Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters opens as the artist is sketching in his studio at night, his table illuminated by a single lamp; from offscreen we hear the director instruct him to turn and look at the camera when the art is completed. Dutifully when he’s finished, he slowly turns to the camera and looks at the imaginary audience with one of the best dead-pan Jack Benny impressions I’ve seen—an expression that’s part amused, part long-suffering, and all Mike Mignola.

Last year I had mentioned that a documentary about Hellboy’s creator was being funded through Kickstarter and in production. 4,652 fans heard the call from directors/producers Jim Denonakos and Kevin Konrad Hanna and pledged $528,785 to bring the project to fruition.

And now, well, it’s done and—boy, is it good!

Though I had seen some of his art for various projects for several years, I first really became aware of Mike when he drew the comics version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula for Topps way back in 1992; as impressed as I was (and still am) by that adaptation I was unprepared, surprised and totally blown away in 1994 when he launched Hellboy at Dark Horse. I was an instant fan and, when our paths would cross at conventions, I’d blather at him enthusiatically about what he’d done and was doing—and I was hardly alone. Chat with other artists for any length of time and the topic would inevitably turn to Mike Mignola and Hellboy: over the years I heard Dave Stevens, Richard Corben, and Bernie Wrightson talk as enthusiastically about Mike (in their own ways) as I did. How did he manage it? How did he create something that resonates with so many different people around the world? I think the documentary offers some excellent insights.

Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters is a tight film—clocking in at a bit over an hour and a half—and covers a lot of territory. There’s much to digest; from his childhood growing up with a gruff father and brothers Scott and Todd to his move to New York and early struggles working for Marvel and DC to the creation of Hellboy (with excursions into concept art and marriage to Christine Beatty along the way). His persistance, devotion to his craft, and significance as an artist, creator, storyteller, and entrepreneur are all discussed by Patton Oswald, Arthur Adams, Guillermo Del Toro, Jason Shawn Alexander, Mike Carlin, and Neil Gaiman among many others, but it’s the interviews with Mike, Christine, and daughter Katie which are spaced throughout that are the true heart of the documentary.

“It was a bit overwhelming—in a very good way—hearing those guys say such nice things,” Mike told Newsarama. “I guess it’s a little like being able to go to your own funeral and hear people say nice things about you. The truth is—for me at least—it’s really hard to wrap your head around how you or your work impacts other people.” Unpretentious, unassuming, incredibly bright and genuinely funny, the Mignolas are honest about and appreciative of—if not a little bemused by—all the popularity and acclaim.

There have been (and I’m sure will continue to be) screenings of the film at festivals and conventions: this weekend (October 15) Los Angeles’ Secret Movie Club will host a showing at the Million Dollar Theater. The producers say in their press release, “The screening will include a live onstage interview with Mike Mignola, the legendary creator of Hellboy, alongside documentary filmmakers Jim Demonakos and Kevin Konrad Hanna, and Secret Movie Club founder Craig Hammill. The evening will begin with a special 35mm archive print screening of Universal Studios’ iconic Frankenstein, the James Whale-directed film. Attendees on-site will be able to purchase a limited-edition 18” x 24” poster by Mignola and award-winning colorist Dave Stewart. The Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters event will begin at 6:00 PM.” (Tickets are available via this link.) There will also be a panel discussion about the documentary at LightBox Expo on Sunday, October 16th. Otherwise the film is only available (at this point, anyway) to the Kickstarter backers as a two-disc Blu-Ray (the second disc contains 3 hours of bonus material, including Mike’s tour of his library—and hey! isn’t that a Greg Manchess painting over the fireplace?) along with a digital copy. I’m not sure what their future plans are and would suggest those interested in seeing Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters to definitely visit their website via this link for updates and information.