“Yesterday’s” Comic> Masters Of The Universe: Rise Of The Snake Men #2

And to think this all started over where to have breakfast.

Masters Of The Universe: Rise Of The Snake Men #2

CrossGen/MV Creations (December, 2003)

WRITER: Val Staples

ARTIST: Andie Tong

COLORISTS: Tony Washington, Grafik Sismik, & Jeremy Roberts

LETTERER: Ed Dukeshire

EDITORS: Monica Lopez, Vicki Jaeger, Ian Richter, & Geoff Walker

Skeletor doesn’t believe Man-At-Arms about the potential return of King Hiss, which Evil-Lyn backs her soon to be former master on. They manage to chase off the Masters, and even knock out He-Man, but before they can pursue, King Hiss shows up. He has Scare Face turn Skeletor’s group to stone. As for Evil-Lyn’s reward, it’s to be eaten by the great King Hiss, at least until she mentions that she knows the secrets of the Elders (which she does know at least some). The beaten Masters are met by Zodac, who tells them to stay out of his way as he pursues King Hiss and He-Man soon realizes Zodac let Evil-Lyn, Kobra Khan, and Rattlor take his staff so he can get his vengeance on King Hiss. The two fight it out, but it’s too late. Snake Mountain has been restored to what it once was, and the army of the Snake Men is very, very large.

What they got right: This is part two of three, so of course things are going to be at their worst for our heroes. The fights, even if it does have the heroes losing, are very good.

What they got wrong: I know this isn’t the Zodac I grew up with, but I’d rather have him. This one is a jerk that pretty much dooms the world in order to get his vengeance. It’s sad to see, since I thought (maybe I’m not remembering the episode as well as I thought) he realized that his petty revenge was not a good way to live.

Recommendation: A good second act, although fans of the show know the Snake Men aren’t going away when this is over. Still recommending the MV Creations run, regardless of publisher.