Determining Hellboy's immortality: Type 5 vs Type 8

[Omnificence]

It's been debatable whether or not Hellboy is truly immortal. However, throughout the comics, he's shown to survive numerous situations that'd normally kill any other human, such as gunshots, impalement, internal organ loss, limb amputations, explosions, and so on. Media has also stated Hellboy to possess a healing factor similar to Wolverine's since he has no trouble recovering from most of the deadliest injuries and wounds he receives. For that, there's no reason Hellboy shouldn't have types 2 and 3 immortality.


Unfortunately, there's one form (or probably two forms) of immortality I'd like to debate, and I'd like to see which is the proper form to give to Hellboy.

Type 5 vs Type 8


First, let's find the definitions of these two forms.

Type 5 Deathless Immortality: Characters who exist unbound by conventional life or death, or do not exist at all, and thus cannot be traditionally killed. Typically, abilities such as Existence Erasure are needed to destroy them.

Type 8 Reliant Immortality: The character cannot die as long as a certain being, object, or even concept exists.


Now, let's dive into the comics.

In Hellboy Omnibus #TPB 2 part 4, Hellboy can't die unless he believes he should.

In Hellboy Omnibus #TPB 3 part 2, Hellboy's said to be "as deathless as Koshchei" and later told "as far as he's come-- as much as he's suffered-- he is not ready."


Time for the verdict.

I see phrases and words that hint the different types of immortality.

"Unless he believes" being tied to type 8 and "as deathless as" being tied to type 5.


Which of these two forms of immortality is the most appropriate to give to Hellboy?

 

[Sigurd_Snake_in_The_Eye]

I don't think this is neither of those things.

2nd statement could mean something if those guys have type 5 already. Why are they "deathless"?

 

[Omnificence]

It's revealed that Koshchei can't die through normal means, even after being decapitated by Hellboy. His soul resided in different animals and once inside a goat's body, the Baba Yaga hid the goat so he couldn't be killed. Hence, this is why he's called "Koshchei The Deathless".

 

[Promestein]

Type 5 is for things that lack the concept of death.

Koschei doesn't. He has Type 8. He is only used for comparison's sake. Hellboy does not have the same immortality. Types 2 and 3 is all we can apply.

 

[Omnificence]

Type 5 is for things that lack the concept of death.
Koschei doesn't. He has Type 8. He is only used for comparison's sake. Hellboy does not have the same immortality. Types 2 and 3 is all we can apply.

Is it not a being, concept, or object that'd give the character type 8 immortality? Isn't Hellboy's belief on whether or not he should die enough to imply he should have type 8 immortality?

 

[Sigurd_Snake_in_The_Eye]

There is no proof Hellboy has such a power where he can only die if he believes he can die.

 

[Promestein]

Yeah.

 

[Omnificence]

There is no proof Hellboy has such a power where he can only die if he believes he can die.

You mean to tell me the scans provided are insufficient? This was when he was at his life's crossroads and lead to strange places. He later came back from the dead in a new body.

 

[Sigurd_Snake_in_The_Eye]

If he brought himself back to life wouldn't that be resurrection? (I know nothing about Hellboy)

 

[Omnificence]

That'd be true, but if the belief of whether or not you should die isn't a concept, what counts as a concept?

 

[Antvasima]

Promestein and Sigurd seem to make sense.

 

[Omnificence]

Promestein and Sigurd seem to make sense.

Your thoughts on this, Antvasima?

 

[Antvasima]

Not much beyond what I just said.

 

[Omnificence]

What types of immortality would you suggest Hellboy should have? Aside from types 2 and 3, is there enough evidence to also give him types 4 and 7?

 

[Antvasima]

I do not know. Sorry. I am very tired.

 

[Omnificence]

I think giving him at least either type 4 or 7 should be enough.

 

[Mr. Bambu]

I'd see Type 4 out of this if anything, yeah? If he isn't ready to die, he gets sent back. That makes sense to me. I dunno about 7, since being undead is it's own thing.

 

[Sir_Ovens]

Yeah no, there is insufficient proof for types 5 and 8 based on the given scans. As Bambu said, type 4 makes sense.

 

[Antvasima]

Okay. Type 4 seems to be accepted then.

 

[Omnificence]

Okay then, It's settled. Who'd like to close this thread?

 

[Antvasima]

I can do so.