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He-Man
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Creation & Design

He-Man was created by Mattel as part of a toy line in the early 1980s, designed to appeal to children with a mix of fantasy and action.

Early Years

He-Man first appeared in the toy line and was later featured in animated series and comic books, quickly becoming a cultural icon.

Character Development

Over the years, He-Man has evolved from a simple toy character into a complex hero with rich backstories and relationships, appealing to both children and adult fans.

Cultural Reception

He-Man has been widely received as a beloved character, with a dedicated fanbase and numerous adaptations in various media.

Character Details

Real Name:
Adam of Eternia
First Appearance:
Masters of the Universe Picture Book
Aliases:
The Most Powerful Man in the Universe
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Masters of the Universe, Eternian Royal Family
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Enhanced agility, Combat skills
Equipment:
Sword of Power, Shield of Protection, Battle Cat
Weight:
200lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
blonde

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Masters of the Universe Picture Book
Mattel ⋅ 1981
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Masters of the Universe Picture Book
 
Low
$8
Mid
$35
High
$80

Key Facts

"He-Man and the Power Sword"

The first of four illustrated books printed and packaged with Masters of the Universe action figures

DC Comics Presents #47
DC ⋅ 1982
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DC Comics Presents #47
 
Low
$25
Mid
$90
High
$260

Key Facts

1st appearance of He-Man in standard comic book format

1st appearance of Skeletor in standard comic book format

Arak, Son of Thunder #15
DC ⋅ 1982
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Arak, Son of Thunder #15
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982:

Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Justice League of America #208
DC ⋅ 1982
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Justice League of America #208
 
Low
$1
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$2
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$5

Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982: Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Firestorm the Nuclear Man #6
DC ⋅ 1982
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Firestorm the Nuclear Man #6
 
Low
$1
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$2
High
$5

Key Facts

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982: Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Wonder Woman #297
DC ⋅ 1982
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Wonder Woman #297
 
Low
$1
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$2
High
$8

Key Facts

1st appearance of Blackwing, the first black Batman inspired superhero

14-page preview of Masters of the Universe #1 (1982)

There were 16 individual issues that included the same preview published between July/August 1982

Five-issues were the first to have the preview, published July 13, 1982:

View more (1)

Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297

Masters of the Universe #1
DC ⋅ 1982
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Three-issue limited series published by DC

This is the first Masters of the Universe title published by a major comic book company

Earlier He-Man related comics were distributed with action figures and were more closely related to children's picture books

Between July/August 1982, there were 16 issues that went on sale with a 14-page preview

View more (2)

Five were published on July 13, 1982:

Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #29

Masters of the Universe #2
DC ⋅ 1983
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Masters of the Universe #2
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Issue two of the three-issue miniseries published by DC

Masters of the Universe #3
DC ⋅ 1983
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Masters of the Universe #3
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Conclusion of the three-issue miniseries published by DC

Masters of the Universe #1
Star Comics ⋅ 1986
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$70

Key Facts

Premiere issue from Star Comics / Marvel

Marvel Age #38
Marvel ⋅ 1986
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Marvel Age #38
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Marvel acquires the Masters of the Universe publishing license

3-page article promoting the Masters of the Universe series, which ran for 13-issues under the Star imprint

Masters of the Universe The Motion Picture #1
Star Comics ⋅ 1987
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Masters of the Universe The Motion Picture #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

One-shot adaptation of the Masters of the Universe (1987) film script

There are a number of differences between the script and the final cut of the movie that is evident throughout the one-shot

Masters of the Universe #12
Star Comics ⋅ 1988
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Masters of the Universe #12
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$30

Key Facts

Death of He-Man

Masters of the Universe Preview Edition
Museum ⋅ Image ⋅ 2002
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Masters of the Universe Preview Edition
 
Low
$150
Mid
$500
High
$1.6k

Key Facts

Museum Edition, limited to 50 numbered copies

Hologram on back cover

Preview of Invincible

Masters of the Universe #1
Gold ⋅ Image ⋅ 2002
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$55

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Emiliano Santalucia, limited to 1,500 copies

Gold foil, store exclusive

Masters of the Universe: Rise of the Snake Men #1
Variant ⋅ CrossGen Comics ⋅ 2003
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Masters of the Universe: Rise of the Snake Men #1
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Nathan Baertsch, limited to 500 numbered copies with Certificate of Authenticity

Exclusive cover produced for He-Man.org

Masters of the Universe #1
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Emiliano Santalucia

Quadruple gatefold convention exclusive

Masters of the Universe #1
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
View Details
Masters of the Universe #1
 
Low
$30
Mid
$100
High
$300

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Nathan Baertsch

He-Man.org exclusive, limited to 500 numbered copies

Masters of the Universe #2
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #2
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Brett Booth and Val Staples

Masters of the Universe #5
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #5
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Tim Seeley, limited to 500 copies

HeMan.org exclusive, numbered with certificate

Masters of the Universe #6
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #6
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Andy Smith, Jay Leisten and Jason Keith, limited to 500 numbered copies

He-Man.org exclusive

Masters of the Universe #8
Variant ⋅ MV Creations ⋅ 2004
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Masters of the Universe #8
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Nathan Baertsch, limited to 500 copies

Each issue includes a numbered Certificate of Authenticity

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Episode 40 - Captured
MV Creations ⋅ 2008
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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Episode 40 - Captured
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

22-page mini-comic adapted from the script for the 40th episode of the 2000 animated series that was cancelled at episode 39

Masters of the Universe: Origin of He-Man #1
DC ⋅ 2013
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Masters of the Universe: Origin of He-Man #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

One-shot, origin of He-Man

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1
Action Figure ⋅ DC ⋅ 2013
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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

'Matty Toys' action figure exclusive

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #19
DC ⋅ 2015
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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #19
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

Origin of He-Man as a child and his uncle, Keldor aka Skeletor

He-Man: The Eternity War #1
Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 2015
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He-Man: The Eternity War #1
 
Low
$6
Mid
$20
High
$60

Key Facts

Action Figure Variant

Only distributed with a purchase of a one year subscription to He-Man: The Eternity War

Very low print run

Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe #6
DC ⋅ 2019
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Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe #6
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

He-Man harnesses the Power of Shazam

1st appearance of Queen Marvel

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
View Details
Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Dave Wilkins

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Non-Key
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
View Details
Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Sergio Argones

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Non-Key
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
View Details
Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

Variant cover art by David Rubin

Store exclusive

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Non-Key
Store Exclusive ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2021
View Details
Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Rich Woodall

Store exclusive

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