Ipkiss

Stanley Ipkiss is a fictional character and the primary host of The Mask, a franchise originating in American comic books published by Dark Horse Comics. He first appeared in The Mask #1 (1990), created by Mike Richardson. In the original comics, Ipkiss is a timid, overworked bank clerk living in the fictional city of Edge City. He discovers a mysterious wooden mask that, when worn, causes him to transform into The Mask, a mischievous, highly powered alter ego who can bend reality and fashion chaos to suit his whims. The Mask's powers amplify the wearer's inner desires, often resulting in surreal cartoon violence and humor. The character has appeared in several miniseries and ongoing titles, with varying depictions of Ipkiss's life before and after donning the mask.

The most widely known adaptation is the 1994 live-action film The Mask, directed by Chuck Russell and produced by New Line Cinema. Jim Carrey stars as Stanley Ipkiss, whose ordinary life as a bank clerk changes when he finds the Mask. As The Mask, Ipkiss becomes bold, confident, and cartoonish, engaging in over-the-top stunts and negotiations with criminal elements in Edge City. The film elaborates on a romantic arc with Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz) and features antagonist Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene). The film’s success helped popularize the character beyond comics, making Ipkiss a recognizable figure in 1990s popular culture.

In other media, The Mask has been adapted into an animated series (The Mask: The Animated Series) and several video games, presenting alternate takes on Ipkiss’s adventures. Across media, Ipkiss remains the archetype of the reluctant, ordinary individual who becomes extraordinary when donning the magical mask.