Hellboy Famous or Not?

Was Hellboy already well known in comics, even before the movie came out?. Or do you think they just made the movie to advertise their "comic world". Also, I think most people thought it was a "marvel" or a "dc" flick.

Well if the comic wasn't there with popularity it sure is now. I never had the opportunity to read Hellboy, 🙁

its been around...im personally not a great fan...i think its a good story though....however something about the delivery never really got to me...its actually based on an old military myth....kinda like area 51....way old school sh** from WWII, jus like in the story