Masters Of The Universe
The "Masters of the Universe" toy line was created by Mattel in 1981, and first released to stores in 1982 as 5-inch action figures (as opposed to the 3-inch size used by Kenner's Star Wars and Hasbro's G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero lines).[4] The two main characters, He-Man ("the most powerful man in the universe")[82] and his arch-enemy Skeletor ("evil lord of destruction")[83] were the first released in action figure form, along with other core characters of the series: Man-At-Arms ("heroic master of weapons"), Beast Man ("Skeletor's savage henchman"), and Battle Cat ("He-Man's fighting tiger").[84][85][86]
Masters of the Universe
The series, although still popular, would not be renewed for a third season in 1985. However, the characters would make occasional guest appearances in the She-Ra: Princess of Power Series, which was set in the same universe and followed the same continuity. The She-Ra series began with a 5-part animated serial which was later condensed into the animated movie The Secret of the Sword, released theatrically in the spring of 1985 and featuring most of the main characters from both cartoons. The characters would continue to appear in guest roles throughout the She-Ra series, as well as a Christmas Special. The very last appearance of Filmation's He-Man and Skeletor is in one of the final She-Ra episodes, entitled "Assault on the Hive," airing December 13, 1986.[5][138]
Also late into the line in 1987 were three original characters from the live-action movie: Blade ("evil masters of swords"), Saurod ("evil spark-shooting reptile"), and Gwildor ("heroic creator of the Cosmic Key"), with their entry into the MOTU mythos explained in one of the last original mini comics, The Cosmic Key.[185][186][187] No other movie-related figures were produced; however, in 1988, the final action figures of the original toy line, the "Laser Power" versions of He-Man and Skeletor, did bear some resemblance to their live-action movie counterparts and were released only to European markets.[188]
Throughout the 1980s, a wide array of He-Man merchandise was released, including coloring books, activity books, Panini Sticker books, toothbrush holders, costumes, bed sheets, and many other items.[221] Several read-along audio plays were created by Kid Stuff and by Pickwick/Ladybird in the United Kingdom.[222] Notably, a complete Masters of the Universe audio-play adventure LP record was released by Kid Stuff Records in 1983, written and produced by John Braden, with a new He-Man theme song and original voice acting.[223] Also notable were a series of audio cassettes, released in Germany by Europa, consisting of 37 episodes of more than 40 minutes in length, with an additional 10 Princess of Power tapes, and six specials. These cassettes would continue to add to the expanding Masters of the Universe mythos, introducing the world of Anti-Eternia, with an evil alternate universe version of He-Man.[224][225]
A Masters of the Universe comic book series was relaunched by DC Comics in 2012, first appearing as a series of digital comics. This was quickly followed by a six-issue mini-series and all new revised origin issues for He-Man, Skeletor and Hordak.[259] After a crossover mini-series with superheroes from the DC Comics universe in 2013, an ongoing series ran for 19 issues through 2014, before being replaced by the "He-Man The Eternity War" 15-issue series in 2015/2016. This introduced a new back-story for He-man's sister She-Ra (as Despara), Skeletor (as the half-Gar son of King Miro), Hordak, and the Snakemen; moving the storyline further along, with a new Horde invasion of Eternia and He-Man taking the Eternian throne, amongst other new developments. Fans have later referred to the overall 2012-2016 comic saga with the "Eternity War" moniker since it was all part of the same story.
On the planet Eternia, Skeletor's army seizes Castle Grayskull, scatters the remaining Eternian defenders, and captures the Sorceress of Grayskull, planning to seize power over the entire universe by the next moonrise. Skeletor's archenemy, the warrior He-Man, veteran soldier Man-At-Arms and his daughter Teela rescue Gwildor from Skeletor's forces. Gwildor, a Thenorian locksmith, reveals that Skeletor has acquired his invention: a "Cosmic Key" that can open a portal to anywhere by utilizing musical notes. The device was stolen by Skeletor's second-in-command, Evil-Lyn, allowing Skeletor to breach Castle Grayskull.
But they are attacked by Teela, and Orko appears and starts a fight until Mossman stops Teela and tells her that he and Swamp Thing have the same goal and that Batman is telling the truth; they then take them to the earth while Cyborg, Swamp Thing, and Starfire stay to protect their universe.
October 11th marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic Masters of the Universe franchise, and as part of that celebration, Cryptoys and Mattel have revealed details from the next three waves of digital toy drops planned from November 2022 through January 2023. Cryptoys is creating an expansive universe that offers fans new ways to collect and play. Over the coming months, MOTU fans can expect to see additional characters such as Orko, Teela, Beast-Man, Trap-Jaw, Skeletor, Sorceresses, Panthor and Man-At-Arms released as digital action figures. 041b061a72