Well before it was a movie it was a really cool comic written by Mike Richardson, with the help of the artists Mark Badger, John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke.

The series was first released as “Masque” in Dark Horse Presents #10 in September 1987. Later, it made its appearance as “The Mask” in Mayhem #1 in May of 1989.

It is a magical mask that permeates itself with the wearer having reality-bending powers and physical imperviousness. It can also bypass the wearer’s psychological inhibitions.

In all versions the story revolves around the magical mask and its wearer. The Mask alters the wearers’ appearance with a large set of teeth and a green head; it can also alter personality.

Eventually, all of the wearers become insane.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are said to have been inspirations for this particular character.

Often, in the original comics, the wearer of the Mask would become dangerous and cruel with ultra-violent tendencies.

However, when adapted for the movie the violence was toned down to only reflect how dangerous the wearer already was. This was instead of the Mask altering the wearer and making them more aggressive.

In the 1994 movie, and the following animated series in 1995, the main character was Stanley Ipkiss. He was depicted as a benevolent but mischievous superhero. The same is true for the 2005 sequel “Son of the Mask.”

Before the release of the movies the character who wore the mask was referred to as “Big Head,” rather than “The Mask.”

The Mask was even a political character for awhile under the writer/artist Mark Badger.