The points of issue
First trade paperback, Dark Horse Comics, 2000, ISBN 1-56971-489-0 (978-1-56971-489-8), the fourth Hellboy collection. It gathers shorter stories, among them Box Full of Evil, The Varcolac, and the first-printed King Volmer, several appearing in color for the first time after earlier black-and-white anthology and Dark Horse Presents appearances. The first printing has no later-printing statement in the indicia.
Is this the true first?
Most of the contents first appeared in various anthologies and single issues; the 2000 trade paperback is the first collection of these stories, and King Volmer was printed here for the first time.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Hellboy: The Right Hand of Doom a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First trade paperback, Dark Horse Comics, 2000, ISBN 1-56971-489-0 (978-1-56971-489-8), the fourth Hellboy collection. It gathers shorter stories, among them Box Full of Evil, The Varcolac, and the first-printed King Volmer, several appearing in color for the first time after earlier black-and-white anthology and Dark Horse Presents appearances. The first printing has no later-printing statement in the indicia.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. Most of the contents first appeared in various anthologies and single issues; the 2000 trade paperback is the first collection of these stories, and King Volmer was printed here for the first time.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of Hellboy: The Right Hand of Doom — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.