“Yesterday’s” Comic> Masters Of The Universe V3 #2 (2000)

I’d make a joke but this is a really good cover, capturing Adam’s mood through most of this issue.

Masters Of The Universe vol. 3 #2

MV Creations (May, 2004)

STORY: Emiliano Santalucia & Val Staples

WRITER: Lori Ann Scott

ARTISTS: Emiliano Santalucia & Enza Fontana

COLORIST: James Offredi, assisted by Michael Devito, Tony Devito, & Lief Giese

SELECTED COVER ART: Enza Fontana & Jeremy Roberts

LETTERER: Ed Dukeshire

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

Believing the Snake Men to have perished in the lava, a celebration is held in Eternos, but Man-At-Arms isn’t so sure they’re gone. In fact, King Hiss tries to trick the Faceless One into helping him control Serpos, but he’s not that stupid. He is stupid enough to go to Skeletor for help, since she was stricken with the dark energies of Despondos trying to bring Hordak to Eternia, which just sends Skeletor into a rage to try to find her. Meanwhile, after a talk with his mother proving he’s at least right to care, he decides to bring Evil-Lyn to Castle Grayskull to seek the Sorceress’ aid.

What they got right: This is what mature storytelling really is, especially in a comic based on a kids toyline (although this version was aimed at older kids than the original). There’s no fight, except for the various pop shot. It’s all character but done in a way that would work with the target age group as well as adults. Adam’s talk with Marlena and later with Man-At-Arms defines why my favorite superheroes are the ones who don’t kill as a general rule. My favorite part (possibly from my own beliefs) is when Marlena mentions Evil-Lyn has potential and could someday turn good, but death is the lost of all potential. It’s why I believe in the death penalty and sometimes cops have no choice but to shoot to kill, but in both cases it has to be under extreme circumstances, and why I like that fictional heroes don’t really have to make that choice because the writers can come up with alternate solutions for their heroes to win.

What they got wrong: Randor’s a little too ready to believe King Hiss is done for, and it’s not like the other Snake Men aren’t going to be a threat. As soon as they find a worthy leader they’ll come back again, Randor.

Recommendation: Possibly my favorite issue thus far, as it goes into why I like fictional superheroes and what they should stand for…something to aspire to, even the more relatable Marvel ones. Seek this issue out, but get the previous issue for context.