M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand): The ’80s Classic That Transformed Playtime
27 February 2025 by
Marc
Table of Contents
Ah, the 1980s—a time of big hair, big action figures, and even bigger marketing tie-ins. Enter M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), Kenner’s ambitious hybrid of G.I. Joe and Transformers, featuring ordinary vehicles that transformed into high-tech combat machines, piloted by heroes wearing super-powered masks.
With a hit cartoon, a toy line that flew off the shelves, and one of the catchiest theme songs ever, M.A.S.K. became an instant favourite. But like many ’80s franchises, it burned bright and faded fast—leaving behind a cult following and a collector’s market worth serious cash.
The Birth of M.A.S.K.: Kenner’s Big Gamble
With Star Wars toys winding down by the mid-’80s, Kenner was on the hunt for its next big hit. Meanwhile, Hasbro was dominating the toy aisle with Transformers and G.I. Joe, proving that kids loved both action figures and transforming vehicles.
Kenner’s answer? Smash those two ideas together—and thus, M.A.S.K. was born in 1985.
The Concept: Everyday Vehicles with Secret Identities
The core idea was simple:
🚗 Regular-looking cars, trucks, and motorcycles that transformed into battle machines.
👨🚀 Small, 2-inch action figures with removable masks that gave them unique powers.
🕵️ A classic battle between good vs. evil—M.A.S.K. (the heroes) vs. V.E.N.O.M. (the villains).
Leading the charge was Matt Trakker, the square-jawed, blonde-haired hero battling the evil Miles Mayhem, leader of V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem). The heroes’ vehicles looked like regular street rides but could flip, fold, and reveal hidden weapons, thanks to Kenner’s clever engineering.
The Toys: Gimmicks Done Right
M.A.S.K. hit shelves in 1985 and immediately became a must-have toy line.
First Wave (1985) – The Classic Line-up
The first wave of M.A.S.K. toys set the foundation for the franchise, introducing the 10 core vehicle sets—each with a driver and a unique transforming feature.
| Vehicle | Character(s) | Transformation | eBay Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderhawk | Matt Trakker | Red Chevy Camaro → Jet | View on eBay |
| Switchblade | Miles Mayhem | Helicopter → Jet | View on eBay |
| Rhino | Bruce Sato & Alex Sector | Truck → Battering Ram HQ | View on eBay |
| Gator | Dusty Hayes | Jeep → Hidden Hydrofoil | View on eBay |
| Condor | Brad Turner | Motorcycle → Helicopter | View on eBay |
| Piranha | Sly Rax | Motorcycle → Submarine | View on eBay |
| Firecracker | Hondo MacLean | Pickup Truck → Hidden Weapons | View on eBay |
| Jackhammer | Cliff Dagger | SUV → Armored Assault Vehicle | View on eBay |
| Slingshot | Ace Riker | RV → Hidden Jet | View on eBay |
| Boulder Hill | Base Playset | Gas Station → Secret HQ | View on eBay |
Each mask granted its wearer special abilities, ranging from invisibility and force fields to laser blasts and super strength. With bright packaging and dynamic box art, M.A.S.K. quickly became a toy aisle sensation.
Second Wave (1986) – Expanding the Roster
After the massive success of the first wave, Kenner expanded M.A.S.K.’s world with bigger vehicles, new characters, and more villains.
| Vehicle | Character(s) | Transformation | eBay Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Hondo MacLean | 1957 Chevy → Tank | View on eBay |
| Outlaw | Nash Gorey & Miles Mayhem | Oil Tanker → Battle Fortress | View on eBay |
| Volcano | Jacques LaFleur | Van → Attack Base | View on eBay |
| Raven | Calhoun Burns | Corvette → Seaplane | View on eBay |
| Stinger | Bruno Sheppard | Muscle Car → Tank | View on eBay |
| Manta | Vanessa Warfield | Sports Car → Hidden Weapons | View on eBay |
Kenner launched M.A.S.K. toys internationally, introducing new villains like Vanessa Warfield, further expanding the franchise’s world.
Third Wave (1987) – The Racing Series (A Risky Move)
In 1987, Kenner rebranded M.A.S.K. as a racing franchise. The spy/espionage themes were replaced with high-speed racing action.
| Vehicle | Character(s) | Transformation | eBay Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goliath | Matt Trakker & Nevada Rushmore | Racing Truck → Jet | View on eBay |
| Vampire | Floyd Malloy | Motorcycle → Jet | View on eBay |
| Wildcat | Julio Lopez | Tow Truck → Attack Mode | View on eBay |
| Bulldog | Boris Bushkin | Truck → Tank | View on eBay |
| Afterburner | Dusty Hayes | Race Car → Launchers | View on eBay |
Unfortunately, the racing gimmick didn’t land well, and sales started to dip. By 1988, M.A.S.K. was discontinued.
The Lost Prototypes & Unreleased M.A.S.K. Toys
Beyond the toys that were released, many M.A.S.K. vehicles never made it past the prototype phase. These forgotten designs remain collector’s holy grails.
- Ramp-Up – A repair ramp that transformed into a tank. It was part of the cancelled Split Seconds series.
- Laser Command – A playset featuring “Hornet” and “Ratfang,” only seen in UK comic strips.
- Shark – A Corvette that turned into a submarine, rumoured to have reached early development stages.
These unreleased toys offer a fascinating glimpse into what M.A.S.K. could have been.
The Collector’s Market: M.A.S.K.’s Most Valuable Toys
Today, M.A.S.K. toys command serious cash—especially in mint condition.
| Toy | Value (MIB – Mint in Box) |
|---|---|
| Boulder Hill Playset | $/£600–$/£1,000 |
| Switchblade (Miles Mayhem’s Jet) | $/£400–$/£700 |
| Rhino (Truck HQ) | $/£500–$/£900 |
| Goliath (Racing Truck) | $/£800+ |
| Outlaw (Tanker Truck) | $/£500–$/£1,000 |
Complete figures with their original masks are highly sought after.
M.A.S.K.’s Legacy: A Cult Classic That Deserves a Comeback
M.A.S.K. remains one of the most creative toy lines of the ’80s. Though short-lived, its impact on toy culture is undeniable. Hasbro now owns the rights, and while a live-action movie has been rumoured for years, the franchise remained in nostalgia limbo until…The Loyal Subjects came along