Oct 2012: DC Comics - MOTU: The Origin of Skeletor #1

[Eternian Poet]

Seeing him running around with a bare skull BEFORE he's transformed felt highly unrealistic.

Keldor was obviously already a mage of some sort. Plus it is implied the transformation is a process, not a sudden change. This is why we see him on a previous occasion defeating death & why Hordak speaks on another occasion of his "ascension".

Randor's blood is the final component to Keldor's change.

[heavy-eternium]

What does mean not motu? What is the motu dogma?

[Greyskull28]

I thought this was not until next year. Oh well, I've dropped the regular comic, so I really do not care about this.

This was DC's version of Skeltors origin. The MOTUC mini comic is still coming with King He-Man, but it will be a very different origin.

I thought this comic was terrible! The story was vague and chopped all to Despondos. I feel the writer had no real understanding of what an origin is. An origin explains things. Gives you the back story of a character. Why they are the way they are and why they do the things they do. Yes Keldor was jealous of Randor. But what else? What turned him to the dark arts? How did he find out about Hordak and how did he learn to communicate with him? What was that blue Avatar like cord connecting him to the portal? What started the war? Why did he need Randors blood if they share the same blood? This story was a mess. The best thing I can say about it is that I liked the art.

[Larry Waters]

Another effort-free "effort" from DC.

I long for the days when the property was handled by creative talent that had passion for the mythos...not just a writer and artist collecting a paycheck who are determined to "make their mark" on the property.

Not good at all.

[Nemisythe]

Keldor was obviously already a mage of some sort. Plus it is implied the transformation is a process, not a sudden change. This is why we see him on a previous occasion defeating death & why Hordak speaks on another occasion of his "ascension".

Randor's blood is the final component to Keldor's change.

As far as the deal between Hordak and Keldor. Cause it seemed like Hordak had other plans for the knife, it just seemed like the final trading component Keldor had to surrender in order to close the deal. The images don't really show him using the blood for the transformation rather as he is just holding it as a trophy. (Which is a very cool idea thrown in...)

If I would take anything from this (as I usually do to create my own theories) I would say that Hordak uses that blood for something far more sinister and devious that we have yet to see... (some ideas, ANTI-He-Man) anyone???

I don't think it's the BEST story for Keldor but it really had a few good ideas and has been better than everything DC has put out in regards to this current series of comics.

[Berserker79]

What does mean not motu? What is the motu dogma?

I wrote " no MOTU for me"... this is a personal feeling...

[Mike Bock]

I really want to like these comics but I simply can't. They don't feel like MOTU and the more I read the more I hate.
I want to give them a chance but I'm starting to question if I should continue buying them.

I don't like what DC is doing with MOTU.

[Berserker79]

Another effort-free "effort" from DC.

I long for the days when the property was handled by creative talent that had passion for the mythos...not just a writer and artist collecting a paycheck who are determined to "make their mark" on the property.

Not good at all.

This... When I read 200X comics, I still got the MOTU-vibe. Those comics had high quality artwork & stories. The DC stuff now is below average for my taste and is far away, from what I call MOTU... I enjoyed the new mini comics more...

- - - Updated - - -

I really want to like these comics but I simply can't. They don't feel like MOTU and the more I read the more I hate.
I want to give them a chance but I'm starting to question if I should continue buying them.

I don't like what DC is doing with MOTU.

I totally second this...

[iron_pride]

Another effort-free "effort" from DC.

I long for the days when the property was handled by creative talent that had passion for the mythos...not just a writer and artist collecting a paycheck who are determined to "make their mark" on the property.

Not good at all.

I agree Big Country, while I did enjoy the story, the effort just wasn't there, especially with some of the art. Just looked too amatuer in spots. I guess I can't really put my finger on it, though I do think I enjoyed it only becasue I love MOTU and this is as close as we are going to get at least for a while.

[Penny Dreadful]

What's up with Hordak? He looks like some HR Giger monster wannabe.

[Eterniandreams]

Well, Frazer Irving has his own signature style. You can say the same of an artist like Ben Templesmith.
It is not the clean superhero style.

I would love a MOTU one shot by Simon Bisley

[Larry Waters]

Well, if we're fantasizing about great artists that are never going to work on MOTU, give me Bernie Wrightson!

[Tzadkiel]

I liked it. The dude that does I, Vampire teaming up with the dude that did The Shade? That's a win in my book.

[Eterniandreams]

Well, if we're fantasizing about great artists that are never going to work on MOTU, give me Bernie Wrightson!

Plus 1

I liked it. The dude that does I, Vampire teaming up with the dude that did The Shade? That's a win in my book.

Yeah, I just think fans didn't expect this for Motu.
if I read the whole thread most liked it though, including me.

[Crusader]

I agree Big Country, while I did enjoy the story, the effort just wasn't there, especially with some of the art. Just looked too amatuer in spots.

I had preferred a unified style throughout the issue as well, but I wouldn't exactly call it amateurish. I'd say the art was more experimental if anything.

I would love a MOTU one shot by Simon Bisley

I'd love to see a visceral Bisley take on Masters of the Universe.

Well, if we're fantasizing about great artists that are never going to work on MOTU, give me Bernie Wrightson!

Plus 1

I'd be up for that one as well. His highly detailed, atmospheric pen-and-ink work is a joy to behold.


My personal favourite would have been the late Don Lawrence.

[Invicta]

Another effort-free "effort" from DC.

I long for the days when the property was handled by creative talent that had passion for the mythos...not just a writer and artist collecting a paycheck who are determined to "make their mark" on the property.

Not good at all.

I am pretty sure most of the early work was mainly that, collecting paychecks. Working for a story to a toyline wasn't anyone's dream come true.

I really love old Alcala comics, but I am pretty sure they were just work for hire without specific artistic goals. But what you say does fit with Val & Emiliano's effort, as that was certainly with passion.

[Nephilim]

I downloaded the digital version on my iPhone, but I’m looking to pick up a physical copy when I visit my local comic store on the weekend.

I thought the art was questionable in places and certainly not what I would have expected (Hordak looked very peculiar) but overall I still found the style satisfying. Albeit offbeat. It was quite atmospheric.

I liked the dialogue between Randor and Keldor, I think it had a lot of depth.

In part, I’m just thrilled that MOTU is getting any sort of mainstream recognition that I’m happily drinking the Kool-Aid without complaint. New ideas and fresh interpretations aren’t necessarily a bad thing though. Some people will like it, some won’t. I’m positive about the future personally.

[Eterniandreams]

My personal favourite would have been the late Don Lawrence.

Romano Molenaar is doing a great job with the new Storm series though honouring Dons style though.
Romano has done some DC batman comics lately, right? I would LOVE him to do some Lawrence Style Motu!

End of the off-topic stuff

[coolapex]

This is probably the last MOTU comic I pick up. There wasn't one thing about it that I liked. I loved the three part mini comics, those felt like MOTU. Sorry, but this DC stuff is just horrible. Just my two pennies.

[Larry Waters]

I downloaded the digital version on my iPhone, but I’m looking to pick up a physical copy when I visit my local comic store on the weekend.

I thought the art was questionable in places and certainly not what I would have expected (Hordak looked very peculiar) but overall I still found the style satisfying. Albeit offbeat. It was quite atmospheric.

I liked the dialogue between Randor and Keldor, I think it had a lot of depth.

In part, I’m just thrilled that MOTU is getting any sort of mainstream recognition that I’m happily drinking the Kool-Aid without complaint. New ideas and fresh interpretations aren’t necessarily a bad thing though. Some people will like it, some won’t. I’m positive about the future personally.

You're going to pay for that thing TWICE???

[Nephilim]

You're going to pay for that thing TWICE???

I’m a creature of habit, so usually buy two of everything. I have no idea where I’m going to put my second Castle Grayskull though.

Plus I don’t feel I can truly judge the art by viewing it from my iPhone. So would prefer to hold the physical copy in my hands and fully absorb it the way a comic is intended.

I’ve been collecting the new DC releases so far and see no reason to stop just yet.

[Swifty]

What's up with Hordak? He looks like some HR Giger monster wannabe.

I thought he looked like one of the Gremlins.

[Maker]

I dug the art and story structure in particular, though jamming the whole thing into 20 pages seems a bit rushed.
The main series, though, is pretty janky.

[oICEMANo]

Whatever happened to "staying on-model"?

[MegaGearMax]

Whatever happened to "staying on-model"?

That's thrown out the window. These are the DC versions of the characters. Jon Chu's versions will probably look different from the toys too.