M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, Vol. 1: Mobilize Paperback – July 25, 2017

It's pretty ok. I love the changes and the integration into the whole IDW-verse (via Transformers tech), but overall the book just lacked the personality I was hoping for... and maybe that's just me. Still, it's a decent overall read. Especially if you're reading the rest of the Revolution books (which were garbage, BTW).

I like how the action takes place and how the heroes and villains each play a part in the stories and perfect artwork. Though I do wish the writers focused on the 80's cartoon version of M.A.S.K, because that is how it was popular, especially Matt Trekker's original look and Bruno.

Good start for an origins story of M.A.S.K.

I use to watch this show when I was a kid. I bought the comic books to relive that moment. Plus I really love the show.

Good

Good product. As promised. Works well. Fast ship. Thanks.

totally different from cartoon

Nerds of a certain age will remember the unfortunately short-lived (1985-86) cartoon M.A.S.K., one of many of the era designed to sell toys and action figures. Recently, long after many of these toys have fallen into niche markets—or at least most valuable to collectors, also of that certain age—IDW Publishing has launched a line of comics based on Hasbro's lines of toys and action figures—Transformers and G.I. Joe among them. One of these comics—and one of the best-written, in my opinion, is Brandon Easton, Tony Vargas, and Juan Samu's M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, Vol. 1: Mobilize. I note that Brandon is an old friend of mine, because I would tell him if I didn't enjoy his writing; however, I am very glad to say that Brandon has hit it out of the park with M.A.S.K. Vol. 1.Part of the nature of many, if not most, of the 1980s' toy-based cartoons was that they forwent characterization and plot in favor of just selling the toys; they were cartoons in every sense of the word. (Transformers' infamous "Carbombya" episode epitomizes this trend.) But the beauty of Brandon's M.A.S.K. is that both the characters and the ploy feel leaps and bounds more three-dimensional than the cartoon ever did. In making hero Matt "Spectrum" Trakker African-American, Brandon gives the franchise much-needed representation, and in showing the earliest origins of the team, in the first chapter, Brandon amply demonstrates his skills at worldbuilding that he made such good use of in one of his earlier efforts, Shadowlaw, which was also a lot of fun. (And in making Trakker both flawed and insistent on saving innocent lives wherever possible, it creates a nice shout-out to the original series. [Not to mention the throwaway line, albeit, no doubt, quite deliberate on Brandon's part, from character Brad "Eclipse" Turner that in his former life, he was "[w]orking overtime, fighting crime".]) It's too bad that IDW canceled this series after the second arc, because from the beginning Brandon demonstrates that he could keep the concept going for a long, long time. And despite recent commentary on decompression in comics, not once does the plot in Mobilize ever really slow down; it keeps building to the climax in every issue, without much, if any, real filler.Add to that Vargas' art, and you have a winner. Some of the sketches in the back of Mobilize greatly demonstrate just how clunky some of the helmet designs were in the original cartoon; Vargas' updates of the M.A.S.K. helmets make them look high-tech and complicated, as well as greatly reminiscent of the originals. Samu, in his fill-in issue, does a fine job in maintaining Vargas' basic style as well. In general, it would be a shame if only nostalgic '80s kids picked up Mobilize, because it very much is modern; it fulfills the best expectations of both worlds, even if it didn't last anywhere nearly long enough for my tastes.

I really enjoyed this and it brought back many a fond but distant memory. The story was well paced, the art is engaging and pops off the page and it was even nice for this Canadian to see Toronto featured as a destination (albeit for nefarious purposes.) If you're an 80s nostalgic this will be right up your alley.

I really enjoyed this book. I like the more militery style of the M.A.S.K and V.E.N.O.M. I don't mind the race shifting to add more diversity. I like that way the team started, as a part of G.I.J.O.E, and based on Cybertronian technology. I think these two things worked very well.I liked the artwork and the story. The bit that let the story down for me was that a lot seemed to happen between issue 1 and 2, that was not covered. I am not sure if there was an additional issue from the series that was left out.There is no detail from where M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. split, just hints. I read the title of the next volume is "Rise of V.E.N.O.M" so I am wondering if it will be covered there, but do hope the story is moved forward.I am looking forward see what happens next. On a personal note Brad Turner and Gloria Baker were my two favourite members of the team. So I was really happy to have both of them here and kicking butt. Matt's Spectrum mask is the most versatile and it is here as well.A great artwork in the Cover Gallery as well. I loved all the covers here, and the ones at the begining of all the chapters/issues. I am looking forward to the backstory and more importantly for me the continuation of the story.

A decent introduction to a classic 80s favourite. The story seems a bit rushed at times but it does get better as it goes along. Well worth a read

Disegni spettacolari per gli appasionati della serie, in questa storia che cerca di essere un valido reboot e suscitando le emozioni del caro e vecchio cartone animato. Lo consiglio.

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