Masterminds #4
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Stephen Thompson
Colorist: Thiago Rocha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover artist: Stephen Thompson
Level Four. Suspicious of everyone, a fugitive on the run and with time running out, Edward must uncover the society’s secrets and determine whether the game is actually a billion-dollar heist or if it is truly a sadistically concocted real-life initiation to join the smartest society of all time.
Level Three. After a brush with death in the audition’s most dangerous puzzle yet, a suspicious and paranoid Edward discovers the Masterminds are everywhere, watching his every step and controlling his every move. As he tries to secretly investigate their true motives and identities, he soon realizes that in this game, he can’t trust anyone. Masterminds #3 ends one challenge as it moves on to the next and delivers just enough for readers to not trust anyone.
The series so far has been fun delivering an escape room-like experience where failing to solve the puzzle could mean death… we think, we really don’t know. Writer Zack Kaplan has taken a somewhat simple concept but done so in a way that has sowed doubt in readers as to what the danger actually is. Masterminds #3 leans further into that throwing out the possibility that the main character Edward might not trust the individuals around him. Or, maybe that’s part of the game and more people are part of it than he knows? The series keeps readers guessing and that’s part of the fun.
The issue itself is pretty straightforward as Edward must solve the puzzle kicked off at the end of the second issue or drown. Which then leads to him attempting to find answer, and then the next puzzle. The series has kept this issue and the second to a formula in a way, and that’s ok, as the series goes from one danger to the next. But it’s that questioning and guessing that makes it stand out from its concept.
The art by Stephen Thompson is good. With color by Thiago Rocha and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, there’s something about the art that keeps readers off kilter. It all looks sharp and the way the puzzles are presented are entertaining and allow you to linger to ponder them, but the angles of the images feels like they’re done on purpose. Edward in the story is being kept on his toes and there’s something about the visuals in the comic that does that to the reader too. Add in the need to look for details as to not miss out on some clue, and it creates a visually fun experience. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering too is solid giving the gamemasters a distinctive style that makes it all a bit more sinister.
Masterminds #3 doesn’t break any new ground but ups the paranoia a bit and keeps to a formula and beats that works. This is a series that’s entertaining and does what it does well while sucking the reader a bit into the mystery of it all.
Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Stephen Thompson
Color: Thiago Rocha Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Masterminds #3
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Stephen Thompson
Colorist: Thiago Rocha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover artist: Stephen Thompson
Level Three. After a brush with death in the audition’s most dangerous puzzle yet, a suspicious and paranoid Edward discovers the Masterminds are everywhere, watching his every step and controlling his every move. As he tries to secretly investigate their true motives and identities, he soon realizes that in this game, he can’t trust anyone.
Edward and Angie begin the adventure of a lifetime as they face the Masterminds’ strange but brilliant real-life puzzles and challenges. But when they realize they are not the only competitors, they will have to ask themselves if they are willing to turn criminal on the gaming company they once worked for and make horrific sacrifices to get ahead. Masterminds #2 continues its game of life or death… or is it really life or death?
Written by Zack Kaplan, Masterminds #2 continues the game of Edward and Angie who have been pulled in by the Masterminds. If they win, they’ll get access to some of the most powerful people in the world and success and if they fail, it means death… Or does it?
That’s where Kaplan’s Masterminds #2 excels. It’s a comic that sows doubt if there’s real danger present or is it made to seem like there is to scare the participants? There’s enough teases and small details to leave readers guessing either way making the reading experience all the more fun. It turns a straightforward concept into even more of a mindfuck of a read. It’s full of puzzles that’ll leave you on the page trying to solve it yourself and presents enough scenarios to have readers ponder how they’d solve the situation and pull off the mission.
There’s an engaging aspect to the series. And it makes the comic all the more immersive to suck readers in.
The art by Stephen Thompson is great. With color by Thiago Rocha and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou the comic looks like a thriller. There’s a dark ominous tone to the visuals, a slightly tense feel to it all. But, it also has aspects of a big screen action film with doses of comedy. The comic has the duo attempting to steal a cell phone leading to a sexiness, some humor, and a sequence that’d fit right into a heist film with the visuals nailing it all at every step. The comic just delivers a look that fits so well for the concept and the world.
Masterminds #2 is a trippy mind game of a comic that’ll keep you guessing if the threats are really that, or are they illusions to challenge the players. Is there really the threat of bodily harm or death or is it made to seem like that to motivate players? Either way, it’s a tense and fun read that’ll keep you guessing.
Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Stephen Thompson
Color: Thiago Rocha Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Masterminds #2
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Stephen Thompson
Colorist: Thiago Rocha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover Artist: Stephen Thompson
Level Two.
Edward and Angie begin the adventure of a lifetime as they face the Masterminds’ strange but brilliant real-life puzzles and challenges. But when they realize they are not the only competitors, they will have to ask themselves if they are willing to turn criminal on the gaming company they once worked for and make horrific sacrifices to get ahead.
Masterminds #1
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Stephen Thompson
Colorist: Thiago Rocha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
When an ambitious and troubled video game programmer dares to audition for a secret society in the gaming/tech industry, composed of cutthroat, genius masterminds that promise to help their members achieve their wildest dreams, he and his rebellious co-worker find themselves in a gauntlet of real-life puzzles that quickly turn deadly. Are they truly smart enough to survive the mysterious game of the Masterminds?
When an ambitious and troubled video game programmer dares to audition for a secret society in the gaming/tech industry, composed of cutthroat, genius masterminds that promise to help their members achieve their wildest dreams, he and his rebellious co-worker find themselves in a gauntlet of real-life puzzles that quickly turn deadly. Are they truly smart enough to survive the mysterious game of the Masterminds? Masterminds #1 feels like a mix of some beloved properties but underneath skewers the video game industry and employment in general.
Written by Zack Kaplan, Masterminds #1 takes us into the world of video game development where a talented designer, Edward, winds up working in a group on a game where his focus is the details of trees. It skewers the industry talking about the perks, like going to game conventions, only to see the devs being forced to work long hours to deliver a playable demo during the convention. The comic shines a spotlight on the crunch of video game development which has been an issue raised for years and regularly discussed as part of the abuse of workers in the industry. It goes beyond that calling out an industry focused more on tie-ins and licensing their properties out as well as microtransactions, all of that over the gameplay itself. But, that abuse goes up to 11 as Edward solves a puzzle while at a party and introducing him to Masterminds, a secret society that’s all about power and success. To get in, you must go through their sadistic quests that piles up the bodies.
Kaplan gives a wink and a nod with an interesting commentary on today’s employment environment which leads to the abuse of the workers, endangering their health and at times leading to their death without a second thought from corporate masters. It’s a system where one kills themselves to barely rise and get minimal raises while Masterminds is that same sacrifice on a grander scale, but of others, to get ahead. It raises the debate that those succeed do so at the inhumane expense and abuse of others. Both are acceptable by society in different ways.
The art by Stephen Thompson with color by Thiago Rocha and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou gives an almost Tron sequel meets horror vibe. There’s a shock to what’s witnessed as the comic does a solid job of building to its reveals. What feels like a simple game to start escalates visually but those visuals are interesting in that they suck in the readers to try to solve the problems as well. It’s a comic where every panel might hold a clue and begs to be examined.
Masterminds #1 can be taken at a surface level reading and just a mindfuck of a horror game but it also has something more to say. The first issue seems to give a finger as to where we are as a society when it comes to success in one’s career and hopefully we get to see more of that as the body count rises with each issue.
Story: Zack Kaplan Art: Stephen Thompson
Color: Thiago Rocha Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Masterminds #1
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Stephen Thompson
Colorist: Thiago Rocha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
When an ambitious and troubled video game programmer dares to audition for a secret society in the gaming/tech industry, composed of cutthroat, genius masterminds that promise to help their members achieve their wildest dreams, he and his rebellious co-worker find themselves in a gauntlet of real-life puzzles that quickly turn deadly. Are they truly smart enough to survive the mysterious game of the Masterminds?
Dark Horse Comics and creative team behind The Midnight: Shadows OGN is granting anyone who dares an opportunity of a lifetime—the chance to join the world’s smartest mastermind circle. And while for centuries, the world might have had many mastermind circles, real groups, secret, elite cohorts of influential individuals dedicated to the unbridled success of their members by any means necessary, none are so powerful as this one–Masterminds.
Are you smart enough to survive their deadly game of riddles, puzzles and tests? And if so, are you willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead and finally win? Writer Zack Kaplan, cover and series artist Stephen Thompson, colorist Thiago Rocha, and prolific Eisner-winning letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou invite you to a gauntlet of the mind in the new comic series, Masterminds. Variant covers are provided by Aaron Campbell and Bjorn Barends.
Masterminds is waiting for you to show if you are truly worthy, beginning in August 2025. Accept the invitation, prove your worth and pre-order Masterminds #1 (of 5) before it arrives in comic shops on August 27, 2025, for $4.99.
Two films that saw their debut this past weekend topped the box office. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children came in first place with an estimated $28.5 million. The film has an estimated budget of $110 million and also earned $36.5 million internationally from 59 markets. That’s $65 million worldwide for a film that received a B+ Cinesmascore and stands at 64% on RottenTomatoes. Both of those indicate the film will likely do ok in the long run, but who knows if it’ll make back its budget domestically.
In second place was Deepwater Horizon earning an estimated $20.6 million. The film also has a $110 million budget and also earned $12.4 million internationally from 52 markets. That film earned an A- Cinemascore and an 82% rating on RottenTomatoes. Both of those will drive the film for a bit, though it won’t likely cross $100 million domestically.
Those two films dropped the last weekend’s first and second place down with The Magnificent Seven adding an estimated $15.7 million domestically and Storks adding an estimated $13.8 million domestically.
Also debuting was Masterminds which came in sixth and earned an estimated $6.6 million.
Suicide Squad dropped out of the top ten and came in eleventh earning an estimated $1.91 million domestically. The film has earned $320.8 million domestically, $413 million internationally, and that means $733.8 million worldwide. There’s a possibility the film will pass Batman v Superman as far as domestic earnings, it’s currently $10 million behind. It’s currently 15th in worldwide earnings and is $14 million behind X-Men: Days of Future Past.
We’ll have a further look at where the comic films stand this year in an hour.
