Tom Manning

::"this article is about the comicbook character - for the American criminal see Tom Manning (prisoner)"Infobox comics character
character_name = Tom Manning


imagesize =
caption =
publisher = Dark Horse Comics
debut = "" (1994)
creators = Mike Mignola
alter_ego =
full_name = Thomas Manning
species =
homeworld =
alliances = B.P.R.D.
partners = Trevor Bruttenholm
supports =
aliases = Dr. Thomas Manning
powers = Public Speaking
cat =
subcat =
hero =
villain = Rasputin
sortkey = PAGENAME
addcharcat# =

Tom Manning is a fictional character from the Dark Horse Comics universe. He is director of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense.

Manning has classically been portrayed as a stuffed-shirt bureaucrat who refuses to trust the paranormal members of his agency, even though their presence is critical to the successful defense of the planet. In recent years, Manning has softened his approach to his superhumans; Roger the Homunculus, for example, was promoted to leader of his own squad even though Manning, at one point, had a bomb placed in Roger's chest as a precautionary measure.

Manning, perhaps smarting from the defection of Hellboy from the Bureau, recently refused to accept the resignation of Captain Ben Daimio after a disaster that claimed Roger and his team. In this way, Manning has developed from a cold administrator to a leader that places the needs of his agents over the needs of the Bureau.

Other media

In the movie series, much like in the original graphic novel, Tom Manning (Jeffrey Tambor) is more of a bureaucrat and politician than supernatural investigator. He is also instrumental in debunking the conspiracy theories which surround the agency and the involvement of the FBI. In "Hellboy", Manning holds a tense working relationship with Hellboy until Hellboy saves Manning's life, after which the two share a bonding moment in which Manning teaches Hellboy how to properly light up a cigar. Their tension is renewed, however, in "", in which Hellboy's actions result in the outing of the BPRD's existence. As a result, Johann Kraus is appointed as Hellboy's superior.Manning also appears in "" in a small role, voiced by Jim Cummings.