M.A.S.K. DC Comics Vol 1 Issue 2

Our quest to review the 4-issue set of M.A.S.K. comic books continues! Issue #2 was published in January 1986 and was titled "The Domain of the Dead." We invite you to dust off your copies or visit the comics section at Boulder-Hill.Net to read and comment with our upcoming podcast review. 

You can participate by voting for your favorite issue(s) in the right hand column of this blog and also by leaving comments on the blog or poll. Here's a quick review of issue #2...

Vol 1 Issue 2 

'The Domain of the Dead'

The creative team on the second issue features the same DC crew as issue #1. They include inker Joe Delbeato and penciler Mike Chen with colors and letters by Shelley Eiber and Tim Harkins. The script is written by Michael Fleisher and the editor is Andrew Helfer. It was released in January 1986 for the cover price of US 75 cents. The story itself was 23 pages including a special preview page of issue #3's cover. Some of the advertisements included 'The Animal' motorized monster trucks, a back cover ad for a Starburst BMX sweepstakes, an Elvira Mistress of the Dark T-Shirt, Fig Newtons, and Glow-In-The-Dark posters.

The story begins with Thunderhawk flying over two Egyptian pyramids. Building on where the story ended in issue #1, Bruce asks Matt if a local professor can help with a clue found in Matt's hotel room that might lead to finding Scott and T-Bob.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ginsburg and his assistant exploring a pyramid to prove the existence of the lord of the underworld, Anubis. After stating he has plenty of time to meet with Matt, he presses on and uncovers a secret burial chamber in the floor. Brushing themselves off, the professor backs into Anubis himself along with several awakened mummies. Anubis explains the waning of his powers throughout the years and how he is now free to escape and reestablish his realm.

Matt and Bruce arrive at the local hotel and do one last check of their M.A.S.K. equipment before heading to the museum. Upon arrival, they are told the professor is running late and then are suprised by Anubis and his band of mummies. They take some treasures meant for Anubis and restrain the armed guards at the museum. Matt and Bruce waste no time putting on their masks and getting in the battle. An ear-piercing blast from Spectrum subdues Anubis, with Bruce saving the security guards from a fallen statue. Amongst the chaos Anubis and his mummies escape. Duane Kennedy from the P.N.A. contacts Matt and orders him to use new agent Nash Gorey in the search for Scott. Matt relunctantly obliges and then summons morer M.A.S.K. agents for the mission.

The penny drops on the true identity of Anubis and his band of mummies...V.E.N.O.M.! With the proffessor, Scott, and T-Bob locked away, Miles Mayhem awaits to ambush the other M.A.S.K. team members. Nash Gorey drops in and Matt introduces him and Outlaw to the team. They roll out to the dig that the professor had been working on and are attacked by V.E.N.O.M. from behind.

After fending off the attack, V.E.N.O.M. retreats to inside the tomb. M.A.S.K. follows with Nash Gorey staying behind. The team is lured to the same trap door and plummets to the bottom. A mask battle ensues with Mayhem caving in the ceiling and separates him and the V.E.N.O.M. agents for a timely escape. Matt finds the captives and the missing treasures stolen from the museum. The team then attempts to exit the tomb with Outlaw pushing a large boulder against the entrance. 

Read the entire second issue in the comic section at Boulder-Hill.Net and then give us your feedback. Leave a comment below with your perspective of the art and story featured in DC Comics' Vol 1 Issue 2 of M.A.S.K.! Read ahead if you like or come back soon for the next post on Issue 3.