(Comic) Not for kiddies....a look at the Mask Omnibus

Growing up, the movie starring Jim Carrey and introducing Cameron Diaz was a favourite of mine. It came out in 1994 and at that point I had no idea it was an adaptation.

Now, I'm looking at Dark Horse's website to try and find a job as a writer and see one of the comics they produce (Aside from Hellboy, Umbrella Academy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles AND Star Wars,) was the Mask.

Established in 1982, the Mask was created by Mike Richardson, the owner of Dark Horse comics. He's also written for comics like Godzilla, among many others.

I went into this comic expecting it to be like the movie.

But, like the title says, it's not for kiddies.

Our main character for this story is not a who, but a what. It is the Mask; a mysterious object that when put on, brings out the wearer's deepest desires and warps them.

Oh, it also stops you from dying from unnatural circumstances.

While we see Stanley Ipkiss, he is a mere piece of a much bigger puzzle.

As for the Mask itself, it trades hands between Ipkiss, his girlfriend Kathy, Lieutenant Kellaway and a young punk kid.

Throughout the process where it's being worn, the Mask cracks jokes and has a slapstick comedy routine.

Unlike a slapstick routine, however, it contains a lot of blood.

If you need a modern comparison, think Deadpool with less breaking the fourth wall and multiple personalities.

While Deadpool has a randomness where even he doesn't know what he's doing, the Mask operates on the desire of the person who wears it. Want justice? Want to be noticed? The Mask will amplify these feelings an enormous amount.

As a story, this was a fascinating read. I must admit I was a little shocked by the amount of gore the comic contained. I'm by no means squeamish, but I suppose that ties in with my expectations for the comic to be like the movie.

The art style is reminiscent of the 60's Marvel comics, which is something I appreciated. The explosions were well drawn and the more comical aspects (Such as that big stupid grin on the Mask's face, which I adore,) actually work better than the live action movie. Though, Jim Carrey's makeup in the movie was exquisite.

The main point of this review is to ask the following questions:

Did I enjoy this comic?
Would I recommend this comic?
Did it meet or exceed the expectations I had?

I enjoyed it, though it was matched by a morbid horror and great unease that I found within the pages.

I'd recommend this comic.

It was not what I expected. Though, I want to continue reading and find out what happens next.

That alone warrants a solid 3.5 stars.

The score is not a reflection of my enjoyment or the quality of the comic.

Yet something in it set me askew and I can't quite put my finger on it. So that is why it earned the score you see.

Thus ends this review.

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(Comic) Apolkalypse Now...a look at Umbrella Academy

I've never been a fan of My Chemical Romance.

It was never a, "I hope they go die," kind of dislike. More like, "I don't feel anything towards this."

With this disconnect in mind, I went into Umbrella Academy with that same headspace. I was expecting something that would appeal to teens in a way that Welcome to the Black Parade did.

I will say this. The taste of humble pie is strange and bitter.

The story introduces an alien wrestling match, which somehow spawns many gifted children, born to different women who were not expecting. Seven of these children survive and are adopted by an alien who is disguised as a man.

After a brief introduction of the children fighting a rather aggressive Eiffel Tower, we are taken to the future to see the children reunite as adults. Each of them have gone their separate paths and have only returned after they have received a letter saying their 'Father' has passed away.

In the meantime, their sister, the one said to be without powers, is shunned by the rest of the group and is tempted by an orchestra made of madmen and murderesses. It is learnt that her ability is to destroy people with her song.

She is destined to bring about the apocalypse.

In six issues, which make up the Apocalypse Suite, Way has carefully crafted a story that introduces the heroes in an original fashion. Initially, you meet them when they only have numbers, but as time goes on, they gain codenames and names given to them by their 'mother.'

What you see of the powers are original, but aside from Vanya (their sister,) you don't really witness their power.

Story-wise, if I were to compare it to something, it would be Young Justice Season 2. A lot has happened and you're not 100% sure how it's all changed. It doesn't make sense at first, but as you read it starts to dawn on you.

The art style is reminiscent of Hellboy, with dark gritty backgrounds and characters that are minimal in their lines of detail. It's a style that may look a little unrefined, but it perfectly represents the chaotic world that the children live in.

While I didn't have any major grievances with the volume, it left me with many questions that I suspect will be answered in later volumes.

Umbrella Academy surprised me with its humorous dialogue and varied cast with an ending that left you wanting more. A tasty slice of the Umbrella Academy cake.

I look forward to my next slice.

4.5 stars.

Thus ends the review.

Did you like Umbrella Academy? Have any thoughts on the matter?

Feel free to comment and recommend new comics, books and movies! 

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I'll see you all next week! 

(Comic) Furioser and Furioser...a look at Furious Vol. 1

Created by Bryan JL Glass and Victor Santos

Now guys, bear with me. I thought I'd try something different by checking out a few comics and reviewing the first volume of their series.

With Furious, we follow Cadence Lark, a former child star who gains her powers after she tries to kill herself in the same way her father did. 

Her powers stem from her anger, making her invulnerable, capable of flight and super strong.

With these powers, she tries to establish herself as the Beacon; a light that pierces the darkness. Through this persona, Cady tries to do right by the people. As her strength and her rage are intertwined, however, her method is often a lot more brutal than she intends for them to be.

This draws attention from the media, who initially paint her in a malevolent light.

The story is a little tricky to follow, as it jumps from flashback to present often abruptly. That doesn't mean it's a bad one by any means. Though I did find the shift in story on a constant basis of taking in information. I felt a need to sleep in order to process afterwards. 

The art style is something that I absolutely loved. I'm a big fan of Invincible, so seeing characters in colourful costumes that are covered in blood appeal to me greatly. Rather than the dark and gritty streets of say, Sin City, however, it uses the bright lights of a Hollywood-esque style to give off this feel that there is little differentiation between glitz and glamour and blood and brutality. 

It does this in style. 

Overall, Furious' story is a brilliant one; a disgraced child star trying to gain redemption by using her newfound powers for good. 

My only issue was a single line.

Furious is being held hostage by a male abuser and he strikes her.

Her response? "You hit like a girl."

It makes me wonder for whom this comic is for. If it's aimed at young women, then that line alone invalidates their strength because a character they identify with says so. It doesn't even seem like something Cady would even say.

For a former actress, I'm sure she could come up with something better than that. 

i.e: "The dead hit harder."

This line aside, I found the story compelling and inspiring. Taking a new superhero, adding Murphy's Law and throwing her to the media is a fantastic way to test her strength of character.

Furthermore, the main villain of this story is excellent. She's like a polar opposite of Cady, with a dash of (justified) crazy thrown in.

I loved this story and hope to see more. 

Just...no more lines like that, please.

4 and a half stars.