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 one man who is transformed into a genuine insane, good-hearted, mischievous gangster who later on becomes a superhero with cartoonish superpowers after putting on the titular mask and must overcome dangers that he created 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.