The toy reissue from the classic 80s cartoon, M.A.S.K., from The Loyal Subjects earlier this year has proven to be elusive, as the speciality toy maker has not made the first wave of collectables available for general availability, but that’s about to change as the entire collection is now available for pre-order at US online retailer, Amazon.
Revealed in March, the new M.A.S.K. toy line is inspired by the iconic 1985 cartoon and toy series, and released to mark the franchise’s 40th anniversary. Working with Hasbro, the wave of four toys by toy speciality company The Loyal Subjects was released on 1 July, and it is now expanding internationally on 2 September.
Known as the Mobile Armor Strike Kommand, the first release in the line is the M.A.S.K. Mobile Defense Unit aka Rhino. The iconic big rig truck is equipped with a mobile command center that includes a missile launcher, and comes with action figures of Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato.
Next is the M.A.S.K. Thunderhawk, driven by M.A.S.K. leader, Matt Tracker, followed by M.A.S.K. Condor, the motorcycle turned mini-copter piloted by Brad Turner, and finally, M.A.S.K. High Tech Helicopter aka Switchblade, piloted by the leader of Venom, Miles “Wolf” Mayhem.
Retail prices for the four models on Amazon matches those in other stores, at US$129.99 for Mobile Defense Unit aka Rhino, US$64.99 for Thunderhawk, US$39.99 for Condor, and US$99.99 for High Tech Helicopter aka Switchblade.
Alas, only these four SKUs are currently listed, and not the limited edition 40th Anniversary editions that come in black and gold colours, or the special edition M.A.S.K. Mobile Defense Unit that comes with Matt Tracker, Bruce Sato, Scott Tracker, & T-Bob action figures.
While the toys, including the packaging, look identical to the original toys from four decades ago, the new wave offer upgraded sculpting and greater functionality, while the action figures have more joints, wider posability and articulation. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the franchise, additional play and display elements have also been added, including foot pegs on the vehicles and the inclusion of blast effects.
For those of us who missed the original release, these new versions from The Loyal Subjects are a great way to revisit nostalgia, and in case you’re feeling old, we went through the records to determine how much these four would cost when they were originally released back in 1985.
The Thunderhawk toy retailed at US$13.99 (US$42 adjusted for inflation), while Condor retailed at US$5.99 (US$18 adjusted), and Switchblade at US$19.99 (US$60 adjusted). Meanwhile, the largest of the lot, Rhino, retailed at US$32.99 (US$99 adjusted). That means you’re paying more than twice as much for Condor, and 50 per cent more Thunderhawk and Switchblade, and 30 per cent more for Rhino.
But the chances that those toys are still pristine in this day and age is slim. Plus the new reissues have greater play value, so that higher price you might be paying is just an illusion.
And that is the ultimate weapon.
Hsals needs more space in his house, and more money in his bank account to pay for all the toys, collectibles and other geek related items that companies are churning out. Free-time? Girlfriend? Who’s got time for those?
Si Jia
Destro
