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The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Advance Review

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Art-of-He-Man-and-the-Masters-of-the-Universe-BookI was probably about four years old when I first experienced what would become one of a litany of life long obsessions with both toy and pop culture collecting. I can vividly remember He-Man Masters of the Universe having a profound impact on my childhood, probably because I have a picture of myself at around four or five years of age, sitting on a very 1970’s-ish couch, a book of poetry on my lap, the Point Dread Talon Fighter flanking my left side, and Skeletor on the Road Ripper on my right. Suffice to say my biggest surprise would come one Christmas, and I relished in the splendor of the original Castle Grayskull, a toy that I demolished, in a good way, at a bygone time where I was more into playing with my toys than I was cleaning them up, reconstituting them, and painstakingly storing them for future generations. Yeah, that’s a lot of what I do now, and just one window into the past of things such as He-Man and the Masters which I love. About a year or so ago, I saw Dark Horse Comics’ plan to unleash The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and I waited with bated breath throughout the year, pining for the release of a volume I knew would not disappoint. I can now, after poring over its contents multiple times, say I am not disappointed, and neither will loyal fans of the Mattel franchise. This 320 page hardcover volume is the very window into not only my childhood and that of countless others, but an important, nostalgic look back at some of the most important and ambitious art work (and writing!) to ever grace the boxes of toys, the lines of a comic. If anything can be said about The Most Powerful Man in the Universe, it’s that he endured for years long after his initial popularity waned, only to be kept alive by future generations, akin to a light in the dark ages of Europe. Men like Tim and Steve Seeley, (Tim writes Revival, Batman Eternal, Hack/Slash)Val Staples( “Master” of He-Man.org, artist, colorist and story writer on books such as Marvel Knights: Spider-Man and the original MVC Creations Masters of the Universe comic book. A true archivist of the material if there ever was one!) and Emiliano Santalucia(Collector extraordinaire, Masters of the Universe comic artist), and other renowned artists like Earl NoremRudy Obrero, William George, Steven Grant and Larry Houston(who worked on the mini-comics) would all have a role in keeping He-Man and company at the front and center where he belongs today.

Art-of-Masters-of-the-Universe-4A truly exhaustive look at everything from classic toy designs right up to DC Comics’ re-establishment of the franchise in comic form, each chapter of the book covers the inception of the toy line, featuring original mock-ups and toy sketch designs, a look at he creation of the mini-comics with writer and artist interviews, and an in-depth perspective on the classic animated series. Standing out, a whole chapter is dedicated to the published magazines and comics, where artists like Earl Norem provided children with fully realized, almost classical, Frank Frazetta like paintings. If that wasn’t enough, there is also a study of some of the more important box art that encapsulated the toys we played with in our youth. At this point, I’d have to say I may actually love the box art more than some of the toys (okay, so I am feeling a bit aged) because the book presents it and allows readers to examine it in a new light. The latter half of this art compendium features a new interview with Dolph Lundgren and a look inside the 1987 motion picture, a look at the New Adventures of He-Man, and the 2002 Mike Young Production animated series for a new generation. All of this culminates with the Classics Collection, and a possible glimpse of how the franchise will proceed in the future with the advent of social media and other platforms that will make future generations gravitate toward arguably the most powerful franchise in the Universe.

Art-of-Masters-of-the-Universe-2He-Man, to me, has never been stronger than ever heading into his 33rd year of existence. For a character that taught so many lessons to so many 30-40 year olds today, giving them an outlet in the 80’s during the good times and the trying times, it’s no wonder that he is sure to endure another 33 plus. For me The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is something which captures lightning in a bottle: it preserves, perseveres, and provides fans with something that has been lacking for many years: a comprehensive inside look, culled from many different sources and people, and brought together for the people. None of this would have been possible without the torchbearers such as Emiliano Santalucia, Val Staples, and the Seeley brothers today. They’ve taken the flame of Earl Norem, George Obrero, Filmation, and Mattel’s art team and have kept it burning. Eternal. Like the fires in the deepest chasms of Castle Grayskull.

Look no further than this endorsement: The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is not only the book to get if you are a hardcore fan, but it is one of the best art books, competently assembled and annotated, period. It’s out April 15 from Dark Horse Comics.

Rating: *****

Foreward by: Alan Oppenheimer

Written by: Tim and Steve Seeley (with James Eatock)

Published by: Dark Horse Comics


Filed under: Collectibles, Comics, Movies & TV, Other Stuff

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