When I went about starting to watch this series again on DVD, I thought how cool it was that I could relive my childhood again, watching a series that I remember being cool when I was a wee lad. Then, as I got into a few episodes and did a quick glance at the press materials, I realized something either downright sad or, these days, pretty cool: I was in high school when this cartoon was on the air. Do high school kids sit around watching cartoons like this, these days? I dunno, like Ben 10? Is that for high school kids? No? Younger? Well then I blame my watching of M.A.S.K. on my younger brother, who wasn’t in high school yet. Yeah, that’s it.
In any case, I’m not dissing this show. In fact, really the only thing I remember ever having against M.A.S.K. was that the acronym stood for “Mobile Armored Strike Kommand.” Ugh. It’s like the earliest form of lolspeak. I wonder if the creators originally wanted to title the series “MASC” so they didn’t have to create a made-up word, but the corporate suits demanded they not do that, for fear kids wouldn’t know that the M.A.S.K. team wears MASKS … get it, kids?
I do remember that kids back in the ’80s loved the idea of these toys, and everyone had their favorite M.A.S.K. characters. We … I mean they would go on and on about which M.A.S.K. power they’d want over the others, and which vehicle was the best. I remember thinking Condor was the coolest, with his motorcycle that could turn into a helicopter, and a mask that projected realistic holograms. I mean, how cool would that be?
The DVD set has all of the show’s 75 episodes, as well as two special features. The episodes aren’t all that cleaned up, especially the sound quality, which was a little disappointing, though it certainly brought back a sense of nostalgia. The episodes even retained their PSA segments, much like G.I. Joe had done with their “knowing is half the battle” PSAs.
Out of the two special features, the one that was most worthwhile was with two of the show’s writers reminiscing about what it was like to be hired to write for the show, and then what it was like throughout the whole process. They brought up a great point, that the producers of M.A.S.K. wanted to make sure that the show remained non-violent, and that explosions always merely meant the vehicles were damaged, not the people. The writers had to go about making a lot of evil robots so there was something for the team to destroy! That’s something to be admired, for sure. Damned, evil robots! Destroy them all!
The complete series is available in stores now. Oh, and here’s a video for a bit more nostalgia for you. Ma-Ma-Ma-MASK!
Disclosure: This review is based on a commercially available copy, provided complimentary to CliqueClack TV by Shout! Factory for the purpose of review.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Sep 30, 2011 @ 16:20 EST5EDT
OMG, I loved this show. I remember having a ton of MASK toys, including the huge volcano base playset.
I second Bob: I loved this show!
(Though, I never had the Boulder Hill base … But I did have the Orange Pick up that popped up with lasers in the undercarriage).
One of those ’80s opening themes that stays with you forever. I remember that I loved this show, but have completely forgotten any of the storylines, as well as Trakker’s kid with his egg-shaped robot. Wait, I do remember that one of the VENOM guys’ masks shot an unlimited supply of physical daggers.
The real stars were the transforming vehicles, of course. They were incredibly solidly built, with some ingenious mechanisms, and a complete lack of light or sound. My favorite was the Rhino longnose cab semi, probably because it was reminiscent of Optimus Prime, but an even cooler toy.
I had no idea there was a second season (not on this DVD set), and two additional toy series I had never seen before today. Thanks for bringing back these old memories.