The Mask Omnibus Volume 1 (v. 1) [Paperback]

John Arcudi (Author), Doug Mahnke (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mask | Publication Date: August 19, 2008

It has all the makings of an epic adventure: An ancient artifact is rediscovered; a mask of unknown origins, with unforeseen power and magic. But who knew that after donning this mask even the wimpiest geek would become an indestructible, shape-changing super-tornado with a mind for mischief and an appetite for destruction? Equally adept with gun, knife, bat, bomb, pie, or bat-knife-gun-pie-bomb, our geek turned super-freak, The Mask, cuts a crazed swath of cartoon mayhem. In his wake he leaves only rubble - and laughs. Unfortunately for Stanley, owning the mask is no picnic, especially when every unsavory psycho on the planet wants to get his hands on it . . . and his face under it! The Mask Omnibus Volume One is a blazing pinata of wild action and gut-busting comedy. Who's laughing now?

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (August 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593079273
• ISBN-13: 978-1593079277
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted, violent, light hearted murdering fun, November 16, 2008

By 

Jesse Camarena (california) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mask Omnibus Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

I loved the movie with Jim Carey, this comic is nothing like it. Quite the opposite as a matter of fact. Its dark, bloody, twisted in a light hearted way. "Big Head" as hes referred to by the public, is a killing machine taking lives with a joke to boat. Basically there is an ancient mask that is found and through out this volume different people get there hands on it and become something they never thought they could. Its a fun read, something to read when your bored or have time to kill. I love this comic, I love the humor, how nonchalant the acts are performed, and how you cant help but love Big Head.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very different from the movie- but worthwhile on its own, April 23, 2009

By 

Robert D Wilson "Nerd Itinerant" (Near Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mask Omnibus Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

As a big fan of the gleeful 1994 movie The Mask (New Line Platinum Series), Doug Mahnke's artwork, and the comics form in general, I was pleased to see Dark Horse collecting the long-out-of-print comics that inspired the film (as well as two of the sequel volumes, The Mask Returns and The Mask Strikes Back). The book, while not what I'd expected based on the movie, was fun in its own way. It's much darker in tone and more adult in content, and if you're extremely attached to the character Stanley Ipkiss from the movie, the upcoming Adventures Of The Mask Omnibus (collecting comics based on the early-90s cartoon show based on the movie that was based on these comics... yikes, say that five times fast) seems likely to be much more fun for you.

On the other hand, if you're interested in an examination of the core idea of The Mask- that it empowers the id of the wearer, for good or (more usually) ill- you're in the right place. Just know in advance that these comics were very much published in the late 1980s through early 1990s, and it shows- in the mob-based plot, in the significant violence, even in the "grim & gritty" inkwork (particularly in the later chapters). Comics trends have changed since then, thankfully, but The Mask may rise above the excesses of its time to be a classic in its own right.

3.0 out of 5 stars a worthwhile read, March 14, 2011

By 

that guy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mask Omnibus Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

First off this is not the same as the film if you want to see more similar to the film i recommend the comic: "the adventures of the mask" as it is more carntoonish look at the charicter big head. This comic is darker and more edgy then many oter comics you will read. I dont feel that this comic truly hits its stride until volume two but it is a handy collectors item and allows for a look into the life of many wearers of the mask. I am a huge fan of the mask series and the film but for a youth audience i would recommend the adventures of the mask.