Wake the Devil

Lore & Background

Wake the Devil begins with the B.P.R.D. investigating the theft of the corpse of Vladimir Giurescu, a vampire who served the Nazis during World War II. The theft is orchestrated by a group of surviving Nazi occultists, including the mysterious Ilsa Haupstein and the mad scientist Herman von Klempt, who seek to resurrect Giurescu as a weapon for a new world order. Hellboy is dispatched to Romania, where he confronts Giurescu’s castle and learns of the vampire’s connection to a dark ritual that could unleash chaos upon the world.

The story interweaves flashbacks to 1939, where a young Professor Bruttenholm and the vigilante Lobster Johnson first encountered Giurescu and attempted to stop the Nazi occult project. These events reveal that Giurescu’s resurrection is tied to a prophecy involving Hellboy’s own right hand—the so-called "Right Hand of Doom"—which is destined to either save or destroy the world. Hellboy’s battle against Giurescu forces him to grapple with his own nature and the burden of his infernal heritage.

In the climax, Hellboy defeats Giurescu by destroying his heart, but not before learning that the vampire’s resurrection was a distraction for a larger plot. The arc ends with the B.P.R.D. recovering a mysterious artifact—a severed hand—that hints at deeper conspiracies involving the Ogdru Hem and the end of days. Wake the Devil is pivotal for establishing the series’ blend of horror, folklore, and pulp adventure, while setting the stage for future conflicts.

In Their Own Story

The bunker lights flickered as the ancient stone door groaned open. Dust motes danced in the shafts of light that pierced the darkness of the underground vault. Hellboy gripped his revolver, the weight familiar against his palm, but this time he felt no fear, only a heavy resignation. The ritual circle glowed with an unnatural violet hue, pulsing in rhythm with a heartbeat that wasn't his own.

Reader's Guide

The narrative begins with signs of supernatural disturbance across the globe, often linked to ancient summoning rituals. Agents investigate these anomalies while uncovering a conspiracy aimed at breaking the seals on the Ogdru Jahad. Hellboy and his team must race against time to stop cultists from completing the ceremony. This involves travel to remote locations where the magic is strongest and confronting minions of the ancient devils. The climax typically features a direct confrontation with one or more of the awakened entities. Hellboy often faces a choice that determines whether he fulfills his destiny as the Prince of Darkness or rejects it to save humanity.

Did You Know?

• The character of Vladimir Giurescu is loosely inspired by the historical figure Vlad Țepeș (Vlad the Impaler), but Mignola reimagines him as a vampire serving Nazi interests.
• Lobster Johnson makes his first chronological appearance in the flashback sequence of this arc, though he had been mentioned earlier in the Hellboy universe.
• The title 'Wake the Devil' is a play on the phrase 'wake the dead,' reflecting the story’s focus on resurrection and occult awakening.
• Mike Mignola’s art in this arc marks a shift toward a more shadow-heavy, expressionistic style that became iconic for the series.

Origins and Production Context

Wake the Devil stands as a pivotal five-issue mini-series within the expansive Hellboy universe, conceived and illustrated by creator Mike Mignola. Published by Dark Horse Comics, this narrative serves as a direct thematic bridge between earlier storylines and future adaptations. The plot intricately weaves elements that would later be repurposed for the animated feature Hellboy: Blood and Iron, demonstrating the series' foundational role in expanding the franchise's lore. Set against a backdrop of global supernatural threats, the comic revisits key locations such as the castle from Seed of Destruction on Norway's northern coast and introduces new mystical dangers in Romania. The story is driven by Mignola's signature visual storytelling, blending historical occultism with modern B.P.R.D. operations. It explores the lingering shadows of World War II through the actions of former Nazi agents like Ilsa Haupstein, Karl Kroenen, and Leopold Kurtz, who are now entangled in a new scheme involving Grigori Rasputin. The series effectively balances character-driven moments with high-stakes action, establishing a complex web of alliances and betrayals that define this chapter of Hellboy's life.

The Vampire Plot and Nazi Resurgence

The central conflict revolves around the resurrection of Vladimir Giurescu, an immortal figure who heals under full moonlight at his ancestral Castle Giurescu. The narrative traces the origins of Project Vampir Sturm, a failed 1944 initiative by Heinrich Himmler to recruit Giurescu for the Third Reich. Decades later, the threat re-emerges when a wax museum curator in SoHo is murdered, revealing that Giurescu's corpse was smuggled out of Germany by Hans Ubler. The B.P.R.D., led by Tom Manning and Kate Corrigan, splits into three tactical teams to investigate potential locations for the castle. Meanwhile, Ilsa Haupstein secures the stolen remains in Romania, intending to reanimate her master. Simultaneously, Kroenen and Kurtz operate independently in Norway, manufacturing a private army under Rasputin's direction. The plot thickens as Hellboy discovers that Giurescu is actually the son of the goddess Hecate, complicating the mission with divine intervention. This convergence of Nazi ambition, ancient mythology, and B.P.R.D. counter-measures creates a tense atmosphere where every faction seeks to control or destroy the immortal vampire.

Supernatural Confrontations and Mythological Depth

The series delves deep into mythological horror as Hellboy faces entities far beyond human comprehension. His journey leads him through a castle infested with the Women of Thessaly, who manifest from ravens to attack him, and culminates in a direct confrontation with Hecate herself. The goddess challenges Hellboy's role as a protector of humanity, tempting him to embrace his destiny as the harbinger of doom rather than fighting against it. Their battle results in Hecate dissolving into snakes amidst an explosion, yet her influence persists through Giurescu's repeated resurrections. In parallel storylines, other agents face terrifying homunculi that siphon life energy, leading to tragic casualties like Bud Waller. The narrative also introduces Baba Yaga and Rasputin's manipulative schemes, including the fatal rebirth attempt of Ilsa Haupstein via an Iron Maiden. These encounters highlight the series' exploration of fate, immortality, and the relentless nature of evil, as Hellboy must navigate a world where ancient gods and resurrected monsters threaten to overturn the natural order.

Character Dynamics and Tragic Consequences

Wake the Devil is defined by its intense character interactions and the heavy toll of supernatural warfare. The B.P.R.D. agents are forced into dangerous scenarios that test their loyalty and survival instincts, such as Liz Sherman's near-fatal encounter with a homunculus in Czege Castle. Hellboy often operates alone or against orders, driven by his instinct to protect humanity even when faced with overwhelming odds. His relationship with Rasputin remains adversarial, culminating in his capture and chaining to a wooden pole at the ruins of Castle Giurescu. The Nazi faction experiences internal strife as well; Von Klempt's attempt to sway Kroenen leads to Kurtz's death at Kroenen's hands, fracturing their alliance. Meanwhile, Rasputin manipulates Ilsa Haupstein into a deadly ritual, showcasing his ruthless control over the narrative's antagonists. These personal tragedies and shifting alliances underscore the series' darker tone, emphasizing that in this world, victory often comes at a steep price for both heroes and villains alike.