M.A.S.K.

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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.

Contents

[edit] History

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 The Transformers. 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 MASK 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.

In the DC Comics series, the MASK 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".

What sort of criminal organization VENOM 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, MASK and PNA, their relationship is not sufficiently explained. Contraworld's aims are not even explained

[edit] Character list

It should be noted that all the vehicles listed below did not necessarily appear in the animated series — it is more a listing of the vehicles found in the toy line and their respective drivers.

[edit] Heroes and their vehicles

  • Matt Trakker is the leader of MASK. He was one of the creators of the original MASK team. In the comics, the team was co-created by him along with his teenage 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 Lava Shot 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 and demolition expert. Occupation: cook. His character was voiced by Doug Stone.
    • Gator - a Jeep CJ7 with a releasable boat. His Backlash mask fires a kinetic blast.
    • 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 only appeared in the show, apparently never having been made into a toy, something which Kenner supposedly planned to release. Rumors exist however about a Shark toy made and released in Mexico, but this has never been verified.
    • 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 - a motorcycle that can transform into a helicopter. His Hocus-Pocus mask can project holograms.
    • Razorback - a Daytona race car which turns into an elevated weapons platform. His mask, Eclipse, created a field of inky darkness.
  • Hondo MacLean - Weapons specialist and tactical strategist. Occupation: history teacher. His character was voiced by Doug Stone.
    • Firecracker - a pick-up truck that elevates into a mobile weapon platform. He uses the Blaster mask which fires a destructive energy beam.
    • Hurricane - a 1957 Chevy which turns into a six-wheeled 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 in which he also uses the Maraj mask.
    • Detonator - a Volkswagen Beetle 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 dune 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 tractor truck that turns into a half-track 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.

[edit] Villains and their vehicles

  • Miles Mayhem is the leader of VENOM. In the comics, he betrayed the original MASK team by killing Andy Trakker, and stealing half of the masks for evil purposes. In the cartoon, the origin of VENOM 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 jet plane. 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 Corvette 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 - VENOM'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, an orange 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 - a 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.

[edit] Other Toys

Boulder Hill - The MASK team's headquarters is an unassuming gas station in Boulder Hill, Nevada which can transform into a fortress and defend itself. It also has a secret cargo plane which they use to transport their vehicles to another location. The plane was never given any name. The play set came with Alex Sector and Buddy Hawkes action figures.

Laser Command - a play set, which like the Split Seconds toys, never appeared in the show. The set consisting of two toys:

  • Hornet - a MASK packing crate that opened to reveal a secret weapon platform which blew up when triggered by infrared beams fired from Ratfang. The toy came with a Matt Trakker action figure and the Lasertron mask.
  • Ratfang - a VENOM truck that didn't transform, instead it blew up when triggered by infrared beams fired from Hornet. The toy came with a Miles Mayhem action figure and the Raynet mask.

[edit] Episode list

[edit] First season (1985-1986) - Original series

  1. The Deathstone (09/30/1985) - VENOM steals a strange meteorite with healing powers using Switchblade disguised as a UFO.
  2. The Star Chariot (10/01/1985) - VENOM steals a mystical arrowhead rumored to point the way to an alien spacecraft buried in the desert.
  3. The Book of Power (10/02/1985) - VENOM steals an ancient book which holds the secrets of a mythological city of riches.
  4. Highway to Terror (10/03/1985) - MASK tries to retrieve a stash of military plutonium that VENOM plans to use to power an earthquake machine.
  5. Video VENOM (10/04/1985) - VENOM hypnotizes innocent people through their television sets and threatens to use them to attack a Texas oil refinery if not paid a hefty ransom.
  6. Dinosaur Boy (10/07/1985) - VENOM abducts a strange lizard creature whose antibodies prolong human life.
  7. The Ultimate Weapon (10/08/1985) - VENOM obtains a device that jams the control systems of MASK's vehicles rendering their opposition immobile.
  8. The Roteks (10/09/1985) - VENOM steals a swarm of metal-eating bugs secretly developed by the military.
  9. The Oz Effect (10/10/1985) - VENOM uses a strange vortex machine to abduct a village of Australian aborigines and forces them as slaves to mine valuable crystal.
  10. Death from the Sky (10/11/1985) - VENOM uses a tractor beam to steer a meteor to Earth which threatens to destroy a major city.
  11. The Magma Mole (10/14/1985) - VENOM uses a mole machine to drill into the Earth which threatens Tokyo with devastating floods and an eruption of Mount Fuji.
  12. Solaria Park (10/15/1985) - VENOM hides a heat ray weapon in an amusement park.
  13. The Creeping Terror (10/16/1985) - VENOM unleashes a horde of giant caterpillars to destroy a South American jungle in hopes of finding a lost Mayan temple.
  14. Assault on Liberty (10/17/1985) - VENOM steals the Statue of Liberty during a magic show and holds it for ransom.
  15. The Sceptre of Rajim (10/18/1985) - VENOM steals a mystical scepter from an Indian city whose inhabitants hold the MASK team hostage until its return. Matt Trakker must work alone to get it back.
  16. The Golden Goddess (10/21/1985) - VENOM steals golden relics from ancient temples, liquefying the gold and smuggling it by pumping it secretly through a pipeline.
  17. Mystery of the Rings (10/22/1985) - VENOM goes to Sunhenge with three mystic rings that will point the way to a wealth of ancient treasure.
  18. Bad Vibrations (10/23/1985) - VENOM threatens to blow up buildings in Hong Kong with a sonic weapon.
  19. Ghost Bomb (10/24/1985) - VENOM plots to destroy the Panama Canal with a captured nuclear submarine.
  20. Cold Fever (10/25/1985) - During a trip to Alaska, Bruce Sato falls ill from a terrible virus and MASK finds that VENOM has the only cure.
  21. Madri Gras Mystery (10/28/1985) - The MASK team enjoys a New Orleans Madri Gra but finds VENOM there trying to steal the formula to a super-fuel.
  22. The Secret of Life (10/29/1985) - VENOM steals an Egyptian tablet from King Tut's tomb which may contain "the secret of life".
  23. Vanishing Point (10/30/1985) - VENOM hijacks planes by setting up a fake airport, jamming radars and confusing pilots to land there.
  24. Counter-Clockwise Caper (10/31/1985) - VENOM conducts heists of Las Vegas casinos.
  25. The Plant Show (11/01/1985) - VENOM threatens to cover Los Angeles with a choking kudzu of mutated vines unless California pays a hefty ransom.
  26. Secret of the Andes (11/04/1985) - MASK must protect a revived Incan priest from VENOM, who has been frozen in ice found in the Andes, and may know the secret location of El Dorado.
  27. Panda Power (11/05/1985) - VENOM abducts endangered panda bears from China and MASK must rescue them.
  28. Blackout (11/06/1985) - VENOM has a new vehicle called Blackout, which is capable of draining power supplies.
  29. A Matter of Gravity (11/07/1985) - Firecracker is destroyed in a battle with VENOM, and Hondo gets a new replacement vehicle, Hurricane, in the end. (NOTE: Hurricane was called Nightstalker in this episode).
  30. The Lost Riches of Rio (11/08/1985) - VENOM steals a worthless painting but MASK learns it really contains a secret map to lost treasure.
  31. Deadly Blue Slime (11/11/1985) - MASK goes to Africa to stop a botched experiment which has created a deadly blue slime that consumes everything in its path.
  32. The Currency Conspiracy (11/12/1985) - MASK must stop VENOM from using an organism that eats the ink off printed money rendering the bills worthless.
  33. Caesar's Sword (11/13/1985) - VENOM agent Sly Rax, poses as the ghost of Julius Caesar to scare off a team of archaeologists who have uncovered Caesar's Sword of Victory.
  34. Peril in Paris (11/14/1985) - Buddy Hawkes disguises himself as VENOM agent Dagger in order to infiltrate VENOM's secret base in Paris. There he uncovers VENOM's plan to find a Nazi doomsday machine.
  35. In Dutch (11/15/1985) - A madman hires VENOM to destroy the flood dykes in the Netherlands if their parliament doesn't allow him a political position.
  36. The Lippizaner Mystery (11/18/1985) - VENOM steals the famous Lippizaner Stallions where an Arab purchases them for $4 million, but MASK team member Gloria Baker, foils their heist.
  37. The Sacred Rock (11/19/1985) - VENOM frightens a tribe of Australian aborigines who believe their god "Mimi" is angry with them. When T-Bob makes an appearance, the tribe thinks he is their deity.
  38. Curse of Solomon's Gorge (11/20/1985) - MASK goes to Africa to stop VENOM who has discovered King Solomon's treasures.
  39. Green Nightmare (11/21/1985) - VENOM agent Vanessa Warfield, sabotages Matt Trakker's private jet which crashes in the jungles of New Guinea. The rest of the MASK team goes to rescue them.
  40. Eyes of the Skull (11/22/1985) - VENOM leader, Miles Mayhem, uses an ancient "crystal skull" which allows x-ray vision to see through Matt Trakker's mask and discover his identity. Mayhem then kidnaps Scott Trakker for ransom.
  41. Stop Motion (11/25/1985) - VENOM obtains an EMP bomb, and threatens to loot bank vault across the country by knocking out all electronics for miles around.
  42. The Artemis Enigma (11/26/1985) - VENOM plans to steal a sacred horn from a group of monks that is rumored to detect gold.
  43. The Chinese Scorpion (11/27/1985) - VENOM agent Bruno Sheppard disguises Stinger as a giant iron scorpion and kidnaps a archaeologist who knows the location of buried treasure inside the Great Wall of China.
  44. Riddle of the Raven Master (11/28/1985) - VENOM agent Vanessa Warfield uses trained ravens to steal London's crown jewels. As a diversion, Sly Rax plants a bomb in Big Ben.
  45. The Spectre of Captain Kidd (11/29/1985) - MASK foils a plot by VENOM to get their hands on the lost booty of the pirate Captain Kidd.
  46. The Secret of the Stones (12/02/1985) - VENOM steals a strange stone than makes objects weightless.
  47. The Lost Fleet (12/03/1985) - MASK tries to stop VENOM who goes to a tropical island in search of a legendary "golden" fleet.
  48. Quest of the Canyon (12/04/1985) - MASK goes to the old west where VENOM plans to steal the lost treasure of legendary gunman Jessie James.
  49. Follow the Rainbow (12/05/1985) - VENOM goes to Ireland to find a mystical treasure at the end of a rainbow.
  50. The Everglades Oddity(12/06/1985) - Matt Trakker is bitten by a venomous snake, and while he recovers, Alex Sector must lead the MASK team to stop VENOM's plan of stealing the NASA Space Shuttle.
  51. Dragonfire (12/09/1985) - VENOM goes to Borneo to seek a lost temple. When they find it, they unleash the temple's lizard guardians against MASK.
  52. The Royal Cape Caper (12/10/1985) - VENOM steals a valuable cape and helmet, then mass produce replicas selling them as expensive fakes.
  53. Patchwork Puzzle (12/11/1985) - VENOM steals a Civil War-era quilt that contains a secret message to finding buried treasure at the Washington Monument in D.C.
  54. Fog on Boulder Hill (12/12/1985) - VENOM kidnaps an old woman who is hiding $20 bill printing plates. VENOM wants the plates so they can make counterfeit money.
  55. Plunder of Glowworm Grotto (12/13/1985) - MASK member Julio Lopez goes to New Zealand to help a local tribe preserve their land. There he discovers a VENOM plot to steal pearls from giant clams that live in the ocean.
  56. Stone Trees (12/16/1985) - MASK member Jacques LaFleur finds a stone tree inscribed with strange symbols. VENOM later steals the tree hoping it will lead them to a golden Indian totem.
  57. Incident in Istanbul (12/17/1985) - VENOM hijacks an armored car in Istanbul stealing a priceless chess set which contains secrets to finding a golden crown.
  58. The Creeping Desert (12/18/1985) - A corrupt landowner hires VENOM to destroy land in Acapulco, Mexico, rendering them worthless patches of desert so he can buy it up real cheap and restore the land later with an advanced hydration machine.
  59. The Scarlet Empress (12/19/1985) - MASK member Calhoun Burns, accidentally shrinks a priceless statue VENOM is trying to steal. A curios bird makes off with the statue and Burns must get it back before VENOM finds it.
  60. Venice Menace (12/20/1985) - VENOM has a device that turns the waters around Venice to jelly, allowing Stinger to drive on the surface and dig up a sunken treasure.
  61. Treasure of the Nazca Plain (12/23/1985) - MASK foils a plot by VENOM to steal an ancient South American treasure.
  62. Disappearing Act (12/24/1985) - VENOM steals priceless automobiles by shrinking them with a ray.
  63. Gate of Darkness (12/25/1985) - VENOM abducts a cobra whose hood shows the way through a maze that leads to treasure in the Himalayan Mountains.
  64. The Manakara Giant (12/26/1985) - VENOM uses a magnetic weapon to crash ships into rocky beaches. Local natives believe it is caused by an ancient curse until MASK discovers otherwise.
  65. Raiders of the Orient Express (12/27/1985) - VENOM infiltrates the Orient Express train looking for clues to "Mad" King Ludwig's treasures.

[edit] Second season (1986) - Racing series

  1. Demolition Duel to the Death (09/06/1986) - During a harrowing demolition derby, VENOM agents discover one of their own, a new VENOM recruit named Boris Bushkin, is really a MASK double agent who foils their plans to eliminate MASK member Buddy Hawkes.
  2. Where Eagles Dare (10/01/1986) - Matt Trakker takes on the Mayhem brothers in a race that will win the victor a profitable transportation licence.
  3. Homeward Bound (10/08/1986) - MASK member Ali Bombay returns to his homelands in India but finds that VENOM is using villagers as slaves to mine a valuable meteorite.
  4. The Battle of the Giants (10/15/1986) - Matt Trakker and the Mayhem brothers race to win a trophy that contains a secret formula, but the Mayhem twins, of course, play dirty in order to win the prize.
  5. Race Against Time (10/22/1986) - Matt Trakker undertakes a mission to retrieve a rare plant needed to fight a spreading virus, but he soon finds VENOM is after the plant as well.
  6. Challenge of the Masters (10/29/1986) - MASK and VENOM battle in a race to win a trophy containing a microfilm that has secret access codes to any computer in the world.
  7. For One Shining Moment (11/05/1986) - VENOM surprisingly shows kindness by organizing a race for "charity", luring MASK to participate, however the race is really a VENOM trap to eliminate MASK once and for all.
  8. High Noon (11/12/1986) - MASK and VENOM enter a land, air and sea race to show off their vehicle capabilities. VENOM uses the race as a diversion to steal plans for a top secret jet.
  9. The Battle of Baja (11/19/1986) - MASK enters a Baja race where the Mexican President's son R'aul Vega, is also a competitor and offered to drive Goliath I by Matt Trakker. VENOM uses the opportunity to kidnap Vega for ransom.
  10. Cliff Hanger (11/26/1986) - VENOM gets their hands on dangerous seeds that can cause a plague and MASK races to stop them.

[edit] 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 over two DVD collections for the first time in Australia. Collection One was released in November of 2006 and contains episodes 1 - 38. Collection Two is expected in March of 2007 and will contain episodes 39 - 65 as well as episodes 1 - 10 of the racing series.

  • 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.

[edit] 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 UK 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).

[edit] Related shows

Vor-Tech, an animated series with a similar premise to M.A.S.K., aired in the mid-1990s.

[edit] External links

[edit] Staff

  • Planning: Tetsuo Katayama　
  • Character design: 清山滋崇　
  • Mecha design: 荒牧伸志
  • Storyboard： 望月敬一郎 / 滝沢敏文　
  • Drawing supervision: 寺田和男　
  • Photography：小泉謙三 / 大宅幸男　
  • Camera: Masayoshi Toshima / Trans-Arts　
  • Editor：逸見俊隆 / 西出栄子　
  • Production cooperation studios: KK C&D Asia / Studio World / Ashi Production　
  • Producer: 片山哲生
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