REVIEW: Masters of the Universe: Forge of Destiny #1

Having just recently seen an advance for the new Transformers book (click here to check it out), I get another toy tie-in and with it another licensing merry-go-round as He-Man and his Masters of the Universe depart DC and head over to Dark Horse Comics, for this prequel book of the popular(?) Netflix show Masters of the Universe Revelations. Considering how the show received mixed reviews, I am not sure that bragging about its connection is a wise policy, but here we are.

Eternia, a place where magic and technology exists in a quasi-peace, made of the pacts of the past. Now with the appearance of He-Man that peace may be in jeopardy and not just by Skeletor and his minions. Throw into the mix an Adam not quite settled into his life of buffoonery and his disappointed bodyguard Teela and you have a classic mix of good versus evil and expectations versus responsibilities. In order to maintain the peace King Randor heads to the techno island nation of Anwat Gar, unaware that there is plotting within and without his court!

Tim Seeley continues his love affair of everything He-Man, looking to add credence perhaps to the Netflix show. That seems a tad unfair; I will say that I enjoyed the majority of the first half of the show. Seeley spends time reacquainting us with the current state of play, setting up a He-man who has not quite grown into his furry shorts, a Teela that is job oriented and a surprisingly tired-at-arms Duncan. Adding political intrigues in the shape of young characters may draw in a young reader, but I am not sure that is the right crowd for the entirety of the book or the show it pertains to support. The book is wordy at times, first issues can be, especially as there are so many moving parts. As the story coalesces I would expect this aspect to feature less.

The art is provided by Eddie Nunez who does a great job in using the show as his template. The characters all look like their animated selves, specifically Adam in his weedy “I can’t imagine him being able to lift a sword” self. Of course where there is Adam there is He-Man; where there is Cringer there is Battle Cat. Neither alter-egos of our slacking pair make much of an appearance, though when shown, Nunez has clearly put in the research to ensure that always key familiarity is achieved. Colors are provided by Brad Simpson who uses established schemes well, before taking matters into his own hands with the island of Anwat Gar and its inhabitants. AndWorld Design supplies the font, ensuring that the dialogue, almost monologue at times, doesn’t detract from the art. They even get a cover credit, well done Dark Horse!

How this book is received may well depend on the readers thoughts on the show. If you didn’t like it then I don’t think you will be that fussed to pick it up. On the other hand, if the show worked for you, then visiting once more Eternia could work. Whichever way your deck is stacked, Seeley and Co. have created a decent looking book that looks to add a level of complexity to the He-Man, Adam and the Masters of the Universe!

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Color – 3.5 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by; Tim Seeley
Art by; Eddie Nunez
Colors by; Brad Simpson
Letters by; AndWorld Design
Published by; Dark Horse Comics

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network