Cover Up: The Mask Returns #4

So — is this a static image or not?

Click to Big-Head size!

I've mentioned before that I'm not a big fan of static images being used for comic covers. Alex Ross' work on JSA comes to mind, and even his more recent "action" covers feel kind of lifeless, almost as if everyone was caught in a pose more than in the middle of actually doing something.

I don't get that feeling from Doug Mahnke's cover to The Mask Returns #4. As the cover for the final issue of a four-issue mini-series, this one just let it all hang out compared to the first three. Which isn't to say the other covers weren't pretty over the top; plenty of bullets piled up, busty ladies made an appearance and, in the case of issue #3, both happened at the same time.

But this cover really captured the manic rage that defined this series and the character of The Mask (even though the whole gimmick is it's never the same person for long). The bloody wounds are the obvious attention-getters, but the more you look at it the better it gets. At first it looks as if The Mask is just gritting his teeth, but he's actually grinning so hard his teeth are starting to crack! The tiny nose and huge brow are bunched up in almost animal fury, and you can see the unstoppable Walter's advance reflected in his red eyes.

After a while, it hits you — The Mask is enjoying this!

I might just be a sucker for close-up images but it's effectively used here, putting the potential reader almost literally face-to-face with what can be expected inside. I like the way color is used on this cover, too, with big splashes of green, red and white just jumping out at you, reinforcing the idea that — like the image itself — there is nothing subtle about this comic.

You could argue that this cover by Doug Mahnke is just a static portrait, but I think there's a lot more going on here than that.

What do you think?

Extra! Extra!

Some of you sharp-eyed readers might've noticed this cover also promised a "FREE 'Walter' mask inside!'" Sure enough, that's what you got when you picked up this issue of The Mask Returns, and not only that but issue #1 came with a "Mask" mask — both suitable for staging your own Mask misadventures!



I don't know about you, but I'm totally planning to use these to keep both my cats and co-workers in line. If you print out and make your own masks, let me know!

Friday Night Fights: And not a single dance number!

Remember that movie starring Jim Carrey about a magical mask that let him live out his deepest, cartoon-based fantasies? No, not those fantasies! It was cute and kinda funny and gave us our first look at Cameron Diaz, and only mildly hinted at the darkness it brought out in the mask's wearer.

The Mask collection of limited series' it was based on was nothing like that.

Over-the-top violence, sick humor and just the right amount of gore for the discriminating connoisseur made the early issues a fun read. In The Mask Returns, Kathy has taken the mask from police lieutenant John Kellaway, who has been keeping it with the idea that it's safer with him than out in the world where anyone might come across it. Unfortunately for him — and various criminal types — Kellaway kinda can't resist using it once in a while. Kathy figures it's up to her to get rid of it.

It doesn't work out that way.

And now Kathy finds herself becoming The Mask and tangling with the town's underworld, including the golem-like gangster Walter. It's a good thing the mask makes its wearer pretty much immortal.


Hey, Walter! Where do you like to sit in the car?!?


I told you it was gory. Kathy and Walter trade bullets for a few panels before she manages to escape. Walter is what we like to call "determined" though, and he catches up to her, unmasked. She does what any sane person would do, and then makes Walter a reasonable offer.


OK, maybe not that reasonable.


Waaaaait for it ...

Panels from The Mask Returns #4 (of 4)

(Where the hell DO those guns come from?!?)


Bahlactus' greatest weapons are a left and a right!

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