Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** Most frequently (but not always) in the heros' masks; the villain masks usually had their emitters in the forehead or shoulder pads.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 55,56 (click to see context) from:
Not to be confused with ''Film/TheMask'', or the docudrama ''Mask'' starring Cher (it doesn't help that the latter film came out the same year).
to:
Not to be confused with ''Film/TheMask'', or the docudrama ''Mask'' ''[[Film/{{Mask}} Mask]]'' starring Cher (it doesn't help that the latter film came out the same year).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 116 (click to see context) from:
* XtremeKoolLetterz: In this series, Command begins with a...
to:
* XtremeKoolLetterz: In this series, Command begins with a...a k.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 3,6 (click to see context) from:
-->''Illusion is the Ultimate Weapon''
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[Creator/ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio Creator/HanhoHeungUp[[note]]and Japanese photography firm TransArts[[/note]] and produced by the French-American Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Creator/{{Kenner}}.
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[Creator/ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio Creator/HanhoHeungUp[[note]]and Japanese photography firm TransArts[[/note]] and produced by the French-American Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Creator/{{Kenner}}.
to:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios -
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 64 (click to see context) from:
* BigBadassRig:Rhino, Outlaw, Goliath,Bulldog
to:
* BigBadassRig:Rhino, BigBadassRig: Rhino, Outlaw, Goliath,BulldogGoliath, Bulldog.
Changed line(s) 67 (click to see context) from:
* CardCarryingVillain: you don't call yourself "vicious evil" for no reason.
to:
* CardCarryingVillain: you You don't call yourself "vicious evil" for no reason.
Changed line(s) 99 (click to see context) from:
* RobotBuddy: T-Bob
to:
* RobotBuddy: T-BobRobotBuddy:
** T-Bob.
** T-Bob.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* Bruce "Magic" Sato - Mechanical engineer and design specialist, and Matt Trakker's de facto second-in-command. Is of Japanese origin. Occupation: toy designer. He often talks in Confucian riddles that only Matt Trakker seems to understand.
to:
* Bruce "Magic" Sato - Mechanical engineer and design specialist, and Matt Trakker's de facto second-in-command. Is of Japanese origin. Occupation: toy designer. He often talks in Confucian riddles that only Matt Trakker and Alex seems to understand.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo [=McLean=] Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura.
to:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes. Matt Trakker Trakker's Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo [=McLean=] Flash, Bruce Sato's Lifter, Dusty Hayes' Blacklash, Hondo [=McLean=]'s Blaster I,Gloria Baker I, Gloria Baker's Aura.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio Creator/HanhoHeungUp[[note]]and Japanese photography firm TransArts[[/note]] and produced by the French-American Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
to:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed [[Creator/ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio Creator/HanhoHeungUp[[note]]and Japanese photography firm TransArts[[/note]] and produced by the French-American Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
Creator/{{Kenner}}.
Changed line(s) 113 (click to see context) from:
* TheYoda: Bruce Sato
to:
* TheYoda: Bruce SatoSato.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp[[hottip:*: and Japanese photography firm TransArts]] and produced by the French-American Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
to:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp[[hottip:*: and Creator/HanhoHeungUp[[note]]and Japanese photography firm TransArts]] TransArts[[/note]] and produced by the French-American Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* WreckedWeapon: The heroes' transforming vehicles were occasionally damaged or shot up, but never really destroyed. But in one memorable episode the BigBad gets his hands on an experimental melting-ray and dissolves Hondo's truck, Firecracker, into a puddle of goo. He's naturally dejected at the loss, but at the [[ResetButton end of the episode]], he gets a brand new transforming '57 Chevy to replace it. By contrast, later seasons simply gave the characters a second vehicle with no real fanfare.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 73,74 (click to see context) from:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo [=McLean=] Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
* {{Flight}}: Granted to Alex Sector by his mask.
* {{Flight}}: Granted to Alex Sector by his mask.
to:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo [=McLean=] Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
Aura.
* {{Flight}}: Granted to Alex Sector by his mask and Matt Trakker Spectrum mask.
* {{Flight}}: Granted to Alex Sector by his mask and Matt Trakker Spectrum mask.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo McLain Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
to:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo McLain [=McLean=] Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* Hondo "Striker" [=MacLean=] - Weapons specialist and tactical strategist. Occupation: history teacher.
to:
* Hondo "Striker" [=MacLean=] [=McLean=] - Weapons specialist and tactical strategist. Occupation: history teacher.
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo McClain Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
to:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo McClain McLain Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.
to:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.Matt Trakker Spectrum/Ultra Flash,Bruce Sato Lifter,Dusty Hayes Blacklash,Hondo McClain Blaster I,Gloria Baker Aura
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 61 (click to see context) from:
** BigBadassRig:Rhino, Outlaw, Goliath,Bulldog
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** BigBadassRig:Rhino, Outlaw, Goliath,Bulldog
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* EyeBeams: Most of the masks emit their special powers from the mask's eyes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Dead Little Sister was renamed to Cynicism Catalyst. Misuse and Zero Context Examples are being purged.
Deleted line(s) 68 (click to see context) :
* [[DeadLittleSister Dead Little Brother]]: Matt Trakker's intelligent teenage brother Andy, who was killed by Miles Mayhem in the mini-comic story "Flaming Beginnings".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp[[hottip:*: and Japanese photography firm TransArts]] and produced by the French-American DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
to:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp[[hottip:*: and Japanese photography firm TransArts]] and produced by the French-American DICEntertainment Creator/DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 50,51 (click to see context) from:
In 2011, Hasbro announced a re-imagining of the series, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which is supposed to be a shared universe containing Hasbro's more famous lines such as G.I. Joe, the {{Transformers}}, {{Jem}}, and others into one shared universe.
to:
In 2011, Hasbro announced released a re-imagining re-imagined version of the series, ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which is supposed to be a shared universe containing includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as G.I. Joe, the {{Transformers}}, {{Jem}}, and others into one shared universe.
others.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
We don\'t use \"this troper\" on the main page.
Changed line(s) 72 (click to see context) from:
** Which is also an EarWorm: 25 years later, that song STILL occasionally gets stuck in this troper's head.
to:
** Which is also an EarWorm: 25 years later, that song will STILL occasionally gets get stuck in this troper's your head.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 102 (click to see context) from:
* TedBaxter: Maximus Mayhem
to:
* TedBaxter: SmallNameBigEgo: Maximus Mayhem
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ToylessToylineCharacter: The Shark, Gloria's vehicle. Gloria was the very last figure, but did not come with a vehicle.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 81 (click to see context) from:
* TheJimmyHartVersion: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Music/{{Journey}}.
to:
* TheJimmyHartVersion: SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Music/{{Journey}}.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
trope renamed at TRS specifically to prevent this type of misuse
Changed line(s) 59 (click to see context) from:
* AvengersAssemble: Just about every episode, Matt Trakker has his computer "scan personel files for the M.A.S.K. agents best suited for this mission." The computer names the agents it selects, followed by their special skills and the vehicle they drive or co-pilot. After each is named, a little vignette shows the agent being alerted, [[DropWhatYouAreDoing dropping whatever he is doing]], and running off.
to:
* AvengersAssemble: Just about every episode, Matt Trakker has his computer "scan personel files for the M.A.S.K. agents best suited for this mission." The computer names the agents it selects, followed by their special skills and the vehicle they drive or co-pilot. After each is named, a little vignette shows the agent being alerted, [[DropWhatYouAreDoing dropping whatever he is doing]], doing, and running off.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 68 (click to see context) :
* CuteKidsAndRobots: Scott and T-Bob.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three uncredited Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp and produced by the French-American DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
to:
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three uncredited Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp HanhoHeungUp[[hottip:*: and Japanese photography firm TransArts]] and produced by the French-American DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 73 (click to see context) from:
** Which is also an [[EarWorm Ear Worm]]: 25 years later, that song STILL occasionally gets stuck in this troper's head.
to:
** Which is also an [[EarWorm Ear Worm]]: EarWorm: 25 years later, that song STILL occasionally gets stuck in this troper's head.
Changed line(s) 82 (click to see context) from:
* TheJimmyHartVersion: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Journey.
to:
* TheJimmyHartVersion: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Journey.Music/{{Journey}}.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:332:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/masklogo.jpg]]
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three uncredited Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp and produced by the French-American DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
A total of 75 episodes were broadcast from between 1985 and 1986 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 featuring an array of characters, 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 M.A.S.K. toys. A major difference from the first season is by the second, V.E.N.O.M. agents knew the personal identities of the M.A.S.K. team, whereas V.E.N.O.M. 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 [[DeathByOriginStory and had originally helped start the M.A.S.K. team but betrayed him later by killing Matt's younger brother Andy]]. This was very similar to the second series of the cartoon.
Due to the short-lived nature and new format of the racing series, many characters from the first season were given reduced roles to establish the new cast members and their vehicles, or to reintroduce older characters with new masks and vehicles. Buddy Hawks began using the name "Clutch" and gained a more prominent role with a double-act partnership with agent Boris "The Tzar" Bushkin. Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem's rivalry remained strong, but the two usually only appeared in their own focus episodes. Other V.E.N.O.M. operations against M.A.S.K. agents were now exclusively handled by Vanessa Warfield.
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 M.A.S.K. 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 D.C. Comics series, the M.A.S.K. team is sponsored by an organization called the Peaceful Nations Alliance (PNA). Their exact relationship is never explained. The liaison between the P.N.A. and M.A.S.K. is Duane Kennedy. Duane and the P.N.A. did appear in the cartoon, although in a much more limited role in such episodes as "The Roteks" and "Assault On Liberty".
It is never made clear what sort of criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. is, exactly. They were not the typical world-conquering villains and their schemes mostly revolve 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 M.A.S.K. and P.N.A., their relationship is not explained, nor are Contraworld's larger goals.
M.A.S.K. Agents:
* Matt "Hunter" Trakker - TheLeader of M.A.S.K. as well as a multi-millionaire philanthropist.
* Scott Trakker - 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.
* T-Bob - 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.
* Bruce "Magic" Sato - Mechanical engineer and design specialist, and Matt Trakker's de facto second-in-command. Is of Japanese origin. Occupation: toy designer. He often talks in Confucian riddles that only Matt Trakker seems to understand.
* Alex "Megabyte" Sector - Computer and communications expert and Zoology specialist. Hails from Britain. Occupation: veterinarian and exotic pet shop owner. As an action figure, Sector originally came with the Boulder Hill playset.
* Dusty "Powderkeg" Hayes - Auto and marine stunt driver, all-terrain specialist and tracking and demolition expert. Occupation: pizza cook.
* Gloria Baker - A champion race car driver and black-belt in kung fu. Occupation: racer/sensei.
* Brad "Chopper" Turner - Expert hill climber, rock musician, motorcycle and helicopter pilot.
* Hondo "Striker" [=MacLean=] - Weapons specialist and tactical strategist. Occupation: history teacher.
* Buddie "Clutch" Hawks - A master of disguise and intelligence expert. Occupation: mechanic.
* Calhoun "Stonewall" Burns -A construction and demolition specialist. He works as an architect and enjoys raising horses.
* Jacques "Trailblazer" [=LeFleur=] -A natural disaster specialist and martial arts master. Occupation: lumberjack. Hometown: Québec, Canada.
* Julio "Doc" Lopez - Expert in languages and cryptography. He is of Latino descent. Occupation: doctor.
* Ace "Falcon" Riker - Former NASA test pilot. Works at a hardware store.
* Boris "The Czar" Bushkin -A big, burly, bald, bearded Russian who was a former VENOM agent who defected to MASK.
* "Chief" Nevada Rushmore - An American Indian and Matt Trakker's childhood friend.
* Ali "Lightning" Bombay - An immigrant from Kandukar, India.
V.E.N.O.M Agents:
* Miles "Wolf" Mayhem - The BigBad. The leader of V.E.N.O.M. In the comics, he betrayed the original M.A.S.K. team by killing Andy Trakker, and stealing half of the masks for evil purposes. In the cartoon, the origin of V.E.N.O.M. is a lot less clear, though Mayhem's connections to M.A.S.K. remain the same as the comics, and that he co-created the organisation. Mayhem's catchphrase is "I oughta buy you a new face".
* Sly "Wrecker" Rax - A con artist. In the comics, he [[TheStarscream has ambitions of replacing Miles as V.E.N.O.M. leader]].
* Cliff "Blaster" Dagger - Demolitions expert and [[DumbMuscle strongman]].
* Vanessa Warfield - V.E.N.O.M.'s espionage and intelligence agent. Becomes the unofficial leader of the team by the beginning of the second season, and is one of few agents besides Mayhem to pilot Switchblade regularly when he is incapable of doing so as well as occasionally riding shotgun with Dagger in Jackhammer. Falls for Brad Turner in series finale "Cliff Hanger". Came THIS close to stealing a space shuttle in "The Everglades Oddity".
* Bruno "Mad Dog" Sheppard - A kidnapping specialist and another strongman.
* Nash "Goon" Gorey - [[YesMan Overeager and boot-licking henchman]]. In the comics, Gorey was initially a new recruit for M.A.S.K., but was revealed to be [[TheMole a mole]] working for V.E.N.O.M.
* Lester "The Lizard" Sludge - A smarmy henchman with an annoying signature laugh. Almost succeeds in murdering Matt Trakker in "When Eagles Dare".
* Floyd "Birdman" Malloy - Biker gangman and expert forger.
* Maximus Mayhem - WeakWilled twin brother of Miles Mayhem.
Twenty-five years after ''MASK'' left the airwaves, the line was "adopted" by ''GIJoe'' when a new Matt Trakker action figure was released as part of the Joe figure line under the name "Specialist Trakker", with a character bio explaining MASK and VENOM as special ops units of Joe and Cobra.
In 2011, Hasbro announced a re-imagining of the series, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which is supposed to be a shared universe containing Hasbro's more famous lines such as G.I. Joe, the {{Transformers}}, {{Jem}}, and others into one shared universe.
Not to be confused with ''Film/TheMask'', or the docudrama ''Mask'' starring Cher (it doesn't help that the latter film came out the same year).
----
!!''M.A.S.K.'' contains the following tropes:
* {{Animesque}}: The cartoon was a Japanese-American co-production, which was common in the 1980's.
* AvengersAssemble: Just about every episode, Matt Trakker has his computer "scan personel files for the M.A.S.K. agents best suited for this mission." The computer names the agents it selects, followed by their special skills and the vehicle they drive or co-pilot. After each is named, a little vignette shows the agent being alerted, [[DropWhatYouAreDoing dropping whatever he is doing]], and running off.
** Which, given "whatever he is doing" is usually a ''day job'' like pizzeria cook, opens up a bit of FridgeLogic, all on its own...
* BigBad: Miles Mayhem
* CallingYourAttacks: Most of the time--not always--characters using their mask's powers would call out something like "Lifter, on!" or "Whip, on!" depending on the name of their mask. The series was inconsistent about this, though, and sometimes just seemed to be an excuse for the target of a destructive power to get out of the way.
* CardCarryingVillain: you don't call yourself "vicious evil" for no reason.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Bruce Sato, Hondo [=MacLean=], Julio Lopez, and Cliff Dagger in the second season.
* CoolCar: Several that were based on RealLife cars would have been cool all by themselves. The fact they ''transformed'' just made them cooler.
* CoolOldGuy: Alex Sector.
* CoolShades: Brad Turner, Sly Rax, and Lester Sludge.
* CuteKidsAndRobots: Scott and T-Bob.
* [[DeadLittleSister Dead Little Brother]]: Matt Trakker's intelligent teenage brother Andy, who was killed by Miles Mayhem in the mini-comic story "Flaming Beginnings".
* DumbMuscle: Cliff Dagger and Bruno Sheppard.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the early episodes, VENOM has generic {{Mooks}} at their disposal.
* ExpositoryThemeTune
** Which is also an [[EarWorm Ear Worm]]: 25 years later, that song STILL occasionally gets stuck in this troper's head.
* {{Flight}}: Granted to Alex Sector by his mask.
* FunWithAcronyms: M.A.S.K. stands for Mobile Armoured Strike Kommand and V.E.N.O.M. stands for Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Buddie Hawks' mask is called Penetrator. It allows him to pass through solid objects by vibrating. Its alternate name, Vibrator, is not much better.
* HardLight: The explanation for the holographic pilots in the Split Seconds vehicles.
* HuskyRusskie: Boris Bushkin.
* InitialismTitle
* IntangibleMan: Buddy Hawks when he uses his Penetrator mask.
* {{Invisibility}}: Jacques [=LaFleur=] when he uses his Maraj mask.
* TheJimmyHartVersion: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Journey.
* KidAppealCharacter: T-Bob.
* MaskPower: This show runs on it.
* MasterOfIllusion: Brad Turner when he uses his "Hocus-Pocus" mask. And possibly the vehicles' engineers.
* MerchandiseDriven
* MindOverMatter: Granted to Bruce Sato by his Lifter mask.
* NerdGlasses: Nash Gorey.
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: Trakker's Spectrum Mask.
* NiceHat: Buddy Hawks and Cliff Dagger.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Sly Rax sounds like Jack Nicholson. Ace Riker sounds like John Wayne.
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Uttered in the first two minutes of the pilot episode, "The Death Stone".
* OfficialCouple: Matt Tracker and Gloria Baker. Most obvious in "The Counter-Clockwise Caper".
* PlayingWithFire: Cliff Dagger when he uses his Torch mask.
* ProductPromotionParade: Matt's AvengersAssemble sequence invariably was one of these.
* RobotBuddy: T-Bob
** The second season introduced one for V.E.N.O.M., the drone pilot for the Buzzard's core fighter that was shown out of the vehicle in the series.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Only one woman in each faction, and Vanessa and her vehicle never got a toy till the last two waves. At least Gloria technically got two rides (however, there was never a Shark toy; there ''was'' a Gloria figure made for the Split Seconds series, though).
* SouthernFriedPrivate: Dusty comes close, he's got the voice and the mannerisms, but not the mistrust of others.
* TheStarscream: Sly Rax in the comics.
* SuperSenses: Matt Trakker's Spectrum mask grants him super vision. The theme song even says so.
* SuperStrength: Granted to Nash Gorey by his Powerhouse mask.
* TedBaxter: Maximus Mayhem
* {{Tsundere}}: Vanessa Warfield towards Brad Turner in the second season.
* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: Which almost justifies all the FamilyFriendlyFirearms; the directed-energy weapons.
* TheUnFavourite: Nash Gorey by all the other V.E.N.O.M. agents.
* VocalEvolution: In a couple of early episodes, T-Bob sounds somewhat like Kermit the Frog and doesn't stutter.
* WhipItGood: Vanessa Warfield when she uses her Whip mask.
* WriterOnBoard: Scientologist writer Jeffrey Scott's episode "The Star Chariot" involves an ancient spacecraft left behind by AncientAstronauts. The ending has Scott and T-Bob apparently killed, [[DisneyDeath then beamed away to an alien world, resurrected by alien, and beamed back offscreen]]. All in two or three minutes.
* XtremeKoolLetterz: In this series, Command begins with a...
* TheYoda: Bruce Sato
----
''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three uncredited Japanese studios - KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio HanhoHeungUp and produced by the French-American DICEntertainment (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.
A total of 75 episodes were broadcast from between 1985 and 1986 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 featuring an array of characters, 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 M.A.S.K. toys. A major difference from the first season is by the second, V.E.N.O.M. agents knew the personal identities of the M.A.S.K. team, whereas V.E.N.O.M. 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 [[DeathByOriginStory and had originally helped start the M.A.S.K. team but betrayed him later by killing Matt's younger brother Andy]]. This was very similar to the second series of the cartoon.
Due to the short-lived nature and new format of the racing series, many characters from the first season were given reduced roles to establish the new cast members and their vehicles, or to reintroduce older characters with new masks and vehicles. Buddy Hawks began using the name "Clutch" and gained a more prominent role with a double-act partnership with agent Boris "The Tzar" Bushkin. Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem's rivalry remained strong, but the two usually only appeared in their own focus episodes. Other V.E.N.O.M. operations against M.A.S.K. agents were now exclusively handled by Vanessa Warfield.
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 M.A.S.K. 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 D.C. Comics series, the M.A.S.K. team is sponsored by an organization called the Peaceful Nations Alliance (PNA). Their exact relationship is never explained. The liaison between the P.N.A. and M.A.S.K. is Duane Kennedy. Duane and the P.N.A. did appear in the cartoon, although in a much more limited role in such episodes as "The Roteks" and "Assault On Liberty".
It is never made clear what sort of criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. is, exactly. They were not the typical world-conquering villains and their schemes mostly revolve 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 M.A.S.K. and P.N.A., their relationship is not explained, nor are Contraworld's larger goals.
M.A.S.K. Agents:
* Matt "Hunter" Trakker - TheLeader of M.A.S.K. as well as a multi-millionaire philanthropist.
* Scott Trakker - 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.
* T-Bob - 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.
* Bruce "Magic" Sato - Mechanical engineer and design specialist, and Matt Trakker's de facto second-in-command. Is of Japanese origin. Occupation: toy designer. He often talks in Confucian riddles that only Matt Trakker seems to understand.
* Alex "Megabyte" Sector - Computer and communications expert and Zoology specialist. Hails from Britain. Occupation: veterinarian and exotic pet shop owner. As an action figure, Sector originally came with the Boulder Hill playset.
* Dusty "Powderkeg" Hayes - Auto and marine stunt driver, all-terrain specialist and tracking and demolition expert. Occupation: pizza cook.
* Gloria Baker - A champion race car driver and black-belt in kung fu. Occupation: racer/sensei.
* Brad "Chopper" Turner - Expert hill climber, rock musician, motorcycle and helicopter pilot.
* Hondo "Striker" [=MacLean=] - Weapons specialist and tactical strategist. Occupation: history teacher.
* Buddie "Clutch" Hawks - A master of disguise and intelligence expert. Occupation: mechanic.
* Calhoun "Stonewall" Burns -A construction and demolition specialist. He works as an architect and enjoys raising horses.
* Jacques "Trailblazer" [=LeFleur=] -A natural disaster specialist and martial arts master. Occupation: lumberjack. Hometown: Québec, Canada.
* Julio "Doc" Lopez - Expert in languages and cryptography. He is of Latino descent. Occupation: doctor.
* Ace "Falcon" Riker - Former NASA test pilot. Works at a hardware store.
* Boris "The Czar" Bushkin -A big, burly, bald, bearded Russian who was a former VENOM agent who defected to MASK.
* "Chief" Nevada Rushmore - An American Indian and Matt Trakker's childhood friend.
* Ali "Lightning" Bombay - An immigrant from Kandukar, India.
V.E.N.O.M Agents:
* Miles "Wolf" Mayhem - The BigBad. The leader of V.E.N.O.M. In the comics, he betrayed the original M.A.S.K. team by killing Andy Trakker, and stealing half of the masks for evil purposes. In the cartoon, the origin of V.E.N.O.M. is a lot less clear, though Mayhem's connections to M.A.S.K. remain the same as the comics, and that he co-created the organisation. Mayhem's catchphrase is "I oughta buy you a new face".
* Sly "Wrecker" Rax - A con artist. In the comics, he [[TheStarscream has ambitions of replacing Miles as V.E.N.O.M. leader]].
* Cliff "Blaster" Dagger - Demolitions expert and [[DumbMuscle strongman]].
* Vanessa Warfield - V.E.N.O.M.'s espionage and intelligence agent. Becomes the unofficial leader of the team by the beginning of the second season, and is one of few agents besides Mayhem to pilot Switchblade regularly when he is incapable of doing so as well as occasionally riding shotgun with Dagger in Jackhammer. Falls for Brad Turner in series finale "Cliff Hanger". Came THIS close to stealing a space shuttle in "The Everglades Oddity".
* Bruno "Mad Dog" Sheppard - A kidnapping specialist and another strongman.
* Nash "Goon" Gorey - [[YesMan Overeager and boot-licking henchman]]. In the comics, Gorey was initially a new recruit for M.A.S.K., but was revealed to be [[TheMole a mole]] working for V.E.N.O.M.
* Lester "The Lizard" Sludge - A smarmy henchman with an annoying signature laugh. Almost succeeds in murdering Matt Trakker in "When Eagles Dare".
* Floyd "Birdman" Malloy - Biker gangman and expert forger.
* Maximus Mayhem - WeakWilled twin brother of Miles Mayhem.
Twenty-five years after ''MASK'' left the airwaves, the line was "adopted" by ''GIJoe'' when a new Matt Trakker action figure was released as part of the Joe figure line under the name "Specialist Trakker", with a character bio explaining MASK and VENOM as special ops units of Joe and Cobra.
In 2011, Hasbro announced a re-imagining of the series, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which is supposed to be a shared universe containing Hasbro's more famous lines such as G.I. Joe, the {{Transformers}}, {{Jem}}, and others into one shared universe.
Not to be confused with ''Film/TheMask'', or the docudrama ''Mask'' starring Cher (it doesn't help that the latter film came out the same year).
----
!!''M.A.S.K.'' contains the following tropes:
* {{Animesque}}: The cartoon was a Japanese-American co-production, which was common in the 1980's.
* AvengersAssemble: Just about every episode, Matt Trakker has his computer "scan personel files for the M.A.S.K. agents best suited for this mission." The computer names the agents it selects, followed by their special skills and the vehicle they drive or co-pilot. After each is named, a little vignette shows the agent being alerted, [[DropWhatYouAreDoing dropping whatever he is doing]], and running off.
** Which, given "whatever he is doing" is usually a ''day job'' like pizzeria cook, opens up a bit of FridgeLogic, all on its own...
* BigBad: Miles Mayhem
* CallingYourAttacks: Most of the time--not always--characters using their mask's powers would call out something like "Lifter, on!" or "Whip, on!" depending on the name of their mask. The series was inconsistent about this, though, and sometimes just seemed to be an excuse for the target of a destructive power to get out of the way.
* CardCarryingVillain: you don't call yourself "vicious evil" for no reason.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Bruce Sato, Hondo [=MacLean=], Julio Lopez, and Cliff Dagger in the second season.
* CoolCar: Several that were based on RealLife cars would have been cool all by themselves. The fact they ''transformed'' just made them cooler.
* CoolOldGuy: Alex Sector.
* CoolShades: Brad Turner, Sly Rax, and Lester Sludge.
* CuteKidsAndRobots: Scott and T-Bob.
* [[DeadLittleSister Dead Little Brother]]: Matt Trakker's intelligent teenage brother Andy, who was killed by Miles Mayhem in the mini-comic story "Flaming Beginnings".
* DumbMuscle: Cliff Dagger and Bruno Sheppard.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the early episodes, VENOM has generic {{Mooks}} at their disposal.
* ExpositoryThemeTune
** Which is also an [[EarWorm Ear Worm]]: 25 years later, that song STILL occasionally gets stuck in this troper's head.
* {{Flight}}: Granted to Alex Sector by his mask.
* FunWithAcronyms: M.A.S.K. stands for Mobile Armoured Strike Kommand and V.E.N.O.M. stands for Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Buddie Hawks' mask is called Penetrator. It allows him to pass through solid objects by vibrating. Its alternate name, Vibrator, is not much better.
* HardLight: The explanation for the holographic pilots in the Split Seconds vehicles.
* HuskyRusskie: Boris Bushkin.
* InitialismTitle
* IntangibleMan: Buddy Hawks when he uses his Penetrator mask.
* {{Invisibility}}: Jacques [=LaFleur=] when he uses his Maraj mask.
* TheJimmyHartVersion: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Journey.
* KidAppealCharacter: T-Bob.
* MaskPower: This show runs on it.
* MasterOfIllusion: Brad Turner when he uses his "Hocus-Pocus" mask. And possibly the vehicles' engineers.
* MerchandiseDriven
* MindOverMatter: Granted to Bruce Sato by his Lifter mask.
* NerdGlasses: Nash Gorey.
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: Trakker's Spectrum Mask.
* NiceHat: Buddy Hawks and Cliff Dagger.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Sly Rax sounds like Jack Nicholson. Ace Riker sounds like John Wayne.
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: Uttered in the first two minutes of the pilot episode, "The Death Stone".
* OfficialCouple: Matt Tracker and Gloria Baker. Most obvious in "The Counter-Clockwise Caper".
* PlayingWithFire: Cliff Dagger when he uses his Torch mask.
* ProductPromotionParade: Matt's AvengersAssemble sequence invariably was one of these.
* RobotBuddy: T-Bob
** The second season introduced one for V.E.N.O.M., the drone pilot for the Buzzard's core fighter that was shown out of the vehicle in the series.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Only one woman in each faction, and Vanessa and her vehicle never got a toy till the last two waves. At least Gloria technically got two rides (however, there was never a Shark toy; there ''was'' a Gloria figure made for the Split Seconds series, though).
* SouthernFriedPrivate: Dusty comes close, he's got the voice and the mannerisms, but not the mistrust of others.
* TheStarscream: Sly Rax in the comics.
* SuperSenses: Matt Trakker's Spectrum mask grants him super vision. The theme song even says so.
* SuperStrength: Granted to Nash Gorey by his Powerhouse mask.
* TedBaxter: Maximus Mayhem
* {{Tsundere}}: Vanessa Warfield towards Brad Turner in the second season.
* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: Which almost justifies all the FamilyFriendlyFirearms; the directed-energy weapons.
* TheUnFavourite: Nash Gorey by all the other V.E.N.O.M. agents.
* VocalEvolution: In a couple of early episodes, T-Bob sounds somewhat like Kermit the Frog and doesn't stutter.
* WhipItGood: Vanessa Warfield when she uses her Whip mask.
* WriterOnBoard: Scientologist writer Jeffrey Scott's episode "The Star Chariot" involves an ancient spacecraft left behind by AncientAstronauts. The ending has Scott and T-Bob apparently killed, [[DisneyDeath then beamed away to an alien world, resurrected by alien, and beamed back offscreen]]. All in two or three minutes.
* XtremeKoolLetterz: In this series, Command begins with a...
* TheYoda: Bruce Sato
----
