Masterminds #1 is written by Zack Kaplan and published by Dark Horse Comics. Artwork is by Stephen Thompson, colours by Thiago Rocha and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.
Masterminds #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
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?
Review
The crossover between video games and comics is something we’re all well aware of, with tonnes of gaming franchises being adapted into comics and vice versa. However, very rarely do we get comics that intrigue the topic of video games into their stories. This is something Zack Kaplan looks to do with this new thriller series, Masterminds.
Out of the gate, this series has a lot working in its favour. The first thing that immediately stands out is Stephen Thompson’s varied and detailed artwork, which is heightened by Thiago Rocha’s colouring work. The blood reds and neon colours add a sinister look during puzzle sequences, such as Edward’s “audition”, whereas mundane moments of Edward at work or in the city are given a muted, muddy palette that exaggerates the realism and monotony of his surroundings.
Edward, the protagonist of the series, is a solid, relatable character who really works for the narrative. He’s always strived for a career in the games industry, but falls into a monotonous pattern once he gets into his dream job. It’s only when this “audition” opportunity comes up that his interest is piqued, yet it is still treated like another, overblown marketing campaign from the company. This gives a unique perspective on what follows, and it allows him as a character to instantly expect something, which makes the darker elements more impactful when they wait around the corner.
The concept of turning fame and success into a complex game of sorts is something we have seen before in other media, but Masterminds looks a bit deeper than the surface by keeping it centred around a developing mystery, whilst playing on the idea of it revolving around the games industry and how it operates on a fundamental level. This helps give the series an extra level of self-awareness and could be used to play with readers’ expectations as the story unravels.
Issue one ends on a tense note as Edward faces his first game. Though this first instalment has done all the heavy lifting in setting up the characters and premise, I still think it’s good that Kaplan and co have taken their time to do this. As the games that will play out in later issues will rely heavily on Edward’s choices, morals and his relationships with others, letting us know him in the first issue was a wise move from a storytelling perspective. It also means that the creative can go nuts with how far they push the concepts of the games over the remaining four issues.
Masterminds hits you with a lot of intrigue straight away and never lets up. Its messages of how success and fortune can be trivialised into a game can feel reminiscent of similar stories, such as Squid Game, but it works due to the angle this particular narrative has taken. Kaplan keeps its central mystery at the core, as I can easily see the themes and twists evolving as the series continues.
Verdict
Kaplan and Thompson kick Masterminds off to a brilliant start. With beautifully detailed artwork and mystery around every corner, this series looks to fill that technology-themed thriller hole you may have been looking for.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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