M.A.S.K. #2 Cover A by Pye Parr from Skybound and Image Comics.

M.A.S.K. #2 Review: The Energon Universe Hits the Gas

M.A.S.K. #2 keeps Skybound and Image Comics’ new Energon Universe series moving with speed, danger, and plenty of high-tech vehicle chaos.

Written by Dan Watters, with art by Pye Parr, colors by Pierluigi Casolino, and letters by Rus Wooton, this second issue proves that Mobile Armored Strike Kommand is more than a nostalgic comeback. The series is building a modern action-thriller identity inside the Energon Universe, and issue #2 gives readers a sharper look at what this team can become.

The story puts Bruce Sato and Gloria Baker in the spotlight as Matt Trakker’s newest recruits race to recover a mysterious weapon of unknown origin. Of course, nothing stays simple for long. When V.E.N.O.M. enters the picture, the mission turns into a dangerous test of skill, trust, and survival.

Readers looking for the official release details can find M.A.S.K. #2 Cover A by Pye Parr through the Image Comics release page.

A Fast Second Issue That Knows Its Mission

Second issues matter. A debut can hook readers with the thrill of a relaunch, but the next chapter has to prove the series has real momentum.

M.A.S.K. #2 does exactly that.

Dan Watters keeps the story lean and mission-focused. The issue does not over-explain the world or slow itself down with heavy exposition. Instead, it throws the new recruits into danger and lets the character dynamics form under pressure.

That works especially well for M.A.S.K. because the franchise is built around motion. This is a world of masks, transforming vehicles, covert missions, enemy agents, and impossible technology. The comic understands that appeal and turns it into a clean, energetic action issue.

Bruce and Gloria are still learning what it means to operate in this world. That makes the story more interesting because they are not fully polished heroes yet. They are capable, but they are also being tested in real time.

Bruce Sato and Gloria Baker Take Center Stage

One of the smartest choices in M.A.S.K. #2 is the focus on Bruce Sato and Gloria Baker.

Bruce gives the book a thoughtful, technical edge. He is not just another action figure with a helmet. He is analytical, cautious, and aware that the technology around him is bigger and stranger than expected.

Gloria brings a different energy. She is more instinctive, more daring, and more comfortable when the mission turns into a chase. Her presence gives the issue attitude and momentum.

Together, they make the team feel unfinished in the best possible way. They are not a perfectly synchronized unit yet. They are figuring out the job while the danger is already moving faster than they can control.

That gives the issue a strong rookie-field-test feeling. The action matters because the characters are still proving themselves.

V.E.N.O.M. Makes the Stakes Bigger

A M.A.S.K. story needs V.E.N.O.M., and this issue uses that threat well.

The villains are not just there to create a fight scene. Their arrival raises the stakes around the mysterious weapon and reminds readers that the Energon Universe is full of dangerous factions chasing power they may not fully understand.

That shared-universe angle helps the series stand apart. M.A.S.K. is not simply another team book. It sits at the intersection of spy missions, military technology, alien artifacts, and Hasbro-style adventure spectacle.

For readers following new comics across the Energon Universe, this issue makes a strong case that M.A.S.K. has its own lane. It is not Transformers. It is not G.I. Joe. It is something faster, slicker, and more gadget-driven.

The Art Makes the Action Work

Pye Parr’s artwork is one of the biggest reasons the issue lands.

The vehicle action feels fast without becoming confusing. The page layouts keep the geography clear, even when the issue moves into big chase sequences and high-risk environments. That is important because M.A.S.K. lives or dies on whether the vehicles look exciting.

Here, they do.

The machines feel powerful, strange, and fun. They are not just background props. They are part of the storytelling.

Pierluigi Casolino’s colors add even more energy. The bright tech tones, glowing effects, water sequences, and vehicle interiors all pop without overwhelming the page. The result is a comic that feels modern but still carries the colorful toy-box excitement that longtime M.A.S.K. fans expect.

Rus Wooton’s lettering keeps the pace sharp. The sound effects give the issue punch without crowding the art, helping the action feel animated and kinetic.

A Smart Balance of Nostalgia and Reinvention

What makes M.A.S.K. #2 work is that it respects the classic concept without being trapped by it.

Older fans get the essentials: masks, vehicles, secret missions, V.E.N.O.M., and the thrill of specialized tech in motion. But new readers are not left outside the door. The story gives them a clear hook: a covert team is being built to stop dangerous technology from falling into the wrong hands.

That is simple, effective, and easy to follow.

The Energon Universe has already shown that these properties can be updated with real stakes and strong character work. M.A.S.K. #2 continues that approach by giving the franchise a modern action-comic structure while keeping the core appeal intact.

This is not just a throwback. It feels like a real relaunch.

Final Verdict

M.A.S.K. #2 is a confident, fast-moving second issue that gives the series stronger footing inside the Energon Universe.

Dan Watters keeps the mission tight and character-driven. Pye Parr and Pierluigi Casolino deliver bright, readable, high-speed action. Bruce Sato and Gloria Baker get enough spotlight to make the team feel fresh, while V.E.N.O.M. adds the right amount of danger.

The issue works for longtime fans who remember the classic franchise and for new readers looking for another action-heavy corner of the Energon Universe.

M.A.S.K. #2 has speed, style, and momentum.

That is exactly what this series needed.

Review Score

8.4/10

M.A.S.K. #2 is a sharp and energetic continuation that builds the team, raises the stakes, and proves Mobile Armored Strike Kommand has a strong place in the Energon Universe.

Book Details

Title: M.A.S.K. #2
Publisher: Skybound / Image Comics
Universe: Energon Universe
Story: Dan Watters
Art: Pye Parr
Colors: Pierluigi Casolino
Letters: Rus Wooton
Editor: Ben Abernathy
SRP: $3.99
Rating: Teen
Release Date: July 8, 2026
Available At: Comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play