M.A.S.K. Joins G.I.Joe?!?

by Jay Cochran
May 06, 2008
Remember that old classic toy line and cartoon where everyone drove around in cool vehicles that transformed into things like flying cars, and everyone had these special mask's that allowed them to control them? Well if you grew up in the 80's you probably do, and if you were a fan of that line we have some good news for you. No the M.A.S.K. line isn't returning, but possibly the next best thing is in the works. The folks at Hasbro have planned to release a tribute figure of the M.A.S.K. leader, Matt Trakker in one of their upcoming 3 3/4" G.I.Joe figure assortments.

In a recent ONLINE POLL run by Hasbro, a mysterious figure named `Specialist Trakker’ showed up in a list of upcoming G.I.Joe figures, causing people to question if this guy had any connection with the classic 80's M.A.S.K. line from Kenner. So we went to Hasbro's G.I.Joe Brand Manager Neal Hoffman and asked. Here is what he said:

"I can confirm for you that Matt Trakker will be a tribute to the 80's M.A.S.K. line. Just a single figure cross-over; shout out to the 80's."

So there you have it. No images of the figure could be released at this time, but stay-tuned in the coming weeks for more information to be revealed about this and other exciting new G.I.Joe products from Hasbro, and thanks to Neal for the information provided to us today.

For those of you who may not have grown up in the 80's and would like to find out more about MASK we suggest you check out the Virtual Toy Chest's M.A.S.K. Archive.



Comments...

Last 10 comments - ( Read All Posts )
hamsterboy - 2008-05-07 @ 5:10 am
I LOVED M.A.S.K!

at the time, I collected it as much as GiJoe. Sadly, somehow all my MASK stuff has dissappeared, while I still have most of my Joe stuff from back then.

As for Matt Trakker... I am worried he will be an Ace repaint... and I don't like that body at all.

and I kinda wish we could get a full-on MASK line again...

I'll take all the toys from when they were the best, the 80's

gimme some COPS too while were at it.

COPS would be pretty cool. Wasn't that one guy suppose to be related to Beach Head? That would be a neat little tie-in with that.

Raggletag - 2008-05-07 @ 2:45 am

Nice to see the response to this news is a lot more positive here than it's been on a couple other boards I've read. Personally I am totally stoked about this!! I'm sure it's just a one-shot deal to gauge interest in a relaunch of MASK, so I don't think staunch Joe fans should be too worried that the line will be overrun by other MASK characters (or other 80's refugees for that matter). And let's face it, Specialist Trakker will probably just take the place of yet another Snake Eyes or Storm Shadow variant anyway, so I don't think there'd be any significant loss. And lastly I'm convinced this figure will be a simple recolor or retool, and not take much away from the development budget for making new Joe sculpts.

I just hope the figure actually LOOKS like Matt (preferably in his classic gray and red flightsuit from Thunderhawk) and has an accurate Spectrum mask. And hopefully the figure is popular enough to warrant Hasbro giving us an entire separate MASK figure line in the same 3 3/4" scale, complete with transforming vehicles!! A second renaissance for MASK is long overdue, imo...

JoeRhyno - 2008-05-07 @ 12:42 am

Maybe if the Sigma figures come back we can get some Centurions remade in the line too..

CLAM34 - 2008-05-07 @ 12:39 am

I LOVED M.A.S.K!

at the time, I collected it as much as GiJoe. Sadly, somehow all my MASK stuff has dissappeared, while I still have most of my Joe stuff from back then.

As for Matt Trakker... I am worried he will be an Ace repaint... and I don't like that body at all.

and I kinda wish we could get a full-on MASK line again...

I'll take all the toys from when they were the best, the 80's

gimme some COPS too while were at it.

Devil Bat - 2008-05-07 @ 12:16 am

If you went back in time and told my twelve-year-old self that Matt Trakker would someday be a member of the G.I. Joe team, my brain would have imploded. (lol) I've always loved G.I. Joe, and I've always loved M.A.S.K. Matt Trakker was like the Duke of their team. The more I've thought about this, the more I love it. I can't wait to see how this pans out. I'm gonna be very interested to see where this goes...

pesatyel - 2008-05-07 @ 12:06 am

I almost think, who cares about the CHARACTER. Will he have one of the MASKS? Spectrum, Ultra-Flash, Arrow, Dolphin, Lava Shot, Shroud.

This opens up a bit of a pandora's box. If this is a "one shot" then that kinda sucks. Someone in another post commented on the "limited slots" available for the 25th line that we don't need some "non Joe" cluttering and stealing spaces. There IS some validity to it.

However, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense that it would be a "one-shot". So, does that mean they are looking towards reviving M.A.S.K.? That would be pretty cool. Given the technological advancements since the 80s (Classics Transformers, for example) and the increased size (presuming they keep the 4" figure), these could be significantly better than the 80s vehicles.

But at the same time, "vehicle" lines don't seem to be that big anymore. Speed Racer is special circumstance.

The idea of having a MASK line of toys comparable in size, articulation, and detail as the 25th Anniversary Joe line.... PRICELESS!

I would be extremely happy to see this and whole-heartedly support it with my hard-earned bucks!

Yes, it would. M.A.S.K. was awesome.

However, its unlikely. Nothing is impossibly, only improbable.

jedimaster-c - 2008-05-06 @ 10:25 pm

I remember Kenner tried to reintroduce MASK,sort of.Anyone remeber Vortech?Some of the vehicles were cool but the bad guys vehicles were kind 0f weirld.In battle mode the bad guy vehilces looked like they were done by HR Giger.The idea of adding MASK to GIJOE,could be interesting.

Cyber Bishop - 2008-05-06 @ 9:59 pm

I will reserve my judgment until I see pix.

Blackmada - 2008-05-06 @ 7:34 pm

I could see Hasbro bringing back MASK if this one figure does well. They might say it's a one time thing as far as making a character as a Joe figure. If the response is overwhelming they should do more.

I'd love to see a New MASK line even if Hasbro just mainly used Joe molds with some new parts, new heads and of course the masks. That way if you wanted to combine the Joe and MASK line you can and if not, don't.

FlyingFigg - 2008-05-06 @ 6:44 pm
One time thing, Yeah, How many times have we heard that one?

Just have to wait and see while Hasbro test the waters on this I guess.

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