MASK First Strike #1

Written by: Aubrey Sitterson
Art by: Ilias Kyriazis
Colours by: Mark Roberts
Published by: IDW

Before I start this review, I would like to get this out of the way: while I was a fan of most of the same things as other 80s kids, MASK was by far my favorite. For some reason, the combination of transforming vehicles with little figures that would put on wacky helmets, truly appealed to me as a kid.

Saying this, I have to say, I’m not sure what I just read. I remember MASK being about what I described in the first paragraph. I get that it was a cash grab on Transformers and G.I. Joes, which you find strewn throughout this issue. I am just wondering: where were the MASK characters? We had mention of VENOM, MASK’s archnemesis, but at no point did we have any of the MASK characters that I grew up loving.

We had plenty of G.I. Joes, a single transformer, some Cobra villains, but still not one MASK. After reading this issue, it feels like editorial forgot that they needed a MASK comic to tie in to the First Strike event and simply plastered the name on this comic that has nothing to do with the actual MASK characters.

Since I don’t like being too negative in my reviews, I will say this: Sitterson and Kyriazis craft a really fun story throughout this issue. We get to see the Joes work together to try and overcome a rampaging king cobra robot snake and see how the power of teamwork can overcome. I give particular praise to Kyriazis who’s art truly brought out the story and his visuals of Shipwreck calling out the shots was a lot of fun.

However, for those who added this issue to their pull list expecting a MASK story tie-in to First Strike, they will be sorely disappointed.