Masters of the Universe
Creation & Design
The Masters of the Universe franchise was created by Mattel in the late 1970s, designed to sell action figures and toys. The characters were developed with a mix of fantasy and science fiction elements.Early Years
The franchise began with the release of action figures in 1982, followed by an animated television series that popularized the characters and their stories.Character Development
Over the years, the characters of the Masters of the Universe have evolved, with various adaptations in comics, animated series, and films, reflecting changing cultural values and storytelling techniques.Cultural Reception
The franchise has received a mixed reception over the years, with a dedicated fanbase that appreciates its blend of fantasy and action.Character Details
Real Name:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Aliases:
He-Man, Skeletor, She-Ra, Battle Cat, Orko
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Heroic Warriors, The Evil Warriors
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Flight, Magic
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: He-Man and the Power Sword
Mattel
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
"He-Man and the Power Sword"
The first of four illustrated books printed and packaged with Masters of the Universe action figures
"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
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of He-Man in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Skeletor in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Man-at-Arms in standard comic book format
[2024 - Masters of the Universe to premiere June 5, 2026 / Jared Leto cast as Skeletor / Nicholas Galitzine cast as He-Man / Idris Elba to portray Man-at-Arms]
1st appearance of He-Man in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Skeletor in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Man-at-Arms in standard comic book format
[2024 - Masters of the Universe to premiere June 5, 2026 / Jared Leto cast as Skeletor / Nicholas Galitzine cast as He-Man / Idris Elba to portray Man-at-Arms]
Arak, Son of Thunder #15
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
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
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
DC Comics Presents #51
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
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
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
•
Vol. 2
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
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
•
Vol. 1
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:
Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297
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:
Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #297
Justice League of America #208
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Masters of the Universe #1
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
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
Five were published on July 13, 1982:
Firestorm #6, DC Comics Presents #51, Arak #15, Justice League of America #208, Wonder Woman #29
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
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
•
Vol. 1
Issue two of the three-issue miniseries published by DC
Masters of the Universe #3
DC
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
Conclusion of the three-issue miniseries published by DC
Masters of the Universe #1
Star Comics
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue from Star Comics / Marvel
Marvel Age #38
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
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
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
•
Vol. 1
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
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
•
Vol. 1
Death of He-Man
1st cover appearance of Man-at-Arms in standard comic book format
Death of He-Man
1st cover appearance of Man-at-Arms in standard comic book format
Masters of the Universe #13
Star Comics
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
Death of Skeletor
1st appearance of Evil-Lyn in a standard U.S. comic
Final issue, series finale
Death of Skeletor
1st appearance of Evil-Lyn in a standard U.S. comic
Final issue, series finale
16-page comic book packaged with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mattel action figures in 2002
Cover art by Neal Adams
16-page comic book packaged with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mattel action figures in 2002
Cover art by Neal Adams
Variant wraparound cover art by Frank Quitely
Variant cover art by Emiliano Santalucia
Quadruple gatefold convention exclusive
Variant cover art by Emiliano Santalucia
Quadruple gatefold convention exclusive
Variant cover art by Brett Booth and Val Staples
Masters of the Universe #6
MV Creations
•
2004
•
Vol. 1
Variant
Limited: 500
Variant cover art by Andy Smith, Jay Leisten and Jason Keith
He-Man.org exclusive
Variant cover art by Andy Smith, Jay Leisten and Jason Keith
He-Man.org exclusive
Masters of the Universe #7
MV Creations
•
2004
•
Vol. 1
Cover art featuring Stratos
Masters of the Universe #7
MV Creations
•
2004
•
Vol. 1
Variant
Limited: 500
Variant cover art by Eamon O'Donoghue
Masters of the Universe #8
MV Creations
•
2004
•
Vol. 1
Cover art featuring Orko
Final issue
Variant wraparound cover art by Randy Green
Graham Cracker Comics exclusive
A short-lived collaboration between Image and a company called MVCreations published 7 He-Man series between 2002-2003: The Shards of Darkness, Dark Reflections, Rise of the Snake Men, Dream Halloween, Icons of Evil and 5 Specials, totaling 33 issues and 32 variants
🥈 Runner-Up: New High [Previous High]
9.8 sold for $700 [No Previous Data]
Variant wraparound cover art by Randy Green
Graham Cracker Comics exclusive
A short-lived collaboration between Image and a company called MVCreations published 7 He-Man series between 2002-2003: The Shards of Darkness, Dark Reflections, Rise of the Snake Men, Dream Halloween, Icons of Evil and 5 Specials, totaling 33 issues and 32 variants
🥈 Runner-Up: New High [Previous High]
9.8 sold for $700 [No Previous Data]
Reprint of He-Man's first appearance in a DC comic
Promotional giveaway issued to customers who purchased a DC Universe Classics vs Masters of the Universe Classics action figure (Superman/He-Man)
Advertised as included in the package but it was not
Reprint of He-Man's first appearance in a DC comic
Promotional giveaway issued to customers who purchased a DC Universe Classics vs Masters of the Universe Classics action figure (Superman/He-Man)
Advertised as included in the package but it was not
He-Man / Thundercats #1
DC
•
2016
•
Vol. 1
Team-up of the Masters of the Universe and Thundercats
Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Dark Horse
•
2021
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Store Exclusive
Variant cover art by Ryan G. Browne
Store exclusive available at PharcydeComics.com
Variant cover art by Ryan G. Browne
Store exclusive available at PharcydeComics.com
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