IDW Is Developing A ‘M.A.S.K.’ Comic

[Brother Darque]

“Okay, but when is MASK coming back?”

If you’re the kind of person who pays attention to conversations about GI Joe, Jem and the Holograms and Transformers comics — and I think the record will show that I am — then you end up seeing that question a lot. Over the years, we’ve seen revivals for virtually every ’80s toy property, but for some reason, the masked heroes of the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand have managed to avoid a comeback. Now, though, it seems that IDW’s partnership with Hasbro will finally generate a revival for Matt Trakker and his crew for a new comic book series.

The news comes courtesy of Newsarama, and while it remains unconfirmed by IDW at the time of this writing, it makes a lot of sense. Licensed comics like Jem and Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye have been critical darlings for IDW since their launch, and while MASK doesn’t quite have the nostalgia that you get from the larger Hasbro properties, it certainly remains an untapped resource.

On top of that, Hasbro announced a few months back that it plans to incorporate MASK into its GI Joe Cinematic Universe, which is mostly amazing because we are living in a world where there is somehow a GI Joe Cinematic Universe.

The groundwork for that move was actually laid down years ago, when “Specialist Matt Trakker” was released as part of the GI Joe toy line, officially bringing MASK and their adversaries, VENOM (Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem) (really) into Joe canon as divisions of GI Joe and Cobra, respectively.

For those of you who weren’t obsessed with these toys as kids, the basic idea is that there are like three gimmicks in play all at once: MASK is a secret organization whose members all have secret identities, and thus wear super-powered masks (get it?) when they go into battle in cars that can transform into other vehicles. Like, say, a motorcycle that becomes a helicopter, a sports car that becomes an airplane, and a semi-truck that becomes a semi-truck with a whole lot of guns on it:

http://comicsalliance.com/idw-hasbro-mask-comic/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

this is one 80's toy i've been waiting a long time for them to bring back.

[grendeljd]

I never got any MASK toys as a kid but I always wanted them. I used to build my own transformable vehicles out of Lego instead.

This might actually be a fun property to see in comics again. Didn't Marvel or DC make a short series for this back in the 80's?

[Brother Darque]

In addition to being part of the upcoming Hasbro cinematic universe, classic '80s franchise "M.A.S.K." is set to return to comics thanks to IDW Publishing. Announced via USA Today, the new series from writer Brandon Easton and artist Tony Vargas will tell the origin story for this new, "Fast and Furious"-style take on "M.A.S.K."

Easton promises that the series won't merely retell the conflict between Matt Trakker's M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) and Miles Mayhem’s V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem).

“This is a M.A.S.K. for the 21st century with a diverse team of specialists who are chosen for a top-secret program with a painful learning curve,” said Easton. “Ultimately, each participant will have to choose a side -- and no matter which side they choose, the consequences will be great.”

Easton describes the aforementioned Matt Trakker as equal parts Elon Musk and Idris Elba -- "an engineering genius and intellectual bad boy who has been in search of stability since the loss of his father at an early age." The evil Miles "Mayhem" Manheim will also be a competent villain and master manipulator. “V.E.N.O.M. will be a true force," said Easton. "They don't lose often nor do they accept defeat with grace.”

While the series will bring the property into the 21st century, Vargas says that "color combinations and vital identifiable components" of the characters will remain consistent with their '80s counterparts. This includes updating the Camaro/jet Thunderhawk and motorcycle/helicopter Condor.

“We won't be going too grim, gritty or dark," said Easton. "However you're not going to see a teenage kid riding a cowardly robot across the battlefield.”

The appeal of the franchise remains the same, though, as Easton described. “Imagine if your car, motorcycle, SUV or yacht could change into a more powerful vehicle complete with state-of-the-art weapons systems and other cutting-edge technology. The possibilities are as fun as they are disastrous.”

http://www.comicbookresources.com/artic ... ton-vargas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dornwolf]

Out of all the series out there I've never seen this. Probably a good idea to look at it at some point and form since Hasbro is apparently dead set on a Hasbro-verse of movies.

[Tim]

Fingers crossed for someone to do an Inhumanoids comic. I've been re-watching the old series and that cartoon was way ahead of it's time. Love to see a modern take on it.

[Cyberstrike]

Fingers crossed for someone to do an Inhumanoids comic. I've been re-watching the old series and that cartoon was way ahead of it's time. Love to see a modern take on it.

I would love to see Robotix get a reboot. I mean it's already tailor made to be part of IDW's Transformers: G1 comic book universe, and they would a better fit than The Challenge of the Go-Bots would ever be.

[Brother Darque]

Revving Up Hasbro's "MASK" For a Modern Comic Audience

[grendeljd]

Fingers crossed for someone to do an Inhumanoids comic. I've been re-watching the old series and that cartoon was way ahead of it's time. Love to see a modern take on it.

Hell yeah, I'd be all over that!

I never got to see that show very often back in the day (couldn't figure out when it would be on tv), but what a cool idea. A friend of mine still has a D'compose action figure with the original box packaging!

Now I have an urge to seek out those Marvel Star imprint Inhumanoids comics...

[String]

Loved this cartoon as a kid. It is unique as it does feature two gimmicks: the masks with various powers/abilities and the transforming vehicles. Given the transforming craze of the 80s, naturally the vehicles got most of the attention back then.

So hopefully, this comic will expand on the nature/background of these masks and Trakker's team (as well as Mayhem, an underrated and underappreciated villain IMHO)

A shame though, awhile back I sold most of my MASK toys on eBay. The only one I have left is Condor the motorcycle and it's pilot Brad Turner.

[nscc]

I remember this show, cousins had a bunch of the toys, they were fun.

What I remember about the show was only one episode, they got a mysterious phone call at the start saying "Im de Vindo Viper, I am coming to Vipe yer Vindows" which worried them. Then some other stuff happened and at the end of the ep, a little old man showed up to clean the windows. I dont know why that stuck with me but it did for about 30 years hahaha

[ironherc]

Is anyone reading this one? I picked up the revolution tie in which is the introduction to them and the first issue. It seems like out of all the Revolution tittles, this one ends up been the one more dependent of the reader knowing about the revolution mini series and it's one shot unlike rom or micronauts (at least from what I've seen of it, I don't buy micronauts so correct me if I'm wrong). I will continue reading since this book has potential, but it's not new reader friendly unless you've read revolution.

[grendeljd]

I remember this show, cousins had a bunch of the toys, they were fun.

What I remember about the show was only one episode, they got a mysterious phone call at the start saying "Im de Vindo Viper, I am coming to Vipe yer Vindows" which worried them. Then some other stuff happened and at the end of the ep, a little old man showed up to clean the windows. I dont know why that stuck with me but it did for about 30 years hahaha

DUDE!! I REMEMBER THAT EPISODE TOO! I can't recall any other episodes either,

So funny!

[grendeljd]

Is anyone reading this one? I picked up the revolution tie in which is the introduction to them and the first issue. It seems like out of all the Revolution tittles, this one ends up been the one more dependent of the reader knowing about the revolution mini series and it's one shot unlike rom or micronauts (at least from what I've seen of it, I don't buy micronauts so correct me if I'm wrong). I will continue reading since this book has potential, but it's not new reader friendly unless you've read revolution.

I flipped through a copy of #1 in my LCS the other week, but saw nothing that grabbed my attention and I passed on it. To be fair, I'm extra critical of buying any new comic series lately, as I've had to severely cut back on my new comics spending. Budgetary constraints (hopefully a short term problem).

[ironherc]

Is anyone reading this one? I picked up the revolution tie in which is the introduction to them and the first issue. It seems like out of all the Revolution tittles, this one ends up been the one more dependent of the reader knowing about the revolution mini series and it's one shot unlike rom or micronauts (at least from what I've seen of it, I don't buy micronauts so correct me if I'm wrong). I will continue reading since this book has potential, but it's not new reader friendly unless you've read revolution.

I flipped through a copy of #1 in my LCS the other week, but saw nothing that grabbed my attention and I passed on it. To be fair, I'm extra critical of buying any new comic series lately, as I've had to severely cut back on my new comics spending. Budgetary constraints (hopefully a short term problem).

Oh, I understand, hopefully your constrains be temporary, nobody should go through that. But yes, M.A.S.K currently isn't nothing to write home about and I blame it on been tied way too close to revolution and not allowed to spread it's wings like some of the other tittles did. Anyone new who loved the show or toys who was told a new mask ongoing was out right now and could pick up the first 2 issues but have no idea that it's now part of a bigger universe, would be totally lost and feel they missed something very big and important, which it kinda did. I hope it picks up soon though since I like the concept and I've never seen the show or own the toys (I was born when it wasn't a thing anymore).

[Zhuge1]

I remember this show, cousins had a bunch of the toys, they were fun.

What I remember about the show was only one episode, they got a mysterious phone call at the start saying "Im de Vindo Viper, I am coming to Vipe yer Vindows" which worried them. Then some other stuff happened and at the end of the ep, a little old man showed up to clean the windows. I dont know why that stuck with me but it did for about 30 years hahaha

I think that Viper episode was from GI Joe (unless MASK also had a similar episode).

Info: http://gijoe.wikia.com/wiki/The_Viper_is_Coming" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ironherc]

okay seriously, what's going on with this tittle? no new issue for 2 months? it's not good to keep people waiting like that as it might hurt whatever steam the book has. Issue 2 was a improvement, does this happen with the other idw books? At least the site says that issues 3-5 and the annual come out on march, so at least they will catch up then.

[grendeljd]

okay seriously, what's going on with this tittle? no new issue for 2 months? it's not good to keep people waiting like that as it might hurt whatever steam the book has. Issue 2 was a improvement, does this happen with the other idw books? At least the site says that issues 3-5 and the annual come out on march, so at least they will catch up then.

I only read ROM monthly from IDW, so I can't speak for any other books - but ROM has been fairly consistently released so far. The annual was supposed to be out in January and ended up coming a week or two ago, but otherwise it's been regular.