Masters of the Universe Mini-Series DC Comics Discussion

[MegaGearMax]

If I was a mother in the toy aisle and saw a He-Man with chainmail bits and a Trap-Jaw in a cloak I would be completely confused

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

[KUZEH]

Not feeling it...

[npbaity]

I'm finding the Issue 2 Cover & the Philip Tan He-Man, Skeletor & Sorceress Design Reveals to be GREATLY UNDERWHELMING!

(Maybe it's just my "Love of MVC Style" bias talking.)

I'm buying the book regardless, but I really hope the final art inside the book looks better than what we've seen so far.

Long Live MOTU!!!!
Now & Forever!!!!

[sportsandstuff777]

Dont know if this was mentioned yet

Get ready, He-Man fans: DC Comics is getting ready to launch a brand new take on the Masters of the Universe this July, in a six issue comic book series written by James Robinson, with pencils by Phillip Tan and inks from Ruy Jose. And that's not the end of the surprises... As the series starts, the evil Skeletor has already won!

That's right: the skull faced arch-enemy of He-Man has figured out a way to rewrite the reality of Eternia, casting himself as the ruler of Castle Grayskull, and our heroes - including He-Man - as regular peasants with no memory of their previous life. And while simple woodsman Adam may dream of wielding a massive sword, and fighting in battles, he thinks they're just dreams. That is, until a mysterious sorceress approaches him, and sends him on an epic journey to save all of Eternia.

To find out more, we chatted with Robinson about where the series is going, if this is just the tip of the iceberg for the Masters of the Universe, and whether a certain fan favorite (well, us favorite) will return:

MTV Geek: Why Masters of The Universe? I think most people nowadays know it from a somewhat cheesy cartoon, and a somewhat cheesier movie - what draws you to the property? Is it a chance to really go back and reinvent from an almost blank slate, in a way?

James Robinson: I agree to some people Masters of the Universe is considered a cheesy cartoon. However, I know for a fact that a certain generation of people, who grew up at the right time, hold genuine affection for Masters of the Universe. The challenge is to write something that raises the standard for the series, with a cool, modern story that nevertheless honors the fans of the animated series and toy line.

Geek: How much reinvention versus continuation are we going to see in the book? It seems, like a lot of these '80s properties, your approach is a way of honoring the old fans, while allowing an easy access point for new ones.

JR: As I say, that's the challenge. Let's just say I've come up with a series concept that introduces the line of characters to new readers in what I hope is a fresh, dynamic and compelling way while honoring what the series has been prior.

Geek: Let's talk about the characters... What's going on with Adam? He's in a pretty interesting place when this all starts.

JR: Adam is in a place where he really has to reconnect with what it means to be a Master of the Universe. It's his odyssey, much like the Greek myth in fact, that is the backbone of this series.

Geek: Skeletor walks the line between terrifying, and very, very silly... What are you going for here? What's his motivation, and how will he play throughout the series?

JR: He's terrifying. Period. The silly era is done and gone. Phillip and I are taking great pains to make Skeletor, who is after all a barbarian warrior with a skull face, into a horrifying and worthy foe for He-Man. As to motivation, much like before he wants it all. Eternia. Castle Greyskull. Adam's head on a plate. Everything. He's just going to be much more ruthless in how he goes about getting it.

Geek: There's also a "mysterious sorceress" who kicks off the proceedings. Is she someone we've met before? What game is she playing? Oh, and she's She-Ra, right? Right???

JR: Not She-Ra I'm afraid. Although the sorceress is very important to Adam's odyssey taking shape.

Geek: This is a bit of personal question, but are we going to see Orko in this series? I don't want to brag, but I won a costume contest dressed as him when I was seven.

JR: Congratulations! Yes, there is a possibility you'll see Orko by the end of the series.

Geek: What other characters are we going to see popping up? And was there anyone you weren't able to fit in?

JR: Yeah, Orko until you mentioned him. Apart from that, no, I'm going to try and get every character in, if only in our epic climax.

Geek: You have Philip Tan on pencils, and he's clearly been doing some fabulous fantasy work on Hawkman - if you've seen any of it yet, what's his work like here? What does he bring to the project?

JR: Truthfully, I haven't seen the work yet, however based in Philip's work on Batman & Robin, Green Lantern and Hawkman, he'll brings a darkness and mood, coupled with a dynamic storytelling that will definitely add a unique quality to this Masters of the Universe relaunch.

Geek: This may be a little too literal, but I've always wondered why they were called "Masters of the UNIVERSE," when they only hung out on Eternia - are we going to see any exploration of places beyond Eternia in this series, or more of a fleshing out of that side of the concept?

JR: A little too literal? Boy that's an understatement. Seriously though, that's a good question and one that deserves it's own arc. However that isn't this arc, which is more concerned with reintroducing the Masters of the Universe and the world of Eternia to a new generation.

Geek: ...And this may be above your pay-grade, but I imagine these comics are somewhat a testing ground for the franchise, to see if it can be reinvented for TV, action figures, movies, etc... Has that been part of the discussion at all? And when you've been writing this, has your eye turned to that side of the business at all?

JR: Honestly I don't know. Mattel has been very supportive to my ideas, I do know that. I'm sure as a company they've got their eye on all their franchises for the best way to make the most of them. I know I would.

Geek: Just to wrap up, between finally revealing the life of The Shade on an epic, globe-trotting journey, creating a whole new world with Earth Two, and reinventing Masters of the Universe, are you going to want to write a nice, small character piece after this is all done? Or do you have even bigger plans?

JR: No, my plans are a couple of more character based ideas, although even those have some pretty epic brush strokes. Oh and I'm working on a novel, that I'm very happy with so far and will have done by the end of the year. Thanks for asking.

[BCI Guy]

26 page thread here:

http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/...Series-from-DC

Phillip Tan interview thread here:

http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/...C-He-man-Comic

[EuroCoin]

Just pre-ordered the second issue from Comic Zone. Shipping costs were doubled from the last issue, but they were still very affordable compared to other places (that would let me order from them or ship here).

- Joni -

[Hordak Alpha]

Why is it that, when something Masters of the Universe happens in print again after so many years, all fans can do is complain? And, why exactly does MOTU have to be held exactly to the same old same old when it comes to armor designs and story ideas?


The days of the Filmation MOTU are over and those kinds of stories have been done to death over the decades. I think it is time to take He-Man and the MOTU into a semblance of fresh territory and do something new for a change instead of rehashing the same old, tired storylines and designs from the past.


I kind of dig that cover art, even though I'm currently not a big fan of DC as a company. Makes He-Man an actual barbarian-type brawler instead of a foil that Superman can beat up on whenever DC decides to constantly interject him into the MOTU books ('From Eternia With Death' the classic story I'm citing where Superman shows up and takes out He-Man in two panels ISN'T the way to launch a Masters of the Universe comic book.)

He-Man and Trap Jaw look enough like their classic selves in that art while at the same time bringing something new to the table. Trap Jaw actually looks menacing instead of being an ignoramus who spouts unfunny one liners while being rotoscoped to death.

[phantom1592]

Why is it that, when something Masters of the Universe happens in print again after so many years, all fans can do is complain? And, why exactly does MOTU have to be held exactly to the same old same old when it comes to armor designs and story ideas?

Most of the time 'changes' don't happen for a decent reason. It's because people want to 'make their mark' or 'make things edgy'... or a general disprespect for the original designs... the 'That's old and busted... I can TOTALLY do better then the CREATORS did!!'

I'm not a fan of that.

DC in particular just changed EVERYTHING about their universe and a LOT of fans who loved a specific character just watched the world shift into something completley unrecognizable.

Seeing HE-MAN got through a similiar fate, is understandable to upset people.

[Night Stalker]

DC in particular just changed EVERYTHING about their universe and a LOT of fans who loved a specific character just watched the world shift into something completley unrecognizable.

Seeing HE-MAN got through a similiar fate, is understandable to upset people.

Thankfully, Jonah Hex came out pretty unscathed with his backstory intact. Unfortunately, the writing is getting lame and the artwork sucks. Other than that, I can't complain about my specific DC character.

[PIMPS ADAM]

Why is it that, when something Masters of the Universe happens in print again after so many years, all fans can do is complain? And, why exactly does MOTU have to be held exactly to the same old same old when it comes to armor designs and story ideas?


The days of the Filmation MOTU are over and those kinds of stories have been done to death over the decades. I think it is time to take He-Man and the MOTU into a semblance of fresh territory and do something new for a change instead of rehashing the same old, tired storylines and designs from the past.


I kind of dig that cover art, even though I'm currently not a big fan of DC as a company. Makes He-Man an actual barbarian-type brawler instead of a foil that Superman can beat up on whenever DC decides to constantly interject him into the MOTU books ('From Eternia With Death' the classic story I'm citing where Superman shows up and takes out He-Man in two panels ISN'T the way to launch a Masters of the Universe comic book.)

He-Man and Trap Jaw look enough like their classic selves in that art while at the same time bringing something new to the table. Trap Jaw actually looks menacing instead of being an ignoramus who spouts unfunny one liners while being rotoscoped to death.

I strongly agree. It really is no different the Scooter's bios, hate them or love them it's something more than nothing. I don't mind a different take on the story or different character designs. I know what the soul of MOTU is. As committed as we are as fans we alone can't make the property bigger than what it is. So I'm all in for change if it gets more exposure to brand. Think about it, making this property for the fans and exclude the general population = failure in terms of dollars and business probably comes before the fan demand. So if it doesn’t make dollars that it doesn’t make sense. Funny, if the core of this brand doesn’t support it, why should anyone else? More comics for me!

[Orko's Magic Hat]

Why is it that, when something Masters of the Universe happens in print again after so many years, all fans can do is complain? And, why exactly does MOTU have to be held exactly to the same old same old when it comes to armor designs and story ideas?


The days of the Filmation MOTU are over and those kinds of stories have been done to death over the decades. I think it is time to take He-Man and the MOTU into a semblance of fresh territory and do something new for a change instead of rehashing the same old, tired storylines and designs from the past.


I kind of dig that cover art, even though I'm currently not a big fan of DC as a company. Makes He-Man an actual barbarian-type brawler instead of a foil that Superman can beat up on whenever DC decides to constantly interject him into the MOTU books ('From Eternia With Death' the classic story I'm citing where Superman shows up and takes out He-Man in two panels ISN'T the way to launch a Masters of the Universe comic book.)

He-Man and Trap Jaw look enough like their classic selves in that art while at the same time bringing something new to the table. Trap Jaw actually looks menacing instead of being an ignoramus who spouts unfunny one liners while being rotoscoped to death.

Totally agree with this!

[Krueger]

I strongly agree. It really is no different the Scooter's bios, hate them or love them it's something more than nothing. I don't mind a different take on the story or different character designs. I know what the soul of MOTU is. As committed as we are as fans we alone can't make the property bigger than what it is. So I'm all in for change if it gets more exposure to brand. Think about it, making this property for the fans and exclude the general population = failure in terms of dollars and business probably comes before the fan demand. So if it doesn’t make dollars that it doesn’t make sense. Funny, if the core of this brand doesn’t support it, why should anyone else? More comics for me!

Agree.

Why is it that, when something Masters of the Universe happens in print again after so many years, all fans can do is complain? And, why exactly does MOTU have to be held exactly to the same old same old when it comes to armor designs and story ideas?

The days of the Filmation MOTU are over and those kinds of stories have been done to death over the decades. I think it is time to take He-Man and the MOTU into a semblance of fresh territory and do something new for a change instead of rehashing the same old, tired storylines and designs from the past.

Ditto. And in all honesty, these designs aren't even different. Not at all. They could have been a lot harsher with their “radical departures”. I think someone who only casually remembers MOTU from their childhood would know full well who these characters are.

[TheFallen]

These last few posts are forgetting one important thing, this is a comic book. And therefore it is only going to reach comic book readers, which are a very small group now.

The general public are not going to care about this comic or this property. It is not going to increase brand awareness, I doubt it will increase toy sales. If anything it may get people to buy a couple of the everlast figures but they don't look like their comic counterparts so it may not. And there is no way that someone is going to try and jump on this toyline now and try to catch up.

Of course this is just my opinion but I don't think the issue is the story, I think the story is a very interesting premise, but there was no need to change the visuals to tell this story. I don't understand why Mattel would have gone to so much trouble to create a new style guide if at first chance they get to use it they bend over.

In the end, it could just be that I am still bitter that the X-Men don't still wear their '90s uniforms

[Mr. Shokoti]

These last few posts are forgetting one important thing, this is a comic book. And therefore it is only going to reach comic book readers, which are a very small group now.

The general public are not going to care about this comic or this property. It is not going to increase brand awareness, I doubt it will increase toy sales. If anything it may get people to buy a couple of the everlast figures but they don't look like their comic counterparts so it may not. And there is no way that someone is going to try and jump on this toyline now and try to catch up.

Of course this is just my opinion but I don't think the issue is the story, I think the story is a very interesting premise, but there was no need to change the visuals to tell this story. I don't understand why Mattel would have gone to so much trouble to create a new style guide if at first chance they get to use it they bend over.

In the end, it could just be that I am still bitter that the X-Men don't still wear their '90s uniforms

That's how I see it as well. People keep acting like those unhappy with the art are going to stop MOTU from going mainstream again. I'm sorry but besides the fact that a lot of people who collect comics collect toys as well, the audience for comics is practically just as small. A big budget movie is about the only thing that will help the franchise gain more fans, but even that doesn't mean those same fans will start buying more comics & toys.

[JonWes]

I think the comic will help reach some new people. Remember, even though comics readership is small, very often these end up in trade form at a book store and on Amazon. Having it out there is no bad thing. People might stumble upon it and learn about MOTUC if Mattel advertises in it (which they should... even the eventual trade should have an ad for MOTUC in it.)

That being said, I think it's cool that Mattel let them take the reigns a bit and do something they thought would appeal more to comics audiences. I'm not in love with all of the designs and would have preferred the classic look, but if it works I'll be happy. I just hope the story is good!

[Krueger]

I guess when people talk of the brand “reaching bigger” and “going mainstream” (like me ), they’re not just talking of this comic but generally. For example, if we do get a new cartoon series or movie, I personally think that MOTU should be given a face-lift. I used the word personally, though, because essentially that’s what it boils down to. But yeah, I do genuinely believe that if Mattel want MOTU to “go mainstream” once again, an effort must be made in order to appeal to everyone and not just the die-hard fans. This would be much more essential with a movie than with a cartoon, admittedly.

I terms of this comic, I genuinely cannot see the fuss. I must admit, I’m not a big fan of He-Man’s harness and Trap-Jaw's apparent cloak, but nonetheless these four renditions are pretty much the same as what we’re all used to. That’s He-Man, that’s Skeletor, that’s the Sorceress and it looks like that's Trap-Jaw. As I said before, DC could have a lot more brutal.

Even if something is aimed just at the die-hard fans (like this comic, really, although comic fans, too), I still don’t see why there can’t be any movement in terms of cosmetic and story changes.

[TheFallen]

I think the comic will help reach some new people. Remember, even though comics readership is small, very often these end up in trade form at a book store and on Amazon. Having it out there is no bad thing. People might stumble upon it and learn about MOTUC if Mattel advertises in it (which they should... even the eventual trade should have an ad for MOTUC in it.)

That being said, I think it's cool that Mattel let them take the reigns a bit and do something they thought would appeal more to comics audiences. I'm not in love with all of the designs and would have preferred the classic look, but if it works I'll be happy. I just hope the story is good!

I have never seen an ad in a trade, does that happen?

I also hope that the story is good but how many comic fans are inclined to pick up a new series based on a toyline?
I am seeing GI Joe and Transformers comics constantly show up in The Buy Pile column on CBR but that isn't transferring to extra sales.

In the times of decompressed stories in 22 pages for $5 and epic events that span multiple titles it is fast becoming very expensive for comic readers to buy multiple comics each month. That in turn means the people who are mostly going to buy this comic are you, me and the rest of us in this thread. Even then it may be that some of us trade wait.

I would be very surprised if this comic sells more than 15000 copies and even that is overly optimistic. ( even though there isn't 15000 of us in this thread)

The biggest issue I have with the redesigns and Mattel letting it happen is it goes against everything that Scott has said about branding and marketing. If comic He-Man can have scale armour and chain mail then why can't MOTUC He-Man get released with a fanny pack? Where is the consistency?

[Mr. Shokoti]

Even if something is just aimed just at the die-hard fans (like this comic, really, although comic fans, too), I still don’t see why there can’t be any movement in terms of cosmetic and story changes.

I think change for change's sake, since I don't think this comic is going to make or break MOTU as franchise, is annoying(especially when the changes weren't an effort to "fix" problems some may have had with MOTU like DC did with removing Superman's briefs). Having said that, the only one that really bothers me is He-Man's harness. Sorceress may look like a Las Vegas showgirl, but at least she's still alive.

- - - Updated - - -

If comic He-Man can have scale armour and chain mail then why can't MOTUC He-Man get released with a fanny pack?

Because this...



...is cooler than this...



???

[TheFallen]

I see the Hulkster with the same nostalgia glasses that I see He-Man. At least in your picture Hogan is rocking the red and yellow

[MegaGearMax]

The biggest issue I have with the redesigns and Mattel letting it happen is it goes against everything that Scott has said about branding and marketing. If comic He-Man can have scale armour and chain mail then why can't MOTUC He-Man get released with a fanny pack? Where is the consistency?

That's my issue with it. After four years and all the trouble Mattel went to with countless posts and podcasts about the brand having one consistent look. I guess Alvin's Style Guide art went out the window since we haven't seen any more artwork and the 30th is halfway over. Maybe the comic deal with DC changed Mattel's mind on the matter. At least TG can't use that branding excuse anymore when it comes to denying fans 200X heads.

[JonWes]

I have never seen an ad in a trade, does that happen?

Some times. It seems more rare these days. But there used to be ads for other comics towards the back. That's what I was thinking, one page toward the back letting them know MOTUC existed. Not sure if they'd do it, but it's one of those cross-marketing things that so many companies miss out on.

[Night Stalker]

Some times. It seems more rare these days. But there used to be ads for other comics towards the back. That's what I was thinking, one page toward the back letting them know MOTUC existed. Not sure if they'd do it, but it's one of those cross-marketing things that so many companies miss out on.

I can vouch for that. It used to be much more common. Now it seems like there are mainly ads for whatever movie spinoff happens to be coming out soon.

[baronterror]

Why is it that, when something Masters of the Universe happens in print again after so many years, all fans can do is complain? And, why exactly does MOTU have to be held exactly to the same old same old when it comes to armor designs and story ideas?


The days of the Filmation MOTU are over and those kinds of stories have been done to death over the decades. I think it is time to take He-Man and the MOTU into a semblance of fresh territory and do something new for a change instead of rehashing the same old, tired storylines and designs from the past.


I kind of dig that cover art, even though I'm currently not a big fan of DC as a company. Makes He-Man an actual barbarian-type brawler instead of a foil that Superman can beat up on whenever DC decides to constantly interject him into the MOTU books ('From Eternia With Death' the classic story I'm citing where Superman shows up and takes out He-Man in two panels ISN'T the way to launch a Masters of the Universe comic book.)

He-Man and Trap Jaw look enough like their classic selves in that art while at the same time bringing something new to the table. Trap Jaw actually looks menacing instead of being an ignoramus who spouts unfunny one liners while being rotoscoped to death.

I gotta say I feel you.

I dont always like the changes, but what is supposed to be important is that there is new media. The old media and toys are STILL THERE. so if that's all you like, you still have it.

I want MOTU to be alive, which (sadly for some for some indecipherable reason) is bad for some but means that it has to grow and change. And sometimes it will go back to basics.

Just look at GI Joe and Transformers. Have all their iterations been great? No, but at least the property has always been around in one form or another. Try things out, win some, loose some, but keep it going.

Challenge yourselves. Some of it will be great, some not so great. But at least it will exist and have a chance.

As a second note, now that I'm a (basically) mature adult, I realize I just want a good to great story, if not just compelling. That's why the New 52 is great. Just tell a great story. Try some things out. When it works it's great, but if it isnt growing or changing now and again, it's stagnate and dead.

Sometimes you gotta break free.

I want my He Man. And while I want him more like I like him than not, I am still a fan and want more. And hopefully if it's not exactly what I want, it'll become that in time. I love MOTUC for instance, I love the old cartoons. I love the 200x cartoon & Comics. I love the lIve action movie. And they all can coexists without somehow hurting the rest. Just part of the whole tapestry of the property I love. And I want more and more of it, whatever the style, as long as it keeps comming.

[Mr. Shokoti]

A long as no one is attacking the writer, artist, or their fans, I see no problem with disliking what has been shown so far. The idea that some of you have that any differing opinions are what has caused MOTU from going mainstream again(rarely are franchises able to stay on top or even popular for multiple decades no matter what the license holders do) or that any version of it is better than nothing(I like G.I. Joe Rise Of Cobra but I know there are a lot of people who would have preferred Joe to have no media rather than that movie) is asinine IMO. I'm willing to give this comic a chance, but if it is terrible, I'm not going to be happy just because MOTU has a comic again. It's possible for crummy, or at least unpopular, media to set a franchise back more than fans not eager to see them "fixed" because all change is good & keeps a franchise from growing stagnate.

[bianchi5]

Sorry if I missed something here because I didn't read the whole thread (it is long, I didn't have the time), but shouldn't we wait ,read and see the whole history before criticize, all we saw up to now was two covers (in the first a very classic He-man with minor changes) and some sketches.