����_�The Mask,����_�_ a 1994 superhero comedy film was released in 1994. The film told the story of a bank clerk, Stanley, who found a magical mask that empowered its wearer with cartoon-like superpowers. When the mild-mannered Stanley put on the mask, he became extroverted and manic. When the mask came off, Stanley had to deal with the consequences of what he has done. Janet Maslin, a reviewer for ����_�The New York Times,����_�_ noted that ����_�for a movie industry enamored of cartoon heroes, Jim Carrey out to be a dream come true. With his sparkling, silly grin and his true talent for physical clowning, Mr. Carrey comes as close to being an animated creature as a live actor ever could.����_�_ The film was based on the comic, which was originally intended to launch a horror franchise. Between 1995 and 1997, Kenner and Toy Island released toys based on the story.