Unless you have been hibernating for the past few years, you should be aware of the M.A.S.K./G.I. Joe crossover that is "Specialist Trakker".
This is an updated version of Matt Trakker in his Spectrum Fatigues under the G.I. Joe banner.
The Blurb on the back of the card tells us that Matt Trakker, codename "Specialist Trakker", is a Vehicle Designer and that he leads a unit that has designed covert vehicles that look ordinary but convert into advanced combat vehicles.
So, the debate is this - when M.A.S.K. finally makes it's long overdue return - should it be as it was or part of the G.I. Joe universe with V.E.N.O.M. being a unit of Cobra?
G.I. Joe already has a great following and two Live Action Movies under it's belt to be a platform for M.A.S.K.'s return.
Or, should it be a re-release of the original toys under the Kenner Banner.
Or a re-imagined reboot of the franchise brand new for the new millennium?
I'm opening the floor to you, my readers, to cast your own votes both here in the comments and across on my Facebook Page.
This, should be interesting!
I think it should be the link between GI Joe and Transformers...
ReplyDeleteIt just seems fitting, since Kenner pretty much blended the two into one fantastic toyline!
Just think, instead of a nameless company, Miles and Matt actually worked for Sector 7, researching and developing weapons and such. Miles steals stuff and leaves, Matt is transferred to GIJoe to combat the new threat.
Boom. Done.
That's certainly an interesting point of view - so I guess what you are saying is that M.A.S.K. vehicles then are loosely based on Transformers to help the Autobots and G.I. Joe fight the Decepticons and Cobra?
DeleteThat's either crazy or brilliant!
Probably a little of both...
DeleteI figure, the Joe and Transformers cartoons and comics did a few brief crossovers, why not bridge the gap?
Cross overs can work. I do like episodes of TV programmes when there are brief cross overs such as CSI/CSI Miami, Star Trek The Next Generation/Deep Space 9, etc.
DeleteInteresting concept, introducing it under the gijoe banner. UNfortunately, I feel like the Trakker figure will be a one time crossover and we will get a stand alone MASK reboot (which would still be friggin AMAZING!)
ReplyDeleteI would prefer a stand alone M.A.S.K. reboot - but have a "Vintage Series" of all the originals in their Kenner Packaging.
DeleteThe bonus of the M.A.S.K. toys was the figures and vehicles were all to scale. So if they were in the G.I. Joe range, I'm worried that might change and they wouldn't be as good.
For a Movie - would defo have to be stand alon - not that I'm biaist or anything having written my script for it!
A cross over in the comics/cartoons and a single range of toys I think would be ok.
I prefer a re-tooling from (the original) M.A.S.K. series completely. The same vehicles updated...as they did with Transformers, Gi Joe & Star Wars, is Time to M.A.S.K. If Hasbro want to upgrade the scale to 3 3/4...I can agree, but please don`t change the origin...Gi joe toys was a Failure update!(I preferred the 25th anniversary version as Trakker, they did a great face work from Matt...don`t forget it Hasbro & your trial to change M.A.S.K. as VORTECH OR ATOM was a big FAILURE too) also if they think add some new vehicles Welcome, but i want the original collection complete. I`m not happy with my M.A.S.K. team to Join Gi joe or Cobra...Gi joe is gi joe & M.A.S.K. is M.A.S.K. wich is better...jajaja M.A.S.K. of course.
ReplyDeleteI agree would like to see the originals back out in the original Kenner Branded boxes. However, a new series would be good as well!
DeleteI'm not overly keen on the cross overs like above - but something is better than nothing!
Was this figure ever actually sold. I loved my MASK stuff and still have most of my GIJOE stuff. I would love to get my hands on this figure. I would buy two one to keep in the package the other to open up.
ReplyDeleteYes it was available - not sure if it still is not. Some pop up on Ebay from time-to-time.
DeleteI just think of the crossover as a means to an end. Just a good way to get people interested in it again. Just a slight shift in the origin, and then ignore the other franchises afterward.
ReplyDeleteYou do have a point. I'd still prefer to see M.A.S.K. as a standalone. I've just made another post about an item in a recent Transformers cartoon - I think that M.A.S.K. is defo being swallowed up into the other Franchises!
DeleteWell, hopefully it won't just vanish into them. There have been 2 very brief references in GIJoe comics, but only in some specials that were released at the conventions. With that mention in Transformers, who knows what they are planning?
DeleteWith computer animation the way it is now, you'd think they would at least try and make something out of it.
I've seen one of the references on the net, do you info on them you can share?
DeleteI bought the comic, but I'll have to dig for it. I'll see if I can find it and email you some pics.
DeleteI haven't found the comic yet, but I emailed a scan of one of the cameos to you.
Delete(phideaux1)