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He-Man and She-Ra: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures
From 1983 to 1986, He-Man and his twin sister She-Ra entranced a generation of boys and girls all around the word with their animated adventures, offering not only cartoon excitement, but also important moral guidance. Now, Dark Horse Books is proud to present the first ever official companion to the classic series, featuring over 500 pages of fascinating story synopses, animation process, and trivia for every single episode of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Princess of Power !
592 pages, Hardcover
Published September 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 10, 2023
James Eatock, one of the people behind the He-Man, She-Ra episode review website and author of an unofficial guide to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has produced this wonderful book, an official guide to all 223 episodes from both He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (130) and She-Ra: Princess of Power (93), as well as every special, including the infamous 'Christmas Special'. Everything by Filmation is here. As well as episode synopsis, quotes and comparisons in animation to other episodes. You also get (from James' personal collection) artwork from the show, including storyboards and early concept designs. With the help of a few other fans of the shows, James has put together what is the most in-depth based guide that you're ever going to get of these shows and possibly the most comprehensive cartoon guide ever. :)
If you are a fan of Filmation's He-Man and She-Ra, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. It's huge, but well worth the price for all the stuff you get in this sensational book, plus it answers a question that some Masters of the Universe fans have been wondering about? It reveals what Orko really looks like under his hat, but you're going to have to buy this book to see for yourself. ;)
If you are a fan of Filmation's He-Man and She-Ra, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. It's huge, but well worth the price for all the stuff you get in this sensational book, plus it answers a question that some Masters of the Universe fans have been wondering about? It reveals what Orko really looks like under his hat, but you're going to have to buy this book to see for yourself. ;)
January 19, 2025
Coming at this purely from She-Ra fandom, I have to say I am a little disappointed. The Princess of Power is treated as a mere spinoff of the Masters of the Universe series, when it was so much more than that to little girls who grew up with it. I should know; I am one. I was a hardcore She-Ra fan - I even had my own sword of protection! I did not have any of the toys, alas, so the idea of the cartoon being used to aid in merchandising didn't work on me, though I'm sure I begged for some of the toys nonetheless. But as much as I loved the characters, I loved the story, too: the Great Rebellion, fighting against the Horde for the planet of Etheria. Man, it stood on its own quite well!
I was very surprised in reading through the He-Man portions of this tome that this series, arguably more famous and more re-made than its sister series, did not seem to have any sort of coherent, overall story arc. Prince Adam is a member of the ruling family of Eternia, quite the opposite of Adora and the Rebels. Is it really that much fun if the powerful rulers always win?
I am also disappointed at the lack of female voice in the narrative - even the person reviewing the She-Ra episodes is a man, and will inherently have a different perspective on the story than a woman would. Plus, being seen through the lens of the Masters of the Universe series diminishes it, I think. I'd love to see such a loving tribute written about She-Ra as a series - and toy line - that stands alone, and stands very strongly on its own.
This book is for superfans of the He-Man series, first of all; it assumes knowledge of all the characters without a reference guide of any sort. As someone who owns the coveted 2006 DVD release of my series, it took me a minute to remember which character was which, especially the ones from S2. I think it would've had more appeal if it had included some assistance from us more casual fans, or those who haven't seen the series in 20 (or 40!) years.
I was very surprised in reading through the He-Man portions of this tome that this series, arguably more famous and more re-made than its sister series, did not seem to have any sort of coherent, overall story arc. Prince Adam is a member of the ruling family of Eternia, quite the opposite of Adora and the Rebels. Is it really that much fun if the powerful rulers always win?
I am also disappointed at the lack of female voice in the narrative - even the person reviewing the She-Ra episodes is a man, and will inherently have a different perspective on the story than a woman would. Plus, being seen through the lens of the Masters of the Universe series diminishes it, I think. I'd love to see such a loving tribute written about She-Ra as a series - and toy line - that stands alone, and stands very strongly on its own.
This book is for superfans of the He-Man series, first of all; it assumes knowledge of all the characters without a reference guide of any sort. As someone who owns the coveted 2006 DVD release of my series, it took me a minute to remember which character was which, especially the ones from S2. I think it would've had more appeal if it had included some assistance from us more casual fans, or those who haven't seen the series in 20 (or 40!) years.
September 6, 2016
Received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I'm kind of a big She-Ra fan.
A little.
So, when I saw this on Edelweiss, I didn't hesitate even a little in requesting it. This was my entire childhood. I loved She-Ra so much when I was a little girl. About 30 or so years ago.
The book is kind of amazing. The art is gorgeously reproduced, including sketches from the artists. There's trivia, deleted scenes, quotes. As someone who loves books based on shows I love (see: my Buffy the Vampire Slayer bookshelves), this book is absolute perfection.
Like I said above, it's been no less than 25 years since I watched an episode of He-Man or She-Ra. But the brain is a funny thing. As soon as I started flipping through, I recognized so many characters and villains. Not only do I recognize them, I had the action figures. I remember what the action figures felt like in my hands.
The nostalgia is strong with this one.
For fans of the original shows, you can't pass this book up. I, myself, will be buying this book. I'm interested to see the size of it. I'm hoping it's coffee table, because the art in here needs to be put out on display.
I'm kind of a big She-Ra fan.
A little.
So, when I saw this on Edelweiss, I didn't hesitate even a little in requesting it. This was my entire childhood. I loved She-Ra so much when I was a little girl. About 30 or so years ago.
The book is kind of amazing. The art is gorgeously reproduced, including sketches from the artists. There's trivia, deleted scenes, quotes. As someone who loves books based on shows I love (see: my Buffy the Vampire Slayer bookshelves), this book is absolute perfection.
Like I said above, it's been no less than 25 years since I watched an episode of He-Man or She-Ra. But the brain is a funny thing. As soon as I started flipping through, I recognized so many characters and villains. Not only do I recognize them, I had the action figures. I remember what the action figures felt like in my hands.
The nostalgia is strong with this one.
For fans of the original shows, you can't pass this book up. I, myself, will be buying this book. I'm interested to see the size of it. I'm hoping it's coffee table, because the art in here needs to be put out on display.
July 13, 2018
When I first saw this book in a library catalog I thought it would just be short paragraph like synopsis of the episodes. I was incredibly, and pleasantly surprised to find it was so much more in depth than that.
Each episode had at least a two page spread, but in some cases that could extend to a six page spread. There were half page episode synopsis, quotes, trivia, storyboard art, screencap images, information on deleted scenes and reviews. The reviews, in particular, were very thorough and balanced. Each episode was discussed in terms of the voice performance, emotional resonance, plot elements and much more. Praise and criticism were both applied where necessary. I was very impressed with the amount of artwork and storyboard art that was shown, you could really see the process of creating the episodes.
The book began with He-Man, then transitioned to She-Ra and ended with a section on Specials. I enjoyed just flipping through it and reading about my favorite episodes. You could experience them all in a very in depth manner. One thing I really wish is that so many of the deleted scenes could be viewed because they all sounded so fantastic! An entertaining, enjoyable guide.
Each episode had at least a two page spread, but in some cases that could extend to a six page spread. There were half page episode synopsis, quotes, trivia, storyboard art, screencap images, information on deleted scenes and reviews. The reviews, in particular, were very thorough and balanced. Each episode was discussed in terms of the voice performance, emotional resonance, plot elements and much more. Praise and criticism were both applied where necessary. I was very impressed with the amount of artwork and storyboard art that was shown, you could really see the process of creating the episodes.
The book began with He-Man, then transitioned to She-Ra and ended with a section on Specials. I enjoyed just flipping through it and reading about my favorite episodes. You could experience them all in a very in depth manner. One thing I really wish is that so many of the deleted scenes could be viewed because they all sounded so fantastic! An entertaining, enjoyable guide.
February 5, 2018
Holy Crap!!! I didn't love this book but it was very in depth. That is what the fourth star is for. It goes episode by episode season by season for both shows. For me the art work was alot better than the actual cartoon. The drawing was so much more beautiful in black and white. I remember as a child watching these shows, however during this time I lived over seas for most of it and missed so much. Many of the characters in these programs I had no recollection of. As far as the book goes, it gave so much information on each episode and even told some exerpts for deleted scenes, memorable quotes, a synopsis of each episode and episode trivia. If you are or were a fan of these shows this is well worth the time to take a look.
December 26, 2021
This is largely based on the author’s review website. The reviews are my least favourite part of this massive tome. It seems odd to me that an officially licensed book would include some scathing and unkind reviews of many episodes.
My favourite parts of this book are the wonderful inclusions of production artwork, scripts, storyboards, etc. I would have preferred that the space given to reviews instead be dedicated to more of these items.
Nevertheless, it’s wonderful to have such a complete guide in print. The special edition hardcover is also a beautiful addition to my He-Man and She-Ra collection.
My favourite parts of this book are the wonderful inclusions of production artwork, scripts, storyboards, etc. I would have preferred that the space given to reviews instead be dedicated to more of these items.
Nevertheless, it’s wonderful to have such a complete guide in print. The special edition hardcover is also a beautiful addition to my He-Man and She-Ra collection.
July 21, 2019
5/5
Ages 13+
-
I have never thought so deeply on any cartoon in my existence. Or any show, for that matter. WARNING this book may influence you into talking like a fancy film critic!
Ages 13+
-
I have never thought so deeply on any cartoon in my existence. Or any show, for that matter. WARNING this book may influence you into talking like a fancy film critic!
September 4, 2021
Love it! Now I can identify which episodes to rewatch!
June 16, 2025
A gorgeous book overall with very extensive information and content. Good series companion.
October 15, 2025
Exceptional and historic book. Perfection. Episodes are summarized, illustrations are there along with a surprise item in the book. A must have for MoTU fan.
June 16, 2016
Incredibly detailed description of each and every episode of the He-Man and She-Ra television series. Like, really incredibly detailed, including synopses, memorable quotes, the morals from the end of each episode, reviews (the author's personal opinions), deleted scenes, trivia, scenes that were replicated from other episodes (and which episodes those were), sketches from storyboards... Very, very thorough.
If you're a huge fan of both series, you will really enjoy this book. If you're not a HUGE fan, it can get a little repetitive.
If you're a huge fan of both series, you will really enjoy this book. If you're not a HUGE fan, it can get a little repetitive.
December 19, 2019
So beautiful that I want to cry
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews