The Mask is an American media franchise based on the comic book series of the same name by Dark Horse Comics. The franchise revolves around individuals who are transformed into an insane, mischievous gangster with cartoonish superpowers after putting on the titular mask and must overcome dangers that they create while wearing it. The first film, The Mask, was released in 1994 after six years of development, with a stand-alone sequel, Son of the Mask, released in 2005. An animated series was also produced and ran for three seasons.