This is not family entertainment – a review of the comic book “The Mask Omnibus”, vol. 1

Before Mask appeared on large and smaller screens in the mid-90s, she made her debut with the Dark Horse Comics publishing house. Its comic book prototype was significantly different from the one played by Jim Carrey. Thanks to Non Stop Comics, we have the opportunity to see for ourselves what the beginnings of this amazing hero looked like.

Admission word

The Amazing Mask made her comics debut in 1987 with the album Dark Horse Presents . Its creators are John Arcudi (screenplay) and Dough Mahnke (graphics). However, she had to wait four years for her solo comic. Although a dozen or so issues were released at that time, Maska had to wait for the moment of fame until 1994, when the film adaptation of notebooks with Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in the main roles was released on the screens. Soon after, an animated series was also created. Both productions, however, were only partially based on the original. They became family titles, while the original was intended only for adults, due to high brutality and extremely bloody scenes. So let’s check which version of the Mask is better!

Mask

The Mask Omnibus, an album that made its debut on the Polish market not so long ago, is a collection of comics about the adventures of the title Maska, published in the years 1991-1995. It was divided into three parts. The first one is called The Mask, and the adventures included in it were created by the already mentioned Arcudi-Mahnke duo. We get to know an extraordinary, magical Mask, which goes to a certain Stanley Ipkiss. The owner quickly discovers its unusual properties – after putting it on, the owner becomes immortal, superhumanly strong and has several powers, including the ability to change his own appearance or create items out of nothing. It turns out, however, that nothing is for free. The mask captivates the wearer and gradually takes the worst features out of it and releases all inhibitions, allowing, among others, to murder the innocent without remorse. Over time, it is she who begins to rule the man, not the other way around. And so Stanley, who wants to become a superhero protecting the city from bad guys, becomes one of the “bad guys” himself. He even kills policemen.

The first chapter of the Mask honestly, it’s not to die for. History is boring and distant at times. It often comes down to the fact that the Big Head kills other people and the blood pours in streams. And so we wander from one corpse to another. There are also time jumps that may confuse the reader. The graphic side, in turn, is extremely simple and you can feel the atmosphere of the 90s in it. The background is often missing, and the characters seem quite caricatured, and sometimes even similar to each other. There is also a woman with perfect shapes, often dressed quite scantily and tempting with her charms. The highlight are the texts of the main character (who turns into more people wearing the Mask). They are fun and break the monotony. The more green-faced guy, the better for the recipient, and fortunately, there is quite a lot of him here!

The return of the mask

In the second chapter, the mask falls into the hands of bandits. While the previous owners tried to somehow harness the power of the item, here we have an even bigger, bloody mess. Known heroes who want to stop Big Head are also returning to the game.

This part of the The Mask Omnibus is by far the best of all three. The authors apparently decided to expand the plot and give us more than a few good jokes and a pile of dead bodies. Not only Big Head is interesting here. A conflict thread was developed between the main character and a certain Walter, a giant with superhuman strength and resistance. We could get to know this character before, but only now does he play a bigger role. Kathy, the only woman wearing the Mask, and the only person who can oppose it, fares just as well. There’s no shortage of action, no boring cutscenes, and the green-faced guy’s lyrics are even more fun. Efforts were also made to open the secret of the origin of the title item. Graphically, it is also much better. The cartoonist gave the characters personality, taking care of their appearance. It can no longer be said that we will find several identical people here. The background is also full of details. Violence and blood are also ubiquitous, which give the comic its atmosphere.

The mask strikes back

In the final chapter, the mask is placed in the hands of four students. Each of them has different goals and desires in life, and a magic item tries to help them fulfill their dreams. Of course, he does it in his own style, which causes chaos and destruction on the streets again. It’s bloody again, although this time Walter is responsible for the mess, not Bighead.

The third part is almost as good as the second part. It was created after the premiere of the film and the first broadcasts of the animated series. Perhaps this caused the developers to change their approach a bit. Although there are still scenes of violence, the tap with blood was almost completely turned off, and there are only a few fatalities. The conflict with Walter is still one of the key elements, but it does not change the fact that he draws the recipient. In turn, people wearing the Mask are starting to look more and more like cartoon characters, which adds to the comedy. We also have some abstract, surreal and psychedelic scenes at the same time, where a magic artifact imposes a drugged boyfriend. His visions are disturbing, but also intriguing, i.e. great drawings made by the author, for which he deserves a big plus!

Smokin’!

If seeing the comic The Mask Omnibus You’re thinking of Jim Carrey – you better stop. This album is definitely different from the movie adaptation. It will also not be a nostalgic journey to the animation broadcast by Cartoon Network. Apart from the facts that Ipkiss does not play the main role here and quickly disappears from the plot, and Milo’s dog does not appear in it at all, but the most important thing is that the title is intended only for older audiences. It’s bloody, brutal and vulgar here. There is also madness and chaos as well as black humor. The opening chapter may seem a bit boring and tedious, but the farther into the forest the better. The second and third chapter will reward you for the worse moments from the first. Ultimately, the first volume can be classified as successful and can be recommended in good conscience. This is a real piece of comedian history and you should get to know him. It is worth adding that Non Stop Comics is already preparing a sequel! Who knows, maybe we’ll even see an adventure in which Bighead meets Joker or Lobo!