Lads, the new M.A.S.K classic toys re-release line from The Loyal Subjects looks jaw-dropping and on top of that, the box art it a complete smack over the head with a nostalgia branch… and I’m here for it all.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, M.A.S.K – which stands for Mobile Armoured Strike Kommand – was one of the biggest animated shows of the 80s and had an even greater toyline with its cross between GI Joe (Action Force here in the UK) and Transformers and now it’s back in style.
A few weeks back I reported on how M.A.S.K was now officially part of the Energon Universe comic series (below) and I expect much bigger things there before the year’s end, and it seems a comic appearance if far from the end of M.A.S.K’s big birthday.
The Energon Universe to expand as Visionaries and M.A.S.K confirmed
Enter The Loyal Subjects, an action figure brand who, so far, has massively capitalised on your nostalgia and is now going a step further.
“We’re so pumped to finally reveal our initial M.A.S.K. collection! We’ve put a lot of love into making sure these toys stay true to the original while bringing that classic magic into the modern day,” said Jonathan Cathey, CEO and Founder of The Loyal Subjects, back in February. “Fans are going to love the attention to detail and high quality, including the conversions to battle modes!”
Throughout the mid-80s, the M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) television series wowed audiences with 75 action-packed episodes following the namesake special task force led by Matt Tracker as it battled V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem). The Loyal Subjects and Hasbro are celebrating the 40th anniversary of M.A.S.K. with a collectible toy line that captures everything that made M.A.S.K. such a legendary, pop culture-defining franchise.
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- MASK Rhino/Mobile Defense Unit
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- MASK Condor
Leading the rollout, fans can look forward to the ultimate M.A.S.K. Mobile Defense Unit (MDU) – real fans will know this used to be called Rhino but it seems the copyright gods had different ideas this time around.
This exciting release will include the iconic big rig truck, capable of converting into a force to be reckoned with! The push of a button reveals special features such as smoke stack cannons and a command center missile, plus action figures of leaders Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato, making this a top of the wish list item for fans to collect and display while also offering plenty of interactive elements for imaginative play.
GI Joe: Snake Eyes movie to set up M.A.S.K and Transformers in new shared cinematic universe?
The M.A.S.K. MDU and other toys in the premiere wave will honor the original releases with consumer applied labels and classic inspired packaging, along with several modern enhancements. To celebrate the 40th properly, additional play and display elements including increased figure pose-ability and joints, foot pegs on the vehicles and the inclusion of blast effects, are sure to mobilize fans to get their hands on the new sets.
The premiere wave will include the MDU, Condor, Thunderhawk and the villainous High Tech Helicopter. Each will be paired with their action figure along with unique enhancements and projectile features.
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- MASK Thunderhawk
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- MASK Switchblade
While I was always a Star Wars/Real Ghostbusters/Transformers kid, the M.A.S.K toys really excited me when I was a kid – the scale that was unlike any other, the figures with their uniquely powered helmets and, of course, the incredible vehicles which turned into battle machines, had me from day one, with Rhino beign easily one of my favourite toys, so the idea of having these all on a shelf in my collection, bringing me back to those days when all I had to worry about was cartoons, breakfast cereal and homework, is very enticing, indeed.
The M.A.S.K. line will be available for pre-order on July 1st, and distribution will be expanded starting on September 2nd in the US and internationally.
Box art for the upcoming The Loyal Subjects MASK line, preorders for this first wave of four will go up July 1st at BBTS. pic.twitter.com/StWSXSidIX
— preternia (@preterniadotcom) June 16, 2025
Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
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