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? M.A.S.K. #1 kicks off the latest entry in the Energon Universe and does a good job of integrating it into G.I. JOE and Transformers.

One of the more intriguing aspects of Skybound‘s Energon Universe is its slow introduction of properties into it, easing them in and making sure they fit right. The new comic universe that unites some of Hasbro’s top brands began with Void Rivals and then slowly expanded into Transformers and a few G.I. JOE miniseries before the current ongoing. With each release, there was an effort to connect the dots making their being part of a cohesive universe make sense and not feel mashed together. G.I. JOE has focused on Energon as a power source with teases and conspiracies of giant robots as an example. M.A.S.K. is another example of this as Matt Trakker debuted over a year ago with Miles Mayhem being brought in later, both tied to General Flagg and thus G.I. JOE. M.A.S.K. #1 dives fully in as the story of Trakker and Mayhem, which have played out in G.I. JOE, get their own series that has Mayhem launching his own organization V.E.N.O.M. in search of what we assume is Cybertronian technology.

Written by Dan Watters, M.A.S.K. #1 lays the cards of the table with Trakker being brought in by General Flagg, arrested for claims made by Mayhem. We get the backstory that has been hinted up to this point with Trakker laying out the history and just what type of villain Mayhem is. We also get a sense as to what will make M.A.S.K. and G.I. JOE different as far as how they operate and a bit with the technology as well. M.A.S.K. #1 sets the tone and expectations and does a pretty good job at that.

The art by Pye Parr with color by Pierluigi Casolino and lettering by Rus Wooton is good. The character designs are generally good though the comic’s visuals never quite excite and feel a bit more “cartoony” at times compared to other comics in the Energon Universe. The opening chase scene never quite hooks visually and feels a little bland overall with some faces feeling almost comedic in their reaction (hence the “cartoony”). It’s not bad though and the comic does a good job in that sequence building up to the conclusion of the chase where those who know the property might have certain expectations. Later, as we see more of what Mayhem and his team are up to, what could be very horrific scenes feel a bit dialed back in their shock and surprise.

M.A.S.K. #1 is a fine addition to the Energon Universe that expands on an element that has played out in other comics for some time now. But, it also feels like it suffers a little from the loss of momentum that the Energon Universe has experienced lately. It’s not quite the jolt of excitement the overall line needs. Still, what Skybound has done connecting all of these properties has been impressive and this latest series is another example of an idea that hasn’t ever been pulled off as well as this. If you’re a fan of this world, it’s one to pick up and get another piece of the overall puzzle.

Story: Dan Watters Art: Pye Parr
Color: Pierluigi Casolino Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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