Dark Horse published multiple storylines featuring the mask (the object) falling into the hands of (make that onto the faces of) a variety of people, with the moral to the story (if there was one) being, vengeance carries a price. The Mask was envisioned by Dark Horse Comics president Mike Richardson, writer Randy Stradley, and artist Chris Warner, but given life by writer John Arcudi and illustrator Doug Mahnke. Kellaway is determined to stop this crazy killer, and the heat is on hapless Ipkiss. As the body count increases in Big-Head’s wake, resolute cop Lt. Premiering in Dark Horse Presents #10 (1987), the Mask is a vengeful, human Bugs Bunny with an “R” rating-unlike that “wascally wabbit,” however, when the Mask blows up someone, he or she stays dead.
Meet the Mask, or “Big-Head,” as he is known in public, who embarks upon a mission of revenge against his tormentors. Donning the eerie visor, he is transmogrified into a mischievous oddball with a green cranium and a devilish, toothy sneer-plus malleability, invulnerability, and the power to pull objects (especially weapons) out of thin air. This human doormat is the lowest of losers-until he buys an ancient mask in a curio shop. When orphan whelp Billy Batson transforms into the mighty Captain Marvel by shouting “Shazam,” for example, one thinks, If only I had such a gift. Superheroes have always offered vicarious empowerment to the average, the meek, and the disenfranchised. (Cover art by Bruce Timm.) The Mask (pop culture) Adventures of The Mask #1 ™ & © 1996 Dark Horse Comics, Inc.