M.A.S.K.
M.A.S.K. was a TV animated series produced by at DIC Enterprises, Inc. It was broadcast during the 1980s. One of many cartoons produced during the 1980s as vehicles for toy merchandising, M.A.S.K. followed in the footsteps of the popular G.I. Joe cartoon, in that it featured a military task force engaged in an ongoing battle against an evil terrorist organization. The major difference between the two shows was the emphasis on super-powered helmets and masks worn by the characters on the show and their transforming vehicles.
The cartoon focused mainly on the vehicles and characters from the original 1985 toy line. Later on, there were also some appearances from some 1986 vehicles. The last season of the show apparently featured a racing theme to correspond with the racing series M.A.S.K. toys.
Besides the cartoon and toys, there were also various spin-off products like sticker books and comics.
M.A.S.K stood for Mobile Armored Strike Kommand. MASK battled against VENOM, which is an acronym for Viciously Evil Network Of Mayhem.
Character list
Here is a list of featured characters from the first series:
The good guys
- Matt Trakker is the leader of MASK. His mask is called Spectrum. His vehicle is Thunderhawk, a red sportscar, which can transform into a plane.
- Scott Trakker is the son of Matt Trakker.
- T-Bob is the robot sidekick of Scott Trakker and can convert into a scooter.
- Alex Sector is a veterinarian. His mask is called Jack Rabbit. His vehicle is Rhyno, a truck with a lot of (fire) power once transformed. Alex can be accompanied by Bruce Sato in Rhyno.
- Bruce Sato is a toy designer. His mask is called Lifter. His vehicle is Rhyno. Bruce can be accompanied by Alex Sector in Rhyno.
- Dusty Hayes is a cook (?). His mask is called Backlash. His vehicle is Gator, a terrain car with a releasable boat.
- Gloria Baker is a racecar driver. Her mask is called Aura. Her vehicle is Shark, a sportscar that can transform into a submarine.
- Brad Turner is a musician/rockstar. His mask is called Hocus-Pocus. His vehicle is Condor, a motorcycle that can transform into a helicopter.
- Hondo MacLean is a teacher (?). His mask is called Blaster. His vehicle is Firecracker, a truck with quite some fire power. Hondo can be accompanied by Buddy Hawkes in Firecracker.
- Buddy Hawkes is a mechanic. His mask is called Penetrator. His vehicle is Firecracker. Buddy can be accompanied by Hondo MacLean in Firecracker.
The bad guys
- Miles Mayhem is the leader of VENOM. His mask is called Viper. His vehicle is Switchblade, a helicopter that can transform into a jetplane.
- Sly Rax has the Stiletto mask. His vehicle is Piranha, a motorcycle with a submarine sidespan.
- Cliff Dagger has the Torch mask. His vehicle is Jackhammer, a car with a lot of fire power.
- Vanessa Warfield has the Whip mask. Her vehicle is Manta, a sportscar that can turn into a plane.
