Masterminds grabs you from the outset and doesn’t let go. With an outstanding premise and story from Zack Kaplan, stellar artwork from Stephen Thompson and colors by Thiago Rocha, this premiere issue is as gripping as it is stunning.

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?

As youngsters (or even as adults), many of us dream of what we want to grow up to be, what we want to achieve in life. For some, that dream consists of working int the world of video games. But for must of us, including our protagonist Edward, that path turns out to be a lot harder and take a lot longer than expected. Despite working hard, producing quality work, and staying loyal, success doesn’t always come easy. Masterminds shows just how true that really is. To take the next step, Edward must take risks and make bold, sometimes extreme choices–including playing cutthroat games and solving high-stakes puzzles to chase the dreams he has always wanted.

Zack Kaplan has built a world where people are willing to do almost anything to chase their dreams, even if that means playing real-life puzzles that may or may not be deadly. Masterminds mixes a bit of high-stakes game tension of Squid Game along with the showmanship of Now You See Me, then tosses in its own twist. Best of all, we as the readers have the chance to solve the puzzles along the way…if you are smart enough.

Kaplan may have hooked me with his story, but what truly kept me around in this premiere issue of Masterminds was Stephen Thompson’s phenomenal artwork. After seeing these two partner up on The Midnight: Shadows, I knew I was in for a hell of ride and I was not wrong. Thompson’s sharp line work along with Thiago Rocha’s colors brings Kaplan’s twisted world of games to life. This is a dream team launching a killer new series.

By the end of this first issue, I was on the edge of my seat, eager to see what crazy thing will come next. Masterminds delivers an immersive reading experience unlike anything else in comics, elevated by a stellar creative team. Masterminds is a must-read series from Dark Horse.

Masterminds #1 hits local comic shops on August 27, 2025 from Dark Horse (FOC: July 21).