We’ve celebrated Hellboy’s 20th anniversary. We’ve marveled at the supernatural exploits of the B.P.R.D.. We’ve even feasted on chocolate made to look like our favorite devilish do-gooder. Now, it’s time to celebrate Mike Mignola’s birthday. The vaunted comics creator turns 55 this year, which means that his Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. comics have almost caught up with his age. While you could easily spend the day marveling at Mignola’s magnificent artwork or taking a stroll down memory lane by listening to his visit to the Nerdist Podcast. Or you could celebrate another year of awesome comics with Mignola’s cover for Dark Horse Comics’ forthcoming Hellboy and the BPRD: 1953 trade paperback collection.

Ain’t she a beaut? Featuring modified artwork from the forthcoming Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953 — The Witch Tree & Rawhead and Bloody Bones, this cover shows Hellboy doing what he does best: kicking undead ass. Though we don’t have an exact release date yet, this TPB will purportedly include stories like The Phantom Hand, The Kelpie, as well as standalone issues from 1953. Considering how good the Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 collection was, we can’t wait to get our hands on this.

In the meantime, though, let us wish Mike Mignola a happy birthday and many happy returns. And here’s hoping that he also wished for Hellboy 3 to actually come to pass when he blew out his birthday candles.

What is your favorite Mike Mignola work? Let us know in the comments below!

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Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of 100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. You can follow him on Twitter (@Osteoferocious)

IMAGE: Dark Horse Comics