M.A.S.K. #1 Review
M-M-M-M.A.S.K! They’re the mighty power that could save the day... forty years ago. But what are they now?—by Matthew Peterson
M.A.S.K. #1
Script: Dan Watters
Artist: Pye Parr
Colorist: Pierluigi Casolino
Lettering: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Skybound Publishing/Image Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 10, 2026
Previously in M.A.S.K., the world is becoming a terrifying place, and brilliant roboticist Matt Trakker needs help saving it. Enter M.A.S.K., the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, a network of specialists recruited 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 the pilots thereof into the ultimate weapon against chaos. But Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem) 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?
Masked Crusaders Working Overtime
High noon, in the Nevada desert. An entire armored column with air support and the most advanced technology chases down one 40-year-old Camaro, all the time wondering how “that relic” manages to outpace them. The chase leads to the very edge of a cliff (the kind that Wile E. Coyote, Thelma, and Louise would have warned him about), and the driver stands down and is arrested. At the same time, agent provocateur Vanessa Warfield is interrogating a mysterious man about a mysterious research project, only to find that he’s NOT been paid for his silence. The horrors he endured have convinced him to keep his mouth shut, even in the face of her torturing him.
Back in Nevada, General Flagg, topkick of G.I. Joe, arrives to debrief the Camaro driver, one Matt Trakker, formerly of the M.A.S.K. Project. Initially meant to be a bulwark against the Cybertronians arriving on Earth (see every Skybound issue of The Transformers), their work has been co-opted by General Mayhem, a madman who believes every single conspiracy theory, from men in black to lizard people and back. He also has his own spies inside Flagg’s chain of command, which turns the interrogation into a battle of powerful armored masked men.
A Really Fine First Issue
By the end of the tale, we’ve seen Miles Mayhem in his full insane glory, delved into the mystery of the technology he seeks, and finally seen Thunderhawk take flight. There’s even a very satisfying turnabout from Trakker to Flagg which I don’t want to spoil for first-time readers. If you’re one of the people who remember the cartoon in its original run, remember to take some painkillers so that your back won’t ache tonight. Also, you’ll find a lot to like in these pages, despite it being a much more realistic and, dare I say it, “grounded” take on the Mobile Armored Blah Blah Blah. Focusing things mostly on Trakker and Mayhem is a smart move for a first issue, saving the reveal of any additional M.A.S.K. agents for later arcs, much like they’ve been doing with the other Energon Universe books. Parr’s art is very well-done as well, successfully making the tense back-and-forth interrogations featuring Miles and Matt visually dynamic and fun to look at. For me, though, it’s the opening sequence that is the piece de resistance, as it really feels like a cinematic high-speed pursuit across the desert despite being a series of static panels.
Bottom Line: B.U.Y.I.N.G. F.R.E.N.Z.Y.*
The Energon universe has given us all-new takes on G.I. Joe and Transformers that feel fresh and exciting, so seeing that M.A.S.K. #1 is good should be no surprise, but I highly recommend that you check it out for excellent art, a strong story and the secret of Agent 42, wrapping it all up into 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. Best of all, you won’t have to remember the original series to get in on the ground floor here which, let’s be honest, is probably for the best.
*(Buy Up Your Issue Now Guys, For Resale Edition Negotiations Zoom Yonder)