Prince Adam in trouble...

Here is an interesting panel from "Nightmares!", a memorable story that appeared in issue sixteen of the UK Masters of the Universe Adventure magazine. Prince Adam on the run from the Evil Warriors is unable to journey any further and falls at the feet of Skeletor! At some point I will showcase the entire story, but for now you have this panel to enjoy!


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Gray-haired Teela.

Issue one of the UK Masters of the Universe comic features a very odd and unique-looking panel in the story "Skeletor's Surprise", in which we see Teela with gray hair! Not that there is anything wrong with gray hair, but to see it on Teela is rather bizarre. The following page has her revert back to her striking red hair, so the colorist was clearly not paying attention...


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A mighty effort!

There's nothing quite like a Don Manuel storyboard! In this illustrated sequence from the episode "Disappearing Dragons" we see the moment when He-Man is bound by the giant robot Bellatron. What I love about Don's illustration is that he focuses on the extreme frames showing He-Man struggling, and succeeding, to break free of his bonds! Fortunately the animation in the episode was just as striking as these images! So much so that I actually purchased a group of cels from this sequence...


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"Hordak's Victory" #2

"Hordak's Victory" from issue six of the UK Princess of Power comic is a short, but interesting story in which Hordak summons the Enchanted Sisters to see into the future. There is a somewhat clever twist in this story that proves to be Hordak's undoing...


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Not a chance!

Here are two fantastically action-packed panels by artist extraordinaire Bruce Timm from the Masters of the Universe minicomic "Grizzlor: The Legend Comes Alive!" Both panels wonderfully show extremes. In the first panel we see Fisto whipping back his fist as he is about to deliver a mighty blow to Grizzlor. In the second panel Grizzlor has swatted Fisto to one side, sending the hero crashing into the rock face! It is amazing how two simple drawings can be filled with so much action and expression!


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KA-BOOM!

As a kid, upon purchasing a new Masters of the Universe minicomic, I would hurriedly find the transformation sequence, to see how the artist had illustrated it. More than often the transformations in the minicomics were averagely drawn at best. Having purchased the Mosquitor action figure I was treated to a new minicomic, "Enter: Buzz-Saw Hordak!" My jaw-dropped when I saw Bruce Timm's interpretation of the transformation sequence. I have always loved the first panel which shows Prince Adam dramatically reaching for the Sword of Power. The second panel is wonderful. Bruce Timm's ability to create powerful illustrations is what made him a fan favorite when it came to the minicomics. He-Man's pose is superb; with his arms outstretched, as he commands the power of Castle Grayskull! Notice that the power that flows around his body is similar to what we would see take place when Adora transformed into She-Ra...


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"Hordak's Victory" #1

"Hordak's Victory" from issue six of the UK Princess of Power comic is a short, but interesting story in which Hordak summons the Enchanted Sisters to see into the future. Hordak appears to be heading for certain victory in the first half of this story...


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A brief review #014 - "Colossor Awakes"

As many of you will know, in 2010 I published The unofficial cartoon guide to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. At 300+ pages the book features 700+ pieces of trivia, 460+ deleted scenes, 360+ examples of animation reuse, 380+ quotes, 50+ abandoned episodes, and a LOT more! It is the book that NO fan of the Filmation series can live without! BUY IT NOW!

As an incentive, here is my brief review and rating (as they appear in the book) for "Colossor Awakes"...

So much happens in this one episode than happens in two or three other episodes. The script is as confusing as Skeletor's random attacks on the Royal Palace. There appears to be two or three individual stories taking place and, at times, it is hard to know which plot we are following. It appears that this confusion hits the writer too, as late in act two Skeletor and Beast Man are heading to Castle Grayskull, yet in the very next scene they are attacking the Royal Palace once more. Even though the story features the heroes and villains travelling all over the planet with no sense of direction, the sub-plot with Colossor is enough to save the episode from being a convoluted disaster. 6/10

Now, may I ask; what is YOUR rating?

"Polar Peril" #2

"Polar Peril", a story from issue nine of the UK Princess of Power comic, sees the Evil Horde take an interest in a snow-covered region of Etheria, prompting Frosta into action! Hordak reveals his very evil plan to She-Ra; a plan I wish he had tried in the animated series. There is a nice minor twist in the plot where we see She-Ra re-wire the circuits of the Batmex...


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Orko's questionable eyeline!

This panel from "The Dam of Doom!", a story that appeared in issue fifteen of the UK Masters of the Universe Adventure magazine always makes me chuckle. Firstly, I will ask you to look at Orko's eyes. Now follow his eyeline and tell me what you believe he is looking at. Because to me, it looks as if Teela's rather impressive assets are distracting the little Trollan from his magic trick!


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"Polar Peril" #1

"Polar Peril", a story from issue nine of the UK Princess of Power comic, sees the Evil Horde take an interest in a snow-covered region of Etheria, prompting Frosta into action! Be sure to check out the action on page three as She-Ra violently battles a Batmex!


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Dragoon dies?!

As hard as this is to believe, originally at the end of "Dawn of Dragoon", the villain was supposed to "die" by falling into the Bottomless Hole of Trolla. Amazingly, this scene was storyboarded, and I know for a fact that it was animated, too, having seen cels from the sequence over the years! This scene was hurriedly reboarded and subsequently animated before the episode aired! The scene in the completed episode where He-Man manages to save Dragoon compliments the values of He-Man and the show itself.


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TWENTY-EIGHT years ago at 4.20pm...

It's hard to believe, but at 4.20pm today on the 5th September 1983, some TWENTY-EIGHT years ago, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe had its WORLD premiere in the UK! Oddly the series wouldn't premiere in the USA until September 26th. The first episode aired was naturally the pilot episode "Diamond Ray of Disappearance". In celebration of that day I thought it would be interesting to showcase three pages from the season two He-Man Series Bible. These pages are notable as they specifically point out how the first season's worth of episodes have ventured away from the material found within the original Series Bible.

"Inside Castle Grayskull" #3

Here are the final three pages of "Inside Castle Grayskull", a story that appeared in issue thirteen of the UK Masters of the Universe Adventure magazine. In this very simplistic story we see what happens when He-Man is away, prompting the forces of evil to attack Castle Grayskull! The entire final page of this story feels awfully tagged on...


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The Bounty Hunters?

Robert Lamb came up with numerous story ideas during his time working on She-Ra. One of many which unfortunately never saw the light of day was an untitled story that would've seen Bounty Hunters capture some of the Great Rebellion for the Evil Horde, only to learn that the Horde do not pay for anything. Read for yourself!


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