Nah, too easy.
Masters Of The Universe #8
Star Comics (July, 1987)
“The Getaway” WRITER: Mike Carlin PENCILER: Ron Wilson INKER: Danny Bulanadi COLORIST: Evelyn Stein LETTERER: Jack Morelli EDITOR: Ralph MacchioAdam and Orko’s fishing trip are interrupted when they come upon Hordak and his newest recruits, Sssqueeze (blame Mattel) and Mosquitor. They’ve stolen a buzzsaw weapon for Hordak to use. Orko goes back to check on Eternia and comes across Snake Face, who can turn people to stone, a spell that can only be broken by the Power Sword. Using Scubattack and Cliff Climber (meanwhile Man-At-Arms is promoting the Tower Tools), He-Man must traverse the Terror-Torries, where Hordak has set up a temporary base, while Orko must find a way to restore his friends.
What they got right: I like seeing the Power Sword actually have powers. While the show was content with cutting things, deflecting energy, and of course turning Adam and Cringer into He-Man and Battlecat, we actually see He-Man blast Mosquitor with it and of course the ability to reverse Snake Face’s stone spell.
What they got wrong: I’m used to villains dumb enough to reveal their weakness only to have it happen. It’s lame but normal. But how did Snake Face know the Power Sword would reverse his spell, and I’m still calling him out on being dumb enough to blurt it out without prompting. Also, Orko’s hat is orange while his shirt is the usual maroon red it usually is. And Orko was as dismissive of Man-At-Arms being turned to stone as he was of Orko later. They seem to hate each other in Carlin’s version, which isn’t the real nature of their relationship. Yes, Orko gets on Duncan’s nerves sometimes but he still likes the little guy. Finally, Carlin must love his “terror-torries” pun because he uses it every chance he gets.
Recommendation: This one I really can’t recommend. It’s okay and there are parts I like but overall it just didn’t impress me. This is also the last of the Star Comics run that I have while I believe there are at least two more issues. This is also the last of the classic series outside of Free Comic Inside. Next week we start the adaptation of the re-imagined series from the 2000s.
