What do you think?
Rate this book
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Character Guide and World Compendium #1-2
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Character Guide and World Compendium
This is the most comprehensive guide ever published, covering all things Masters of the Universe and Princess of Power from 1982 through today! The universe of He-Man and She-Ra is full of mystery. And thanks to over four thousand individual entries covering characters, beasts, vehicles, locations, weapons and magic, you can learn the secrets of this entire universe!
512 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2017
8 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 14, 2022
Amazing book, very through and beautifully out together. A must for any fan of He Man and She Ra.
The beasts and weapons etc should have been omitted in favour of giving more space to the characters however, they take up a lot of room and it's such a shame to see storylines and artwork missing for some characters when there's endless pages of info that barely anyone will find interesting about a shield or a crystal. Also, some of the images used for characters seem to be low res or scans, which seems crazy when there are so many of the artists involved so present in the community and easily contactable for hi res versions. That said, it's a great book and credit to everyone involved for their extensive research and content, brilliant job.
The beasts and weapons etc should have been omitted in favour of giving more space to the characters however, they take up a lot of room and it's such a shame to see storylines and artwork missing for some characters when there's endless pages of info that barely anyone will find interesting about a shield or a crystal. Also, some of the images used for characters seem to be low res or scans, which seems crazy when there are so many of the artists involved so present in the community and easily contactable for hi res versions. That said, it's a great book and credit to everyone involved for their extensive research and content, brilliant job.
June 15, 2019
RATING: 5 STARS
2017; Dark Horse Books
(Review Not on Blog)
I was a huge fan of He-Man and She-Ra! I loved the world and never missed an episode. This book was a great trip down memory lane and one I will be looking at many times. I recommend this book to any fan!
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
2017; Dark Horse Books
(Review Not on Blog)
I was a huge fan of He-Man and She-Ra! I loved the world and never missed an episode. This book was a great trip down memory lane and one I will be looking at many times. I recommend this book to any fan!
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
May 28, 2017
I have been waiting for this book for a very long time. MOTU and (even moreso) She-Ra PoP were a huge part of my childhood. I had most of the figures and played with them all the time. Then, one day, the series was just gone. I never forgot about it and always missed it.
Anyway, this book lists every character, animal, monster, artifact, and place that appeared in any of the various formats in which the stories of He-Man and She-Ra were told (books, magazines, comic books, mini comics, newspaper comics, animation, and motion picture...am I forgetting any?).
With each entry, there is usually at least one picture. More prominent characters will have more pictures, usually one from each format, including their action figures (if there was one). There is a chart that shows where they're from, any other names they have, which side they're on, and their powers/abilities/weapons. Then, we get a brief history and description of their role in the stories and how they were portrayed across each medium.
The book is divided into seven chapters: 1) Characters, 2) Beasts, Creatures, and Monsters, 3) Factions, Organizations, Species, and Races, 4) Artifacts, Devices, and Weapons, 5) Spells and Magic, 6)Locations, and 7) Vehicles and Transportation. There is also fold out page that features a family tree for the Grayskull royal family.
The book is a hefty hardcover with no dust jacket, similar to the other books put out by Dark Horse. The cover features color illustrations of many characters in a battle scene. Inside, the pages are glossy and feature many color illustrations and photos.
This book is essential for He-Man and She-Ra fans.
Anyway, this book lists every character, animal, monster, artifact, and place that appeared in any of the various formats in which the stories of He-Man and She-Ra were told (books, magazines, comic books, mini comics, newspaper comics, animation, and motion picture...am I forgetting any?).
With each entry, there is usually at least one picture. More prominent characters will have more pictures, usually one from each format, including their action figures (if there was one). There is a chart that shows where they're from, any other names they have, which side they're on, and their powers/abilities/weapons. Then, we get a brief history and description of their role in the stories and how they were portrayed across each medium.
The book is divided into seven chapters: 1) Characters, 2) Beasts, Creatures, and Monsters, 3) Factions, Organizations, Species, and Races, 4) Artifacts, Devices, and Weapons, 5) Spells and Magic, 6)Locations, and 7) Vehicles and Transportation. There is also fold out page that features a family tree for the Grayskull royal family.
The book is a hefty hardcover with no dust jacket, similar to the other books put out by Dark Horse. The cover features color illustrations of many characters in a battle scene. Inside, the pages are glossy and feature many color illustrations and photos.
This book is essential for He-Man and She-Ra fans.
June 21, 2018
I stumbled upon this book quite by accident, when searching the library for something else, and I was so glad I did. This was a wonderful escapist book that chronicled my two favorite cartoons as a child, He-Man and She-Ra
The guide was divided up into seven categories: 1. Characters 2. Beasts, Creatures & Monsters
3. Factions, Organizations, Species & Races 4. Artifacts, Devices & Weapons 5. Spells & Magic 6. Locations 7. Vehicles & Transportation. Within each category everything was alphabatized and laid out in Encylopedic fashion. Under the heading of each character or item was a brief description of it, and it's history, in every medium in which it appeared. By medium I mean TV show, movie, book or comic.
The book was very good at explaining how each person or items portrayal differed within each medium. It was a very thorough description. I also liked how every version of each character or item was shown in the illustrations. Whether it was their TV show, or shows look, or the toy, comic, book or movie version, each was shown. The illustrations were crips, clear and organized well within the text.
It was fun to read about the various versions of my favorite characters, items, or places, especially in formats that I had never seen before. I also learned about other books I would like to read, so that was an added bonus. Wonderful, thorough, well done guide.
The guide was divided up into seven categories: 1. Characters 2. Beasts, Creatures & Monsters
3. Factions, Organizations, Species & Races 4. Artifacts, Devices & Weapons 5. Spells & Magic 6. Locations 7. Vehicles & Transportation. Within each category everything was alphabatized and laid out in Encylopedic fashion. Under the heading of each character or item was a brief description of it, and it's history, in every medium in which it appeared. By medium I mean TV show, movie, book or comic.
The book was very good at explaining how each person or items portrayal differed within each medium. It was a very thorough description. I also liked how every version of each character or item was shown in the illustrations. Whether it was their TV show, or shows look, or the toy, comic, book or movie version, each was shown. The illustrations were crips, clear and organized well within the text.
It was fun to read about the various versions of my favorite characters, items, or places, especially in formats that I had never seen before. I also learned about other books I would like to read, so that was an added bonus. Wonderful, thorough, well done guide.
January 19, 2021
Very comprehensive guide with helpful text and plenty of illustrative pictures. Characters take up a log of page time but there is plenty of information on beasts, factions, artefacts, magic, locations, and vehicles. When you look up a topic, the text sets out the year/s and iteration/s of He-Man media to which that topic relates, making it clear whether the topic is a one-off or has been picked up in various canons. I'm delighted that (as far as I can tell) no iteration has been neglected.
Two mild criticisms (if they can even be called that):
* A topic might be listed in an unexpected place, for example Prince Adam is not listed as "Adam" with the A characters but as "Prince Adam" with the P characters.
* The compendium does not cover anything past the publication date in 2017, for example the last entry for She-Ra is for the 2012 DC MOTU comics and not the 2018 Netflix series.
Two mild criticisms (if they can even be called that):
* A topic might be listed in an unexpected place, for example Prince Adam is not listed as "Adam" with the A characters but as "Prince Adam" with the P characters.
* The compendium does not cover anything past the publication date in 2017, for example the last entry for She-Ra is for the 2012 DC MOTU comics and not the 2018 Netflix series.
April 6, 2024
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Character Guide and World Compendium is a very extensive guide featuring everything from the famous characters, locations and vehicles to the very obscure.
It is well laid out and is also full of images of the items discussed. While this only goes up to 2017, so stuff like the Netflix shows and Origins are not in it, it is still cramped with information you won't be putting this down in a hurry.
It isn't perfect, some entries are just a description of the character or item in question. Also some terminology could have been explained, such as the multiple Ultimate Battlegrounds.
Still if you are a fan of He-Man's universe, this is a book you should definitely check out.
It is well laid out and is also full of images of the items discussed. While this only goes up to 2017, so stuff like the Netflix shows and Origins are not in it, it is still cramped with information you won't be putting this down in a hurry.
It isn't perfect, some entries are just a description of the character or item in question. Also some terminology could have been explained, such as the multiple Ultimate Battlegrounds.
Still if you are a fan of He-Man's universe, this is a book you should definitely check out.
November 12, 2017
Every in depth, to the point of being too much. Theres so many different versions of the stories from this series, and this book includes them all. German, reboots, etc. Much of which I didnt bother to read. Youd think there would be one canon story line, and there is at least a half dozen.
Also, I found the detail about incidental things to be a bit much. I dont really need to know about the lizard found on the rock in comic volume 12 page 4.
I wouldnt say the book is bad, but I was a little disappointed.
Also, I found the detail about incidental things to be a bit much. I dont really need to know about the lizard found on the rock in comic volume 12 page 4.
I wouldnt say the book is bad, but I was a little disappointed.
December 19, 2017
Not sure what else you could include other than maybe photos of all the toy lines but as far as an encyclopedia goes, this is exhaustive and completed (as far as I know)
December 3, 2024
Compendio vastísimo y muy completo de este genial mundo y sus héroes, para fans muy cafeteros
November 8, 2021
Desde los comienzos de los años ochenta, Masters del Universo pasó a convertirse de una idea para vender juguetes en toda un icono que se hace eco hasta nuestros días. Resultó un producto que buscaba distanciarse en un mercado, invadido por Star Wars, a base de reciclar ideas absurdas, serendipias, golpes de suerte, improvisaciones e incluso sueños locos que, contra todo pronóstico, funcionaron en conjunto dando lugar a uno de esos extraños fenómenos que también terminaron en la muerte de la gallina de los huevos de oro.
Dentro del concepto casaban las ideas más dispares y surgió, sobre la marcha, con muchísimas mentes aportando, un mundo con inspiración en la más pura "espada y brujería" de Conan y dibujos de Frazetta que casaba con la ciencia ficción de armas láser y alta tecnología tanto "camionera" (de esas grasientas, llenas de cables y tubos corrugados, como reliquias de un tiempo vetusto) como limpia de aire Flash Gordon a la que se suma algo del concepto del cómic referente al super héroe y su alter ego.
Magia, ciencia, demonios, hombres musculados, mujeres fuertes, aeronaves, castillos embrujados, monstruos, dragones, cañones de energía, hechiceras, príncipes y secretos del universo se fundían en una dosis irrepetible que simbolizaba aquella frase de: Yo tengo el Poder.
Ser uno quien adquiría el conocimiento y la capacidad para decidir frente a las imposiciones de los poderes fácticos. Para los niños podrían ser las normas de los padres pero, a ojos de un adulto, suponía un estado represivo, un trabajo gris, una situación sentimental descompensada... Las normas que nos constriñen y ahogan contra las que podemos levantarnos y reafirmarnos en nuestras creencias y nuestra personalidad.
Yo tengo el poder.
Conjuntamente a todas estas ideas, se vieron reflejadas tanto en una línea heterogénea en constante expansión y reinterpretación desde aquellos tiempos como en el arte de maestros indiscutibles que aportaron su propia perspectiva.
Aquí encontramos una detallada enciclopedia de todos los aspectos importantes: personajes, lugares, artefactos, tramas, etc. que han aparecido en las aventuras de los Masters del Universo. Si bien las referencias son breves en ocasiones, resultan precisas y de mucha ayuda.
Un tomo grueso que trata de abarcar lo inabarcable.
Dentro del concepto casaban las ideas más dispares y surgió, sobre la marcha, con muchísimas mentes aportando, un mundo con inspiración en la más pura "espada y brujería" de Conan y dibujos de Frazetta que casaba con la ciencia ficción de armas láser y alta tecnología tanto "camionera" (de esas grasientas, llenas de cables y tubos corrugados, como reliquias de un tiempo vetusto) como limpia de aire Flash Gordon a la que se suma algo del concepto del cómic referente al super héroe y su alter ego.
Magia, ciencia, demonios, hombres musculados, mujeres fuertes, aeronaves, castillos embrujados, monstruos, dragones, cañones de energía, hechiceras, príncipes y secretos del universo se fundían en una dosis irrepetible que simbolizaba aquella frase de: Yo tengo el Poder.
Ser uno quien adquiría el conocimiento y la capacidad para decidir frente a las imposiciones de los poderes fácticos. Para los niños podrían ser las normas de los padres pero, a ojos de un adulto, suponía un estado represivo, un trabajo gris, una situación sentimental descompensada... Las normas que nos constriñen y ahogan contra las que podemos levantarnos y reafirmarnos en nuestras creencias y nuestra personalidad.
Yo tengo el poder.
Conjuntamente a todas estas ideas, se vieron reflejadas tanto en una línea heterogénea en constante expansión y reinterpretación desde aquellos tiempos como en el arte de maestros indiscutibles que aportaron su propia perspectiva.
Aquí encontramos una detallada enciclopedia de todos los aspectos importantes: personajes, lugares, artefactos, tramas, etc. que han aparecido en las aventuras de los Masters del Universo. Si bien las referencias son breves en ocasiones, resultan precisas y de mucha ayuda.
Un tomo grueso que trata de abarcar lo inabarcable.
Read
March 29, 2019Tätä opusta ei voi ainakaan suppeudesta syyttää: kirjassa on esitelty lähestulkoon jokainen Filmationin piirrossarjoissa esiintynyt sivuhahmo ja yksittäisessä sarjakuvapaneelissa taka-alalla vilahtanut henkilö. On eritelty esineet, paikat, vempaimet ja vekottimet.
Ei tätä suurinkaan MotU-intoilija jaksa ihan kirjana lukea, mutta erinomainen selailuteos tämä kyllä on jos aihe vähääkään kiinnostaa.
Ei tätä suurinkaan MotU-intoilija jaksa ihan kirjana lukea, mutta erinomainen selailuteos tämä kyllä on jos aihe vähääkään kiinnostaa.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews