Grigori Rasputin

A historical mystic reborn as a necromantic force, haunting the edges of the B.P.R.D.'s world.

Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is a supervillain in the American comic book series Hellboy, created by Mike Mignola and John Byrne and based on the real-life Russian mystic of the same name. He is typically considered Hellboy's primary personal archenemy. Questioning his powers and purpose, Rasputin was visited by the witch Baba Yaga, who told him he was destined to father a new age. After his assassination by Prince Felix Yusupov on December 16, 1916, Baba Yaga hid a fragment of his soul within the roots of Yggdrasil to make him immortal. He was later resurrected by the Ogdru Jahad at an unspecified time, becoming their mortal agent.

Quick Facts

Full name: Grigori Efimovich Rasputin
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Debut: Hellboy: Seed of Destruction (1994)
Creators: Mike Mignola; John Bryne
Alliances: Nazis
Also known as: Rasputin, The Mad Monk

Lore & Background

Rasputin's storyline frequently intersects with Hellboy during moments when the B.P.R.D. investigates historical occult anomalies or when an enemy seeks to use Rasputin's power as a weapon. He represents the danger of unchecked ambition and the corrupting nature of forbidden magic. Whether appearing as a ghostly advisor, a reanimated corpse, or a puppet for darker entities like the Ogdru Jahad, Rasputin remains a symbol of the past refusing to stay buried.

After his physical destruction in Hellboy: Seed of Destruction—where his body was consumed by flames when the Ogdru Jahad's manifestation Sadu-Hem was destroyed—he re-appeared as a ghost in Hellboy: Wake the Devil, directing Ilsa Haupstein to place herself in an enchanted iron maiden. He later appeared in Hellboy: Conqueror Worm as a ghostly counsel to Hermann von Klempt's head in a jar, and was destroyed by Hecate. In Darkness Calls, Baba Yaga gathered what remained of his soul and placed it in an acorn.

In B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know, Rasputin was resurrected as an avatar of the Ogdru Jahad, and was killed by Hellboy snapping his neck.

Reader's Guide

Grigori Rasputin is a unique antagonist in the Hellboy mythos because he bridges history and horror. Originally a real-world mystic, this version is transformed into a supernatural entity capable of necromancy. His role often involves serving as a conduit for larger evil forces or acting as an independent threat who seeks to reshape reality through dark rituals. His primary power lies in his ability to manipulate death itself, raising the dead and binding souls to his will.

Unlike physical monsters, Rasputin's danger is metaphysical; he can be difficult to destroy permanently because his existence is tied to spiritual energies rather than just a biological body. He often appears when ancient prophecies are being fulfilled. Defining moments in his arc usually involve clashes with Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., where his schemes force the team to confront the lingering dangers of history. Whether he is resurrected by a cult or manipulated by an elder god, Rasputin remains a persistent reminder that some forces from the past are never truly gone.