On the Importance of “Pancakes”

Where Hellboy is known for long, continuous arcs, the fan-favorite story “Pancakes” is a single two page spread that provides a rare glimpse of Hellboy’s early life on earth whilst playfully exploring the concept of the things that bind him to it. #Hellboy #BPRD 1/8

The story was originally published in the Dark Horse Presents Annual of 1999, before being colorized and reprinted in the collection “The Right Hand of Doom” and in later trades. 2/8

The story is, however, considered a piece of Hellboy canon. It’s consistent with the Hellboy timeline, is referenced in later works, and even features the first appearance of the demon Astaroth who can be seen in multiple later Hellboy story arcs, including “The Wild Hunt.” 3/8

The story represents an inversion of the classical myth of Persephone, who was abducted to Hades and cursed to stay there 1/3 of the year upon tasting the food of the underworld (in her case, pomegranate seeds). 4/8

This is an odd connection to Hellboy, and the tone of the story is clearly not serious, but the concept of food binding one to a culture has a robust mythical tradition and the Hellboy version does indeed rest on a charmingly relatable premise: pancakes are delicious. 5/8

The depiction of Hellboy as a defiant child who refuses to eat anything but noodles (yet immediately falls for pancakes when forced to try something new) represents an almost universal experience, humanizing Hellboy even as the imagery of a demon-child estranges him. 6/8

Additionally, the story depicts a second comical juxtaposition in the form of battle-hardened General Norton Ricker playing the maternal role. This humanizes Hellboy further, however, by showcasing that even though his was a found family, it was still very much a family. 7/8

In short, this little comic story is deeply endearing, and through that endearment can be seen to enrich the darker, more sombre Hellboy universe as it develops from that point. Seeing the child he was lends richness and depth to a story that was already abundant in both. 8/8