Review – M.A.S.K. Billboard Blast

Line: M.A.S.K. * Manufacturer: Kenner * Year: 1987 * Ages: 4+

Of course you remember the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, Kenner’s G.I. Joe meets Transformers* toy series from the eighties (which also made its way to a ridiculous cartoon series that I’ve watched lately; it doesn’t hold up to the test of time). With transforming vehicles that turn into vehicles, M.A.S.K. easily captured not only my attention but also the attention of millions of other boys my age at the time.

During the third wave of M.A.S.K. toys, released in 1987, Kenner entered a racing theme (as did the cartoon) which many fans of the series disliked. The concept may have sucked, but several of my favorite M.A.S.K. toys come from this third series. Albert Penello successfully nails my thoughts on the series when he writes:

“Personally, I think the designers had really nailed it by now, because this line really had some of the most creative and intricate toys. Bulldog, Razorback, Wildcat, Manta — they all had some serious changing abilities and goodies.”

I’ll also toss the Billboard Blast, The Collector, and the Pit Stop Catapult into the mix of excellent toys from the third series. Mini playsets, each one was (at the time and still today) an inexpensive extra that kids could add to their collections. As a child I only owned the Pit Stop Catapult (photos and information here) out of the three but I wanted the others. Maybe it’s a mental problem — talking with others tells me that not many people enjoyed the little playset pieces — but I loved that goofy little playset.

Now that I’m an adult (quiet, you, technically I’m an adult) I’ve managed to pick up all three of these little playsets. Take that, younger version of me! I’ve got toys that you wanted!

Billboard Blast

Standing a little over 7″ tall, the Billboard Blast starts out as an innocent, mundane street-side billboard that — in comparison to the vehicles in this scale — looks pretty damned thick. Way, way too thick. In fact, any M.A.S.K.-sized action figure has to be wondering what the hell is going on as he drives past the billboard. Unfortunately, the action figure’s brain is so tiny that he doesn’t figure out what is going on until . . . BAM! The Billboard Blast transforms into a stationary battle platform.

To transform the playset from billboard to battle station, the top section is popped apart and the sides fold out to reveal a swivel gun (with Dusty Hayes and the Vacuum Mask — which I’m missing) and two small missiles that can be fired by loading them — one at a time — into a small hole and then pushing the firing button. This spring-loaded launcher has some real strength, even after over twenty years, and can fire missiles all of the way across my living room. Now that’s a good spring.

More Photos Online

If you’d like to look at other shots of the Billboard Blast toy visit Albert Penello’s M.A.S.K. site and the Billboard Blast page at the Virtual Toy Chest. Both sites include a large number of photos and are online treasures for anyone who wants a close look at the M.A.S.K. series.

Closing Thoughts

While some of the M.A.S.K. toys were a bit unusual — like Billboard Blast and the toll booth known as The Collector — there’s no doubt in my mind that every single one of the toys in the series is fun to play with. Billboard Blast may not look like much, but the fact that it’s a micro playset makes it a great addition to any M.A.S.K. collection. And since it’s such an inexpensive piece these days, for now at least, it’s a great toy to pick up if you’re looking to grow a collection of unusual toys from the eighties.

Philip Reed is now gonna go play with his other M.A.S.K. toys, including his Boulder Hill playset. Jealous?

* I’ve said this for years. Imagine my joy when I read in the fun toy book Just Can’t Get Enough (which includes a chapter on M.A.S.K.) the following from author Matthew Robinson:

“So what if they were an obvious mash-up of G.I Joe and the Transformers? What’s wrong with that? M.A.S.K. had all of the hardcore squad-style fighting of G.I. Joe mixed with the transforming-style vehicles of the Transformers. Add a bunch of masks with magical powers into the mix and boom bam! you’re on the top of my birthday wish list always.”

Yeah, it’s a pretty obvious mash-up. And I don’t care.