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M.A.S.K. is an animated television series directed by three uncredited Japanese studios, KK C&D Asia, Studio World, Ashi Production, and produced by the French-American DIC Enterprises, Inc (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner. A total of 75 episodes were broadcast from between 1985 and 1988 in syndication. One of many cartoons produced during the 1980s as a vehicle for toy merchandising, M.A.S.K. (which is an acronym for the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), was a hybrid of popular era cartoons G.I. Joe and Transformers series. It featured a special task force, led by Matt Trakker, with transforming vehicles engaged in an ongoing battle against the criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. (an acronym for the Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem), with an emphasis on super-powered helmets called masks worn by the characters on the show.
The original series focused mainly on the vehicles and characters from the original 1985 toy line. More characters were introduced as the line expanded with a second wave in 1986. The format for the last season of the show featured a racing theme to correspond with the theme of the third wave M.A.S.K. toys. A major difference to the first season is by the second, VENOM agents knew the personal identities of the MASK team, whereas VENOM did not know their identities during the first season. The second season lasted for only ten episodes. There is a storyline difference in the mini comic books which came with each toy. In the comics, Miles Mayhem knew the identity of Matt Trakker and had originally helped start the MASK team but betrayed him later. This was very similar to the second series of the cartoon.
The toyline's fourth and final wave went to one other variation, "Split Seconds", in which the vehicles sold under the line would split from one whole into two different vehicles for a MASK pilot and his/her "clone" holographic partner (a transparent version of the same figure carried with the vehicle), but the cartoon was not renewed for the fourth wave. Besides the cartoon and toys, there were also various merchandising products like sticker books and comics to capitalize on the success of the show.
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Heroes
Matt Trakker is the leader of M.A.S.K. He was one of the creators of the original M.A.S.K. team. In the comics, the team was co-created by him along with his brother Andy, and Miles Mayhem. His character was voiced by Doug Stone. His vehicles and masks include:
Thunderhawk - a red Chevrolet Camaro G3, which can transform into a fighter jet plane. His mask is Spectrum which fires a bright energy beam, allows him limited flight and allows Trakker to see in different visual spectrums.
Rhino - a semi tractor that converts into a mobile missile platform and command center. He used the Ultra-Flash mask which fires a blinding blast of energy.
Jungle Challenge - an assault jet pack which he uses with the Arrow mask which fires acidic bolts.
Coast Patrol - an armed rescue raft which he uses with the Dolphin mask which controls water.
Volcano - a monster truck van where he uses the mask LavaShot which fires blobs of molten metal.
Goliath I - a race car that launches from Goliath II and becomes a fighter jet. He uses the Shroud mask which creates a cloud of inky darkness.
Skybolt - a plane that splits into a tank and an aerial attack craft. His accompanying mask is New Spectrum which creates a holographic double.
Scott Trakker is the adopted son of Matt Trakker. His father raised him alone. He has great mechanical skills and is always upgrading his robot sidekick T-Bob with some new function. His character was voiced by Brennan Thicke, son of Growing Pains star Alan Thicke.
T-Bob is the cowardly robot sidekick of Scott Trakker and can convert into a scooter. He was built by Scott. He likes making bad jokes and is easily frightened. This character was voiced by Graeme McKenna.
Bruce Sato - Mechanical engineer and design specialist, and Matt Trakker's de facto second-in-command. Occupation: toy designer. He often talks in Confucian riddles that only Matt Trakker seems to understand. His character was voiced by Doug Stone. He drives:
Rhino - a semi tractor that converts into a mobile missile platform and command center. His mask is Lifter which creates an anti-gravity field.
Rescue Mission - a helipack and the Grasshopper mask allowing him to jump incredible distances.
Dynamo - a dune buggy that splits into a helicopter and assault car. His mask, New Lifter, creates a holographic double.
Alex Sector - Computer and communications expert and Zoology specialist. Occupation: veterinarian and exotic pet shop owner. His character was voiced by Brendan McKane. As an action figure, Sector originally came with the Boulder Hill playset. He operates:
Rhino - He serves as co-pilot and systems commander in this battle truck. His Jack Rabbit mask allows him to fly.
The Collector - a tollbooth that transforms into an attack installation and where he uses the Disruptor mask to disrupt radio transmissions.
Dusty Hayes - Auto and marine stunt driver, all-terrain specialist and tracking & demolition expert. Occupation: cook. His character was voiced by Doug Stone.
Gator - a Jeep with a releasable boat. His Backlash mask fires a kinetic sonic boom.
Billboard Blast - a billboard that opens up to reveal a gun emplacement. He uses the Vacuum mask that creates pockets of vacuum energy.
Afterburner - a dragster that splits into a small jet plane and an elevated turret. His New Backlash produces a holographic clone.
Gloria Baker is a champion race car driver and black-belt in kung fu. Her character was voiced by Sharon Noble. Her vehicles and masks are:
Shark - a Porsche 928 sports car that can transform into a submarine. Her Aura mask produces an energy absorbing shield. Shark was never made into a toy, and only appeared in the show. Rumors exist about a couple of toys made and released in Mexico.
Stiletto - a Lamborghini Countach race car that can split into a helicopter and jet plane. Her mask is New Collider which produces her holographic clone.
Brad Turner - Expert Hill climber, rock musician, motorcycle and helicopter pilot. His character was voiced by Graeme McKenna.
Condor is a motorcycle that can transform into a helicopter. His Hocus-Pocus mask can project holograms.
Razorback, a Daytona race car which turns into a tank and uses the mask Eclipse which created a field of darkness.
Hondo MacLean - Weapons specialist and tactical strategist. Occupation: history teacher. His character was voiced by Doug Stone.
Firecracker, a truck with quite some firepower. He uses the Blaster mask which fires a destructive energy beam.
Hurricane, a 1957 Chevy which turns into an attack tank He uses the improved Blaster II mask. Hondo was given Hurricane when Firecracker was destroyed in the series. In some episodes, Hurricane was referred to as Nightstalker.
Sea Attack - a small attack boat (released in Europe only).
Ramp-Up - a repair ramp that turns into a tank.
Buddy "Clutch" Hawks is a master of disguise and intelligence expert. Occupation: mechanic. His character was voiced by Mark Halloran. As an action figure, Hawkes originally came with the Boulder Hill playset.
Firecracker - of which he serves often as co-pilot with Hondo MacLean. His Penetrator mask allows him to pass through solid objects.
Wildcat - a tow truck that turns into a tall tank and uses the Ditcher mask which gouges into the earth and rock digging wide trenches.
Calhoun Burns - a construction and demolition specialist. He works as an architect and enjoys raising horses. His character was voiced by Graeme McKenna. He drives:
Raven - a Chevrolet Corvette which turns into a seaplane and submarine. He uses the Gulliver mask which can enlarge or shrink objects.
Arctic Assault - an armed jetpack released only in Europe. He also uses the Gulliver mask with it.
Jacques LeFleur - a natural disaster specialist and martial arts master. Occupation: Lumberjack. Hometown: Quebec, Canada. His character was voiced by Brendan McKane.
Volcano - a monster truck van which turns into an attack station. He is the co-pilot and his mask is Maraj which creates an invisibility screen.
Glider Strike - an armed mini-glider.
Detonator - a Volkswagen that separates into two attack vehicles. The New Maraj mask creates his holographic clone of himself.
Julio Lopez - Expert in languages and cryptography. Occupation: doctor. His character was voiced by Graeme McKenna.
Firefly - a racing buggy which turns into a jet. His mask is called Streamer which fires sticky bands of glue.
Fireforce - a Pontiac Fiero that splits into a jet plane and an attack cruiser. He uses the New Streamer to create his holographic clone of himself.
Ace Riker - Former NASA test pilot. Works at a hardware store. Ace pilots:
Slingshot - a recreational van that splits in half to reveal a jet fighter launch ramp. His mask is Ricochet, which fires an energy boomerang.
Meteor - a jet that splits into a smaller aerial fighter and a tank. The Cruise Control mask that he wears could take control of vehicles. This was not considered one of the Split Seconds vehicles, though the design is similar.
Boris "The Czar" Bushkin - a former V.E.N.O.M. member who defected to M.A.S.K. His character was voiced by Doug Stone. He drives:
Bulldog, a truck rig which turns into a tank. His mask is named Comrade that fired red energy-based stars that visually confused opponents.
"Chief" Nevada Rushmore - An American Indian and Matt Trakker's childhood friend. His character was voiced by Brendan McKane. He drives:
Goliath II, a truck that turns into a command station and serves as a launch platform for Goliath I. His mask is called Totem which fires small totem shaped explosive grenades.
Ali Bombay - an immigrant from Kandukar, India. His character was voiced by Brian George.
Bullet, a racing motorcycle which turns into a hovercraft. His mask is called Vortex which creates controlled whirlwinds.
The M.A.S.K. team's headquarters is an unassuming gas station in Boulder Hill, Nevada. It can actually transform and defend itself. They also have a transport plane which they use to transport their vehicles to another location. The plane was never given any name.
In the DC Comics series, the team is sponsored by an organization called the Peaceful Nations Alliance (PNA). Their exact relationship is never explained. The liaison between the PNA and MASK is Duane Kennedy. Duane and the PNA did appear in the cartoon, although in a much more limited role in such episodes as the "The Roteks" and "Assault On Liberty".
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Villains
Miles Mayhem is the leader of V.E.N.O.M. In the comics, he betrayed the original M.A.S.K. team by killing Andy Trakker, and stealing half of the masks for evil purposes. In the cartoon, the origin of V.E.N.O.M. is a lot less clear. Mayhems catchphrase is "I oughta buy you a new face". His character was voiced by Brendan McKane. His vehicles and corresponding masks include:
Switchblade, a helicopter that can transform into a jetplane. His mask is Viper which fires jets of poisonous acid.
Outlaw - a tanker truck that transforms into an assault installation. His mask is Python which fires a gripping wire.
Venom's Revenge - an assault jet pack. He uses it with the Ripper mask that fires a beam of metal-shredding energy.
Buzzard - a race car that splits into a drone-controlled jet and two smaller assault motorcycles. The mask is Flexor which fires a flexible energy shield. This was not considered one of the Split Seconds vehicles, though the design is similar.
Wolfbeast, a blue Stingray which splits into a tank and jet plane. His mask is New Viper which projects his holographic clone.
Sly Rax - a con artist. In the comics, he has ambitions of replacing Miles as V.E.N.O.M. leader. His character was voiced by Mark Holloran. He operates:
Piranha - a motorcycle with a submarine sidecar and uses the Stiletto mask that shoots piercing blades.
Pitstop Catapult, an armored gasoline stand. He uses the Sawblade mask that fires slashing blades.
Cliff Dagger - Demolitions expert and strongman. He operates:
Jackhammer - a Ford Bronco with a lot of firepower. He uses the Torch mask which is a flamethrower.
Thunderball - an anti-aircraft gun disguised as a holding tank tower. He uses the New Torch mask. This toy was never released, though a few prototypes are said to exist.
Vanessa Warfield - V.E.N.O.M.'s espionage and intelligence agent. Her character was voiced by Sharon Noble.
Manta is a Nissan 300ZX that can turn into a plane. She uses the Whip mask which projects slashing strands of energy.
Bruno "Mad Dog" Sheppard - is a kidnapping specialist and another strongman. His character was voiced by Doug Stone. He operates:
Stinger, a Pontiac GTO that turns into a tank and he has the Magna-Beam mask which can attract or repel magnetic objects.
Racing Arena - an assault pack which he also uses with the Magna-Beam mask.
Barracuda, a yellow motorbike that turns into a jet and armed cycle. The New Magna-Beam mask produces his holographic double.
Nash "Goon" Gorey - overeager and bootlicking henchman. His character was voiced by Doug Stone.
Outlaw, a black oil tanker which turns into a mobile missile launcher of which he serves as co-pilot for Miles Mayhem. He uses the Powerhouse mask which increases his strength.
Lester "The Lizard" Sludge - smarmy henchman with an annoying signature laugh. His character was voiced by Brian George.
Iguana an off-road vehicle which turns into a mobile buzz-saw platform. He uses the Mudslinger mask which fired wads of sticky sludge.
Floyd "Birdman" Malloy - biker gangman and expert forger. His character was voiced by Brendan McKane.
Vampire, a red motorbike which turns into a jet. His mask is Buckshot which fires bullets like a machine gun.
Vandal - a front-end loader which separates into an aircraft and a tank. Here, he uses the New Buckshot mask to make his holographic double.
Maximus Mayhem - weak-willed twin brother of Miles Mayhem. His character was voiced by Doug Stone.
Buzzard - a race car that splits into a drone-controlled jet and two smaller assault motorcycles. He uses the mask Deep Freeze which fires a cold energy ray.
What sort of criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. exactly is is never made clear. They were not the typical world-conquering villains and their schemes revolve mostly around profiting from illegal activities and doing mercenary services.
The comics tried to give them a more believable background. They appear to be the foot soldiers of an even higher evil organization called Contraworld. Like, M.A.S.K. and P.N.A., their relationship is not sufficiently explained. Contraworld's aims are not even explained.
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First season (1985-1986) - Original series
The Deathstone (09/30/1985)
The Star Chariot (10/01/1985)
The Book of Power (10/02/1985)
Highway To Terror (10/03/1985)
Dinosaur Boy (10/07/1985)
The Ultimate Weapon (10/08/1985)
The Oz Effect (10/10/1985)
Death From the Sky (10/11/1985)
The Magma Mole (10/14/1985)
Solaria Park (10/15/1985)
The Creeping Terror (10/16/1985)
Assault On Liberty (10/17/1985)
The Sceptre of Rajim (10/18/1985)
The Golden Goddess (10/21/1985)
Mystery of the Rings (10/22/1985)
Bad Vibrations (10/23/1985)
Madri Gras Mystery (10/28/1985)
The Secret of Life (10/29/1985)
Vanishing Point (10/30/1985)
Counter-Clockwise Caper (10/31/1985)
The Plant Show (11/01/1985)
Secret of the Andes (11/04/1985)
A Matter of Gravity (11/07/1985)
The Lost Riches of Rio (11/08/1985)
Deadly Blue Slime (11/11/1985)
The Currency Conspiracy (11/12/1985)
Caesar's Sword (11/13/1985)
Peril In Paris (11/14/1985)
The Lippizaner Mystery (11/18/1985)
The Sacred Rock (11/19/1985)
Curse of Solomon's Gorge (11/20/1985)
Green Nightmare (11/21/1985)
Eyes of the Skull (11/22/1985)
The Artemis Enigma (11/26/1985)
The Chinese Scorpion (11/27/1985)
Riddle of the Raven Master (11/28/1985)
The Spectre of Captain Kidd (11/29/1985)
The Secret of the Stones (12/02/1985)
The Lost Fleet (12/03/1985)
Quest of the Canyon (12/04/1985)
Follow the Rainbow (12/05/1985)
The Everglades Oddity (12/06/1985)
The Royal Cape Caper (12/10/1985)
Patchwork Puzzle (12/11/1985)
Fog On Boulder Hill (12/12/1985)
Plunder of Glowworm Grotto (12/13/1985)
Incident In Istanbul (12/17/1985)
The Creeping Desert (12/18/1985)
The Scarlet Empress (12/19/1985)
Venice Menace (12/20/1985)
Treasure of the Nazca Plain (12/23/1985)
Disappearing Act (12/24/1985)
Gate of Darkness (12/25/1985)
The Manakara Giant (12/26/1985)
Raiders of the Orient Express (12/26/1985)
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Second season (1986) - Racing series
Demolition Duel To the Death (09/06/1986)
Where Eagles Dare (10/01/1986)
Homeward Bound (10/08/1986)
The Battle of the Giants (10/15/1986)
Race Against Time (10/22/1986)
Challenge of the Masters (10/29/1986)
For One Shining Moment (11/05/1986)
The Battle of Baja (11/19/1986)
Cliff Hanger (11/26/1986)
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DVDs
M.A.S.K. episodes have been released on DVD in three languages.
English: Only released in Europe; no North American release is planned at this time. Volume one consists of just the first five episodes. While this first volume has been available for some time now, it remains unclear as to whether or not further volumes will be released in the near future.
Madman Entertainment will be releasing the complete series for the first in Australia. With part 1 scheduled for November and part 2 at a to be determind date.
French: The entire series has been released, divided across 24 DVDs and grouped into four box sets.
German: Three box sets have been released. The first two consist of 24 episodes each. Due to copyright problems the third box set consists of only 23 episodes (bringing the total to 71 episodes). The episodes left out are The Star Chariot, Bad Vibrations, Vanishing Point, and Riddle of the Raven Master.
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Comics
The first M.A.S.K. comics to appear were three mini-comics produced by Kenner and packaged with vehicles from the 1st line of toys in 1985.
Following the success of the M.A.S.K. property, DC Comics picked up the rights and produced a 4-part mini series of comics in 1986-87. This was soon followed by a regular series of comics that lasted only 9 issues. Two M.A.S.K. annuals comics were produced as well, one in 1986 and one in 1987.
These DC Comics were reprinted in the U.K. in Fleetway's M.A.S.K. weekly comic magazine, which later included brand new adventures produced by British writers and artists. This weekly title lasted 80 issues before merging with the second incarnation of The Eagle (comic) , with the M.A.S.K. strip carrying over into its new home (see http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/m/masktv.htm).
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Related shows
Vor-Tech, an animated series with a similar premise to M.A.S.K., aired in the mid-1990s.
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Staff
Drawing supervision: 寺田和男
Camera: Masayoshi Toshima / Trans-Arts
Production cooperation studios: KK C&D Asia / Studio World / Ashi Production
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