Orko sees something...

Throughout Emiliano Santalucia's run on the Masters of the Universe comic from MVCreations he included numerous sight gags that were often easy to miss. In this amusing panel from issue two (volume one) we see He-Man and Man-At-Arms deep in conversation, as Orko appears to have found something creepy in one of the many dark corners of Castle Grayskull...


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The second Chimera.

One of the more unique characters from the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series was Count Marzo's ally Chimera. In his first appearance in the season one episode "The Once and Future Duke" he had a cold, threatening way of speaking, and his ability to teleport anywhere made him extremely notable. However, when the character returned in He-Man's season two not only was he now a dimwitted henchman, but his look had changed dramatically! Here I present the model sheet for the character as he appeared in the season two episodes "The Eternia Flower" and "Search for a Son".


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Giant pink cat!

Here is yet another illustration by Robin Davies of Clawdeen from the She-Ra Ladybird book "Spirit is Kidnapped". As I have pointed out before, Robin's take on Clawdeen is quite amusing due to the missing mane, which results in Catra's large ally looking like an overgrown pink cat! That said, as always, I love Robin's style of illustration. And before I end this post I must point out how annoyed that green rabbit looks!


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An atmospheric battle #4

The New Adventures of He-Man was visually a hit and miss series. Some episodes would look beautiful, whilst some were so awkwardly animated that it would be distracting. "Crack in the World" is one of the best-looking episodes of the series. While it does not reach the animation heights of "The Ultimate Challenge" there is a fantastic amount of gorgeous animation in this episode to make it one of the best. Over the course of the next week or so I will showcase a bunch of images from the memorable fight between He-Man and Skeletor featured in this episode. The pair fight dramatically in one of the chasms that has formed due to the impending destruction of Primus. These final five images show the near-conclusion of the battle. If you want to find out how it ends I recommend watching the episode!


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

The first Chimera.

One of the more unique characters from the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series was Count Marzo's ally Chimera. In his first appearance in the season one episode "The Once and Future Duke" he had a cold, threatening way of speaking, and his ability to teleport anywhere made him extremely notable. Here I present the model sheet for the character as he appeared in "The Once and Future Duke". Now, those reading this should be quite aware that Chimera's look in the second season episodes "The Eternia Flower" and "Search for a Son" was very different. I shall be addressing that fact in a day or so...


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

Flutterina the spy.

Here is an incredibly atmospheric illustration from the story "The Lost River", which was featured in the rarely-seen four story She-Ra Ladybird compilation book. Glenn Steward illustrates this piece with a great sense of mood, as Flutterina spies on Catra and Clawdeen, as they attempt to enter the Crystal Castle from below! I love the way in which the two villainous figures are given no outline when compared to Flutterina in the foreground; this helps create a wonderful sense of depth.


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She knows the secret, too?

In the 1986 Masters of the Universe Annual one of the more unique stories is "Silvanos Threatened". Firstly we meet King Randor's cousin King Sullei, the hot-headed ruler of Silvanos. His sister appears later in the story; an elderly lady with an incredible inner-strength named the Prophetess. In the story it is revealed that the Prophetess is old friends with the Sorceress, and most strikingly of all, that she also knows that He-Man and Prince Adam are one and the same! Although this annual suffers, due to some odd-looking artwork throughout, this story is the book's saving grace.


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An atmospheric battle #3

The New Adventures of He-Man was visually a hit and miss series. Some episodes would look beautiful, whilst some were so awkwardly animated that it would be distracting. "Crack in the World" is one of the best-looking episodes of the series. While it does not reach the animation heights of "The Ultimate Challenge" there is a fantastic amount of gorgeous animation in this episode to make it one of the best. Over the course of the next week or so I will showcase a bunch of images from the memorable fight between He-Man and Skeletor featured in this episode. The pair fight dramatically in one of the chasms that has formed due to the impending destruction of Primus. These next few images show the moment when the pair are in close conflict only to have the ground open up beneath them...


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

Sunset ride.

Here is a lovely Robin Davies illustration from the Masters of the Universe Ladybird book "He-Man meets the Beast". It is interesting to see Prince Adam riding a steed with Cringer by his side. One of my favorite things about this illustration, aside from the wonderful color scheme throughout this piece, is the design of the royal ship that hovers across the desert. The detail on Teela and her horse in the background is a nice touch, too.


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That's Cringer?

The 1985 UK Masters of the Universe annual features many beautiful illustrations throughout its pages. However, there are one or two illustrations where we are left scratching our heads. In this illustration we see Prince Adam, sporting the blue jacket with yellow trim that he was occasionally seen in. Cringer on the other hand looks very different to what we are used to. Clearly the artist has avoided the look of the cartoon cat, and leaned towards a more realistic-looking panther! It appears in this illustration that Cringer is about to savage Prince Adam! Notice the lack of yellow stripes, too...


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No need to reanimate!

Filmation were both famous and infamous for their dependency on stock footage. However, on occasion, they would animate a sequence that need not be reanimated! Case in point, Prince Adam posed like He-Man raising the Sword of Power. In the season one episode "Dawn of Dragoon", unable to transform into He-Man, we see Prince Adam lower the sword and hold it across his chest like He-Man. However, in the season two episode "One for All" we Prince Adam hold the sword across his chest and subsequently raise it aloft utilizing an entirely new piece of animation! This is one time that Filmation could have saved money by reusing the sequence from "Dawn of Dragoon". The images on the left are from "Dawn of Dragoon", the images on the right are from "One for All".



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An atmospheric battle #2

The New Adventures of He-Man was visually a hit and miss series. Some episodes would look beautiful, whilst some were so awkwardly animated that it would be distracting. "Crack in the World" is one of the best-looking episodes of the series. While it does not reach the animation heights of "The Ultimate Challenge" there is a fantastic amount of gorgeous animation in this episode to make it one of the best. Over the course of the next week or so I will showcase a bunch of images from the memorable fight between He-Man and Skeletor featured in this episode. The pair fight dramatically in one of the chasms that has formed due to the impending destruction of Primus. These images show the moment when Skeletor first attacks He-Man, before leaping down to confront the hero...


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

The head of Zodan!

When the UK Masters of the Universe comics began adapting the German comics, the shift in style was dramatic, but very welcome. The German stories often featured beautiful and vibrantly-colored backgrounds, wonderfully showcased with large panels. This panel from issue thirteen of the Masters of the Universe Adventure magazine is just one example, as He-Man reaches the head of Zodan!


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Flutterina points the way.

Here is an absolutely beautiful illustration by Glenn Steward from the story "The Lost River", which was featured in the rarely-seen four story She-Ra Ladybird compilation book. Whilst the rendering of the characters themselves may be fairly straightforward, the use of color in this piece is breathtaking! I love the way in which all three characters are colored with a purple hue across their bodies, to accentuate the fact that it is nighttime on Etheria. For some reason, I like that She-Ra has her arms folded...


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

A brief review #024 - "Wizard of Stone Mountain"

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 "Wizard of Stone Mountain"...

Once more, Paul Dini gets a chance to write for Teela, and once more he makes the character shine; her relationship with Mallek is one of the most memorable of the series. Mallek himself is a great guest character. From his opening scenes to his foolish bargain, we get a sense that this is a man who is not thinking clearly. He-Man's confrontation with the Spirit of Evil is incredibly well-scripted; not only does it take the dynamic of good versus evil to a new level, but we learn just how deep He-Man's goodness runs. What Paul Dini does with this episode is write a love story like no other. A love story that involves three people, the rescuing of a man's soul, and the Spirit of Evil. 7/10

Now, may I ask; what is YOUR rating?

An atmospheric battle #1

The New Adventures of He-Man was visually a hit and miss series. Some episodes would look beautiful, whilst some were so awkwardly animated that it would be distracting. "Crack in the World" is one of the best-looking episodes of the series. While it does not reach the animation heights of "The Ultimate Challenge" there is a fantastic amount of gorgeous animation in this episode to make it one of the best. Over the course of the next week or so I will showcase a bunch of images from the memorable fight between He-Man and Skeletor featured in this episode. The pair fight dramatically in one of the chasms that has formed due to the impending destruction of Primus. These first five images show the initial confrontation between the pair...


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

Emiliano Santalucia's Evil-Lyn!

During his time on the Masters of the Universe comic from MVCreations Emiliano Santalucia had the opportunity to draw Evil-Lyn frequently. And it appeared that he relished each and every opportunity to do so! Not only does Emiliano highlight her beauty throughout, but the sheer level of detail he adds to her costume is nothing short of amazing!


(click on the image to see it at full-size)

"Battle of the Cats" #3

One of my favorite stories from the UK Masters of the universe comic has always been "Battle of the Cats" which appeared in issue thirty-four. The idea of Beast Man using his powers to control Cringer had been addressed in the episode "A Beastly Sideshow"; Beast Man stating that he was unable to gain control of the creature. However, the UK comic decided that Beast Man could control Cringer, leading to this unique story. One of the most interesting aspects of this story is the fact that Panthor has the ability to talk. Something I often muse over, as in the animated series Panthor witnessed Prince Adam transform into He-Man in "No Job too Small". For the time being, enjoy this exciting story. Here are the last three pages...


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Shadow Weaver's humiliation!

One of the most memorable images from the She-Ra series is this one from the season one episode "The Eldritch Mist". Having attacked Castaspella by creating a large creature, Shadow Weaver is aghast when Castaspella transforms the creature into an oversized teddy bear. Just when you think the scene cannot get any more embarrassing for Shadow Weaver, the evil witch is prevented from taking any more action in the episode when the teddy bear imprisons her in a loveable hug!


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Unique animation.

The New Adventures of He-Man episode "Council of Clones" is one of a few episodes that features a very unique style of animation. By no means is it as smooth or as artistic as the animation found in "The Ultimate Challenge" episode, but it does have its merits. Here are a group of images from one scene in which He-Man punches a force field. You can see the style of animation is incredibly detailed, but at the same time slightly odd-looking. I will let you draw your own conclusions...



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Orko's sword of might!

Here are some comically illustrated storyboard panels by Rich Chidlaw from the season one He-Man episode "The Region of Ice". What I love about these panels is the way in which Orko's expressive eyes are drawn, notably in panels three, four, and five! Also, compare this sequence to the produced episode; in these panels we see that it was illustrated so that Orko's sword was a replica of the Sword of Power, whereas in the actual episode it was animated as a rather mundane-looking sword.


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You call that a hiding place?!

I was never a fan of Loo-Kee's hiding places; not that I had anything against the character of Loo-Kee. I simply did not like the fact that those segments at the end of each episode removed any opportunity for the cast of She-Ra to deliver moral segments equal to those found in the He-Man series! With regards to Loo-Kee's games of hide and seek, this one from the season one episode "Wild Child" has to go down in history as one of the worst!


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King Sullei?

In the 1986 Masters of the Universe Annual the unique story "Silvanos Threatened" introduces as to King Sullei, King Randor's cousin. In this illustration we see Prince Adam conversing with King Sullei, who is described as being hot-headed and dressed in clothing that is not becoming of a ruler. I should also mention that King Sullei's sister is the Prophetess, an elderly woman whose friendship with the Sorceress is explained in the story.


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