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The Dark World of Masters of the Universe Minicomics |
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Eleven Tales of Mineternia
This page, right here, is where the words 'mini' and 'Eternia' were first fused into the sleeker and more evocative word, Mineternia, in 2003. Mineternia is a word that refers to the Eternia of the first eleven minicomics, which were packaged with the Masters toys between 1982 and 1983. It is a world that predates the five-issue DC Comics comic book series, in which the Adam/He-Man dual identity was introduced, AND the Filmation cartoon that followed. The comics, listed below, were also published by DC Comics. HE-MAN and THE POWER SWORD THE KING of CASTLE GRAYSKULL BATTLE IN THE CLOUDS THE VENGEANCE of SKELETOR THE TALE of TEELA HE-MAN MEETS RAM-MAN THE ORDEAL of MAN-E-FACES THE TERROR of TRI-KLOPS THE MENACE of TRAP-JAW THE MAGIC STEALER THE POWER of POINT DREAD However, after 1984, all other minicomics were produced solely by Mattel and were loyal, in content and tone, to the classic TV cartoon. The Pre-Classic minicomics weren't Shakespeare (and were never intended to be), but, they had an enigmatic power unrivalled by any interpretation of He-Man to date -- a power that lured us all into the world of mini-Eternia. Here are seven of the comics that started it all... THE TALE of TEELA Sold with Teela in 1982, Minicomic Series One. Considering that the Goddess is to Eternia what (at the very least) Jesus or the Virgin Mary are to the Western World, Skeletor using Point Dread's power to rape and clone the Goddess (another hero with a deadly secret) is an act of unspeakable evil that no comic book villain has even contemplated before or since, and it says volumes about the genius and daring of writer Gary Cohn that he would add this to He-Man's saga. There's also demonic possession and lots and lots of violence! Take it as you will, this is Mineternia. (Archived at HMT on July 23, 2003) ENTER THE POWER of POINT DREAD Sold with Point Dread and Talon Fighter Playset in 1983, Minicomic Series Two. In this fast-moving sequel to The Tale of Teela, Skeletor turns the ultimate aerial power against Eternia, and no one is safe! Point Dread, like Zodac and Castle Grayskull, is a cosmic power and neither good, nor evil. In this story, that point is made chillingly clear! (Archived at HMT on April 26, 2004) ENTER HE-MAN MEETS RAM-MAN Sold with Ram-Man in 1982, Minicomic Series Two. Skeletor turns the power of Ram-Man, who is neither good or evil, against Castle Grayskull and its defender, He-Man! Ever wonder just how evil Skeletor is? He's so evil, he's just going to keep slamming Ram Man's head into the castle, until the poor guy's heart stops and his brains are all over the ground, ..or the door opens. Pretty evil, huh? (Archived at HMT on April 26, 2004) ENTER THE ORDEAL of MAN-E-FACES Sold with Man-E-Faces and Evil-Lyn in 1983, Minicomic Series Two. It is, without question, the essential and definitive Pre-Classic minicomic. Before this tale's end, a new, heroic warrior, with a dark and deadly secret, will join He-Man's crusade, and the Master of Evil, Skeletor, will resort to human sacrifice in pursuit of the ultimate power! Yes! Blood ritual ..in a kid's comic! Mel kiddeth thee not! (Archived at HMT on March 3, 2003) ENTER ALFREDO ALCALA'S THE POWER of POINT DREAD From Masters of the Universe: 2 Stories With Record, Sold with Point Dread and the Talon Fighter in 1983. "Power of Point Dread" boasts the first minicomic appearance of a Pre-Classic King Randor and of an Eternos (though it's not called so here) styled after the Britain of the Dark Ages. It also features the first and last minicomic appearance of the enigmatic and godlike Zodac, whose sole existence is to maintain a balance of power in this Kirbine world of warring opposites! (Archived at HMT on March 26, 2004) ENTER KING of CASTLE GRAYSKULL Sold with Skeletor in 1981, Minicomic Series One. Using the combined power of He-Man's Power Sword and his own, Skeletor conquers Castle Grayskull, and the Pre-Classic saga of the twin swords begins! Unlike the TV cartoon, it's very clear here that Castle Grayskull is a cosmic power, belonging neither to Skeletor or He-Man, and is NOT a clubhouse for the good guys. This story also makes it very clear that He-Man's mission is to keep Grayskull (described on the box as a 'fortress of mystery and power') out of enemy hands, because it is a threat to humankind, ..and NOT because of his silly loyalty to a sorceress. (Archived at HMT on March 26, 2004) ENTER MASKS of POWER Sold with Battle Armor He-Man, Trap-Jaw and Fisto in 1984, Minicomic Series Three. In this sequel to "The King of Castle Grayskull", Skeletor sends Evil-Lyn's orcs after two ancient and powerful masks! This colorful finale to the Pre-Classic saga of the twin power swords is ruined by the story's insipid loyalty to the Filmation cartoon .. and the resoundingly regrettable presence of that panty-wearing bore, Prince Madam! Likely the WORST of the best minicomics, Alfredo Alcala's Masks of Power sadly marks the end of the Mineternian era, .. after which He-Fans are mercilessly drowned in a slime pit of evil lost uncles, Snake Men, meteor people and a planetful of pink, fluffy Wonder Woman rip-offs! (Archived at HMT on December 28, 2003) ENTER
Read and download the rest of your favorite minicomics on Masters of the Universe: The Comics, online at Good Old Days, .. AND for short novelizations of these great stories, visit T. F. Cooper's Tales of Mineternia, featuring epic adaptations of the original minicomics. *It should be noted that He-ManTales.net invented the minicomic reader featured on this site; though, you will find similar readers in the minicomics sections of other MOTU fan sites. Main Fiction Minicomics E-mail Us He-Man, Skeletor, Eternia and all associated characters, names, images, comic books and minicomics are registered copyrights and/or trademarks of Mattel, DC Comics, Hallmark or other concerned copyright/trademark holders. All rights reserved.
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