The partnership between Hasbro and IDW Publishing is looking more and more like a great deal for fans. 80s franchise M.A.S.K., a part of the upcoming Hasbro cinematic Universe, is returning as a new comic book series from IDW, writer Brandon Easton and artist Tony Vargas. This new origin story will take all the best of what M.A.S.K. had to offer in the eighties, update it with a modern feel, and give it a fresh “Fast and Furious” flavor to it.
Writer Easton assures fans this won’t be a simple rehashing of the original rivalry between Matt Trakker, leader of M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), and Miles Mayhem, head of 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 points out what he feels has always been the appeal of the series. “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.” As for this new series, the writer proclaims this will certainly have a different feel. “We won’t be going too grim, gritty or dark. However you’re not going to see a teenage kid riding a cowardly robot across the battlefield.”
Easton depicts protagonist Matt Trakker as a mix of Elon Musk and Idris Elba stating he is “an engineering genius and intellectual bad boy who has been in search of stability since the loss of his father at an early age.” Miles “Mayhem” Manheim, head of V.E.N.O.M., won’t be a slouch however, and the vile leader will be quite the schemer. “V.E.N.O.M. will be a true force,” Easton adds. “They don’t lose often nor do they accept defeat with grace.”
When a synopsis and/or release date are announced, PopCultHQ will be certain to update you with that information. The new M.A.S.K. series is slated for a fall release.
M.A.S.K. – S01E01 – The Deathstone (Pilot Episode)-
After the death of his teenage brother Andy, multi-millionaire Matt Trakker uncovers an international criminal organization known as V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem) Trakker gathers a group of friends who, like himself, possess extraordinary talents and creates M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) Their objective; to destroy V.E.N.O.M. and its mastermind – Miles Mayhem, the man responsible for Andy’s death.
For fans of the 80s cartoon, when these M.A.S.K. toys became available, they were the hottest thing out. For those who never experienced these, here’s one of the reasons the 80s were great for childhoods. Who had any, or all, of these?
