M.A.S.K. Joins Robert Kirkman's Energon Universe With a New Skybound Comic Series
Robert Kirkman’s Skybound is bringing back M.A.S.K. in a brand-new ongoing comic series, reintroducing the classic ‘80s property to a new generation of readers while giving longtime fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
Originally launched as a Saturday morning animated series and Kenner toy line, M.A.S.K. never quite reached the pop culture heights of Transformers or G.I. Joe, but it was till awesome and it carved out a loyal fanbase with its wild vehicle transformations and secret agent action.
Now, M.A.S.K. is officially entering the Energon Universe, and things are about to get intense.
The new series comes from Robert Kirkman, under his Skybound banner at Image Comics. The creative team includes writer Dan Watters (Batman: Dark Patterns), artist Pye Parr (New Gods), colorist Pierluigi Casolino, and letterer Rus Wooton. It’s a strong lineup ready to reimagine Mobile Armored Strike Kommand for the modern comic book era.
For those who need a refresher, M.A.S.K., which stands for Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, follows Matt Trakker and his elite task force as they battle Miles Mayhem and the sinister V.E.N.O.M., aka Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem. The new series drops them right into a dangerous global arms race.
Here’s the official logline: "The world is becoming a terrifying place. Matt Trakker needs your help saving it. Enter M.A.S.K. — a network of specialists ready to respond to the next global emergency.
“At a moment’s notice, Trakker and his agents can deploy bleeding-edge technology that converts their vehicles–and their drivers–into the ultimate weapon.
“But Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. are one step ahead in a secret arms race, scouring the globe for deadly weapons from this planet and beyond, ready to sell out the entire human race. Only M.A.S.K. can stop them… but will Trakker’s own secrets jeopardize their entire mission?"
The series plugs directly into the larger Energon Universe storyline, raising the stakes for Trakker and his team in a world already packed with heavy hitters.
Artist Pye Parr said: “80s sports cars! Jets! Lasers! Robots! M.A.S.K. has everything that I love to read, watch, and draw, and my inner 12-year-old fought to the surface and made me scream loudly in the meeting when I was offered this gig.”
“Never have I more bitterly regretted selling my beloved childhood toys, but the chance to rebuild all that stuff on the page has more than made up for it, and I can’t wait to see where Dan takes us in the Energon Universe.”
Writer Dan Watters also teased the tone and scope of the series, saying: “Illusion is the ultimate weapon, but also sometimes weapons are the ultimate weapon.
“M.A.S.K. is a book about ordinary people taking it into their own hands to face down the awesome weaponry of the Energon Universe, and a high octane, nonstop thrill ride to boot. I couldn’t be prouder to be bringing you this story alongside Pye this summer. Welcome to the M.A.S.K. network. Matt Trakker needs you to save the world.”
And Kirkman himself is clearly pumped about what the team is building: “I love M.A.S.K.!” added Kirkman. “Readers are going to freak out when they see how awesome this book is. Dan and Pye are expanding the Energon Universe in the coolest ways possible.”
Between Watters’ character-driven storytelling and Parr’s kinetic art style, this revival has all the right ingredients. The idea of M.A.S.K. going head-to-head with V.E.N.O.M. while navigating the larger Energon Universe opens up a lot of possibilities, especially with Trakker’s secrets looming over the mission.
For fans of classic ‘80s action cartoons, transforming vehicles, and big sci-fi stakes, this is shaping up to be a must-read. Check out the preview at the link below and get ready to suit up. The M.A.S.K. network is back in action.