M.A.S.K. # 1 Cover C Cedric Poulat Variant First Printing 2026 NM-

M.A.S.K. #1, published by Image Comics / Skybound Entertainment on June 10, 2026, officially integrates the beloved 1980s Kenner toy and cartoon property into the hyper-popular Energon Universe shared continuity. Written by Dan Watters and illustrated by Pye Parr, the premiere issue serves as a high-octane modern reimagining that links the classic high-tech spycraft elements of the original series to ongoing events involving the Transformers and G.I. Joe.

The Plot: "The Ultimate Weapon"

• The Escape: The story kicks off in the middle of a high-speed vehicle pursuit. Matt Trakker, piloting his flight-capable Thunderhawk sports car, is fleeing a heavy U.S. Army convoy trying to seize his bleeding-edge technology.
• The Interrogation: Trakker is eventually cornered, captured, and interrogated by General Flagg. Trakker warns the military that a rogue, deeply unhinged operative named Miles Mayhem has escaped with prototypes of the transforming vehicle tech and remains deeply embedded within powerful military networks.
• The Traitor’s Strike: The interrogation takes a deadly turn when Flagg's own attendant reveals himself as a V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem) double agent. In a surprising twist of technology, both the traitor and Trakker activate hidden, miniaturized helmets behind their ears that deploy laser-firing visors. Trakker successfully kills the assassin, saves Flagg's life, and escapes—leaving behind a recruitment device for his newly forged M.A.S.K. Network.
• The Dark Discovery: Meanwhile, Miles Mayhem and his inner circle explore the remote, snowy wastes of Frusenland. They discover an alien, Cybertronian-fueled wormhole generator whose strange, distorted energy has violently warped the surrounding arctic landscape, mapping out the next target for V.E.N.O.M.'s global terror campaign.

The Blind-Bag Program & Secret Debut

Skybound heavily popularized the launch of this title by distributing M.A.S.K. #1 via a unique blind-bag program. Readers who purchased a foil-wrapped copy had a randomized chance of unbagging various solicited covers (ranging from standard art to rare incentive variants).

Most notably, this blind bag hid an unannounced, top-secret surprise variant comic that officially introduced Rom the Space Knight into the Energon Universe for the very first time.

Creative Team & Aesthetic

• Writer: Dan Watters (known for Destro and Batman: Dark Patterns)
• Artist: Pye Parr (Petrol Head)
• Colorist: Pierluigi Casolino
• Visual Tone: Parr leans heavily into a high-end animation aesthetic. The issue captures a vintage "Saturday-morning cartoon" pacing combined with meticulously detailed mechanical drawings of the transforming vehicle frameworks.