Figured this would be a really good icebreaker for the introductions and I haven't seen this kinda thread posted anywhere else. So, as the title asks, what's your favorite story from the MOTU realm?
I'm kinda double dipping with my pick, but my favorite is the "Power of Point Dread/Danger at Castle Grayskull" record and book. I'm sure my copy is somewhere around my parents' house and the only real problem I have with mine is a scratch in the record. It skips during "DACG" when Teela lowers the jawbridge.

Still, the comic book style of the book and the voice actors were of high caliber for a children's production in that day and age. The only other book and tape sets I had that were on par with this work were the two that shared similar artwork and had He-Man battling King Hiss under Castle Grayskull and the one where Hordak trapped Adam in the Slime Pit. Yes, I still have those too. Trust me, if I knew how to record these things from vinyl to mp3 and tape to mp3, I sooooooo would have done it already.

Anyway, He-Man sounded really cool especially when he was fighting the giant ants. "Back foul demon! You are NO match for HE-MAN!!" I also remember thinking it was sweet that they showed Man-At-Arms kill one of those things with a sword. The first half rocked anyway when we gain the information that Point Dread can be used to get inside Grayskull. Unfortunately, there wasn't a Sorceress, but I think it was published between the first four mini-comics and the debut of the Filmation cartoon. As many of you know, the issue of the Sorceress was probably in limbo at that point.

This story captured the whole theme of "Where science ends, Magic begins" for me. The interior shots of Castle Grayskull having computers and such was one of the coolest depictions I've seen and I don't believe it has popped up quite like that anywhere else. Zodac's appearance in "POPD" helped that out majorly. In essence, it was a lot like the DC mini-series, but with better art and richer colors.

Finally, I'd like to state the obvious most of us from that era remember how ridiculous the villians were for any TV series and that they served more as comic relief for the story than giving the audience the feeling of them being a dire threat. Well, except for the early mini-comics. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that this record and tape made the villians look like some tought hombres, but married it to some of the campiness of the cartoons and executed it beautifully in the final product without stealing any focus. The two examples I can think of that best fit this description are both in "DACG" when Tri-Klops says, "Master, what does this button do...?" and he falls through a trap door. Then, Skeletor delivers this beacon of irritability: "Serves the fool right!" The other one happens when He-Man throws the water at Trap Jaw and the idiot starts flapping his (no pun intended with this) jaw until it rusts.

I don't know about the rest of you, but that's some exquisitely smart storytelling given the demographic these two pieces were made for. I just hope the new movie is made in the same vein as these two stories. If Hollywood can accomplish that, I'll be a very happy He-Fan.

Okay, I'm done with my essay. I'm curious to see what the rest of you have to share.

Peace.