G.I. Joe Retaliation

The release date for G.I. Joe Retaliation has been confirmed as the 23rd of March.

Like M.A.S.K. and Transformers, G.I. Joe was big in the 80's and if a successful movie and sequel can be made from this Franchise then there is no reason why a M.A.S.K. Movie couldn't make a successful return for the brand.

Starting off as a 12" Figure, G.I. Joe, or Action Man as he was known in the UK, had been around for decades before he was reduced in size to the more popular format made successful with the Star Wars Toyline.




12" Action Man/G.I. Joe Figures

In the U.K. the initial release of the smaller sized toy came under the name of Action Force and featured various Forces based on the previous 12" Figures.  Later the toys moved into specialised forces such as the SAS, Z Force, Q Force, etc.



Action Force Figures

Soon, the range changed to G.I. Joe - this would be the first time the name was used in the UK market place.

A revamped Action Man made a return years later, both in the UK and US markets.

So, with three Transformers movies under their belt and the upcoming release of the second G.I. Joe Instalment isn't it time that M.A.S.K. made the jump the big screen?

So, how can you help?  As you know, I've written a script and I'm looking for an agent with ties to Hasbro.  

Please share this site, like my Facebook Page and spread the word.  Most of all, enjoy my site and the chat; and get involved.  Share your comments and thoughts on all things M.A.S.K.

And remember my friends over at M.A.S.K. Movie who also have a script and a great site.

Catch up on my previous blog for more information - M.A.S.K. Movie - a Tale of Two Scripts

M.A.S.K. Issue 8

M.A.S.K. Issue 8 dated 31st of January - 13th of February 1987 - still only 35p.

Table of contents -

• Front and Back Wraparound Cover
• Five Pages - "Kamikaze" Part 4 (B&W with Blue Tint First Cell)
• Four Pages - "Amazon Mystery" Part 3 (Colour)
• Five Pages - "Oil Strike" (B&W)
• Centre Page Spread
• Five Pages - "Project Dinosaur" Part 1 (B&W with Pink Tint First Cell)
• Single Page - Advertisement
• Single Page - Letters Page
• Single Page - MASK Art
• Single Page - Penetrator Mask Cut Out
• Four Pages - "Double Trouble" Part 3 (B&W)
• Single Page - Preview of next issue/advertisement

This issue of M.A.S.K. broke from the normal format.  The Centre Page Spread is normally set aside to give us cool pull out poster of a vehicle with technical specs on the weapons, the pilot/co-pilot and their Masks.

So far, seven issues and seven vehicles featured in the comic - for M.A.S.K. we have Thunderhawk (there has been debate on another website as to whether it is Thunderhawk or Thunder Hawk - can anyone help??), Rhino, Gator and Condor.  For V.E.N.O.M. there has been Switchblade, Jackhammer and Piranha.

All of that means no more vehicles to be featured in our Centre Page Spread (or does it?) - so this issue features a 4 page giant wall poster!  The idea is that you take off the front cover and the centre pages and join them together to make a large poster for your wall.

So the Front cover the of comic forms the right hand side of the 4 pages and features many of our favourites - the rest are on the Centre Page that joins on to the left of the above.

So, all of our vehicles are present and although we don't see Bruce, Buddie and Alex, I assume they are all hiding away somewhere in Rhino.  These images are great examples of the Artwork that we've come to expect from our favourite comic.  I especially like the detailing on Rhino and Thunderhawk - I wish I could draw as good as the artist behind these fantastic images.

That being said, I was slightly disappointed at not having my usual "fix" in the centre pages.

Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato are surrounded by the Savage Sumos as part four of "Kamikaze kicks off this weeks issue.  Using Spectrum and Lifter, they do their best to fend off the hordes of Sumos as they make their attack.

As it looks like they are making an impact on their foe, there is a sudden explosion as Miles Mayhem attacks from above in Switchblade.  As they are being overrun in their attempt to get back to Thunderhawk, the cavalry arrive in the form of Brad Turner on Condor, Buddie Hawks in Rhino and Hondo MacLean & Dusty Hayes in Gator with Alex Sector flying overhead using Jackrabbit.

During the conflict that follows, Hondo and Dusty are captured and the rest of our M.A.S.K. heroes have to give themselves up.

In the Court of Hidetadi, it is decreed that as Matt and Bruce are brave warriors, instead of being killed they are allowed to fight Kamikaze to the death - the survival of their friends depends on them!

The "Amazon Mystery" starts to make more sense as the captive Cliff Dagger informs the M.A.S.K. team that the weapon he is guarding is only a mock up - the real weapon is smaller and portable - and there are six of them.

Hondo MacLean is left in charge of the prisoners as his colleagues head out after the weapons.  Brad Turner on Condor is the first to strike it lucky as he comes across a convoy of two of the weapons and quickly takes care of them.

Dusty Hayes in Gator then manages to dispatch another of the weapons as Matt Trakker zeroes in on a fourth weapon making short work of it.  The M.A.S.K. team are in luck as Brad Turner finds one of the weapons has taken a wrong turn into a swamp.

Leaving the last weapon to be found, Matt finds it but before he can strike against it, Miles Mayhem in Switchblade finds him and engages - who will win the aerial battle?

Cliff Dagger and Sly Rax in Jackhammer manage to overrun the guards of an oil well in North Africa in the one off story "Oil Strike!"  As V.E.N.O.M. minions fill up oil tankers with the precious black gold, Dusty Hayes and Hondo MacLean are close by in Gator.  Before they can make their assault, they are attacked from behind by Jackhammer.

Unfortunately for Rax and Dagger, their attack comes to a disastrous end as Jackhammer comes a cropper upside down.

Miles Mayhem is overseeing the oil being loaded into the tankers as Gator comes crashing in to thwart their plans.  During the battle, oil is spilt everywhere and as our heroes are about to take Miles Mayhem captive, Rax and Dagger turn up.  The dimwitted Dagger uses his Torch Mask which ignites the oil almost killing Mayhem but the fire is between them and M.A.S.K. allowing them to escape.

Russian Scientists on the Arctic Ice Cap are busy loading dinosaur eggs they have found preserved in the ice as part of "Project Dinosaur".  Miles Mayhem in Switchblade and Cliff Dagger in Jackhammer make their attack to steal the eggs - just as Matt Trakker in Thunderhawk intervenes.

As the V.E.N.O.M. agents pursue Thunderhawk, a Russian Submarine breaks through the ice and manages to rescue the scientists and the eggs.  However, Thunderhawk stalls mid-air - will Matt Trakker survive?

 

One of the Adverts that featured regularly in M.A.S.K. UK.

Below, reader Peter Freeth's vision of a new vehicle called Sea Hawk.

Below is the cut out of Buddie Hawks' Penetrator Mask.

One of the reasons why you have to be careful when buying second hand copies of the comics as some people will have cut this out.  What a waste of a great comic!

In part three of "Double Trouble" Miles Mayhem unmasks Buddie Hawks as his doppelganger.  Mayhem commands Dagger to attack Rhino as he hypnotises Buddie into taking orders only from him - what will the outcome be?

All in all, another great issue.  Like I say, disappointed at no centre page vehicle but the artwork on the 4 page poster is amazing.  There is something that confuses me on the cover, however.  Sly Rax is riding his Motorcycle but the sidecar sub is in the water firing at Gator - so who is piloting the sub?

Feel free to add your own comments below on your own thoughts and remember you can catch more chat and information on the Facebook page -

http://www.facebook.com/MaskComics

M.A.S.K. Movie - a Tale of Two Scripts

A number of years ago, whilst working in a Call Centre, I came up with an idea.  This idea lead to myself and a friend writing a script - "The Halls".  In 2009 I revisited this script adding more depth, humour and drama.

When I finished this script, I found myself looking for the next challenge - inspiration came to me in the form of M.A.S.K.  During my teens, I collected all of the UK Comics and Books (hence this blog) watched most of the cartoons (have now seen them all on DVD) and have collected all of the US Comics.

Two regular features within the comic were the Letters Page and MASK Art - which encouraged budding Artists to send in their pictures of not only existing Characters, Vehicles and Masks but to create your own.  My imagination ran wild and I started creating one vehicle after another along with M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. agents and Masks.

Instead of sending my ideas to the comic, I thought it best to send them direct to Kenner - the makers of the toys.  Based on their response, I ended up taking Art & Design and Technical Drawing as the prospect of becoming a sort of Bruce Sato, Toy Designer Extraordinaire filled the rest of my school years.  With the demise of the M.A.S.K. toyline, comics and cartoon my aspirations died with them.

So, in September 2009 my thirst to write another script combined with my love M.A.S.K. I started writing the first few pages.  However, in the back of mind I was concerned at what I was going to do with my script when it was finished.

What I've learned from my experience of my previous endeavours with a script and various ideas for TV Programmes is that companies don't like you approaching them.  I then started chatting with someone whose friend was the daughter of the CEO of Hasbro - the company who bought over Kenner.

I thought, that's my way in!

Writing continued on my script until the end of 2009 by which time I had written approx 80-90 pages.  Progress slowed over the Christmas period and then my son, Reece, was born on the 7th of January 2010.  Around the same time, my Father's health deteriorated and my plans were put on hold.  I guess part of me was glad as I had worked hard on the script and had come up against a bit of writers block.

Although I didn't do much work on my script over 2010/2011; in my mind I was always working on the script.

One of the guys at work new I was writing my script and mentioned he was also into M.A.S.K. when he was younger and told me that there were already plans to make a movie.  My heart sunk!  I checked out the IMDB website as suggested by my colleague only to find out he was kidding.

However, every now and again I would search "M.A.S.K.Movie" in Google, Bing and Youtube.  Eventually, I started getting results for a movie trailer but it was clear it wasn't a studio made trailer.  Then I came across the following site -

M.A.S.K. Movie

Again, my heart sunk.  Not only did I have competition from across the pond in the form of Jason and Wyatt, but they had already finished their script and had started promoting it.

I was even more determined than ever to finish my script.

I contacted them via e-mail and mentioned that I, too, was writing a script.  In their response they mentioned a piece of free software called Celtx (Download Here).  I downloaded and installed at the earliest opportunity and set about porting my script over onto this format.

As I did so, I made some changes to improve my script.  I then got back into writing.  When my father passed away in May 2012 my determination to complete the project grew.

I still had a bit of writers block.  I've created a couple of new characters and a new vehicle that I wanted to introduce.  Bandicoot is based on a Can-am Spyder Motorcycle and would be instrumental in the battle I was trying to write.

I knew the basics of the next scene I wanted to write but it hadn't clicked in my mind how I was going to move forward with it.  Part of the issue was I didn't know how the new character and vehicle would fit in.  Nor did I have a name for her Mask (yes she's a female agent - can't say too much but she's from Germany) or it's ability.

Inspiration eventually hit me on my drive into work one day.  I heard a song by a British band called M People - hadn't heard it in a while.  It's one word title is a French word that has found it's way into the English dictionary.  Suddenly my mind went crazy - I thought of another French word that is used in everyday English; shortened it to become the name of her Mask; came up with an Adventure Pack that she uses in conjunction with her Mask and Bandicoot; then the storyline all fell into place.

Within the time of a four minute long song I had written a whole battle scene in my head.

Thinking about it; had I tried to write this back in 2009/2010 I know that this scene wouldn't be as good as it is today - I'd even say it's the best scene in the script.

I then worked when I could and managed to finish my script.  So far, only one other person has read it and he has given me some pointers, but overall liked it. 

I made contact with Hasbro but as of yet to no avail.

Many people out there will be wondering why, if I call Wyatt and Jason, the competition why do I mention them in my blog?

Simple, the guys have done a great job and their website has excellent material on it.  As I've mentioned before, if their script is as good as their blog then I have some serious competition on my hands.

However, the word "competition" is used affectionately- I'd like to think we have mutual respect for each others work.  I have no doubt in my head that at some point a movie about M.A.S.K. will be made.  I think given the work that Jason, Wyatt and myself have put into our scripts, I'd rather see one of these be made into a movie rather than some stock writer who doesn't know much about M.A.S.K.

I hope that someone from Hasbro will eventually read my script and like it.  Until then I'll promote my script and help promote Jason and Wyatt's script also - as they say, the most important thing is that we get a M.A.S.K. movie.

I have made a small start on the sequel to the above but I'm also working on some other projects as well as work on my blog and Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/MaskComics

On a final note; I wrote my script to entertain.  In the unfortunate event that my script isn't made into a movie, I'll make my script available for all to read on my blog.

M.A.S.K. Issue 7

"MASK v VENOM - the battle continues" in issue 7 of M.A.S.K. UK.  Dated 17th-30th of January 1987, I turned 14 during this period - and now I'm 40!!

Table of contents -

• Front and Back Wraparound Cover
• Five Pages - "Monster Mountain" Conclusion (B&W with Pink Tint First Cell)
• Four Pages - "Amazon Mystery" Part 2 (Colour)
• Five Pages - "Kamikaze" Part 3 (B&W)
• Centre Page Spread - Piranha
• Five Pages - "The Ultimate Weapon" (B&W with Blue Tint First Cell)
• Single Page - Advertisement
• Single Page - Letters Page
• Single Page - MASK Art (T-Bob Special!)
• Single Page - Advertisement
• Four Pages - "Double Trouble" Part 2 (B&W)
• Single Page - Preview of next issue/advertisement

This issues cover, drawn by Ron Smith, features Matt and Scott Trakker as "T-Bob meets   - Frankenstein's Monster!"  Ron Smith is a veteran artist famed for his work on M.A.S.K.'s stablemates 2000 AD and Judge Dredd.

With the images of an Iron Maiden and a Guillotine on the back of the cover gives the tone that the M.A.S.K. UK is definitely geared toward an older, teenage market. 

The boys over at M.A.S.K. Movie Blogspot have recently reviewed episode 21 of the M.A.S.K. Cartoon in which T-Bob also has a somewhat brief encounter with Frankenstein's Monster.

We swiftly move onto the first story which is the Conclusion of "Monster Mountain".  Upset at M.A.S.K. thwarting his plans, Miles Mayhem in Switchblade gives chase after Matt Trakker, Scott Trakker and T-Bob in Thunderhawk.  Issues with it's steering, Matt is forced to land Thunderhawk.

Meanwhile, Sly Rax and Cliff Dagger fighting with each other as Hondo and Dusty look on and laugh!

Matt, Scott and T-Bob enter a museum that has been partially destroyed after Mayhem's devious plan.  This is where T-Bob has his encounter with Frankenstein's Monster as intimated on the cover.

Miles Mayhem follows them in.

Matt uses his Spectrum Mask to disorientate Miles Mayhem but Scott and T-Bob get in his way and Miles Mayhem escapes to fight another day...

Matt Trakker in Thunderhawk surveys the scene below in "Amazon Mystery" part two as he flies over a large gun in a clearing.  He spies Cliff Dagger and another henchman talking and lands to get a closer look.  As he does so, Miles Mayhem sneaks up on him - until we realise it's a hologram from Brad Turner's Hocus Pocus Mask as he is the first of Matt's backup as soon Dusty Hayes and Hondo MacLean arrive in Gator.

Using his Mask again, Brad creates an image of a dinosaur to help him and his team infiltrate and take over the gun - but it's not only M.A.S.K. that use illusion on their side as Cliff Dagger explains this gun is just a Mock Up.

Hitetadi's Savage Sumo's are still wrecking havoc in Japan in part three of "Kamikaze".  Brad Turner on Condor uses his Hocus Pocus Mask to confuse the Savages as Dusty Hayes uses his Backlash Mask to attack them.

Meanwhile, Buddie Hawks uses the full force of Rhino on the Sumos.  Unfortunately, some of them manage to cling onto Rhino in an effort to stop him.  To get rid of his hitchhikers, Buddie calls on his Penetrator Mask to allow him and rhino to pass through a brick wall whilst his attackers smash into the wall.

Kamikaze is unleashed into the foray and forces of a multistory office block.  Matt and Bruce in Thunderhawk come to the rescue as Lifter is put to good use saving the people falling out of the building and Matt uses Spectrum's Free-fall ability to help others.

As Jackhammer flees from the scene; Matt and Bruce give chase in Thunderhawk, only to find themselves surrounded by the Savage Sumo's - will they live to tell the tale?

Sly Rax and his Piranha Motorcycle and Sidecar/Submarine are this issues Pin Ups!

A fearsome combination of man and machine, the devious Sly certainly lives up to his name.  I sometimes thought that Piranha should have a co-pilot to use the Motorcycle whilst the sub is in the water and also wondered how the sub joins back up with the bike?

In the new PNA (Peaceful Nations Alliance) Research and Development HQ on the shores of Lake Geneva, Matt Trakker and his M.A.S.K. team are unaware that Miles Mayhem is about the fire "The Ultimate Weapon" at them.  Causing all glass to shatter, shards of glass cause havoc and the M.A.S.K. vehicles are left inoperable as their tyres are shredded in the ensuing chaos.

Brad Turner heads out on Condor but his weapons fail to bring down Mayhem's weapon of destruction.  Dusty Hayes and Hondo MacLean manage to get Gator's Hydroplane in the water.  Using her water cannon to boil the water in front of them, the rising steam creates a shroud allowing them to get close to Mayhem.  Firing Gator's Depth Charge, they cause a small tidal wave that engulfs Mayhem and his weapon.

Mayhem manages to escape.

After and Add and the letters page, we then have a T-Bob Special Art Page.

Bill over at Matt Trakker.com this one is specially for you as I believe you are doing a little T-Bob project just now?

MASK Art is a feature of most of the issues of M.A.S.K. and in this issue we have various images of everyone's favourite rotund robot, T-Bob.

Buddie Hawks, M.A.S.K.'s Master of Disguise, is posing as the captive Miles Mayhem - a lure to the real Miles Mayhem.

As M.A.S.K. forces sit in wait above ground to capture the real Mayhem, V.E.N.O.M. agents infiltrate the building from below.  How will this end?

Another great issue of M.A.S.K. and it's nice to be able to put a name to one of the talented artists who contributed to making this one of, if not the, best comics of a generation.

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Thunderhawk Live Action Movie

If my M.A.S.K. Script were made into a Live Action Movie, would you prefer an original 1985 Camaro or a new model - Camaro or otherwise?

Remember facebook.com/maskcomics for more chat, pictures and information.

OR

M.A.S.K. UK Issue 1 & 2 Free Gifts

The first two Issues of the UK M.A.S.K. comic came with free gifts and sealed in a Poly Bag.

Above is a photo of one of the poly bags.  This was a great idea as it protected not only the Free Gift but made sure that the comic stayed in perfect condition at your local newsagents.

Although I still have this, I often wished that I'd bought two copies of the comics so that I could've kept one in pristine condition sealed up.

Week ones free gift was a cardboard Ultraflash Mask worthy of any junior Matt Trakker's!

With it's vibrant colours and elastic bands that you looped around your ears to hold the Mask on, I guess this free gift was more aimed at the younger Mask Fan.

Issue two saw Miles Mayhems Viper Mask as the Free Gift.

As above, vibrant colours and free elastic bands.

For the next few issues different Masks would be printed in the comic - the idea being that you cut it out yourself and glue to a piece of cardboard.  Due to this, if you are buying second hand copies please be careful that some horrid child hasn't cut this out.  Also be careful and ask the seller if the centre page posters are still intact!

I'll give you more updates on future Free Gifts as and when I review the comics!

Remember, I'm on Facebook as well so feel free to leave your comments either on the blog and join in the conversation on Facebook!

Mask Comics Facebook Page

M.A.S.K. Issue 6

Kamikaze drops in on the Cover of Issue 6 of the UK M.A.S.K. comic.  The first issue of 1987 dated the 3rd of January through to the 16th.

Table of contents -

• Front and Back Wraparound Cover
• Five Pages - "Kamikaze" Part 2 (B&W with Pink Tint First Cell)
• Four Pages - "Amazon Mystery" Part 1 (Colour)
• Five Pages - "Mayhem for President!" (B&W)
• Centre Page Spread - Jackhammer
• Five Pages - "Monster Mountain" Part 5 (B&W with Blue Tint First Cell)
• Single Page - Advertisement
• Single Page - MASK Art
• Single Page - Letters Page
• Single Page - Advertisement
• Four Pages - "Double Trouble" Part 1 (B&W)

Although not a big fan of the Kamikaze character, the image of him falling from Switchblade is a memorable one.  With Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato in Thunderhawk on the back page, circling a large image of Matt's Spectrum Mask, this is one spectacular comic cover.

Continuing from the cover to the first story, "Kamikaze" Part 2 continues as it left off last issue with Hidetadi's "Savage Sumos" on the rampage in Japan.  Using brute force and machine guns, they manage to destroy 15 aeroplanes at Tokyo Airport before the duo of Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato arrive in Thunderhawk to save the day.

Using a combination of Sonic Disruption Bombs, Spectrum and Lifter, our intrepid duo initially have the upper hand.  Unfortunately for them, Miles Mayhem has other plans as he unleashes the mighty Kamikaze from Switchblade Fifty Feet above the ground.

Despite their best their best efforts, they can't overcome this behemoth!  After a heated discussion with General Shagon, Matt advises him that the next time he will cut Kamikaze down to size.

This has both a great story and fantastic artwork.

A great example of this is the image of Matt putting on his Spectrum Mask.

Normally when we see Matt with Spectrum on, we can't see his eyes.  I don't think this is a clear lens - my opinion is that the Artist has cut away a portion of his Mask so that we can see the emotion in his eyes.

Many of the images in this strip epitomise why I fell in love with M.A.S.K.

There is a look of Centurions about this image - another great 80's Franchise.

Teenager Paulo Nedras returns to his home in "Amazon Mystery" to find it deserted.  Suddenly, a blast destroys his village and as he turns and runs, a lorry almost runs him over.  Sly Rax exits the lorry and races after him firing his Stiletto Mask at him but misses.

As Paulo flees and is picked up by a passing car and taken to the nearest police station, Sly Rax's thoughts alert us to the fact he was ordered to allow the boy to escape.

Soon, Matt Trakker is on the scene in Thunderhawk to investigate.  As he flies over the scene, he finds a Military compound....

Unbelievable as it may seem but "Mayhem for President!"?  Miles Mayhem is running for the Presidency in the Central American Country of Rondara and is addressing the residents of the Capital city at the start of our story.

Buddie Hawks, dressed as Beggar, is watching the scene unfold when a couple of Security Guards Threaten to shoot him for trespassing.  He manages to flee and rendezvous with Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato who are with Rhino.

Believing that something is wrong, they make their way to Latero as this is the only City not under the influence of Miles Mayhem's Presidential Campaign.  As they arrive, a Dakota Crop duster flies over but instead of spraying crops, it sprays the City in a Gas Cloud that soon has the residents supporting Mayhem.

The M.A.S.K. agents follow the Dakota back to it's base and manage to destroy it and more plans and Storage Tanks full of the Gas.  Without the Gas, the inhabitants of Rondara soon return to normal and chase Mayhem out of the Country!

Jackhammer, V.E.N.O.M.'s Ford Bronco that converts to an Assault Vehicle is this weeks "Pin-Up" in the Centre Spread of our comic.  Piloted by the dimwitted Cliff Dagger wearing his Torch Mask; Jackhammer is a formidable piece of equipment that boasts cannons and a 360 degree gun turret.

"Monster Mountain" part five and Matt Trakker's conscience gets the better of him as he is reluctant to fire on the unleashed Giant of Geissmuhl high up in the Bavarian Alps.  He explains to Scott that it wasn't the monsters fault that he has been unleashed with Miles Mayhem controlling him.

As Matt, Scott and T-Bob fly up above in Thunderhawk, Dusty Hayes and Hondo MacLean in Gator are in battle with Sly Rax and Cliff Dagger in Jackhammer. As their struggle continues, Matt drops a Delayed-Action Bomb from Thunderhawk that lands right at the feet of the Monster which retaliates throwing masonry back at them.

The Monster then picks up the bomb and throws it; it misses Thunderhawk but lands beside Jackhammer blowing her over.  Using Thunderhawk's onboard lasers, Matt fires vaporising rock and ice to make a "grave" and manage to knock the Monster into it.  as they cover it up, Mayhem appears in Switchblade...

After a Kenner toy advert for Rhino and Switchblade, when then have a page of MASK Art; a page where readers can send in their own pictures for a chance of winning £5 (a lot of money in those days) followed by a letters page.

After an advert for Invaders Club, we then enter the world of "Double Trouble" part one.  At a press conference outside the Peaceful Nations Alliance , Matt Trakker retells the story of how he and his team managed to capture the V.E.N.O.M. leader Miles Mayhem.

We soon discover that Buddie Hawks is playing the role of Miles Mayhem's doppelganger - a M.A.S.K. ploy to get the real Miles Mayhem to come to them.

Overall, this is another great issue from the IPC Magazine Stable.  The story lines are great and the artwork - especially the black and white strips - is amazing.  The detailing on Matt Trakker's Spectrum outfit in "Kamikaze" is just outstanding.  You get the sense of his Stature is you appear to be looking up to the Leader of M.A.S.K.

If I'm honest the only problem I have with this issue is in one frame Hondo and Dusty are in Gator and a couple of frames later Hondo is on Condor.

Here's looking forward to the next issue....

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M.A.S.K. Movie: MASKast 28: Mini Comic Read-Along & Review

M.A.S.K. Movie: MASKast 28: Mini Comic Read-Along & Review

Apologies

Just a little apology that I've not posted any blogs this year so far.  This month has been busy what with my son's third birthday (7th) and christening (6th) and my 40th birthday (today).

I also had an initial good response to my script from a Producer;  until their legal department got in the way.  Now trying to work around this "obstacle".

I have also set up a facebook page - catch it at https://www.facebook.com/MaskComics

Issue 6 review will be with you shortly!

M.A.S.K. Annual

British Tradition dictates that if anything is popular - comics, toys, cartoons, movies, etc. - then an Annual will be produced at Christmas time.  M.A.S.K. falls into a number of these categories what with a successful Toyline, Comic and Cartoon.

Table of Contents -

• Front Cover
• Single Page - M.A.S.K. Emblem (Colour)
• Twenty Three Pages - "When Opportunity Knox!" (Colour)
• Four Pages - "Inside Job" (Text Based Story)
• Eight Pages - Character Profiles (Colour)
• Four Pages - "Black Gold" (Text Based Story)
• Twenty Two Pages - "The Domain of the Dead" (Colour)

The front cover of the first ever M.A.S.K. Annual features Switchblade and Rhino in Battle with head shots of the Opposing Team leaders - Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem.

"When Opportunity Knox" Starts off with Matt Trakker aboard an American Aircraft Carrier preparing to Dive to retrieve a Malfunctioning Strategic Defense Satellite.  As he is rescuing it, a V.E.N.O.M. Submersible arrives too late!

Once back onboard the Aircraft Carrier, the Satellite is loaded into the boot of Thunderhawk and Matt flies back to Boulder Hill to examine the Satellite.  As he, Alex Sector and Buddie Hawkes are about to inspect the Satellite, Miles Mayhem in Switchblade, Cliff Dagger in Jackhammer and Sly Rax on Piranha attack Boulder Hill allowing us to see Boulder Hills Array of Weaponry.

We cut to Duane Kennedy of the Peaceful Nations Alliance receiving a Snake Shaped Balloon.  Back to the main action and our heroes manage to overcome their attackers.

After all of that action, Matt heads off to take his adopted son, Scott, and his faithful sidekick, T-Bob, on a vacation.  Matt receives a priority message from Duane, just as Scott buys a Snake Balloon the same as the one delivered to Duane's office.  Scott and T-Bob are ordered back to the Hotel to wait on Matt's return.

Duane informs Matt that all of the Gold reserves at Fort Knox have been stolen - he summons the team -  Bruce Sato in Rhino; Brad Turner on Condor and Dusty Hayes in Gator.  When they arrive at Fort Knox, Matt's Spectrum Mask detects a hidden tunnel under the floor - Dusty's Backlash Mask makes an entrance to the tunnel.  As Dusty and Brad follow the tunnel, Matt and Bruce follow above in Rhino until they come across the Tunnelling Mole and the stolen Gold Bullion being loaded into a Hovercraft - only Sly Rax and Cliff Dagger are present.

At the same time sleeping gas, from the Snake Balloon, knocks out Scott Trakker as Miles Mayhem and two henchmen Kidnap him and T-Bob leaving behind an Egyptian symbol on the wall to be continued...

Miles Mayhem and his team attack Melville Penitentiary looking for Fernando Rosch in "Inside Job".  As they make off with him, 800 prisoners make their escape via a whole in the wall created by V.E.N.O.M.

When the M.A.S.K. team arrive, some of them go after the missing prisoners whilst Matt Trakker tries to figure out Mayhems devious plan.  He discovers that Rosch used to work for the Peaceful Nations Alliance as a Computer Expert before going into the private sector and was caught selling PNA secrets to Contraworld.

Mayhem explains his plan to Rosch and the rest of the team - he is being paid, in foreign currency, to bring down the US economy.

Matt Trakker deduces that whatever Mayhem is up to, Rosch will need specialist equipment from his old company - so they lay a trap.  After a battle, Rosch is captured and delivered back to the Penitentiary.

We then move onto eight pages of character profiles.

Giving us an insight into some of our favourite characters - their Codename, Age, Civilian Activities, MASK/VENOM role, their Masks & vehicles and their Special traits.

This is a great insight into the world of illusion that is M.A.S.K.

Matt Trakker is on his way to join up with his M.A.S.K. team in the Gulf of Mexico at the start of "Black Gold" when he receives a call from Duane Kennedy.  He informs Matt that Sheikh Mustapha, the High Potentate of Sharam, has come to America to buy some Racing cars and is carrying with him 27 million dollars in Gold Bullion.

Matt agrees to allow Brad Turner to shadow the Sheikh to make sure V.E.N.O.M. don't attempt to rob him.  As Matt Rendezvous with the rest of team when Switchblade and Piranha strike at oil rig - as M.A.S.K. intervene - the V.E.N.O.M. agents turn tail and run.

Matt then receives a call from Brad that a V.E.N.O.M. team have managed to capture the Sheikh.  Sensing that his team had been set up, Matt returns with the team leaving only Gloria and Calhoun in the Gulf in case he's wrong.

As they arrive back, a ransom demand has been sent to the PNA for the Gold Bullion - Trakker puts a plan into action and manages to rescue the Sheikh.

"The Domain of the Dead" continues where "When Opportunity Knox!" left off.  Matt and Bruce fly to Cairo in Thunderhawk to meet up with Professor Ginsburg to see if he can help him find the kidnapped Scott Trakker and T-Bob.

Unfortunately, Ginsburg and his team fall through a trap door within a Pyramid and come across "Anubis" and three "Mummies"...

As Matt and Bruce arrive at the museum for their meeting they are advised that Prof Ginsburg is unusually late when they hear a commotion and discover "Anubis" and the "Mummies" robbing the museum.  Despite Matt and Bruce's valiant efforts, the robbers escape.

As Matt is about to call up the M.A.S.K. team, he receives a call from Duane to advise he is sending a new member of the team to help out - Nash Gorey - an Egyptian Expert.  Jaques LeFluer in Volcano; Hondo MacLean in Firecracker (NB although text mentions Firecracker, the images are of Hurricane) and Julio Lopez in Firefly.

We then cut away to discover that "Anubis" is actually Miles Mayhem and his Mummies are actually Cliff Dagger, Bruno Sheppard and Sly Rax.

Nash Gorey arrives at the same time as the rest of the M.A.S.K. team and they set off after Anubis and the captives!  They encounter the V.E.N.O.M. agents and a battle ensues; firstly outside in the vehicles and then continues inside and the M.A.S.K. team manage to prevail over V.E.N.O.M.

As a collector of the comics, I had mixed feelings about the Annual.  It was exciting to see some new characters and vehicles as up until this point, the comic only centred on a core section for the first eight issues - we were only at issue number 5 at Christmas time - so would be another 4 issues before some "new blood" would appear in the comics.

The art in the comic is completely different from the comic and has a different feel to it.  Reading through it a number of times I got the impression that somethings weren't quite right - for example in "The Domain of the Dead" it refers to and incident that happened "last issue".

In the last page below, we only have a half page and Julio Lopez is making a comment that doesn't seem to fit -

Everyone around him is enjoying their success yet he is exclaiming "Hey you Guys!"

It wouldn't be until a few years later when I managed to get a hold of the American Four Part Mini-Series that I would find out my suspicions were correct and that the two story's were in fact the first two issues of the comic and there are a couple of missing Cells that would lead us into issue three.

As said before there is confusion over Firecracker/Hurricane and in the text story's vehicles are referred to as "The" Thunderhawk or "The" Switchblade as an example which I don't like.

Bruno's vehicle is called Stinger in the UK but is called Scorpion in the Annual (again I would find this out later on in the UK Comic run when this vehicle is introduced) along with some other errors - to many to list or be picky over.

Nevertheless, this Annual is pride of place in my collection!

M.A.S.K. Issue 5

The Festive Issue 5 of M.A.S.K. UK available for sale the 20th of December 1986 - 2nd of January 1987.

Table of contents -

• Front and Back Wraparound Cover
• Five Pages - "Crisis at Christmas" (B&W with Pink Tint First Cell)
• Four Pages - "The Great Head Robbery" Conclusion (Colour)
• Five Pages - "Kamikaze" Part One (B&W)
• Centre Page Spread - Gator
• Five Pages - "Monster Mountain" Part Four (B&W with Blue Tint First Cell)
• Single Page - Advertisement
• Single Page - Letters Page
• Single Page - Torch MASK Cutout
• Five Pages - "Android Assault" (B&W with Blue Tint First Cell)
• Single Page - preview of next issue

After my disappointment of last issues cover, my faith is restored in this issue.

Promising a "Power-Packed Christmas", we have a sneak peek of the first story as we see Miles Mayhem, Sly Rax and Cliff Dagger hijacking a Concorde aircraft.  Wearing Santa Outfits over their respective Viper, Stiletto and Torch Masks - Mayhem has the captain of the aircraft in a wrestling hold as Dagger and Rax assume a threatening posture.

The word "Venom" is burned into the side of the aircraft and unusually there is no issue number on the cover - this is the only issue that this happens.  Vibrate colours and action are the order of the day in this Venomous cover which leads us swiftly to...

..."Crisis at Christmas" sees a Concorde jet full of American tourists landing at Lapland for a Christmas lunch with Santa.  On it's return to London's Heathrow Airport, we discovered an empty plane except for the Pilot and Co-pilot bound and gagged in the Flight Deck.  The pilot tells the story of how three Santa's wore "horrible Masks" and took the passengers captive - one of them used their Mask to burn the word "Venom" with acid into the side of the plane - a message to the PNA that M.A.S.K. need to surrender to V.E.N.O.M.

Using Brad Turner's Hocus Pocus Mask, the team fool V.E.N.O.M. on Frozen Straits - then a PNA submarine, Nautilus, surfaces from under the ice between the M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. agents.  The submarine off loads Thunderhawk, Condor and Gator.

Meanwhile, Mayhem uses a detonator to try and blow up the cabin with the hostages, but it's signal is jammed by Nautilus.  A battle ensues and our heroes manage to free the hostages and have a party as Mayhem and his team end up near the North Pole with a frozen Switchblade and the prospect of a ruined Christmas.

Matt Trakker and Cliff Dagger in a deadly battle with their Masks in the conclusion of "The Great Head Robbery".  Conveniently, Matt has taken along both Spectrum and Ultraflash and puts the latter on to blind his opponnet and then runs at him head butting him in the stomach.  As Dagger falls back he knocks himself unconscious.  Matt picks dagger up and as they flee from the Head of The Statue of Liberty, he orders Brad Turner, who is circling in Condor, to blow up the head as they are exiting.

Buddie Hawkes has repaired Thunderhawk in time for Matt to go after V.E.N.O.M. and Contraworld agents who are fleeing with stolen cash and bullion on a Cargo Ship.  He fires a magnetic bomb that disables the ship allowing the police to intervene and capture the Contraworld agents but Mayhem and his mob manage to escape.

Three days later, looking for spare parts for T-Bob, Scott Trakker finds the original head of The Statue of Liberty and the great lady is restored to all of her beauty and splendour!

American Businessman "Brett Miller" is being given a guided tour of a Car Factory near Tokyo in Japan when all of a sudden a gang called The Savage Sumos sweep through destroying everything in their path.

When Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato arrive to investigate they are quickly called away to the heart of Tokyo where The Savage Sumos are creating havoc!  Using their Masks they quickly help contain the situation as the gang are herded into the back of awaiting police vans.

We then cut away to a meeting between Miles Mayhem and a mysterious Japanese Gentleman called Hidetadi - we discover that plans are afoot to destroy the corrupt society - does Hidetadi know who he is working with as he unveils his adopted "son" Kamikaze!

We then move onto the Centre Page Spread - one the highlights of every issue.  This weeks issue Features Gator - M.A.S.K.s jeep that turns into a Hydroplane.

In the UK comic, Hondo MacLean didn't get his own vehicle until later on in the run so until then he was always Co-Pilot of Gator whilst Dusty Hayes is it's Pilot. 

If you take a look at this picture and compare it to the box for the Gator toy on Albert Penello's website (click here) it looks like the artist has almost copied the image from the box, just putting their own look to it.

The Giant of Geissmuhl awakens from it's slumber from under the ice in the Bavarian Alps as the fourth instalment of "Monster Mountain" kicks off.

Miles Mayhem uses his Viper Mask and a new Telepathic function learnt from Ancient Papyrus Script to control the beast to do his bidding.  The Assembled M.A.S.K. team go after both the beast and V.E.N.O.M. and a battle ensues - who will win the day?  The story continues.

Our last story this issue, "Android Assault", is a continuation from Issue two's story "Snake Farm"!  After stealing Agricultural Worker Robots, Mayhem has converted them for use as weapons as they attack Boulder Hill - Headquarters of our M.A.S.K. team.

Despite all of their weaponry and technology, the M.A.S.K. team resort to using Scott Trakker's trusted Sidekick T-Bob to save the day.  He exits Boulder Hill and goes into the battlefield and reprogrammes one of the robots so that it turns against its master, Miles Mayhem in the process destroying his remote controlling the robots.

I'm not too sure if it was just because it was a Christmas issue or not, but I always liked this issue of MASK when I was a kid.  It has one of the most recognisable covers of any issue and was a change to NOT see Matt Trakker on the cover.

The Kamikaze storyline stuck in my head for a while afterwards as well.

I'm not too keen on the idea of Viper getting the "Telepathic Function" to control the beast in "Monster Mania" but apart from that, a very good issue.

Anyway, I hope that you all have a great Christmas and New Year.  I check my stats most days and see that I have had a lot of interest from around the world - UK, USA, Canada, Indonesia, Germany, France, Malaysia, Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, Australia, China, Korea, etc.  Feel free to leave some comments and let me know what you think of my site.

Thank you,

Scott.

Interview with Erik - boulder-hill.net

As many of you will know by now, there are many M.A.S.K. sites on the web.  boulder-hill.net is one such site that has an array of information on the world of Mobile Armored Strike Kommand.

Recently, I was interviewed for this great site and thought that I would return the favour -

maskcomics:  Who are you?

boulder-hill.net:  My name is Erik, and I’m from Southern California, in the good old U.S. of A. Next year, sadly, I’ll be turning 30 years young. Oh yeah, I run boulder-hill.net

maskcomics:  Did you collect the DC M.A.S.K. comics growing up?

boulder-hill.net:  Funny enough, I didn’t. I say it’s funny because I was (and am) totally in love with M.A.S.K. and I’ve been a big comic collector since I was about 6 or 7 years old. I even worked in a comic book store for a number of years. It wasn’t until I had been working at the comic book store that I even learned M.A.S.K. had a comic book adaptation. Of course now I own all the issues (actually if you want to be technical I own two copies of each issue).

maskcomics:  Do you own the Toy Insert Comics Featured on  your website?

boulder-hill.net:  I do. Like almost everything else on my site, if you see it, I own it, with a couple exceptions. I scanned those toy comics and posted them up hoping to let some people relive the fun they had with M.A.S.K. as a kid.

maskcomics:  Did you ever collect any other variants such as from the UK or Germany?

boulder-hill.net:  I don’t spend a lot of effort on non American versions of toys. Not because I don’t want them, but because I want to finish my US collection first. That being said, I do have a few variants figures that I’ve picked up. I love the crazy repaint jobs on them. The one UK variant that I did track down on purpose was T-Bob. I think it’s really cool that he came in his own box for the UK release. In the US Scott and T-Bob were just put out on a blister card, like an Adventure Pack. Hopefully down the line I can pursue more of the non-US versions and add them to my collection.

maskcomics:  Which was your favourite issue of the comic?

boulder-hill.net:  It’s kind of funny. My favorite issue is one I don’t own. A friend of mine in the UK sent me some scans of issues he had. One in particular I loved, The Adventures of Cliff Dagger. It’s just a silly one page thing where Dagger ends up in the mud, but I love it. It’s also one of the few things on my website I don’t actually own!

maskcomics:  The Adventures of Cliff Dagger appeared later on in the run of comics so my blog readers can look forward to more on that in the future.  Will you be featuring more information about the comics on your website?

boulder-hill.net:  I definitely hope to. The friend who sent me that Cliff Dagger page sent me some others as well, so hopefully I can get those posted up. Unfortunately it’s pretty difficult to get any of the UK comics over here, so I’m mostly limited to the American releases. I do hope to get the DC series up on my site. At least the covers if nothing else.

maskcomics:  Any other information to end with?

boulder-hill.net:  Well I want to say thanks for showing interest in my site and I’m flattered you wanted to talk to me. For any readers out there I’d love to see your comments on my site. It lets me know what I’m doing right (and wrong) or just to know you’re out there. A couple personal M.A.S.K. bits of info regarding myself, for anyone interested; my favorite character is Brad Turner with Buddy ‘Clutch’ Hawks a close second, my favorite vehicle is Condor, and my favorite episode is The Magma Mole. Anyone who wants to contact me can reach me through my email: admin@boulder-hill.net and if for some lucky reason Seth Green reads this, I’d love to do a Q&A about M.A.S.K.!

maskcomics:  I'm sure that if Seth is reading they'll get in touch with you soon.