M.A.S.K. #1 brings us the latest entry in the Energon Universe, the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand. M.A.S.K. is a franchise that I never grew up watching or have any sort of familiarity as a point of reference for what to expect. In that way M.A.S.K. is very similar to Void Rivals as something completely new that the Energon Universe is introducing to me. Luckily I got to check out an early copy of the first issue to find out what this is all about from Skybound and Image Comics. Find out how M.A.S.K. #1 turned out with our advance review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Pye Parr
Colorist: Pierluigi Casolino
Letterer: Rus Wooton
M.A.S.K. #1 SOLICITATION
“THE NEXT PHASE OF THE ENERGON UNIVERSE STARTS HERE! The world is becoming a terrifying place. Matt Trakker needs your help saving it.
Enter M.A.S.K. — a network of specialists recruited to respond to the next global emergency. At a moment’s notice, Trakker and his agents can deploy bleeding-edge technology that converts their vehicles–and their drivers–into the ultimate weapon.
But Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. are one step ahead in a secret arms race, scouring the globe for deadly weapons from this planet and beyond, ready to sell out the entire human race. Only M.A.S.K. can stop them… but will Trakker’s own secrets jeopardize their entire mission?
Powerhouse creators DAN WATTERS and PYE PARR launch the most anticipated new series of the year, where anyone–and everyone–in the Energon Universe must join the fight for humanity’s survival.” – Image Comics & Skybound Entertainment
REVIEW
Right from the jump, M.A.S.K. #1 gives off a Fast & Furious-style vibe. Matt Trakker racing ahead in his cool car while leaving the military completely stunned by how easily during a chase sequence makes for a fun, high-energy opening. It also quickly establishes the kind of identity this series is aiming to have within the Energon Universe.
The opening also does a strong job of establishing Matt Trakker as a compelling lead. You get a clear sense of why he is positioned at the center of the story right away. That gives the rest of the issue more momentum as it continues to build around him.
Dan Watters does a great job of writing Trakker as someone who always seems in control. His dialogue gives off the sense that he knows more than even the military higher-ups around him, which makes his exchanges with the military general especially engaging. That back-and-forth also goes a long way in building out where M.A.S.K. fits within the larger Energon Universe.
Trakker’s characterization also strengthens the scenes he is not in. Watters paces the issue so that what Trakker says connects naturally to the other events unfolding in this issue. That approach especially helps the antagonists, who may come across as fairly straightforward on the surface, but gain more presence through the way Trakker talks about them.
Since this takes place in the Energon Universe, the references to Transformers and G.I. JOE are handled well. Watters does not lean too heavily on that shared-universe connection. Instead, those larger ties play more of a supporting role, adding urgency to where this debut issue goes without overshadowing M.A.S.K. itself. This makes sure that you are left with a great impression of M.A.S.K. being a series that can stand on its own.
Pye Parr’s artwork is very good throughout M.A.S.K. #1. Whenever the issue gets into the action, Parr makes those sequences feel as energetic as possible. The opening scene sets the tone and ends up being where the art shines the most. Even the slower, dialogue-heavy moments are handled well, and overall the style fits nicely with the established look of the Energon Universe.
FINAL THOUGHTS
M.A.S.K. #1 further strengthens the Energon Universe by showing how much this shared universe has changed from a different point of view. Dan Watters and Pye Parr pull that off while making sure M.A.S.K. stands out on its own. A lot of that comes down to how well Matt Trakker is established as the lead and how good the world building is in this debut. Altogether, it makes the Energon Universe feel even stronger and leaves fans with plenty to be excited about going forward.
Story Rating: 9 out of 10
Art Rating: 7 out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10
Check out the full preview of M.A.S.K. #1 by clicking here.
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