He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1

Writer: Keith Giffen

Artist: Pop Mhan

DC Comics, $2.99, color, 20 pages

I don't know if it's possible for someone my age to ever take He-Man seriously, but DC is certainly giving it a good shot.

I don't mean to say no adult could enjoy He-Man; certainly those who grew up with the character will have a fond spot for the He-Man characters akin to adult fans of Transformers and G.I. Joe. I meant me in particular, since I had graduated from college when He-Man debuted. Not exactly fertile ground for a kiddie toy and cartoon with such a silly name.

Nevertheless, this joyless, jaded old man tried to keep an open mind when reading this new iteration of the now-venerable cartoon characters. And if I don't pay any attention to the silly names, this debut issue wasn't bad: It comfortably established the lead characters (Adam/He-Man, Teela and her father, the new villain), the current continuity (Skeletor defeated, Teela's mother revealed and vanished, Castle Grayskull in Adam's possession) and a new threat (the invasion of mysterious forces well prepared for He-Man with a surprise leader).

This level of quality is just what you'd expect from the creators, whose pedigree is impressive. Keith Giffen is famed for, among other things, his 'Five Years Later" Legion of Super-Heroes, while Pop Mhan has done memorable work on titles like Ghost Rider, Flash and Peter David's Spyboy. These two guys know their way around an adventure story, and deliver with He-Man. It's a story that youngsters and older fans alike can enjoy.

Is that enough to induce sufficient numbers for this series to sell? That appears to be DC's gamble, and they're off to a good start.

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  • I looked at this but decided not too. I was never a big fan of the show and when I saw the cover I thought to myself "Teela would just not wear that".

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