Release Date: May 15, 2024
Spoiler Alert
Dark Horse Comics and Mattel have teamed up to bring fans another story to Netflix’s Masters of the Universe Revolution (and Revelation, which was released in 2021), and this latest concerns how two great evils have met! Here, Hordak is making his mark upon the realm that has yet to fully become Eternia, and I like how this story has started by showing creation as “a glowing ember in the night’s cold.”
Some mythical beginnings are recounted in the animated series, but I had to rewatch the animated series run to find them. It’s not as easy as flipping through a comic book, and what’s revealed in the first few pages concerns the formation of three forces to rule the universe, and who would emerge a mortal vessel to represent them. One episode to pay note of is “Hope, for a Destruction” and the other is “Ascention.”
Here, magic is sentient, and Ka and Zoar are aspects I think have not been mentioned before. Whether that’s from the series bible created by the toy distributor or it’s Kevin Smith’s imagination, I do not know. I’d have to interview the talent pool of Tim Sheridan, Rob David, and Ted Biaselli to find out. Daniel HDR provides the illustrations, and he’s complemented by Keith Champagne inks, Brad Simpson‘s colours and AndWorld Design‘s digital lettering.
The Horde that fans are familiar with doesn’t get as much of a detailed reveal as how they formed, but it seems they’re as old as time too, and have been engaging in an eternal war to get a leg up in ruling the world. While his lackeys keep on fighting, he’s in search of this realm’s version of the Three Fates, and wants to know the future. He’s yet to meet Keldor, the person who would later become Skeletor, and with this first issue, that’s enough of a hook to say I have to know more.
It’s rare to read a tale without mention of He-Man or Prince Adam, and I feel it’s terrific to not have a tale where he’s not involved. I don’t think Masters of the Universe should always focus on him or even those who would one day bear the mantle. What’s presented here is that backstory I’ve been waiting for all my life, since like with IDW’s Cobra Commander, to know something about how the bad guys operate, and what drives them is just as important. If Darth Vader can get his origin story, then so can others.
The artwork that’s presented here is solid and recalls everything I enjoyed from the comics. Although I’m the type who pays attention more to the story than layouts, what’s presented here kept me looking for clues. I’m curious as to what Hordak wants, and while his agents are waging war, he’s like Macbeth in search of the Three Witches.
With this work, I’m sure it’s referencing moments from the animated run. Unfortunately, when that Netflix series is laden with a lot of details, trying to remember it all is tough. I had to refresh my memory since part of the animated run also concerns Skeletor’s rather mysterious need to remake his staff. It’s prophesied that only one person can harness its true power, and to ensure it falls on the right hands, even Hordak has to concede.
From what I can gather, this comic will look at Kaldor’s fall from grace and transition to pure evil. I can’t wait, as it’s the story that I’m guessing Lucas wanted to write. Whether one can transpose the same villain archetype to another, it’s tough to say, but I’m enjoying what’s been foretold so far!
5 Stars out of 5
Masters of the Universe: Revolution Netflix Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHC-VTmLlpU
Discover more from Otaku no Culture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
