M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) became a hit animated series in 1985 as a hybrid of popular toy trends and genre formulas, blending the transforming vehicles of Transformers with the team-based heroics of G.I. Joe. It was essentially a marketing-driven narrative engine, designed to sell Kenner’s action figure line to rival Hasbro’s. However, it was more than that…and now we look back at the beloved television series as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The thing about M.A.S.K. was that it combined Sci-Fi, espionage, and superhero tropes with transforming vehicles, high-tech helmets that gave said powers, and a secret war between M.A.S.K. and the villainous V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem). Premiering with episode one of season one (The Deathstone) on September 30, 1985, through what is called first-run syndication, rather than on a single national network, it popped up on local television stations across the United States around the time kids were getting home from school. Slotted alongside other favorite afternoon cartoon series like Transformers, G.I. Joe, and He-Man, M.A.S.K. quickly became a fan-favorite.
Furthermore, beyond gaining views in the US, M.A.S.K. was also shown in Europe as part of a wave of international co-productions that blended Western storytelling with Japanese animation and French sensibilities, as DIC steered the creative direction aimed at maximizing reach and minimizing costs. However, when it reached the States, it seems they borrowed creatively from the French. And, of course, Kenner was pushing for the show’s creation to push their toys.
With season one directed by Bruno Bianchi (Known for series like Heathcliff and Inspector Gadget) and Bernard Deyriès (who directed The New Adventures of He-Man between 1990 and 1991)for DIC Enterprises and ICC TV Productions, with animation handled by Japanese studios including Ashi Productions and Studio World, there were some respectable names involved.
M.A.S.K. also starred the voices of Doug Stone (best known for his work on the video gameMetal Gear Solid) as Matt Trakker, Hondo MacLean, Dusty Hayes, Bruce Sato, Nash Gorey, Bruno Sheppard, Boris Bushkin, Maximus Mayhem, Brendan McKane as Miles Mayhem, Alex Sector, Floyd Malloy, Jacques LaFleur, Nevada Rushmore, Graeme McKenna as T-Bob, Brad Turner, Julio Lopez, Calhoun Burns, Mark Halloran (who’s only credit M.A.S.K., but has has a show titled The End of Romance) as Sly Rax, Buddy Hawks, Cliff Dagger, Ace Riker, Duane Kennedy, Sharon Noble as the M.A.S.K. Computer, Gloria Baker, Vanessa Warfield, Brian George (who is currently in the Deli Boys series) as Lester Sludge, Ali Bombay, and Brennan Thicke (Dennis the Menace series) as Scott Trakker. Furthermore, voice directors Michael Burke and Stuart Rosen helped shape the vocal tone and delivery across 75 episodes (including season 2 in 1986).
Each episode, at least for the first season, was self-contained, which allowed for the constant introduction of new characters and tech, which was perfect for rotating toy lines. So, M.A.S.K. was not just a cartoon—it was a franchise machine, engineered to tap into the mid-80s boom of toy-driven storytelling. If the story is good, like 1989’s Field of Ðreams says, “They will come.”
As stated, the first season consisted of contained stories pitting M.A.S.K. against V.E.N.O.M. with dark ramifications that, surprisingly, still carry into the real world nowadays. Then, something flipped when the second season dropped. The show became more of a racing cartoon with souped-up cars…think The Fast and Furious on steroids in a cartoon with random side missions that might be a little heartwarming, but with no story growth that confused audiences. This effectively killed the show with no conclusion, thereby killing sales. One segment that ran the series’ duration was when Scott and T-Bob had to learn a life lesson from one of the adults. These were great lessons, but kids had to sit through one-note episodes to get to the said lesson.
The consensus is that the animation of M.A.S.K. was considered solid for its time, and the show’s tone. While it is acknowledged by many that the television series was meant to sell the toys, the focus was on spectacle and tech. If they had kept that trajectory instead of catering to outside talk, the show would have succeeded further than two seasons as a fun alternative to or run in tandem with Transformers, and the kids would have come for the toys.
Whatever the case might be, M.A.S.K. was a big hit with kids at the time. The toys were fun, the show was entertaining, and who can forget the killer opening song (written by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy with vocals by Larry Leon) that oozed ’80s Rock excitement. Unfortunately, the 12-disc complete series DVD set was put out by Shout! The factory’s 2011 edition is now out of print and selling for a substantial amount on sites like eBay. However, M.A.S.K. is currently streamable on Amazon (for a price) and on Pluto (for free), but who knows for how long.
Additionally, collectible toy distributor The Loyal Subject also announced in June that it would be releasing a limited-edition run of toys that mirror the originals. Currently available for pre-order (at places like bigbadtoystore.com), and expected to be out in December 2025, the toys that will be out include the M.A.S.K. Mobile Defense Unit Vehicle with Matt Tracker, Bruce Sato, Scott Trakker, & T-Bob Action Figures BBTS Exclusive Set, the M.A.S.K. High Tech Helicopter, the M.A.S.K. Thunderhawk, the M.A.S.K. Condor, and the M.A.S.K. Mobile Defense Unit. A great way to celebrate 40 years of M.A.S.K., the series and toys will always remain a positive part of many childhood memories.
No comment