Back in 1983-1986, two of the most iconic animated series of all time was He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe and She-Ra: Princess of Power! This year, Dark Horse Comics is offering all of the classic animated episodes that aired during that time in one massive hardcover book dedicated to He-Man and She-Ra. These animated episodes are what started it all, and inspired generations of fans that are just as passionate to the brand as the day it hit the airways.
He-Man And She-Ra: A Complete Guide To The Classic Animated Adventures is written by James Eatock, who is best known as one of two authors (alongside Zadoc Angell) that created the He-Man and She-Ra Episode Review Website. The creation of that website not only attracted the casual fan, but also the original creative staff that worked on the series at Filmation.
Mattel had released the original action figures in 1982, which led to the backstory of the characters the following year in the Filmation series. With the success of the vintage toy line, He-Man and She-Ra animated series, this led to a live-action movie in 1987, 2002 He-Man animated series, and ultimately led to the very popular Masters of the Universe Classics toyline by Mattel and sculpted by the Four Horsemen.
This book offers a summary of each episode of He-Man and She-Ra that aired from 1983-1986. Each page is nicely laid out with an episode synopsis, moral lesson, episode review, bonus content, deleted scenes and episode plots, character and panel sketches, memorable quotes, never-before-seen content and character designs, and much more. The book features 590 pages, along with a memorial to Lou Scheimer and more that we discussed below.
Thank you to Dark Horse Comics for providing their He-Man And She-Ra: A Complete Guide To The Classic Animated Adventures for review.
Availability: September 13th, 2016
There are 6 chapters dedicated to this book along with a Castle Grayskull Cutaway, introduction, a note from the author, how to use the guide, and a memorial to Lou Scheimer. Chapters 1 and 2 talk about He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Some of the surprises in these chapters include the previously un-revealed Evil Seed’s legs, Orko’s face, along with deleted scenes and panels throughout the book and much more. Chapters 3 and 4 talk about She-Ra: Princess of Power, and chapters 5 and 6 discuss specials and abandoned episodes.
Now, we’re confident that most of the people reading would know about the story, the characters, and have already seen the episodes. However, not all of these characters have been offered in Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Classics line that we hope to see Super 7 continue. Characters including Filmation Monteeg, Count Marzo, Uncle Montork (as he appeared in both He-Man and She-Ra episodes), and so many others.
The Dragon Walker is also featured in this book, and was also seen in at least one episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. As far as Mattel or Super 7 making this into Classics, it’s unlikely. The fate of the Roton is still currently unknown to us. Still, seeing a vehicle like the Dragon Walker in the book does make us wish that it would also be made into Classics.
One more reveal about the book that we’ll share with you, as you won’t regret buying it, is that Lizard Man was originally planned to be a recurring character on the series, instead of the one episode that he was shown in with Man-At-Arms. Mattel also planned a toy for Lizard Man that was ultimately scrapped, which is why he did not appear in a second episode.
Overall:
He-Man And She-Ra: A Complete Guide To The Classic Animated Adventures is a fantastic book that fans of the franchise will love. It’s a great read and includes tons of exclusive content available no where else.
Highly Recommended.
Purchase:
