Masters of the Universe Masterverse #2 Review

 

Masters of the Universe Masterverse #2 Review

Writer: Tim Seeley

Letterer: Deron Bennett

 

Framing Story

Artist: Eddie Nunez

Colorist: Rico Renzi

 

East Of Eternos

Artist: E. J. Su

Colorist: Michael Wiggam

 

Man-At-Arms-For-Hire

Artist: Victor Santos

 

Cover Artists: Eddie Nunez with Rico Renzi; E. J. Su; Victor Santos

Publisher: Dark Horse

Price: $3.99

Release Date: March 15, 2023

 

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. So Zodak, the Cosmic Enforcer, contends. Should Adam continue to wield the sword of power? Is he worthy? Let’s gaze into our multiverse portals at Masters of the Universe Masterverse #2 and find out!

 

FRAMING STORY

Story

Zodak contends that Adam has it easy. The Sorceress gave him the sword of power and guided him in its use. Thus, he must look to other versions of Prince Adam—other realities—before being convinced that Adam will not tip the cosmic balance between good and evil. Unlike the last issue, this two-page story suggests that Zodak not only weighs Adam's worthiness to wield power but also that of the Sorceress. I wonder: is Zodak on the level?

 

Art

The Sorceress, clad in her Falcon attire, stands upon a rocky outcrop and gazes at portals that float in space. She looks up at Zodak, seated like Thanos upon his hovering throne. In addition to his clawed feet, he also bears a gun. He raises the latter when proclaiming his intention to test Adam. Vibrant coloring enlivens this cosmic scene. While paying homage to the 1980s Filmation TV series, all the white stars shining in space and the intense purple void that gradually shifts from ultraviolet to magenta surpass the original animators’ capabilities.

 

 

EAST OF ETERNOS

Story

King Randor's Vizier, his blue-skinned brother Keldor, advised that a sword of power might aid Randor in conquering all of Eternos. Haughty general Prince Adam demands respect from Captain Duncan as they sail in search of this fabled artifact. He brings the thief Jitsu as a guide to the mythical isle of Grayskull. But those aboard ship--and ningyo fish that leap above the waves--are not alone in these uncharted waters.

 

Art

The Dreadnought Marlena Glenn sails upon rough, brown waters. Streaks of light pierce brown swirling clouds. A trace of red, low to the horizon, contrasts with the sea, sky, and the warship. The figurehead of a roaring Battlecat adorns the bow. Wind pushes the beige sails hung from three masts into convex shapes. Prince Adam, clad in plate armor, stands on the deck. He writes on parchment with a feather quill. Surrounding him--and beneath his feet--the wood gleams. Do the sailors scrub and oil all the woodwork daily to reveal such natural luster and grain?

 

As the story continues, colors grow more vibrant. Keldor’s intense blue skin outshines all else in Adam’s memories of the throne room. Pointed blue ears remind us of the Na’vi in Avatar, but the men's postures suggest Loki advising Odin or Wormtongue and Theodin. In the present, Captain Duncan attends Prince Adam, adorned in his traditional blue helmet and yellow. The few light rays piercing the clouds illumine Jitsu, clothed in red and gold. He wears a thick gold gauntlet like Thanos. Prince Adam and Jitsu emerge as larger-than-life gods among men.

 

Like the two stories in the previous issue, this first tale in Masters of the Universe Masterverse #2 reminds us of another popular Fantasy genre. After the Michael Moorcock/Robert E. Howard Swords & Sorcery tale, and the MAD Magazine spoof of issue #1, readers enjoy a Sinbad or Jason of the Argonauts-style legend. Superior art fuses with vibrant color in this beautifully told story.

 

 

 

MAN-AT-ARMS-FOR-HIRE

Story

Our narrator Duncan is no longer Man-At-Arms. Now he operates as a private eye. His assistant, the beautiful Ms. Powers, was once known as Evil-Lyn. Now she aids him in his cases. Darkness has fallen upon Castle Grayskull since Prince Adam disappeared while fighting Skeletor. Now King Randor has also disappeared. Orko blames himself for this latest mishap and hopes Duncan can find the king and return Randor to the throne. Duncan agrees to take the case, assuming Orko can pay his fee.

 

Art

Stark Black and White imagery remind us of the 1980s B&W indie revival. Lines and dots provide shading. Generous inking surround characters, form silhouettes, and shape backgrounds. Excellent composition and dramatic panel angles evoke classic Film Noir. A touch of humor shines light upon this dark tale. At times, scenes of High Fantasy blend with Judge Dredd-style imagery. After the rich color of Prince Adam's sea adventure, this striking B&W story blew me away. Dashiell Hammet and Raymond Chandler would be proud.

 

Final Thoughts

After a Filmation-style framing story, Masters of the Universe Masterverse #2 brings us a magical Ray Harryhausen sea adventure and a classic film noir detective story. Easy-to-read lettering, gorgeous art, and engaging stories make this issue a Must Read. Once again, Tim Seeley and company reveal the richness of Eternia and its characters in diverse and compelling ways.

 

Rating 9.6/10

To preview the Framing Story and East Of Eternos see my review at Comic Book Dispatch

Masters of the Universe: Masterverse #1

 

Cover A by Eddie Nunez

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe enlivened the 1980s with a memorable cast of characters through comics, a TV series, a children’s toy line, and a live-action big-screen movie. Does Dark Horse Comics’ new series honor the rich heritage of this fabulous franchise? Let’s leap into Masters of the Universe Masterverse #1 and find out!

 

Masters of the Universe Masterverse #1 Review

FRAMING STORY

Writer: Tim Seeley

Artist: Eddie Nunez

Colorist: Rico Renzi

Letterer: Deron Bennett

 

Story

In this two-page opener, He-Man defends Castle Grayskull against the latest attack by Skeletor’s forces. New to his power, he regrets that he must relinquish it and resume his duties as Prince Adam. This incident causes Zodac, the Cosmic Enforcer, to doubt Adam's worthiness. He shares his concern with Sorceress Teela-Na, wearing her Falcon headdress from the TV series.

 

This story evokes the look of the TV series, introduces the characters, and raises the stakes for Adam's future as He-Man. I didn't understand the logic behind looking at Adam's counterparts to judge whether he was worthy. Isn't the point of a multiverse that an individual will make different decisions in each? Their choices and actions shape their characters in different ways, leaving some heroes, and others villains, as in Star Trek’s Mirror Mirror stories.

 

Art

Expressive and appealing characters battle, talk, and channel vibrant power. Mirror-like portals reveal scenes in alternative universes. Backgrounds ground the scenes well. Minimal shading and a single silhouette combine with vibrant and graduated colors.

 

Beige narrative boxes set the scene. Only Skeletor’s words and dialogue balloon differ from the other characters’ uppercase lettering in spherical white orbs. Dynamic sound effects give this Filmation-like world an added punch.

 

Cover B by Kelley Jones

 

 

CURSE OF CASTLE GRAYSKULL

Writer: Tim Seeley

Artist: Kelley Jones

Colorist: Brennan Wagner

Letterer: Deron Bennett

 

Story

A wizard has cast Castle Grayskull into darkness. Everyone who lived nearby has fled. On a mission to the border villages, Skeletor’s forces attack Prince Adam, Captain Teela, and Court Jester Orko. Adam runs into the forest to draw the attackers away. Monsters attack him in the castle vicinity. Yet he doesn't call upon the Sword Of Power. When he finally does so, we understand why.

 

Initially, I found it hard to relate to the hunted Adam of this Mordor-like land. Yet this nine-page story in Masters of the Universe Masterverse #1 passed all too soon, finishing with a mind-blowing Moorcockian reveal. This version of Adam may not resemble the hero from the TV series, but the ending showcases his maturity and bravery. Although not present, Teela emerges as a cold, calculating soldier.

 

Art

The buildings, interiors, antagonists, skeletons, and statues remind me of a Mike Mignola story. These scenes bring to mind Robert E. Howard’s tales of Conan battling monsters in cemeteries, dungeons, and labyrinths. Kelley Jones’ inking, crosshatching, and stippling lend texture and mood to Adam and his surroundings. Sadly, two key panels failed to communicate the artist's intent.

 

Brennan Wagner’s vibrant colors prevent scenes of stunning penciling and inking from becoming impenetrable. Because so much of the color palette hails from the purple-to-pink area of the color wheel, Orko’s appearance fails to cast us out of this Hellboy-like world. Sources of light, when they appear, are both sinister and joyous.

 

Tim Seeley gives us plenty of narrative boxes in Curse of Castle Grayskull, saving most of the dialogue for the final pages. Deron Bennett helps us hear Orko’s voice by adding red musical notes to the hovering court jester’s white dialogue balloons. Sound effects are even more energetic and creative than in the first story.

 

Cover C by Sergio Aragonés

 

 

HE-MAN THE LOST

Writer: Tim Seeley

Art: Sergio Aragonés

Colorist: Rico Renzi

Letterer: Deron Bennett

 

Story

After a series of great wars that have reduced the land to the Stone Age, Skeletor assembles a sword that makes him unconquerable. When Eternia’s heroes cry out in despair, a Sorceress adorned with a snake headdress travels the land in search of a champion. She bestows powerful weapons upon a bored young man. Can he use her gifts—relics of a technologically superior society—to restore peace to Eternia?

 

After the somber, brooding Curse of Castle Grayskull, this eight-page story in Masters of the Universe Masterverse #1 lightens the reader’s mood with comic relief. Skeletor shows off his wit and maturity with memorable lines like “See ya, suckers” and “Suck a fart, Eternia!” He-Man may not win the day by his wits, but he shows bravery through his willingness to stand up to a powerful foe and settle for a peaceful resolution.

 

Art

Artist Sergio Aragonés delivers the energetic and dynamic sketching devoted Groo fan expects. He crams panels full of heroes and villains, animals and magical creatures, and a host of armed and armored vehicles. Rico Renzi’s colors seem more muted, and he adds grey to suggest depth. He also colors the sorceress green, as she appeared in the first mini-comic that preceded the TV series. Letterer Deron Bennett makes his sound effects suitably cartoony, and Skeletor’s italicized words appear in shaky dialogue balloons, adding even more energy to scenes that most definitely do not suck.

 

Final Thoughts

Dark Horse Comics’ Masters of the Universe Masterverse #1 recalls the innocence and wonder of the 1980s comics and movies. By exploring two alternative versions of Eternia, this issue celebrates the qualities of a true hero. A vibrant final page wraps up the framing story and excites us with glimpses of future stories.

 

Rating: 8.5/10

 

To see the preview art, see my review at The Comic Book Dispatch