Powers and Abilities
Hellboy's superhuman abilities stem from his demonic nature. While his specific powers and abilities have never been explicitly described in the comics, Hellboy is much stronger and tougher than an ordinary human being.
Hellboy is not invulnerable, but he is extremely tough. He has been savagely beaten by large monsters on several occasions and survived, often with relatively few injuries. On one occasion, he directly charged an MG-42 machine gun and took numerous bullets to the chest before destroying the gun.
The extent of Hellboy's strength is unclear, but on at least one occasion he has torn down a large tree and hurled it at an opponent. He has also thrown opponents weighing at least four hundred to five hundred pounds. The Hellboy Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game, which was produced with input from Mignola, states that with two hands, Hellboy can lift approximately 750 pounds (340 kg). However, the comics suggest that Hellboy is stronger than this.
Hellboy's right hand, referred to as the Right Hand of Doom, consists of a large forearm and hand that seem to be made from red stone. The Hand is effectively invulnerable and feels no pain, and is much like a sledgehammer when used to punch an enemy. Of course, being far larger than an ordinary human hand, the Right Hand of Doom is not very suitable for use with most objects, so he relies on his average-sized left hand to operate weapons and devices.
In addition to his natural gifts, Hellboy carries a variety of items--such as holy relics, horseshoes, and herbs--in his utility belt. These often come in handy when fighting supernatural beasts.
Hellboy usually carries a large pistol. In the film adaptation, the gun is called "the Samaritan," and Hellboy states that he uses special bullets containing silver shavings, holy water, and other materials to ensure the weapon's effectiveness against supernatural creatures.
Additionally, in the film adaptation, Hellboy is shown to be entirely invulnerable to heat and flame, including that which is generated by electrocution.
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The Right Hand of Doom
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
In Seed of Destruction, Hellboy is confronted by a fictional version of Rasputin and begins to find out what he is doing on Earth and who summoned him there. Hellboy's purpose will be to command the powers that Rasputin is about to unleash upon the world. Hellboy denies this version of his destiny and refuses to be controlled. Attempting to release the Ogdru Jahad, Rasputin is killed, harpooned through the chest by Abe Sapien under the control of the ghost of Elihu Cavendish.
In Wake the Devil, Hellboy meets the Goddess Hecate. Hellboy, addressed as "Anung Un Rama", is told that his arrival on Earth signals its end. At the climax of the story Hellboy is swallowed by Hecate in the form of an iron maiden and some kind of other-worldly conflict ensues, in which he is told that his right hand is a key to open the pit. Again Hellboy refuses, this time breaking off his newly regrown horns, revealing what those two circles on his forehead are.
In Box Full of Evil (collected in the The Right Hand of Doom TPB.), Igor Bromhead gains power over a demon, Ualac, by using that demon's name. Hellboy is also bound by his name, "Anung Un Rama", and the Crown of the Apocalypse, which he wears but is invisible to him, is taken. In taking the crown, Ualac is changed into a much more powerful demon. Hellboy finds out what his name means: "Anung Un Rama, World Destroyer, The Great Beast …" "… and upon his brow is set a crown of fire …". This is not who he is, and so not his name any longer. Ualac is defeated. The crown is kept for Hellboy by Astaroth, in Pandemonium the capital city of Hell, in the House of the Fly, where a seat is reserved for him.
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