M.A.S.K. was a highly popular animated cartoon during the 1980s that spawned a series of toys...or was it vice versa. I can't remember...actually, I think the toy came first now that I think about it. If you do, let me know.
Anyway, the show revolved around a group of agents fighting an evil organization called "Venom" (I noticed the 80s loved villains named after some kind of snake motiff -- Cobra, Venom, etc...) by using vehicles and super powered masks (really helmets). I don't know what the acronym M.A.S.K stands for (again, if you do...let me know), but of the core group was a guy named "Bruce Sato." For some reason, Bruce, a toy maker of Japanese descent, went around espousing Confucian wisdom (I guess its possible for a Japanese American to study Chinese philosophy...). But, whatever the case, he helmed the mighty truck "Rhino" (which is cool). He was also one of the most seen agents on the cartoon.
Later, the show introduced other characters, including a guy named Ali Bombay (yes, let's not research real South Asian names -- let's go ultra stereotypical!) who rode a motorcycle called "Bullet." Ali was a native of India, born in either Kandukar or Kandu Kabul, depending on source.
The interesting thing about M.A.S.K. figures is that they have no faces. There is molding for a nose, but no eyes or mouth are painted. Strange, huh? Probably because the toy line was more about the vehicles and accessories than the drivers.
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Bruce Sato M.A.S.K. Rescue Mission (Forest Adventure) 1986, Kenner M.A.S.K. Individual Figure This is the second Bruce Sato figure released. This time, as part of the Rescue Mission series, he is without super truck Rhino. Instead, he has some kind of helicopter pack and a pair of skis as well as some other climbing gear. I guess, perfect for somebody on a forest rescue mission... M.A.S.K figures generally have the same amount of articulation as a classic Star Wars figure and they are smaller (probably so they don't have to make gigantic vehicles for them to fit into, thus boosting the price). Again, as is the case with this set, the toy is more about the accessories.
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Ali Bombay M.A.S.K. figures and vehicles 1986, Kenner M.A.S.K. Individual Figure with Bullet motorcycle vehicle As I mentioned before, Ali Bombay is M.A.S.K.'s resident South Asian character. His character was as stereotypical as his name, wearing a turban and going around spouting off the wisdom of the ages. One has to wonder what the hell the creators were thinking. The figure is like other M.A.S.K. figures where he has no face and limited points of articulation. He wears the "vortex" mask, which is supposed to mean that he is able to throw wind storms at people. His bike, the Bullet, can transform into a hover craft,
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The following are items I still need to complete the set. If you notice any other items that should be added, please e-mail me.
- Rhino with Matt Trakker and Bruce Sato
- Bruce Sato/Brad Turner Two Pack
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