History WesternAnimation / MASK

A total of 75 episodes were broadcast from 1985 to 1986 in syndication. One of many cartoons produced during the 1980s as a vehicle for toys, M.A.S.K. (which is an acronym for the [[FunWithAcronyms Mobile Armored]] [[XtremeKoolLetterz Strike Kommand]]), was essentially a mashup of ''Franchise/GIJoe'' (with the whole "opposing factions of terrorist and peacekeepers" thing) and ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' (with the converting vehicles; here, the gimmick wasn't transforming robots, but seemingly ordinary vehicles that turned into heavily-armed fighting machines). 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.

A total of 75 episodes were broadcast from 1985 to 1986 in syndication. One of many cartoons produced during the 1980s as a vehicle for toys, M.A.S.K. (which is an acronym for the [[FunWithAcronyms Mobile Armored]] [[XtremeKoolLetterz Strike Kommand]]), was essentially a mashup of ''Franchise/GIJoe'' (with the whole "opposing factions of terrorist and peacekeepers" thing) and ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' (with the vehicles that changed into objects; no transforming robots here, though). 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.

* VocalEvolution: In a couple of early episodes, T-Bob sounds somewhat like Kermit the Frog and doesn't stutter.

The series, like with these types of shows, focused mainly on the vehicles and characters from the toy line. More characters were introduced as the line expanded. 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]].

Besides the cartoon and toys, there were also various merchandising products like sticker books and comics to capitalize on the success of the show, as well as a [[Creator/DCComics DC Comics]] series.

In that series the M.A.S.K. team is sponsored by an organization called the [[FictionalUnitedNations Peaceful Nations Alliance]], with a guy named Duane Kennedy as their rep. Their exact relationship wasn't explained. Duane and the P.N.A. did appear in the cartoon, although in a smaller role. Similarly, V.E.N.O.M. didn't exactly have a clear goal as to what they did. They ''weren't'' the typical villains who sought global dominance, and their schemes mostly revolved around illegal activities and the like. The comics tried to give them a more believable background, where they were the apparent main force of an even higher evil group called [[BiggerBad Contraworld]]. Like M.A.S.K. and the P.N.A., their relationship wasn't explained, nor were Contraworld's larger goals.

In 2011, Creator/{{Hasbro}} released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''Franchise/{{Micronauts}}'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government have left Detroit's people to fend for themselves, resulting in widespread chaos. An ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Matt Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team of civil servants, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry and combat the decay, as M.A.S.K.

In 2011, Creator/{{Hasbro}} released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''Franchise/{{Micronauts}}'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government have left Detroit's people to fend for themselves, resulting in widespread chaos. An ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Matt Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team of public servants, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry and combat the decay of Detroit, as M.A.S.K.

In 2011, Creator/{{Hasbro}} released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''Franchise/{{Micronauts}}'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government have left Detroit's people to fen for themselves, resulting in widespread chaos. An ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Matt Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team of public servants, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry and combat the decay of Detroit, as M.A.S.K.

In 2011, Creator/{{Hasbro}} released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''Franchise/{{Micronauts}}'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team of public service people, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Bruce Sato, Hondo [=MacLean=], Julio Lopez, and Cliff Dagger in the second season.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the early episodes, VENOM has generic {{Mooks}} at their disposal.

* ILied: In "Assault on Liberty", VENOM threatens to destroy the UsefulNotes/StatueOfLiberty unless it's paid a huge ransom. Near the end, Mayhem smugly says "I would have blown the statue up anyhow, just so they would know who they're dealing with." [[spoiler:This is immediately followed by M.A.S.K. pulling a BigDamnHeroes moment.]]

* ResetButton: In an episode, Mayhem acquires a magical CrystalSkull that gives him XRayVision, which he uses to find out the identity of M.A.S.K. members. Since this knowledge [[Main/StatusQuoIsGod would have changed the status quo of the series]], when the skull is destroyed [[Main/LaserGuidedAmnesia he forgets everything he learned through it]].

* '''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.

''M.A.S.K.'' was an animated television series directed by three Japanese studios - Creator/KKCAndDAsia, Studio World, and [[Creator/ProductionReed Ashi Production]]; with Korean studio Creator/HanhoHeungUp[[note]]and Japanese photography firm Creator/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}}.

A total of 75 episodes were broadcast from 1985 to 1986 in syndication. One of many cartoons produced during the 1980s as a vehicle for toys, M.A.S.K. (which is an acronym for the [[FunWithAcronyms Mobile Armored]] [[XtremeKoolLetterz Strike Kommand]]), was essentially a mashup of ''[[Franchise/GIJoe G.I. Joe]]'' (with the whole "opposing factions of terrorist and peacekeepers" thing) and ''[[Franchise/{{Transformers}} The Transformers]]'' (with the vehicles that changed into objects; no robots here, though). 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.

* 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 and Alex 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" [=McLean=] - 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.

* 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 the Joe Team and COBRA.

In 2011, Hasbro released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''the {{Transformers}}'', ''{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''Franchise/{{Micronauts}}'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team of public service people, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Sly Rax sounds like Jack Nicholson. Ace Riker sounds like John Wayne.

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 [[Creator/DCComics]] series, the M.A.S.K. team is sponsored by an organization called the [[FictionalUnitedNations Peaceful Nations Alliance]]. 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 smaller role.

It is never made clear what sort of criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. was, 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 were Contraworld's larger goals.

In 2011, Hasbro released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''the {{Transformers}}'', ''{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''Franchise/{{Micronauts}}'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

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 toys, M.A.S.K. (which is an acronym for the [[FunWithAcronyms Mobile Armored]] [[XtremeKoolLetterz Strike Kommand]]), was essentially a hybrid of ''[[Franchise/GIJoe G.I. Joe]]'' (with the whole "opposing factions of terrorist and peacekeepers" thing) and ''[[Franchise/{{Transformers}} The Transformers]]'' (with the vehicles that changed into objects; no robots here, though). 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.

In 2011, Hasbro released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''the {{Transformers}}'', ''{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''The Micronauts'', ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

In 2011, Hasbro released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''the {{Transformers}}'', ''{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''The Micronauts'', ''WesternAnimation/Action Man'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/{{COPS}}''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

In 2011, Hasbro released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''the {{Transformers}}'', ''{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''The Micronauts'', ''WesternAnimation/Action Man'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. [[http://www.oafe.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/UnitE2.jpg Here]], it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/COPS''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

The series, like with these types of shows, focused mainly on the vehicles and characters from the toy line. More characters were introduced as the line expanded. The format for the last season of the show featured a racing theme to correspond with the theme of the newest toys. A major difference is by the second season, V.E.N.O.M. knew the IDs of the M.A.S.K. agents, whereas V.E.N.O.M. did not know this crucial info beforehand. 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]].

In 2011, Hasbro released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as ''G.I. Joe'', ''the {{Transformers}}'', ''{{Jem}}'', and other, not-so-famous (or even out-of-left-field) properties like ''The Micronauts'', ''WesternAnimation/Action Man'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', and even ''TabletopGame/CandyLand''. Here, it seemed to have been [[CompositeCharacter roughly merged]] with another Hasbro property, ''WesternAnimation/COPS''; it takes place in a futuristic Detroit, where the government seems to have given up completely; an ancient workshop belonging to the "League of Ancient Wheelmen" was found and used by Trakker (now a police officer) and a new team, who use the tech they found to help Detroit's citizenry, as M.A.S.K.

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 toys, M.A.S.K. (which is an acronym for the [[FunWithAcronyms Mobile Armored]] [[XtremeKoolLetterz Strike Kommand]]), was essentially a hybrid of ''[[Franchise/GIJoe G.I. Joe]]'' (with the whole "opposing factions of terrorist and peacekeepers" thing) and ''[[Franchise/Transformers The Transformers]]'' (with the vehicles that changed into objects; no robots here, though). 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.

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.

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 released a re-imagined version of ''MASK'' at NYCC, under the "UNIT: E" umbrella, which includes Hasbro's more famous lines such as G.I. Joe, the {{Transformers}}, {{Jem}}, and others.

* SouthernFriedPrivate: Dusty comes close, he's got the voice and the mannerisms, but not the mistrust of others.

* SmallNameBigEgo: Maximus Mayhem

* 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.

** Which is also an EarWorm: 25 years later, that song will STILL get stuck in your head.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The memorable theme song seems to owe inspiration to cues from the song "Faithfully" by Music/{{Journey}}.