I don't think they're strictly necessary. The main Hellboy story can stand on its own. But if you have the time and inclination, the short stories can offer some interesting side adventures and character developments.
Not necessarily. It depends on your reading preferences and how much background and additional context you want for the main story.
It really varies. Some people find the short stories add depth and understanding to the Hellboy universe, while others can enjoy the main story without them. It's up to you and your interest in exploring more facets of the series.
Not necessarily. You can enjoy novels without reading short stories. Novels offer a comprehensive and immersive story on their own.
Not strictly necessary, but it can enhance your understanding of the Witcher universe.
Hellboy is obviously the main character. He's a big, red - skinned demon - like being with a heart of gold.
Yes, it does. The Hellboy omnibus typically includes a collection of the short stories.
Well, in 'Hellboy Short Stories', the story about Hellboy's encounter with the Baba Yaga is really interesting. It shows his bravery in the face of such a powerful and spooky figure.
Not always. Many manga have furigana (small hiragana or katakana above kanji) to help with pronunciation and understanding. Also, some simple manga are written mostly in hiragana and katakana.
No. Novels and short stories are two different forms. One can fully enjoy novels without ever reading short stories. They each have their own unique narrative structures, themes, and styles, and enjoying novels doesn't rely on the experience of short stories.
The story about Hellboy's encounter with the witch in the forest is also fascinating. It delves into his moral compass as he has to decide whether to follow the rules or do what he believes is right. There are a lot of elements of mystery and magic in this one. The detailed descriptions of the forest setting and the witch's lair add to the overall atmosphere of the story.
The short story that delves into Hellboy's relationship with his human friends is quite engaging. It gives us a deeper look into his character and how he fits into the human world.
There's also Abe Sapien. He's an intelligent amphibious being who often helps Hellboy in his adventures. They have a great dynamic together, with Abe providing knowledge and Hellboy the brute force when needed. And let's not forget Liz Sherman, a pyrokinetic who has her own set of powers and issues. She adds a different dimension to the group with her sometimes - volatile personality.