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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Collected Editions) #2
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Vol. 2: Origins of Eternia
HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE continues its return to comics in an all-new graphic novel!
The untold origin stories of Eternia's most prominent heroes and villains are unveiled by the best writers and artists in the industry today. Joshua Hale Fialkov (GREEN LANTERN) and Keith Giffen (LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) mold the world of the Masters of the Universe, with tales of the beginnings of classic characters He-Man, Skeletor, Hordak and more! This graphic novels also puts in print several digital-first chapters.
Collects Masters of the Universe digital chapters 2-7,
Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1, Masters of the
Universe: Origin of He Man #1, Masters of the Universe: Origin of Hordak #1
The untold origin stories of Eternia's most prominent heroes and villains are unveiled by the best writers and artists in the industry today. Joshua Hale Fialkov (GREEN LANTERN) and Keith Giffen (LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) mold the world of the Masters of the Universe, with tales of the beginnings of classic characters He-Man, Skeletor, Hordak and more! This graphic novels also puts in print several digital-first chapters.
Collects Masters of the Universe digital chapters 2-7,
Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1, Masters of the
Universe: Origin of He Man #1, Masters of the Universe: Origin of Hordak #1
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2012
About the author
Joshua Hale Fialkov
417 books137 followersJoshua Hale Fialkov is the creator (or co-creator, depending) of graphic novels, including the Harvey Nominated Elk’s Run, the Harvey and Eisner nominated Tumor, Punks the Comic, and the Harvey Nominated Echoes.
He has written Alibi and Cyblade for Top Cow, Superman/Batman for DC Comics, Rampaging Wolverine for Marvel, and Friday the 13th for Wildstorm. He’s writing the DC relaunch of I,Vampire, as well as debuting the new Marvel character The Monkey King. This fall sees the launch of The Last of the Greats from Image Comics with artist Brent Peeples.
He also served as a writer on the Emmy Award Nominated animated film Afro Samurai: Resurrection, and as Executive Producer of the cult hit LG15: The Resistance web series.
Elk’s Run, Tumor, and Alibi are all currently in development as feature films. He has written comics for companies including Marvel, Wildstorm, IDW, Dark Horse, Image, Tor Books, Seven Seas Entertainment, Del Rey, Random House, Dabel Brothers Productions, and St. Martin’s Press. He has done video game work for THQ, Midway Entertainment, and Gore Verbinski’s Blind Wink Productions. He also wrote a Sci-Fi Channel movie starring Isabella Rossellini and Judd Nelson. Unfortunately, at no point in the film does Judd Nelson punch the sky and freeze frame. Joshua grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, went to college in Boston, where he got a BFA in writing and directing for the stage and screen, and then worked in the New England film industry, until finally deciding to move to Los Angeles to do it properly. He lives with his wife, Christina, daughter, Gable, and their cats, Smokey and the Bandit.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/joshfialkov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joshuahalefia...
Photograph by Heidi Ryder Photography
He has written Alibi and Cyblade for Top Cow, Superman/Batman for DC Comics, Rampaging Wolverine for Marvel, and Friday the 13th for Wildstorm. He’s writing the DC relaunch of I,Vampire, as well as debuting the new Marvel character The Monkey King. This fall sees the launch of The Last of the Greats from Image Comics with artist Brent Peeples.
He also served as a writer on the Emmy Award Nominated animated film Afro Samurai: Resurrection, and as Executive Producer of the cult hit LG15: The Resistance web series.
Elk’s Run, Tumor, and Alibi are all currently in development as feature films. He has written comics for companies including Marvel, Wildstorm, IDW, Dark Horse, Image, Tor Books, Seven Seas Entertainment, Del Rey, Random House, Dabel Brothers Productions, and St. Martin’s Press. He has done video game work for THQ, Midway Entertainment, and Gore Verbinski’s Blind Wink Productions. He also wrote a Sci-Fi Channel movie starring Isabella Rossellini and Judd Nelson. Unfortunately, at no point in the film does Judd Nelson punch the sky and freeze frame. Joshua grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, went to college in Boston, where he got a BFA in writing and directing for the stage and screen, and then worked in the New England film industry, until finally deciding to move to Los Angeles to do it properly. He lives with his wife, Christina, daughter, Gable, and their cats, Smokey and the Bandit.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/joshfialkov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joshuahalefia...
Photograph by Heidi Ryder Photography
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 6, 2014
I really loved the origin of Skeletor and of Hordak!
People who have read the volume 1 of this series may well remember the kinship between Skeletor and Prince Adam; here we can confirm this kinship and understand a little better why He-man and Skeletor are such adversaries ...
The story of Evil-Lyn is not shown as a true origin, but rather as different take, as it is black and white pencilling.
Trapjaw has something to be hateful of He-man, as his jaws were lost due to... well, let us not spoil the fun!
Hordak is seen as a true master of darkness, and truly evil, a devil incarnate:
"By the powers of darkness incarnate, I have the Power!"
People who have read the volume 1 of this series may well remember the kinship between Skeletor and Prince Adam; here we can confirm this kinship and understand a little better why He-man and Skeletor are such adversaries ...
The story of Evil-Lyn is not shown as a true origin, but rather as different take, as it is black and white pencilling.
Trapjaw has something to be hateful of He-man, as his jaws were lost due to... well, let us not spoil the fun!
Hordak is seen as a true master of darkness, and truly evil, a devil incarnate:
"By the powers of darkness incarnate, I have the Power!"
June 25, 2014
I really thought that this was going to continue the story started in the previous volume or maybe flash back to before the previous volume. I was not expecting it to be an entire series of vignette's on random characters. Admittedly they aren't quite random, they are all major characters; however I feel like if you hadn't watched the show a million years ago you wouldn't know that. Not all of the short stories seemed to be of the same quality and some of them were down right confusing (the last story on Hordak went right over my head--no clue what was going on there). Here's hoping that the next volume actually continues the series.
November 13, 2016
This book gives a new dimension to already great characters by weaving great back stories around them. If you were ever interest on how Skelator became what he is then this is the book for you.
February 7, 2024
The origin stories were great, mostly. I appreciate the way they did Skeletor's in particular. Hordak's I know way less about but no particular complaints. My main beef with the He-Man origin is it just didn't feel right. I liked the 2002 cartoon's version, which is what I think the Kevin Smith helmed Netflix series was based on as I'm pretty sure the Filmation cartoon didn't bother showing Adam gaining the sword or the Power. That said, it's only getting a 3-star here because the art was just ugly. Especially the Skeletor issue. Despite coming out in 2013, it looked like a bad photoshop job from like 2004. The He-Man issue also suffered from trying to appear too realistic in art but in really kinda wanna-be Alex Ross type way. Hordak's issue was pure 90s superhero in style, which was better but it still wasn't great. Finishing things was issues 2-7 of the digital comic that came out before the 2012 series. They were fine. Art varied, some okay, some meh, some good. I kinda just skimmed them. They were short and more character portraits than actual story.
July 10, 2022
Disappointing…
After a great Vol 1, Vol 2 is nothing of a continuation and is instead just a bunch of small random stories that have very little (if anything) to do with one another. The stories are mildly entertaining but when you’re expecting a single, long story to follow it’s predecessor, this is simply disappointing.
After a great Vol 1, Vol 2 is nothing of a continuation and is instead just a bunch of small random stories that have very little (if anything) to do with one another. The stories are mildly entertaining but when you’re expecting a single, long story to follow it’s predecessor, this is simply disappointing.
November 23, 2021
A lot of back stories and not much moving forward.
All well and good if you like the back stories , there were some interesting ones but after the first editions fast pace, I did expect more.
Hopefully, the next edition will add some oomph to proceedings.
All well and good if you like the back stories , there were some interesting ones but after the first editions fast pace, I did expect more.
Hopefully, the next edition will add some oomph to proceedings.
June 20, 2023
There is a picture in this of Prince Keldor being transformed into Skeletor which is amazing. It needs to be a poster.
Some of these stories are different from other MOTU stories about the same subject matter. Nevertheless, this is a good graphic novel.
Some of these stories are different from other MOTU stories about the same subject matter. Nevertheless, this is a good graphic novel.
November 9, 2016
This one gave some real good insight into the very beginning of Eternia and many of its most formidable heroes and villains.
February 8, 2018
This volume contains the "origin" stories of some of the characters, i.e. the story of how these character became who they are. This is interesting reading!
Beautiful coloring and drawings.
Beautiful coloring and drawings.
July 12, 2020
Utter drivel
February 21, 2021
Love the little things that call back to the mini comics and toy line and even the cartoon here and there.
Read
April 25, 2021Trying to make sense of a cartoon created to sell toys is a big task. Larry Hama did great work with GIJoe in the 80s. Is this comic version of He-Man for children? Adults? It’s mostly...odd.
April 19, 2022
Nada mejor que te cuenten alguno de los orígenes de los personajes de la historia nada más empezar, cada uno con su estilo de dibujo diferente y con su historia.
September 30, 2022
We can see in this collection the origin stories of some of the character’s origin stories. While some are dark, like He-Man’s or Skeletor's or super heartwarming like Battle Cat’s.
It’s a great way to expand in the lore of this series.
It’s a great way to expand in the lore of this series.
February 28, 2016
Reprints Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1, Masters of the Universe: Origin of He-Man #1, Masters of the Universe: Origin of Hordak #1, and Masters of the Universe Digital Chapters 2-7 (December 2012-August 2013). Skeletor, He-Man, and Hordak all had a beginning…and their stories are told here! With Man-at-Arms, Battle Cat, King Randor, Evil-Lyn, Orko, and Trap-Jaw, the Masters of the Universe will have their stories told!
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Kyle Higgins, Mike Costa, Jeff Parker, Keith Giffen, and Brian Keene, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2: Origins of Eternia collects a number of one-shot issues of the DC Comics series and reprints digital comics. The comics of the volume were released during the run of the first volume of Masters of the Universe and the continuing Masters of the Universe series.
I grew up with He-Man and watched the cartoon religiously. Despite hundreds of episodes, many of the characters were rather undeveloped and unexplained (including in the mini-comics that came with toys). Here, we get short, concise stories that explain the characters backgrounds…half this volume is entertaining and half of the volume could use some work.
I’m a big fan of the shorts in this volume which were part of the Masters of the Universe digital comics. These comics not only have some interesting storytelling, but they have some strong art to back them up. The writers did an interesting weaving of the tales and I think the Evil-Lyn story is the winner here by showing that the comic can be more than just an adaptation of a toyline.
The longer issues are a bit…long. Both the He-Man and Skeletor issues feel like some real meat is missing from what is being told. I feel that both could almost be limited series with more exploration. I have a soft spot for the odd Zodac who appears in the Hordak tale. I like that the storyline is almost that of Kirby’s New Gods…it does add some depth to the tale as a whole.
I can’t say that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a very good book, but for me, it is an entertaining book. The storytelling is pretty shallow, but it brings back fun memories of childhood and it makes more of an episode to give these characters the dimensions that they lacked before this. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2: Origins of Eternia was followed by He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3.
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Kyle Higgins, Mike Costa, Jeff Parker, Keith Giffen, and Brian Keene, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2: Origins of Eternia collects a number of one-shot issues of the DC Comics series and reprints digital comics. The comics of the volume were released during the run of the first volume of Masters of the Universe and the continuing Masters of the Universe series.
I grew up with He-Man and watched the cartoon religiously. Despite hundreds of episodes, many of the characters were rather undeveloped and unexplained (including in the mini-comics that came with toys). Here, we get short, concise stories that explain the characters backgrounds…half this volume is entertaining and half of the volume could use some work.
I’m a big fan of the shorts in this volume which were part of the Masters of the Universe digital comics. These comics not only have some interesting storytelling, but they have some strong art to back them up. The writers did an interesting weaving of the tales and I think the Evil-Lyn story is the winner here by showing that the comic can be more than just an adaptation of a toyline.
The longer issues are a bit…long. Both the He-Man and Skeletor issues feel like some real meat is missing from what is being told. I feel that both could almost be limited series with more exploration. I have a soft spot for the odd Zodac who appears in the Hordak tale. I like that the storyline is almost that of Kirby’s New Gods…it does add some depth to the tale as a whole.
I can’t say that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a very good book, but for me, it is an entertaining book. The storytelling is pretty shallow, but it brings back fun memories of childhood and it makes more of an episode to give these characters the dimensions that they lacked before this. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2: Origins of Eternia was followed by He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3.
March 14, 2020
This is a sneak-peek into the lives of the many fantastical heroes and villains that populate the fictional land of Eternia. Discover how Prince Adam first discovered his magical powers. Spare a shiver down your spine as you discover the origins of vile but mighty Skeletor. Get a glimpse into the single-minded cruelty of Evil Lyn, say hello to genial Man-At-Arms and give a big squishy hug to the mighty Battle Cat.
The artwork varies between brilliant to shoddy and the narration is a mixed-bag too. All in all, not half bad.
The artwork varies between brilliant to shoddy and the narration is a mixed-bag too. All in all, not half bad.
August 25, 2021
Having recently fallen down the rabbit hole that is DC's take on Masters of the Universe I've been hugely impressed by how they have captured the magic of nostalgia whilst making the property hold up today. This is no mean feat considering these are characters that were invented to sell toys (the Netflix documentary about their creation is fab by the way) and turned into a cheesy cartoon. So I was excited to see what they might do with the back stories of the main characters.
Unfortunately this is the first book that stumbles slightly. (I've been reading them out of sequence.) It's a mixed bag, but it still has some great moments. I just would have preferred a longer take on some of these stories which tend to skip to the end; especially for the main 3 characters. More meat on the bones please. Especially Skeletor, if you excuse the pun.
Unfortunately this is the first book that stumbles slightly. (I've been reading them out of sequence.) It's a mixed bag, but it still has some great moments. I just would have preferred a longer take on some of these stories which tend to skip to the end; especially for the main 3 characters. More meat on the bones please. Especially Skeletor, if you excuse the pun.
July 20, 2016
Originally I was thinking this was going to be a sort of continuation of Vol. 1, but it ended up being a collection of short back stories of the He-Man universe. As a long time He-Man fan, being familiar with the cartoons and toy biographies from the '80s, it was a quick but enjoyable read for me. I don't think it would be the same for people not familiar with the history of the He-Man universe.
The least favorite story for me was Orko's, of which the different art in the same story contributed to that. It was an eye sore and I hated Orko anyway, so that's that.
Overall a fun read for longtime fans, but these back stories deserve their own spin-off issues via mini-series to give them full justice.
The least favorite story for me was Orko's, of which the different art in the same story contributed to that. It was an eye sore and I hated Orko anyway, so that's that.
Overall a fun read for longtime fans, but these back stories deserve their own spin-off issues via mini-series to give them full justice.
July 27, 2013
NOTE: I'm reading the issues that comprise this volume separately right now, although I will be purchasing the compiled edition when it's published in March.
Still loving the new take on Masters of the Universe. The origin stories here are perhaps a bit short, but that just leaves more to explore later I suppose...
Still loving the new take on Masters of the Universe. The origin stories here are perhaps a bit short, but that just leaves more to explore later I suppose...
August 11, 2016
Very short stories originally published online...
It's a mixed bag as most multi-author compilations are, but in my opinion there's much more good than bad.
The Randor story is five stars all the way. I love it.
Overall, I'm quite happy with DC's new darker take on MOTU and look forward to where they go with it next.
It's a mixed bag as most multi-author compilations are, but in my opinion there's much more good than bad.
The Randor story is five stars all the way. I love it.
Overall, I'm quite happy with DC's new darker take on MOTU and look forward to where they go with it next.
October 28, 2015
La storia delle origini di Skeletor è allucinante!
La piega dark che ha preso la nuova serie mi piace parecchio. :)
La piega dark che ha preso la nuova serie mi piace parecchio. :)
August 30, 2015
Enjoyable and varied takes on some well-established characters. This collection was a lot of fun, though the Hordak story at the end felt like a bit of a flat note to end on. Still, a surprisingly creative work that should not be overlooked by MOTU fans.
January 10, 2015
The only thing that takes away from perfection for this graphic novel is the story of Orko. I didn't like him as a kid and I don't like him now. But everything else is really cool.
July 18, 2015
Isn't a direct follow-up to the previous volume. Has character specific tales and background stories. All solid, with the Orko section a silly waste.
September 20, 2015
Interesante pero poco revelador.
April 26, 2017
This is a collection of short stories showing us the origins of various Masters of the Universe characters. It wasn't bad, but none of these were particularly interesting or inspiring. Definitely not a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews