Paula Hammond - Features EditorWith Netflix currently airing Kevin Smith’s Masters Of The Universe: Revelation, Fabulous Films’ He-Man Complete Collection couldn’t come at a better time. Yes—Smith’s reboot may have lush production values and big-name voice actors, but it has none of the charm, wit or camp on-liners that made the original the highest-rated kids’ show in America—and was ultimately broadcast in 37 countries around the world. Let’s face it, if you’re a certain age, and someone says “By the Power of Grayskull!” anyone who doesn’t mime holding a giant sword over their head, probably spent the ‘80s in a coma.
Inspired by the wildly-popular toys, the original He-Man series became a cultural phenomenon with character such as Orko, Skeletor, Man-at-Arms, and Fisto (you may snicker now) making its debut on TV in 1983. By 1984 the He-Man franchise had earned over a billion dollars for Mattel.
The cartoons feature early script-writing work from J. Michael Straczynski, later the creator of Babylon 5, Paul Dini, and Brynne Stephens, who went on to write acclaimed episodes of Batman: The Animated Series,; Beast Wars story editor Larry DiTillio, and David Wise, later the head-writer of the TV version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Featuring 130 action-packed episodes, He-Man And The Master of the Universe: The Complete Collection has everything you need for an evening of binge-watchable nostalgia.
Extras include:
He-Man & She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword Full-Length Movie.
He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special.
Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
Saturday Morning Legacy of Filmation.
Hope, Honor, Heart: The Origins of She-Ra, Early Concepts and Illustrations.
She-Ra: Princess Of Power – The Complete Series is also being released by Fabulous Films on 25th April. This spin off from He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe was aimed primarily at young girls, and followed the story of He-Man’s twin sister Princess Adora/She-Ra.
