M.A.S.K – Series One (1985)
Kenner launched their M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) line in 1985. It featured a team of good guys led by wealthy philanthropist Matt Trakker, taking on V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem), who were led by Miles Mayhem. The M.A.S.K line featured ordinary vehicles, scaled for two-inch action figures, that changed to reveal hidden weapons and armor, or even transform to a different vehicle type altogether. Each vehicle included a pilot figure with a removable mask, which gave the characters unique powers. The toys were accompanied by a new animated series, which also launched in 1985.
For more information about Series One from Kenner’s M.A.S.K line in 1985, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.
M.A.S.K (1985): Basic M.A.S.K Figures – Series One
The first wave of vehicles and figure sets for the M.A.S.K line contained 8 in total, with 5 being the good guys from M.A.S.K and 4 being the bad guys from V.E.N.O.M. These first wave figures would go on to become the core of the M.A.S.K universe.
Condor (With Brad Turner)
Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $130
Loose $30 – $45
Condor w/ Brad Turner
Alliance: M.A.S.K
Accessories: Hocus Pocus Mask, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: Condor is a Motorcycle that can change into a Helicopter. It’s operated by Brad Turner, who goes by the codename, Chopper. Turner comes with his Hocus Pocus mask, which pretends to project false images. Condor included rotating chopper blades, dual hidden lasers on the landing skids and a back wheel that becomes the rear proctor.
Firecracker (With Hondo MacClean)
Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $300
Loose $70 – $100
Firecracker w/ Hondo MacLean
Alliance: M.A.S.K
Accessories: Blaster Mask, Boomerang Tire, Right Freeze Cannon, Left Freeze Cannon, Dirt Bike Mount, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Firecracker is a Pickup that can change into a Recon Truck. It’s operated by Hondo MacLean, who goes by the codename, Striker. MacLean comes with his Blaster mask, which pretends to project proton laser beams. Firecracker included front mounted thermal detonators, movable headlights, ejectable boomerang tire with blades, hinged tailgate, rear freeze cannons, a detachable dirt bike, and an elevating vehicle body that reveals its chassis.
Gator (With Dusty Hayes)
Market Value:
Boxed $175 – $250
Loose $55 – $80
Gator w/ Dusty Hayes
Alliance: M.A.S.K
Accessories: Backlash Mask, Atom Blaster, Barrel Depth Charge, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Gator is an Off-Road Vehicle that can change into a Hydroplane. It’s operated by Dusty Hayes, who goest by the codename, Powderkeg. Hayes comes with his Backlash mask, which pretends to cause sonic waves. Gator included a swing-up body, roll-bar atom blaster, freeze cannon and ejectable depth charge.
Rhino (With Bruce Sato & Matt Trakker)
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $450
Loose $110 – $160
Rhino w/ Bruce Sato & Matt Trakker
Alliance: M.A.S.K
Accessories: Lifter Mask, Ultra Flash Mask, Radar Dish, Rocket, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Rhino is a Kenworth Tractor Rig that can change into a Mobile Defense Unit. It’s operated by Matt Trakker (Codename: Hunter) and Bruce Sato (Codename: Magic). Trakker uses his Ultra Flash Mask, which pretends to disorient with a blinding flash of light, while Sato uses the Lifter Mask to pretend firing an anti-gravity beam. Rhino included enemy ejector seat, power ram front bumper, opening/closing doors, computer command center, missile launcher, laser cannons, bulletproof shield, vibration cannons and an all-terrain dual suspension. Rhino was the largest M.A.S.K vehicle from Series One.
Thunderhawk (With Matt Trakker)
Market Value:
Boxed $150 – $225
Loose $60 – $85
Thunderhawk w/ Matt Trakker
Alliance: M.A.S.K
Accessories: Spectrum Mask, Stun Bomb x 2, Left Wing Blaster, Right Wing Blaster, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Thunderhawk is a Sports Cart that can change into a Fighter Jet. It’s operated by Matt Trakker, who goes by the codename, Hunter. Trakker comes with his Spectrum mask, which pretends to cause high-frequency radio interference. Thunderhawk included a cockpit with flight belts, retractable wing blasters, pop-up rear stabilizer, dual jet thrusters two stun bombs and doors that convert to wings.
M.A.S.K (1985): Basic V.E.N.O.M Figures – Series One
The first wave of vehicles and figure sets for the M.A.S.K line contained 8 in total, with 5 being the good guys from M.A.S.K and 4 being the bad guys from V.E.N.O.M. These first wave figures would go on to become the core of the M.A.S.K universe.
Jackhammer (With Cliff Dagger)
Market Value:
Boxed $110 – $160
Loose $35 – $55
Jackhammer w/ Cliff Dagger
Alliance: V.E.N.O.M
Accessories: Torch Mask, Air Defense Gun, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Jackhammer is a 4 x 4 Ford Bronco that can change into a Assault Vehicle. It’s operated by Cliff Dagger, who goes by the codename, Blaster. Dagger comes with his Torch mask, which pretends to be a flame thrower. Thunderhawk included an armored hood shield, reciprocating cannons, rotating anti-aircraft turret, rotating air-defense weapon and opening/closing doors.
Piranha (With Sly Rax)
Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $130
Loose $30 – $45
Piranha w Sly Rax
Alliance: V.E.N.O.M
Accessories: Stiletto Mask, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Piranha is a Motorcycle that can change into a Submarine. It’s operated by Sly Rax, who goes by the codename, Wrecker. Rax comes with his Stiletto mask, for pretend underwater harpoon battles. Piranha included water cannons, pop-out stabilizer fins, ground torpedoes, steerable front wheel and a sidecar that becomes a submarine.
Switchblade (With Miles Mayhem)
Market Value:
Boxed $220 – $300
Loose $85 – $125
Switchblade w/ Miles Mayhem
Alliance: V.E.N.O.M
Accessories: Viper Mask, Bomb, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: Switchblade is a Helicopter that can change into an Airplane. It’s operated by Miles Mayhem, who goes by the codename, Wolf. Mayhem comes with his Viper mask, which pretends to spit a corrosive poison. Switchblade included an opening canopy, realistic cockpit, dual laser cannons, hidden missile, rotating helicopter blades, expanding wings and landing skids with hidden energy bolt launchers.
M.A.S.K (1985): Accessories – Series One
Kenner did not release any separately sold accessories for the First Series of their M.A.S.K line in 1985.
M.A.S.K (1985): Playsets – Series One
Kenner released only ONE playset for their entire M.A.S.K line and that was the Boulder Hill Playset, which was released in conjunction with Series One in 1985.
Boulder Hill Playset (With Buddie Hawks & Alex Sector)
Market Value:
Boxed $240 – $370
Loose $110 – $180
Boulder Hill Playset w/ Buddie Hawks & Alex Sector
Alliance: M.A.S.K
Accessories: Penetrator Mask, Jackrabbit Mask, Radar Panel/Sign, Jail Cell, Armored Bunker, Gas Station/Bunker w/ Hoses/Cables, Boulder, Hill, Base Plate, Comic Book, Poster
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Moderately easy to find
Notes: The Boulder Hill Playset was the lone playset released for the M.A.S.K line by Kenner. This acted as the headquarters for the M.A.S.K team, but was far from ordinary. Like all other items from this line, Boulder Hill has a dual purpose. It works as a functional gas station, complete with pumps and a repair garage, then changes into the team Headquarters and Bunker. The set comes with Buddie Hawks with his Penetrator Mask, and Alex Sector with his Jackrabbit Mask. The Boulder Hill Playset includes a Rotating Anti-Aircraft Turret, a Push-Button Boulder Launch, Break-Through Bunker Wall, Gas Pumps that convert to Freeze Cannons, Diagnostic Vehicle Cables, Armored Pillbox with Swiveling Anti-Gravity Howitzer, Detention Cell, Computer Command Panel, Helicopter Pad, Trap Door and a Sign that flips down into a Holographic Stun Cannon and Radar Screen.
Kenner launched their M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) line in 1985. It featured a team of good guys led by wealthy philanthropist Matt Trakker, taking on V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem), who were led by Miles Mayhem. The M.A.S.K line featured ordinary vehicles, scaled for two-inch action figures, that changed to reveal hidden weapons and armor, or even transform to a different vehicle type altogether. Each vehicle included a pilot figure with a removable mask, which gave the characters unique powers. The toys were accompanied by a new animated series, which aired 75 episodes from 1985 to 1986. In addition, there was a series of video games produced by Gremlin Graphics and a comic book series by DC Comics. M.A.S.K was an original concept line by Kenner, which was essentially made to compete with the incredibly popular Transformers line by Hasbro. Since Kenner’s mega toy line Star Wars had recently ended in 1985, they were searching for their next big thing. Each figure set included a comic book and poster, which have become very collectible over the years.
Kenner gave us eight initial core characters in 1985, which would all come to shape the M.A.S.K franchise. For the good guys, we got Condor (w/ Brad Turner), Firecracker (w/ Hondo MacClean), Gator (w/ Dusty Hayes), Rhino (Bruce Sato & Matt Trakker) and Thunderhawk (w/ Matt Trakker). Every great toy line has to have bad guys to fight, so the first wave of V.E.N.O.M vehicles/figure sets saw the introduction of Jackhammer (w/ Cliff Dagger), Piranha (w/ Sly Rax) and Switchblade (w/ Miles Mayhem). Kenner didn’t release any exclusives or separately sold accessories. The first wave didn’t see a ton of new products, but a kid could definitely not have a proper M.A.S.K adventure without these initial sets.
The packaging for the M.A.S.K line was bright, colorful and eye-catching. The M.A.S.K logo sat at the top left of the box, with the name of the vehicle to the right of it in big, bold letters. There was an illustrated picture of the vehicle in action front and center in a fun art style with an actual photo of the included figure to the right of it. On the far left was a small photo of the vehicle in transformation mode so the buyer could see what the vehicle does. Overall, the boxed packaging was bright and vibrant. It definitely worked for the M.A.S.K line and is certainly recognizable by any collector.
