After a strong debut that blended dark satire with an inventive gameshow premise, Masterminds returns with its second issue, ramping up both the puzzles and the stakes. Harnessing a sharp concept and eerie sense of fun, the series aims to capture the thrill of competition while hinting at something much more sinister beneath the surface. Masterminds #2 takes that foundation and pushes Edward and Angie deeper into the gauntlet, forcing them to question not only the game itself, but their own morality. With rival competitors now in play and sacrifices looming, the series asks: how far would you go to win?
Masterminds #2 opens with Edward and Angie in the middle of the first game, with bodies strewn across a room. We quickly learn the bodies are fake, which lowers the temperature of danger for sure, and reminds them that this is all a game. Soon, they are solving the puzzle in order to escape and continue on and, hopefully, join the Masterminds for good.
The sense of danger in this opening scene is strong, with a double-page layout slashing this way and that with its gutters by Stephen Thompson, giving the moment a chaotic and frenzied feel.
The opening page.
Credit: Dark Horse
Once the first challenge is complete, writer Zack Kaplan whisks them off on an adventure not unlike a super spy. The allure of a real-life game that allows you to drive off on a cool motorcycle or wear the finest clothes to a mission helps convey how enticing this all is. It also helps cloud our characters’ minds and make them think it’s all for fun.
The second and third missions both help ramp up the danger levels and create a situation of fast thinking, or you’re out for good. You’ll certainly come back for issue #3 to learn how things play out.
As far as gripes, some of the art didn’t quite work, like an extreme close-up on Edward’s eyes conveying shock, yet what he sees is his partner in a dress. She doesn’t look all that glamorous, so I ended up being a bit confused until the dialogue kicked in and explained. In another scene, Edward bumps into Angie spilling a drink on a mark, but the panels building towards the spill are a bit confusing. They seem to switch sides, and while it logically makes sense, it took a beat to figure out who was who and how their scheme played out.
Masterminds #2 proves the series has staying power, delivering a mix of puzzle-solving thrills, stylish spy antics, and mounting danger. While some visual hiccups take away from the clarity of key moments, the story’s momentum and creative energy ensure readers will be eager to see how Edward and Angie survive their next twisted challenge.
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