Today’s trip to my local comic book shop revealed two pleasant surprises that I just had to share with you. First, Marvel Comics hardcover compilation of the awesome six issue miniseries 1985 is now on sale. Second, Hasbro released a G.I. JOE figure of Matt Trakker, leader of M.A.S.K.. Now some of you just read that and it didn’t mean a thing. Others fell off their chairs. More after the jump.
1985
1985 written by Mark Millar (Wanted, Kick Ass) and illustrated by Tommy Lee Edwards (Bullet Points, Star Wars The Essential Guide to the Force: Jedi vs Sith) is set in our world in the year 1985. The kicker is, we're not alone. The villains of the Marvel Universe have found a way into our world, and with no heroes around to stop them, the world is theirs for the taking. It's up to one thirteen year old boy to summon the courage to find a way to stop the likes of Doctor Doom, Electro, Bullseye, Fin Fang Foom, Galactus, and more from their deadly rampage.
This book is a must have for any fan of the Marvel Universe, past or present. And it's loaded with fun easter eggs for true believers as well as a twenty page bonus section in which Tommy guides us through the creation of 1985.
Galactus hungers...
M.A.S.K. joins G.I. JOE
Matt Trakker is the leader of M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), a special strike force that fought Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem). M.A.S.K. was a daily cartoon series and toy line that ran in the mid eighties, and along with G.I. JOE was a personal favorite of mine. Each character drove a vehicle that could transform into a specialized vehicle. For instance Condor was the name of the motorcycle that could change instantly into a one man gyro-copter. The characters also wore special masks that provided the wearer special powers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R562_313v0Q
G.I. JOE has seen a resurgence over the past few years, and 2009 is a big year for the team as the live action movie will debut later this summer.
Many of the toys I grew up with are being re-issued for a new generation. So imagine my excitement when I noticed this figure of Matt Trakker hanging on the toy shelf today, but with the G.I. JOE logo on the package. I didn't even have to read the name, I knew it was Trakker and that Hasbro had merged two of my favorite toy lines.
Yes, that is the M.A.S.K. logo in the upper right hand corner.
While this figure isn't exactly breaking news to collectors and kids (my nephews probably have it already), I was surprised by it and thought it might bring back fun memories for some of you as well.
Fun stuuf. Now I'm going to crack open my copy of 1985 and read it again.
But that toy is such a rip-off! I don't remember which character had it, but that gyro-copter backpack was definitely used for another G.I. Joe figure.
I have to say--that's what pissed me off about G.I. Joe's towards the end (the end being the early 90s, before their resurgence): It used to be you'd buy a crappy figure, like Chuckles, just because he came with a cool weapon. But then they just started giving each character the same weapons, except in different colors, and all of a sudden, I realized I was being gypped out of my $4.
Still, M.A.S.K. was and is awesome, so . . .
Rant over.
I remember tearing my GI Joes apart and rebuilding them with different parts. haha That's about it. I am ignorant on the toys, the cartoon, and since I really don't care much for Stephen Sommers, probably won't see the movie. haha