Espionage Transformed: The History of M.A.S.K in the Wold-Newton Universe.
By Eric Bieze
During the Transformer wars (1) of the 1970’s C.I.A.L.D. satellites observed and recorded the outcomes. C.IA.L.D. Research and Development analyzed and dissected the data. The scientists were intrigued by the covert possibilities of vehicles with hidden weaponry and other capabilities. This was not an entirely new concept, as MI6 experimented with this concept for its double-O branch.
A group of scientists approached then director of C.I.A.L.D, Bruce Wayne (2) with the concept of developing vehicles with covert capabilities that could be used for combat in various rural and urban environments.
C.I.A.L.D., after months of logistics planning contacted Stark Enterprises (3) and contracted the company to develop a proto-type vehicle. Stark Enterprises, using their developed micro-technology produced a corvette proto-type that had a large host of hidden weapons and other capabilities; including the ability to fly. Following a series of semi-successful trials in which a couple of design flaws were discovered the car was labeled a success. C.I.A.L.D. then approved further funding for a small fleet of varied “second generation” prototypes from Stark Enterprises. Stark Enterprises delegated the project to one of its subsidiaries, Trakker Industries, a small machinist firm.
Trakker Industries was headed by Matt Trakker, a moderately successful engineer and business man. Trakker’s wife, Allison and brother, Andrew along with a crew of technicians ran the laboratories.
Unbeknownst to the Trakkers a technician named Miles Meyim was an industrial spy that was on assignment from the subversive terrorist organization C.O.B.R.A. Miles waited until the vehicles were completing test-trials before he revealed his duplicity.
One night while attempting to steal the blueprints and plant explosives in the laboratory Miles was surprised by Allison and Andrew. Miles drew a pistol and shot at the pair. Allison was grievously wounded and Andrew chased after Miles. Miles escaped, but Andrew was caught in the explosion that destroyed the lab and the vehicles that were still under construction. Matt, alerted by security forces arrived to find Andrew dying. Andrew, before expiring told Matt of Miles treachery, the theft of the blueprints and the death of Allison. (4)
Stark Enterprises immediately investigated the incident and found security at Trakker Industries severely lacking. Matt was called before the board of directors and reprimanded. The project was considered closed and the vehicles were to be “moth-balled” pending further consideration. Matt, emotionally destroyed by death of his wife and brother, and destruction of his laboratory vowed to find Miles and vindicate himself to Stark Enterprises.
Matt appropriated the remaining vehicles that were out at the test track and recruiting a group of engineers and technicians that he deemed trustworthy. Matt and the group went in search of Miles Meyim. (In the comic, cartoon, and toys the masks the characters wore had special powers. In reality these masks were just flight helmets worn while operating the vehicles.)
In the meantime Miles had returned to C.O.B.R.A. and presented the blueprints and findings to COBRA Commander. (5) The Commander was quite skeptical of the success of Miles mission and quickly dismissed him. Miles took this as an affront and left C.O.B.R.A. When he left Miles took the vehicle blueprints he was joined by a small group of lesser C.O.B.R.A. soldiers. Miles and the others formed a small group called V.E.N.O.M. (a takeoff on the C.O.B.R.A. theme). V.E.N.O.M built its own vehicles and used them to become mercenaries and engage in various extortion and theft schemes.
Matt Trakker and his group of companions often opposed V.E.N.O.M. Initially the conflicts were isolated, but became increasing more public. Stark Enterprises finally investigated and discovered Matt Trakker’s activities and confiscated the vehicles. Expecting to be imprisoned Matt was surprised when C.I.A.L.D. director, Bruce Wayne interceded on his behalf and took possession of the vehicles and recruited Matt and his associates to work of C.I.A.L.D.’s covert vehicle warfare division. C.I.A.L.D. further developed the fleet of vehicles and even loaned the transforming technology to U.S. Army’s Anti-Terrorist Strike force, the G.I. Joe Team. The G.I. Joe team proceeded to utilize the transforming technology and create its own covert vehicles.
The Scottish arms manufacturer, Destro, tracked down Miles, confronted and murdered him. Destro then returned to C.O.B.R.A. and sold the group the technology for a hefty profit, and the rest of V.E.N.O.M was then reabsorbed into C.O.B.R.A. C.O.B.R.A. then began to build its own line of covert combat vehicles.
One draw back was that the transforming technology as it became more complex needed almost constant maintenance to continue working properly. In the end the transforming technology proved too costly and unreliable to maintain and was eventually mothballed by both sides.
Note:
The G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. connection seems to work because in later years the Joe team and C.O.B.R.A. began using some very weird looking vehicles that could change shape. I think part of that was the toy companies, but there might have been some truth to the designs.
I also hold the later M.A.S.K. episodes depicting them as a racing in suspect as to their validity.
Works Cited:
© 2004 Eric Bieze