I Pledge Allegiance To The Mask #2

If you’ve read my earlier review of issue one of this series you’ll likely know what to expect of this book. It’s a 4-part mini-series where the mask-wearing killer Big head returns to commit politically-motivated murders throughout Edge city. This newest issue ramps things up by giving us more of an idea as to who this new killer is, adding more details to supporting characters like Mitch Kellaway and Kathy Matthews and showing us more of Big head’s personality.

After a fairly exposition-heavy first issue, Christopher Cantwell wisely writes this one as a more action-filled follow-up. In the previous issue, Big head was shown on the outskirts of Edge city. It was a different person who overcame the mask’s power and abandoned it. Now though, someone’s found the mask and they’re tearing into the local politicians. One thing I noticed here is that this new Big head feels more like the Jim Carrey portrayal. That first issue featured a more subtle character. The murders were cartoonish but the character wearing the mask dressed in regular clothing and wasn’t as over the top. This new killer acts more like a cartoon character. They cycle through different costumes and the violence is more comical. It’s a great little way of differentiating the two Big head killers and Cantwell deserves praise for it.

Patric Reynolds continues to do great art for the series. His work here is deliciously dark. There’s a heavy use of muted colours throughout and during the insanity-filled Big head scenes, those colours help keep things grounded. It reminds the reader to take this seriously. Big head may be entertaining but he’s still a brutal serial killer. It’s also got a noir feel to it which fits given that this is a bit of a whodunnit. I think this issue actually looks a tad better than the first one did.

Overall this is a great issue. It won’t make much sense without reading the first issue but that’s just what happens with a story like this. If you like dark humour, violence, suspense, mysteries, and political intrigue then this will be right up your alley. If not then I’d tell you to stay away. This issue bears some similarities but it’s not the Jim Carrey film. It’d probably be R rated if it was committed to film. It has great writing, even better art and any fans of previous comics of the mask will love it.

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