Masters of the Universe: Masterverse, Vol. 1

Masters of the Masterverse #1-4

by Tim Seeley, Sergio Aragonés (Illustrator), Kelley Jones (Illustrator)

A brand-new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe fantasy anthology series featuring art from some of the most celebrated names in comics.

In the depths of Castle Grayskull, the Sorceress and Zodac debate the value of He-Man. To save the life of her champion, the Sorceress must take the Cosmic Enforcer on a tour of the multiverse.

Featuring all-news worlds and all-new He-Men!

Written by Masters of the Universe alum Tim Seeley ( Masters of the Multiverse , The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe ), with daring, original visions by Sergio Aragonés ( Groo , Mad Magazine ), Kelley Jones ( Batman, Deadman ), E.J. Su ( Tranformers ), Eddie Nunez, Victor Santos ( Polar ), Claudia Balboni ( Killer Queens, Star Trek ), David Rubín ( Ether, Rumble ), Daniel Lopez, and Fico Ossio ( Marvel Spider-Man ).

Collects Masters of the Masterverse #1–#4.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

Tim Seeley is a comic book artist and writer known for his work on books such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Dark Elf Trilogy, Batman Eternal and Grayson. He is also the co-creator of the Image Comics titles Hack/Slash[1] and Revival, as well as the Dark Horse titles, ExSanguine and Sundowners. He lives in Chicago.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

If, like me, you grew up watching He-Man cartoons and coveting Mount Grayskull for Xmas...YOU OLD.

I know multiverses are So Hot Right Now, but did anyone honestly ask for an alt-MotU story drawn in the style of Frank Miller's Sin City? Or He-Man but as a viking raider? Or an awkward framing device featuring The Sorceress and Zodac squabbling over Prince Adam's inherent goodness?

I shall not venture into the bemusing confines of this 'Verse ever again.

[Urbon Adamsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

EN Well, what a waste of time...

Even as someone who absolutely loves Masters of the Universe, I couldn't find a single reason to appreciate this book. It's honestly so bad it's hard to believe.

What we have here is an anthology of mini-stories featuring MOTU characters — and it almost feels like each author is competing to see who can do a worse job, while disrespecting the source material along the way. Seriously.

The only reason I’m not giving this a 1-star rating is because I still enjoy seeing these characters brought to life. That’s how much I crave MOTU content — but not like this. Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing this.

Really disappointed.

--

PT Bem, que perda de tempo...

Mesmo sendo alguém que adora Masters of the Universe, não consegui encontrar um único motivo para apreciar este livro. É tão mau que custa a acreditar.

O que temos aqui é uma antologia de mini-histórias com personagens do universo MOTU — e quase parece que cada autor está a competir para ver quem consegue fazer pior, desrespeitando o material original pelo caminho. A sério.

A única razão pela qual não dou uma estrela é porque continuo a gostar de ver estas personagens ganharem vida. É assim que alguém como eu anseia por conteúdo deste universo — mas não assim. Às vezes, não fazer nada é melhor do que fazer isto.

Fiquei mesmo desiludido.

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I will admit I am a pretty biased He-man fan. It was the first cartoon I remember watching on TV in my youth. I enjoyed the short story style of the book.

The book take a journey peering into different incarnations of Prince Adam/He-man to assess the worthiness of the great power bestowed on them. Not just they deeds but can they battle the corruption of power corrupting.

Not all the arts types are my favourite, but I do respect that they used the same art style that was used in that version of the He-man cartoon or comic strip. As I am a much older He-man fan, I remember the little moral at the end of the episodes, I know these are not popular these days, but I still like them. The book ends with a varient cover gallery and a sketchbook.

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun hit or miss glance into the MOTU multiverse. Most work. Some great art. But the story is the same in each chapter: Does Prince Adam have what it takes to HAVE THE POWER?!

[Michael O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, happy new year! Finishing up last year with 57 books read was massive for me. I set my goal for 30 this year, knowing I might have difficulty as I'd left my public library job. Turns out I might smash this one too as I've discovered eBooks, which I can access from my work PC in my new role. A god send!

Browsing the eBook catalogue, this was my first pick for 2024. I love a graphic novel and I'm a massive Masters fan, collecting the range of figures from the Masterverse line. This was a great little collection, giving us a glimpse in to the different 'He-Men' across multiple timelines and dimensions. The art was beautiful and varied, changing with each story and tone.

Stand out stories for me were the black and white noir-inspired Man-At-Arms and Evil Lyn detective story as well as the Japanese inspired story with He-Man and Jitsu.

Would love to see something like this with She-Ra in the future!

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories are pretty simple but it's fun to see these different takes on He-Man. It's a good variety of artists too.

[Todd]

This is rare for me for work like this, but I'm noting this as "not recommended."

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the He-Man equivalent of an Elseworlds anthology - but one with a bit of a Spider-Verse slant. It has a rather paper-thin framing device of needing to explore the stories of the Masters of the Universe across multiple realities to determine He-Man's fundamental worthiness, we dive into story after story with very different depictions of different characters we've come to know and love. There is not big over-arching story that the book is building up to (at least not yet?) but there is a bit of a stinger at the end.

Decent fun. Don't come in with heavy expectations and just enjoy the ride.

[Wm Jason Flannery · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely lacking in direction and necessity…

Imagine gathering up a group of people that have very little understanding of He-man and the Masters of the Universe. Place them all into a room together. Ask them to each write out a brief story about what they think He-man is/does. Have them then draw all of the artwork themselves. Bind up all of those individual stories into one book. And, then try to sell it as an actual He-man story.

That is what reading this book feels like.

This book is simply terrible and writers than pen this kind of dribble should be ashamed of their own laziness. Zero stars.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine a collection of Treehouse of Horror stories, but give it a Masters of the Universe vibe.

I enjoyed this dip in and out of different universes, some of which I was familiar with, some I was vaguely aware of, and some that were completely new to me. That said, I'm not sure this volume offers anything to readers new to the franchise. For keen fans only.

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great variations of the He-man mythos by a talented bunch of creators.

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is ridiculously fun. The DC take on this was better but I really liked this for what it was.

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5]

[Derrick O'Rourke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read

This is an interesting decent read. Some of the concepts are good but the stories are too short and the constant changing of artwork is jarring.

[Jesse A · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was fine, not really special but the art is cartoonish.

[Donavon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing after previous collection. Also not as good as the 'Masterverse' series by DC a few years prior.