“Mike Mignola and his work mean so much to me, it’s hard to put into words. As a kid dis

“Mike Mignola and his work mean so much to me, it’s hard to put into words. As a kid discovering comics, his work stood out in the days of the lingering “Marvel style,” which had become stagnant and expected. There were a few guys who could light a new fire then. Mike was one of them and this was even before his distinctive style we know from Hellboy.

As an influence, Mike has been with me since my first days. As his work developed into the heavy solid blacks we know of today, I only became more mystified at how he could break the rules and make them work with new ones. Slowly I got to know Mike. He was kind enough to excuse my fandom, and we’ve become pals. He and his wife and partner, Christine, have been supportive of my efforts to learn the craft and they have shown me humility and kindness in the face of fame and geek worship.

I’ll miss Hellboy, and yet I feel ready to let him go. To see Mike create the full life of a character is rare thing in comics, a truly awesome task I am grateful to have witnessed. I’m looking forward to Mike’s paintings and what insanity he’ll dream up next.”
—Michael Avon Oeming