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The Mask
The Mask: I Pledge Allegiance to the Mask
The bestselling comic series that inspired the blockbuster film returns with gruesome hilarity from the showrunner of AMC's
Halt and Catch Fire
and
Hellboy
's Patric Reynolds.
Years ago, a weird mask of unknown origin and limitless power was buried in the cement of an apartment building's basement floor. Edge City and its residents have all but forgotten the mysterious green-faced killer known only as "Big Head." But now, decades later, the bizarre Tex Avery-style killings are happening all over again and are on a collision course with a bizarre political campaign where a homicidal maniac wants to "Make America Green Again"!
Collects The Mask: I Pledge Allegiance to the Mask #1-#4.
Years ago, a weird mask of unknown origin and limitless power was buried in the cement of an apartment building's basement floor. Edge City and its residents have all but forgotten the mysterious green-faced killer known only as "Big Head." But now, decades later, the bizarre Tex Avery-style killings are happening all over again and are on a collision course with a bizarre political campaign where a homicidal maniac wants to "Make America Green Again"!
Collects The Mask: I Pledge Allegiance to the Mask #1-#4.
104 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2020
7 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 19, 2022
The Mask runs for president. It's a half assed attempt at political satire. Big Head makes outrageous comments and acts like Trump. I've heard enough of that swill in real life. I don't need a comic that's more of the same. I was impressed with how much this ties in with the other The Mask comics. Cantwell did his homework. I'm just completely burned out with politics in real life and don't need them in my comics.
July 21, 2021
What if Big Head became president? Not wholly dissimilar to the year 2020 in America, these very short 106 pages are a sociopolitical horror comedy in The Mask Universe. It’s funny, gross, and surprisingly satirical. The artwork is reminiscent of Sean Phillips and very well done. Check it out!
July 28, 2021
Коли я взявся читати лімітовану серію «Маска: Я обіцяю відданість масці» сценариста Крістофера Кентвелла й художника Патріка Рейнольдса, то мав очікування, що історія буде в стилі кінострічки «Маска» (1994) із Джимом Керрі. Якось так весело, з жартами, екшеном і чорним гумором. Але в результаті все навспак.
Багато років тому дивна маска невідомого походження і безмежної сили була похована в цементі підвального поверху багатоквартирного будинку. Едж-Сіті та його мешканці майже забули таємничого вбивцю із зеленим обличчям. Та зараз, десятиліттями пізніше, химерні вбивства повторюються знову. І це все відбувається під час політичної кампанії, коли цей вбивця-маніяк із зеленою головою хоче «Зробити Америку знову зеленою»!
Те, що подає в коміксі Крістофер Кентвелл, наче, й непогано, почуття страху та важкий політичний клімат останніх років у США переносяться на сторінки коміксу. Він наділяє Маску різними радикальними ідеями, який балотується також на крісло президента. У відповідь на деспота та його жорстоким діям формується опір, який складається із попередніх носіїв Маски. Вони намагаються покласти кінець його жорстокості. Та те, як це все реалізовується мені взагалі не сподобалося. Діалоги - не цікаві, жарти на тлі жорстокості, які б мали бути смішними, - узагалі такими не є. Можливо, якщо б малюнок був не такий брудний, із яскравими кольорами, то сприймалося б по іншому. Бо із цим малюнком, все зовсім навпаки, все занадто серйозно.
Мені не сподобався комікс узагалі: ні малюнок, ні діалоги, ні поведінка героїв. Якщо хтось думав читати його, то краще пройдіть повз.
Багато років тому дивна маска невідомого походження і безмежної сили була похована в цементі підвального поверху багатоквартирного будинку. Едж-Сіті та його мешканці майже забули таємничого вбивцю із зеленим обличчям. Та зараз, десятиліттями пізніше, химерні вбивства повторюються знову. І це все відбувається під час політичної кампанії, коли цей вбивця-маніяк із зеленою головою хоче «Зробити Америку знову зеленою»!
Те, що подає в коміксі Крістофер Кентвелл, наче, й непогано, почуття страху та важкий політичний клімат останніх років у США переносяться на сторінки коміксу. Він наділяє Маску різними радикальними ідеями, який балотується також на крісло президента. У відповідь на деспота та його жорстоким діям формується опір, який складається із попередніх носіїв Маски. Вони намагаються покласти кінець його жорстокості. Та те, як це все реалізовується мені взагалі не сподобалося. Діалоги - не цікаві, жарти на тлі жорстокості, які б мали бути смішними, - узагалі такими не є. Можливо, якщо б малюнок був не такий брудний, із яскравими кольорами, то сприймалося б по іншому. Бо із цим малюнком, все зовсім навпаки, все занадто серйозно.
Мені не сподобався комікс узагалі: ні малюнок, ні діалоги, ні поведінка героїв. Якщо хтось думав читати його, то краще пройдіть повз.
August 16, 2023
It's not the best comic of the saga, but keeping in mind the pitiful previous issues that inherited the Carrey's style, I feel satisfied with what I read. We see 'Big Head' being the crazed and sadistic killer he should have never stopped being. The art is amazing, I loved it.
Cantwell adds never-before-seen characteristics to the mask, such as its ability to reject a host, to have its own independent goals to the point of having heated internal arguments that reminded me of the relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom or Ben Tennyson when he transformed himself into alien X. The mask can also detach from a face and become a slashing weapon that slices through everything in its path. I admit, it was fun, though incongruous when you get to thinking that inexplicably the mask never used such features before, despite having wearers as uncommitted to destruction or murder as Eric Martin in The Mask - Southern Discomfort or as incompetent as Kathy herself in The Mask Returns (the ONLY mask wearer to lose a fight while wearing it and give up).
While we're on the subject of Kathy, I need to ask: Was it necessary to turn her into a bossy, bitter old woman? All the empathy you came to feel for her fades away as you go along and see the mean way she treats her people and mistreats her old allies like Kellaway. Cantwell falls into the common cliché of showing how strong and empowered a female character is by making her insolent, unsympathetic and despicable.
Cantwell adds never-before-seen characteristics to the mask, such as its ability to reject a host, to have its own independent goals to the point of having heated internal arguments that reminded me of the relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom or Ben Tennyson when he transformed himself into alien X. The mask can also detach from a face and become a slashing weapon that slices through everything in its path. I admit, it was fun, though incongruous when you get to thinking that inexplicably the mask never used such features before, despite having wearers as uncommitted to destruction or murder as Eric Martin in The Mask - Southern Discomfort or as incompetent as Kathy herself in The Mask Returns (the ONLY mask wearer to lose a fight while wearing it and give up).
While we're on the subject of Kathy, I need to ask: Was it necessary to turn her into a bossy, bitter old woman? All the empathy you came to feel for her fades away as you go along and see the mean way she treats her people and mistreats her old allies like Kellaway. Cantwell falls into the common cliché of showing how strong and empowered a female character is by making her insolent, unsympathetic and despicable.
January 26, 2020
*1.5*
All gore, and no substance.
This half-attempt at socio-political satire never reaches its mark in the span of this miniseries' four issues, which is one of the reasons why this didn't work very well. There were so many ideas that were only seldom touched upon, but there was no weight or nuance added to them, it's just Political Insanity inspired by the 2016 US Presidential Election mixed with insanity from this comic and THAT'S IT! Even the ending felt rushed and half-assed, and there was even an attempt to try and make the concept of the Mask deeper, but it fails miserably! There's also an assassin character who doesn't feel pain named, "The Canadian", and all he does is fucked-up body horror shit, but nothing interesting is done with his character, just that he's fucked-up! Also, this miniseries carries over continuity from the classic Mask comics, and if you haven't read those like I have, you won't be completely lost as there are references made, but I don't know if this miniseries would work better in context to those comics. Artwork wasn't bad at all, but it probably could've been better.
Overall, this felt like Chuck Palahniuk wrote this in his sleep. This miniseries could've easily been 6 or even 12 issues to further develop the ideas and characters. Also, the idea of this miniseries could actually work for a direct sequel to The Mask movie.
All gore, and no substance.
This half-attempt at socio-political satire never reaches its mark in the span of this miniseries' four issues, which is one of the reasons why this didn't work very well. There were so many ideas that were only seldom touched upon, but there was no weight or nuance added to them, it's just Political Insanity inspired by the 2016 US Presidential Election mixed with insanity from this comic and THAT'S IT! Even the ending felt rushed and half-assed, and there was even an attempt to try and make the concept of the Mask deeper, but it fails miserably! There's also an assassin character who doesn't feel pain named, "The Canadian", and all he does is fucked-up body horror shit, but nothing interesting is done with his character, just that he's fucked-up! Also, this miniseries carries over continuity from the classic Mask comics, and if you haven't read those like I have, you won't be completely lost as there are references made, but I don't know if this miniseries would work better in context to those comics. Artwork wasn't bad at all, but it probably could've been better.
Overall, this felt like Chuck Palahniuk wrote this in his sleep. This miniseries could've easily been 6 or even 12 issues to further develop the ideas and characters. Also, the idea of this miniseries could actually work for a direct sequel to The Mask movie.
April 16, 2021
An unexpected revival of The Mask comics from the 90s and 2000s, resuming the story pretty well from where it left off and bringing back old characters for more 'green mayhem'. The continuity was well-thought through and it is not a reboot. Loved the settings and the dark political atmosphere. The story felt rushed when they could have taken their time across more than four issues rather than jump here and there. The "screen time" of 'Green Head' was a bit weak and not as whacky as previous titles. It has potential to do more!
February 28, 2020
I haven’t read the previous iterations of The Mask comic and there are clear references to those in this story but I was not too lost. I have seen the first movie with Jim Carrey and I’ve seen a few old panels of the original comics so I pretty much understand that Big Head is a maniac but of course that is a shallow observation on my part. This story is an obvious socio-political commentary wrapped in satire and batshit insanity. The 2016 election was crazy and Cantwell takes it a step further with Big Head. He gives what is probably one of my favorite speeches ever. It just hits so close to home. Cantwell doesn’t pull any punches either when it comes to messing with nutjobs. The wacky dialogue and antics of this Big Head are just as they are supposed to be: FUCKING INSANE. Patric Reynolds does a fantastic job illustrating and I love the clear reference to Natalie Portman from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith in one of the panels following Big Head’s speech. I thought it was fun, gory and hilarious but it’s not perfect. While the commentary was fun, it still felt dry. I mean besides Big Head's speech and the ending there wasn’t too much there that was extraordinary. Even the ending felt kind of pretentious and half-baked. The story felt like it was trying to do so much and while it’s supposed to be insane that only should work to a certain degree. While the story was doing too much, it was also not doing enough in where it should. Even though there were characters who are returning, there should have been better development. Then, there was a character named “The Canadian” who was a crazy assassin who didn’t mind fucking up his body? Cool? I mean he butts heads with Big Head and they even get in a fight but like is he supposed to be his equal? The character just really didn’t feel fleshed out and was honestly forgettable. The story just didn’t feel that developed either and it seems as though it needed more than four issues. Overall, it was a wacky ride with some beautiful art but could have used some better writing and more development.
November 4, 2022
I completely understand where all the negative reviews are coming from, but critical as I try to be, I just can't hate this story. I am not usually a fan of rampant cynicism like this book, but you can eventually dig yourself so deep I actually start to admire the work on a level of sheer audacity. And that's really what this book is to me, sheer audacity.
The political commentary throughout these comics is frankly so weak and ill advised it's hard to say I think the author was going for much of anything at all besides, "Everybody's awful, but one windbag is always the worst." As political satire, the comics fail. But just as a rollercoaster ride of batshit insanity, I think they're a fun time. I wasn't terribly familiar with the early Mask stuff a lot of the book ties into when I read it (better versed now) but I kept up well enough to appreciate the nods throughout. Four stars is honestly still probably too generous, but I had fun and wanted to boost things just a tad.
I'll also note I listened to the Graphic Audio edition and, as weird as this sounds, I kinda think that was the ultimate experience. If only because I kept cackling at the utterly ridiculous shit the narrator had to keep describing.
The political commentary throughout these comics is frankly so weak and ill advised it's hard to say I think the author was going for much of anything at all besides, "Everybody's awful, but one windbag is always the worst." As political satire, the comics fail. But just as a rollercoaster ride of batshit insanity, I think they're a fun time. I wasn't terribly familiar with the early Mask stuff a lot of the book ties into when I read it (better versed now) but I kept up well enough to appreciate the nods throughout. Four stars is honestly still probably too generous, but I had fun and wanted to boost things just a tad.
I'll also note I listened to the Graphic Audio edition and, as weird as this sounds, I kinda think that was the ultimate experience. If only because I kept cackling at the utterly ridiculous shit the narrator had to keep describing.
September 20, 2024
A realistic, gritty, noir is the direction they went with this new Mask but they went so far most of the life got sucked out. The art of the original arcs of the Mask were gritty and noir enough and if anything could just use a touch of more realistic and consistent proportions in a revamp. Reynolds art isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t feel like a good fit for the Mask (or Hellboy, honestly). I like Cantwell’s work on the show Halt and Catch Fire, so I was intrigued and a little hopeful at the thought of him taking on the Mask. Unfortunately, the script feels like Cantwell was trying for an intense, political satire akin to the Boys [TV series] but even that is more vibrant and “cartoon-ish” while still retaining realism and hyper-violence. Interesting ideas and a good gag here and there but overall lackluster and disappointing. “Gofuckyeself.”
2.5/5
2.5/5
May 3, 2023
This really wanted to be edgy making some statement on our current political hell-hole in the USA. Instead it was mainly chaos of The Mask (big head) Just being nuts and killing everyone running for president, then becomes president, then kills everyone else in the white house for... LOLs? No real end morality tale here just bad storytelling.
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March 14, 2025Always been a fan of The Mask books. Doug Mahnke's original artwork for the series is a perfect blend of Mobius's natural surrealism and slapstick debauchery of R. Crumb. This latest iteration is about as obvious as it gets and the artwork is rather flat and disgusting. Not really a fault of the artist but I really don't think this is how Big Head is supposed to look.
Read
October 18, 2021I couldn't finish this. I loved the mask as a kid (the movie with Jim Carey) and then watched it recently with my son and it was still decent. This is the opposite of that, so if you're thinking that, then don't read this one.
June 25, 2025
It sacrifices what makes The Mask great to take a few jabs at Trump. Doesn’t say anything new it just feels like the rants of someone who hates the president. There was definitely a way to do this right, be engaging and funny but it ended up feeling half assed.
August 2, 2020
A little haunting, considering the political climate of 2020, this story tells of "The Mask's" journey through politics as it tries to fall on the face of a presidential candidate.
July 4, 2021
I was surprised to how they tried to integrate early Mask stories. It was okay.
July 21, 2021
The worst Mask story that has ever been written. I don't know what were they thinking and honestly I don't want to know.
February 7, 2022
What an utter waste of time. Semi horror , no comedy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2024
Prime example Cantwell dropping the ball. There is no humor to be had here. It’s just violence with an idiotic story and weak conclusion.
January 3, 2025
Get a load of this society
February 10, 2025
Some decent ideas and I enjoyed the art style, but it just didn't come together. So I suppose in that sense, it's a lot like the other Mask books
April 17, 2025
This was a well written series but quite an unpleasant read. Worth a look, not as a continuation of The Mask Dark Horse series, but as a piece of art during the Trump era. Horrifically prescient.
February 13, 2020
While I did enjoy the book over all my biggest problem with it was the art. A lot of the people looked very similar and it was difficult at times to figure out which character was which. It is very heavy handed in it's message but I don't really care though I can see it bothering some people.
April 22, 2020
I wanted to enjoy this run, and I didn't. I did enjoy the writing, albeit I found it flat and forgettable. I guess it was the whole, "Make America Green Again", I get it, comics can question the hard questions —this for me wasn't it. Patric Reynolds (Illustrator), Lee Loughridge (Illustrator) artwork is fantastic, really enjoyed that element of the run.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews