Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe is the collective name of the original Mattel toy series, featuring characters such as He-Man and Skeletor. It led to numerous spin-offs, including four animated series and a major motion picture.

Versions of He-Man and Spin-Offs

As with many toy franchises transferred to several different media there are a number of story differences between the various versions of Masters of the Universe. Complicating matters further several made implicit attempts to change details to realign with other versions, with the result that some internal discontinuities arrive.

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Original minicomics (1981-1984)

All the toys came with special minicomics that sought to tell stories involving the characters. In the earliest comics, He-Man is a wandering barbarian on the world of Eternia, which is dealing with the aftermath of a Great War that has devastated the civilisations that once reigned. He-Man is given special powers and weapons by The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull and sets out to defend the secrets of Castle Grayskull from Skeletor. He-Man is supported by allies such as the Duncan and Teela. A key task is to prevent Skeletor from linking the two halves of the "Power Sword" which will allow him to gain access to the castle.

Related Topics:
Minicomics - Barbarian - Eternia - Castle Grayskull - Skeletor - Duncan - Teela

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The second series of minicomics establish the existence of the kingdom of Eternia, ruled over by King Randor and Queen Marlena. The third series developed the concepts further by giving He-Man the secret identity of Prince Adam, the son of Randor and Marlena.

Related Topics:
King Randor - Queen Marlena

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The original Masters DC Comics take place in this Eternia, though there are a few contradictions stemming from the early alterations to the storyline. In one of the stories Superman is transported to Eternia where he teams up with He-Man, and he later returns for a second adventure.

Related Topics:
DC Comics - Superman

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The middle years of the minicomics adopted the same scenario as the animated series, and even adapted some stories for the comic form. In later years the comics would handle the character and back story of Hordak differently from the cartoon. The final minicomics were released after the animated series had finished and feature many characters and equipment never seen on screen.

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Cartoon series (1983-1985)

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, produced by Filmation, made its television debut in 1983.

Related Topics:
Filmation - Television - 1983

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Eternia is ruled by King Randor and Queen Marlena. Their son is Prince Adam, a cowardly blond muscleman dressed in a Cote d'Azur chemise. However, Prince Adam possesses a magic sword, and when he holds it aloft and says the magic words "By the Power of Grayskull! I have the Power!" he is transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. He-Man is a brave blond muscleman in a and loincloth.

Related Topics:
Sword - Magic

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Most episodes are about Skeletor's repeated attempts and failures to enter Castle Grayskull. Apparently, were he to succeed, he would be able to wrest the power of Grayskull from He-Man and conquer Eternia. He-Man invariably defeats these attempts.

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Despite the limited animation techniques that were used to produce the series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was notable for breaking the boundaries of censorship that had severely restricted the narrative scope of children's TV programming in the 1970s. For the first time in years, a cartoon series could feature a muscular superhero who was actually allowed to hit people, though he still couldn't use his sword often. The cartoon was controversial in that it was produced in connection with marketing a line of toys; advertising to children was itself controversial during this period. In Britain, advertising regulations forbade commercials for He-Man toys to accompany the program itself. The action figures themselves were often repaints and head-swaps of existing characters, outfitted with different equipment; for example, Stinkor was originally a colour- and gear-swap of Mer-Man.

Related Topics:
Limited animation - Censorship - 1970s - Superhero - Hit people - Marketing - Toy - Advertising - Child - Britain - Stinkor - Mer-Man

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The cartoon series was also particularly remarkable because it was the very first animated series produced directly for syndication, as opposed to all other syndicated cartoons of the time which were re-runs of old Saturday morning cartoons.

Related Topics:
Syndication - Saturday morning cartoons

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It is also noted for featuring early script-writing work from J. Michael Straczynski, later the creator of Babylon 5.

Related Topics:
J. Michael Straczynski - Babylon 5

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She-Ra (1985)

He-Man also has a sister, named She-Ra, who was introduced in the animated feature The Secret of the Sword. This film was a compilation of the first five episodes of the She-Ra television series, which ran for 93 episodes from 1985 to 1986. He-Man often appeared in special crossover episodes of She-Ra, but She-Ra did not appear in the He-Man series.

Related Topics:
She-Ra - 1985 - 1986

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Just as Prince Adam transformed into He-Man, She-Ra was the transformation of Adam's sister Princess Adora. While Adora is indeed Adam's sister, it's actually unclear whether He-Man and She-Ra are in fact related, or whether they are simply taking on the relationship of their "host bodies".

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Live action movie (1987)

In 1987 a live action He-Man film was made by Cannon Films entitled Masters of the Universe. The film starred Dolph Lundgren in the title role of He-Man, Frank Langella as Skeletor, with future Friends actress Courteney Cox and future actor Robert Duncan McNeill in early supporting roles. The only other characters from the original cartoon to appear in the film were Evil Lyn (Meg Foster), Man-At-Arms (Jon Cypher), his daughter Teela (Chelsea Field), Beast Man (Tony Carroll), and the Sorceress (Christina Pickles). The character Gwildor (Billy Barty) was included, apparently in place of Orko.

Related Topics:
1987 - Live action - Cannon Films - Dolph Lundgren - Frank Langella - Friends - Courteney Cox - Robert Duncan McNeill - Meg Foster - Jon Cypher - Chelsea Field - Tony Carroll - Christina Pickles - Gwildor - Billy Barty - Orko

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The film was largely a disappointment both commercially and critically. A sequel to the film was produced but by 1989 the He-Man franchise was no longer popular and the film was transformed into the action film Cyborg (now starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and having two unpopular sequels).

Related Topics:
Sequel - 1989 - Action - Jean-Claude Van Damme

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Numerous parts of the previously-accepted history of the series are ignored in the film, including all references to Prince Adam, and He-Man even uses a gun in some scenes.

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A new He-Man movie has been announced as being developed with John Woo considered as director, and Jason Lewis linked to play He-Man.

Related Topics:
John Woo - Jason Lewis

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Later minicomics (1985-1987)

Beginning with the introduction of Hordak the mini-comics began to diverge in someways from the scenario shown in the She-Ra animated series (the animated He-Man was now out of production). Whereas in the cartoons many new Masters toys would now appear as based in an Etheria under the rule of Hordak with a resistance headed by Adora/She-Ra, the mini-comics stayed primarily on Eternia. Etheria only appeared as Hordak's main base of operations.

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Many years earlier Hordak had been overthrown by his minion Skeletor and banished from Eternia. He now returned, accompanied by his minions the Evil Horde, and sought to conquer the planet. Occasionally allying with Skeletor, though more commonly seeking to destroy him as well, Hordak met repeated opposition from He-Man.

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An even more dramatic addition to the legends of Eternia came in the mini-comic King of the Snakemen. In this Skeletor discovered a pool of energy buried in Snake Mountain which contained the ancient emperor King Hiss. Hiss revealed he had conquered many planets before invading Eternia. Large parts of the planet had fallen to the Snakemen before they were defeated by the "Council of the Elders" and banished to another dimension. Hiss now sought to recover his fellow Snakemen and bring vengeance to Eternia.

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Further details of Eternia's ancient past would be revealed in subsequent mini-comics. The most dramatic revelations surrounded the "Three Towers" - Grayskull Tower, "a symbol of goodness", Viper Tower, "a symbol of all that is evil", and Central Tower, holding the "ultimate power". This giant structure was raised from underground by Hiss and Skeletor and became the focal point for further adventures as He-Man sought to prevent both villains, and also Hordak, from acquiring the secrets of the towers. In the process a series of fascinating discoveries were made.

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Hordak recognised the towers and claimed to have helped build Central Tower, though little further was discovered. The return of the Towers also enhanced the Sorceress' magic and she was able to help King Randor to search to discover what had happened to his long-lost brother Keldor. Skeletor was determined to stop this search, claiming "that knowledge could destroy me". It was strongly hinted, but not confirmed, that Keldor had become Skeletor.

Related Topics:
King Randor - Keldor

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But the most astounding revelations came when the Sorceress took He-Man through a time portal to visit Eternia's ancient past...

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The Powers of Grayskull

This past was to form the basis of the next incarnation of the toyline, entitled The Powers of Grayskull. However the toyline was axed very early on, with only a few toys released. The main story information originates from the very last mini-comic The Powers of Grayskull: The Legend Begins (intended as the first of a three-parter, however only this issue appeared), supported by snippets of information on some of the toy packaging.

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Ancient Eternia was populated by many creatures, including cybernetic dinosaurs and giants. When the Sorceress and He-Man arrived, followed by Skeletor, they found King Hiss leading a Snakemen attack on a village in the hope of drawing out "the Elders", using some of the cybernetic dinosaurs to their advantage. Hiss served an "unamed one" and agreed to unite with Skeletor on the basis that he might be an emissary. Seeing Skeletor's interference, the Sorceress allowed He-Man to enter the battle but "for reasons that will be made clear to you in the future" he had to be disguised. He found himself overwhelmed, but then a shadowy figure appeared who turned the odds with a powerful wand. The stranger then sent the Snakemen back to their base and all the time travellers home. The Sorceress described the intervener as "the Greatest Sorceror of all" and He-Man was left asking "But who is he?"

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No further story information was given, and it remains unclear how the giants mentioned and released as toys would fit into the story. However some marketing press releases and prototypes have shed further information.

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The wizard was He-Ro, an ancestor of He-Man with the alter ego "Gray". Raised by his mentor Eldor and discovering special powers in a cave, He-Ro would have led the fight. According to the mini-comics' writers it was intended that the central antagonist would be Keldor, though whether he was the "Unnamed One" Hiss served was not clear.

Related Topics:
He-Ro - Eldor

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Little further of the back story was developed, though many fans have produced their own theories and continuations.

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The New Adventures of He-Man (1989-1991)

In 1989 DIC&Filmation a second He-Man series, The New Adventures of He-Man, was produced, and set in a more science fiction-like setting which saw both He-Man and Skeletor transported to the futuristic planet of Primus ruled by Master Sebrian. As He-Man led the Galactic Guardians, Skeletor formed an alliance with Flogg and the Mutants. It was not as popular as the original series, and lasted sixty five episodes. The majority of the episodes were written by Jake Olster, and as a result, had tight continuity.

Related Topics:
1989 - DIC - Filmation

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Other than He-Man and Skeletor, only The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull made regular appearances out of the characters in the original cartoon. In the new series, The Sorceress acts as a guide to He-Man. Several other characters were featured in the pilot episode, including King Randor and Queen Marlena.

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A list of the characters can be found in He-Man Character Guide.

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2002 cartoon series

In 2002, a new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series was produced and aired by Cartoon Network. This series ended after 39 episodes and is noteworthy for cementing the fact that Keldor and Skeletor are the same person (though making no connection between Keldor and Randor), showing Skeletor without his cowl, and the first animated appearance of Stinkor. It has also been revealed that Evil-Lyn's father is a powerful sorcerer known as The Faceless One. The action figures are noteworthy, having been sculpted by Four Horsemen Studios.

Related Topics:
2002 - Cartoon Network - Four Horsemen Studios

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Later episodes of this series were retitled Masters of the Universe Vs The Snake-Men, and sidelined Skeletor as chief villain in favor of King Hiss, leader of the reptilian Snake-Men. Though the Snake-Men and King Hiss had their own line of toys in the 1980s, this was their first appearance in the animated series.

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The 2002 series was considerably more developed than previous incarnations. The 2002 series based itself heavily on a 'series bible' which fleshed out a far more coherent history of Eternia, King Grayskull (from whom He-Man derives his powers), the Sorceress and Hordak, Skeletor's mentor. There were also several major alterations in character from the original series: Adam and Teela, for example, were rendered as squabbling teenagers, whilst King Randor was transformed into a far more pro-active sort of warrior-king, rather than the stern-faced cipher of old. The transformation of Adam and Teela into squabbling adolescents lent an element of caustic humour (usually Teela complaining about Adam's uselessness), but reduces the strong female presence of the original series. While Teela holds a high position within the MOTU in the 2002 series, she appears considerably reduced from the animal-sensate 'warrior goddess' of the original. However, much of this is counterbalanced by the new version of Evil-Lyn. The 2002 series makes it quite clear that, in He-Man's own words, she is 'Skeletor's most powerful lieutenant.'

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