the main series' DVD releases. Hellboy is voiced by , marking a departure from Ron Perlman's portrayal in the earlier animated features. It has since become available on free ad-supported services, including .

Unproduced Works

The Phantom Claw

The Phantom Claw was planned as the third direct-to-video animated feature in the Hellboy Animated series, intended to expand the universe by introducing the character . The project was teased in a at the end of Blood and Iron, featuring the Lobster assisting and Kate Corrigan against the ghost of Dr. Von Klempt, hinting at future supernatural investigations. In February 2007, at , co-writer and co-director announced the title as Hellboy: The Phantom Claw and revealed that the script had been completed solely by him, with initial considerations for production under and . The intended plot explored the mad science side of the Hellboy universe, featuring the ghost of Dr. Herman Von Klempt, robot apes, zombies, and a new demon adversary. It would have debuted as a ghostly vigilante hero, a 1930s-era figure known for combating criminals and Nazis with his signature claw-branding method, teaming up with the protagonists to battle otherworldly foes. was reportedly eyed to voice Lobster Johnson, aligning with the character's pulp-hero archetype and Campbell's cult status in genre media. Despite early momentum, including a provisional greenlight, the project was shelved by 2008 due to disappointing initial DVD sales of Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron, which failed to meet studio expectations despite later upticks tied to live-action Hellboy marketing. Tad Stones confirmed in a 2008 interview that the rights-holding studio's sale process further stalled any revival, rendering the film unproduced. The unmade project left a legacy in partially developed conceptual art and the full script, which highlighted Lobster Johnson's integration into the animated continuity. It influenced subsequent depictions of the character, notably his live-action appearance in the 2019 Hellboy reboot, where Thomas Haden Church portrayed the ghostly hero in a flashback sequence combating Nazis, echoing the pulp elements planned for The Phantom Claw.

Adaptations and Tie-ins

Comic Books

The Hellboy Animated series was supported by a line of tie-in comic books published by , designed to complement the direct-to-video films with original stories set in the same universe and featuring artwork inspired by Mike Mignola's distinctive style. These publications expanded on the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) characters and themes, providing fans with additional narratives that echoed the animated films' tone and visual aesthetic. Released in digest-sized format, the were timed to coincide with the films' DVD launches, enhancing the multimedia experience. In 2007, Dark Horse issued three volumes under the Hellboy Animated imprint, each containing self-contained stories involving Hellboy and his allies. The first, Hellboy Animated Volume 1: The Black Wedding, written by Jim Pascoe with art by Rick Lacy and others, centers on Liz Sherman's abduction by a cult practicing ancient witchcraft, pulling the B.P.R.D. into a tale of possession and occult horror; it also includes a backup story, "Pyramid of Death," where a young Hellboy draws inspiration from the pulp hero Lobster Johnson. The second volume, Hellboy Animated Volume 2: The Judgment Bell, explores Professor Trevor Bruttenholm's haunted past in a Polish village plagued by supernatural forces, with a Lobster Johnson short story as a companion piece. The third, Hellboy Animated Volume 3: The Menagerie, follows the team to the Amazon to confront mythical creatures unleashed from a hidden ark, paired with "Small Victories," a reflective Abe Sapien tale. These volumes featured contributions from writers like Tad Stones and artists such as Fabio Laguna, maintaining continuity with the animated series while introducing new adventures. Complementing the graphic novels were promotional minicomics bundled with the DVDs to promote the films and deepen fan engagement. The Sword of Storms release included a 32-page custom comic, later identified as Hellboy Animated: Phantom Limbs, which depicts Hellboy investigating ghostly apparitions tied to severed limbs, serving as a prelude to the film's elements. Similarly, the Blood and Iron DVD came with another exclusive minicomic, Hellboy Animated: The Yearning, focusing on themes of longing and the to align with the film's lore. These inserts, produced in limited runs estimated at around 500,000 copies for the first, were crafted to bridge the comic and animated mediums, encouraging viewers to explore the broader Hellboy universe.

Merchandise

In 2007, Gentle Giant Ltd. released a line of deluxe action figures inspired by the Animated series, capturing the distinctive animation style with detailed sculpts and multiple points of articulation. The assortment included 6-inch scale figures of (both with and without horns) and , designed for collectors seeking articulated representations of the characters from Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron. Dark Horse Comics complemented this with limited-edition mini-busts based on the animated designs, such as the 6.5-inch bust, the third in a series highlighting her pyrokinetic abilities and intense expression as depicted in the films. These polystone sculptures emphasized the series' character aesthetics, appealing to statue enthusiasts. A notable retail exclusive was the edition of the Blood and Iron DVD, bundled with a for approximately $19.95, providing fans an accessible entry into animated-style collectibles tied directly to the home media release. Additional promotional items encompassed and aligned with the visuals. issued a 36-by-24-inch promoting Sword of Storms, featuring key artwork from the production. Inkworks produced a 2007 set for Sword of Storms, comprising 72 base cards with character portraits, episode scenes, and rare sketch cards by various artists, distributed in 36-pack boxes. Reflecting the series' cult following within the broader Hellboy franchise, these products were issued in limited quantities, contributing to their scarcity on the secondary market and occasional repackaging in comprehensive Hellboy collector sets.

Release and Reception

Home Media and Broadcast

The animated film Hellboy: Sword of Storms premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on October 28, 2006, and was released on DVD by Anchor Bay Entertainment in the United States on February 6, 2007. The follow-up film Hellboy: Blood and Iron debuted on Cartoon Network on March 10, 2007, with its DVD release through Anchor Bay occurring on June 12, 2007; this edition included the bonus short film Iron Shoes, a three-minute adaptation of Mike Mignola's comic story. Both features aired multiple times on Cartoon Network during 2006 and 2007, including a joint broadcast on July 19, 2008, to promote the live-action Hellboy II: The Golden Army. In subsequent years, the films and related shorts like The Dark Below became available for free streaming on ad-supported platforms such as Tubi and remain available as of November 2025. On April 2, 2019, Lionsgate Home Entertainment issued a combo pack re-release of Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron on 4K , featuring HDR mastering for enhanced resolution and . International home media distribution was handled primarily by Anchor Bay, with DVD editions released in the on March 5, 2007, for Sword of Storms and June 25, 2007, for Blood and Iron, alongside limited availability in regions including on June 27, 2007.

Critical Response

The Hellboy animated films received generally positive audience reception, with Sword of Storms earning a 6.4/10 rating on based on 5,335 user votes and Blood and Iron scoring 6.6/10 from 4,654 votes (as of November 2025). Critics and viewers alike praised the animation quality provided by studio , noting its expressive character designs and grandiose action sequences that captured the supernatural scope beyond live-action constraints. Ron Perlman's voice performance as was frequently highlighted for its gruff, everyman authenticity, aligning closely with Mike Mignola's comic characterizations and enhancing the films' fidelity to the source material. While the visuals and voice work drew acclaim, some reviews critiqued the pacing and narrative structure, particularly the anthology-like format of Sword of Storms, which featured underdeveloped subplots amid its mythological elements. Blood and Iron faced similar notes for a slow initial buildup, though it was commended for building to a more cohesive gothic horror climax. Rotten Tomatoes audience scores reflect positive sentiments, with 56% for Sword of Storms (over 5,000 ratings) emphasizing its dark, fun tone suitable for older viewers, and 68% for Blood and Iron (over 5,000 ratings) appreciating its appeal to franchise fans despite episodic tendencies (as of November 2025). In terms of legacy, the films are often viewed as underrated extensions of the Hellboy universe, serving as creative bridges between the live-action entries and the comics by emphasizing mythological adventures unfeasible in practical effects. Their 2019 4K re-release by Lionsgate, coinciding with the live-action , renewed interest and sparked discussions among fans about the untapped potential for further animated installments, especially given the unproduced third film The Phantom Claw. Commercially, the direct-to-DVD releases achieved moderate success, with initial sales described as disappointing but bolstered by cross-promotion with Hellboy II: The Golden Army; however, this was insufficient to greenlight additional projects amid shifting studio rights.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/collection/123203-hellboy-animated-collection?language=en-US
  2. https://hellboy.fandom.com/wiki/Hellboy_Animated
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810895/
  4. https://animationobsessive.substack.com/p/hellboy-cinematography
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0817910/
  6. https://www.awn.com/news/idt-ent-animate-hellboy
  7. https://tripwiremagazine.co.uk/interview/25-years-of-hellboy-tad-stones-on-hellboy-animated/
  8. https://majorspoilers.com/2007/04/11/no-green-light-for-third-animated-hellboy-movie-yet/
  9. https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/hellboy-animated-blood-and-iron-1200509663/
  10. https://www.dhentertainment.com/projects/hellboy-animated-blood-and-iron/
  11. http://www.christopherdrakemusic.com/bio
  12. https://www.awn.com/news/hellboy-movie-premieres-cartoon-network-toonami
  13. https://www.awn.com/news/hellboy-blood-and-iron-debuts-cartoon-network
  14. https://thegww.com/hellboy-animated-sword-of-storms-and-blood-iron-release-date-revealed/
  15. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Hellboy-Sword-of-Storms/
  16. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Hellboy-Blood-and-Iron/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810895/fullcredits/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0817910/fullcredits/
  19. https://www.cbr.com/why-animated-hellboy-movies-hold-up/
  20. https://www.dhentertainment.com/projects/hellboy-animated-sword-storms/
  21. https://hellboy.fandom.com/wiki/Hellboy_Animated:_Sword_of_Storms
  22. https://hellboy.fandom.com/wiki/Hellboy_Animated:_Blood_%26_Iron
  23. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/HellboyAnimated
  24. https://hellboy.fandom.com/wiki/Elizabeth_Sherman
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1692119/
  26. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Hellboy-and-the-Iron-Shoes/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810895/releaseinfo/
  28. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy_sword_of_storms
  29. https://www.grimoireofhorror.com/the-yurei/traditional-asian-monsters-in-hollywood/
  30. https://www.amazon.com/Hellboy-Blood-Animated-Ron-Perlman/dp/B000NY0YJK
  31. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy_blood_and_iron
  32. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/12/hellboy-animated-blood-and-iron
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15157986/
  34. https://www.letterboxd.com/film/hellboy-animated-the-dark-below/
  35. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/789978-hellboy-animated-the-dark-below
  36. https://letterboxd.com/farwell3d/film/hellboy-animated-the-dark-below/
  37. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/hellboy-animated-the-dark-below
  38. https://tubitv.com/movies/554486/hellboy-animated-the-dark-below
  39. https://www.flamesrising.com/interview-tad-stones-animated-hellboy/
  40. https://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/1345/A-comic-based-on-an-animated-movie-thats-based-on-a-comic-its-Hellboy-like-youve-never-seen-him-before-7-26-06
  41. https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/14-227/Hellboy-Animated-Volume-1-The-Black-Wedding
  42. https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/14-228/Hellboy-Animated-Volume-2-Judgment-Bell
  43. https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=757551
  44. http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_082708b.htm
  45. https://www.darkhorse.com/Products/13-934/Hellboy-Animated-Mini-bust-Liz-Sherman
  46. https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/best-buy-exclusive-hellboy-figure-dvd.140021/
  47. https://www.amazon.com/Hellboy-Animated-Dark-Horse-Comics/dp/B0021EY57W
  48. https://www.tradercracks.com/2007-inkworks-hellboy-sword-of-storms-trading-cards
  49. http://www.oafe.net/yo/gg_hbadvd.php
  50. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/15/hellboy-animated-dvd-due
  51. https://comicmix.com/2007/03/14/hellboy-blood-and-iron-premieres-on-cartoon-network/
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0817910/releaseinfo/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1047474/releaseinfo/
  54. https://tubitv.com/movies/283931/hellboy-animated-blood-and-iron
  55. https://tubitv.com/movies/283932/hellboy-animated-sword-of-storms
  56. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hellboy-Animated-4K-Blu-ray/231701/
  57. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2019/02/lionsgate-unsheathes-hellboy-animated-double-feature-on-4k-april-2/
  58. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2019/04/01/4k-review-the-animated-ron-perlman-hellboy-movies-you-might-not-have-seen/
  59. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy_sword_of_storms/reviews?type=user
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810895/reviews/
  61. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy_sword_of_storms/reviews
  62. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellboy_blood_and_iron/reviews
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.