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

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

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

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle