HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE SWORD OF FLAWS #1, by Dark Horse Comics on 9/24/25, kicks things off with a city under siege and Eternia’s fate dangling by a thread.
Credits:
- Writer: Tim Seeley
- Artist: Freddie E. Williams II
- Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
- Letterer: AndWorld Design
- Cover Artist: Freddie E. Williams II (cover A)
- Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
- Release Date: September 24, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE SWORD OF FLAWS #1:
First Impressions:
A flashy nostalgia trip with muscles, magic, and monster machines, this comic pulls readers right into the chaos of Eternia. Between big, bold visuals and breakneck action, it nails the old-school cartoon vibe without breaking a sweat. If only the plot were as daring as the art team, we might have gotten something legendary.
Plot Analysis:
Eternia’s royal caravan is ambushed, with Prince Adam (He-Man’s alter ego) caught in the crossfire. Scheming villains Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, and Kobra Khan launch a subterranean assault, using a monstrous machine to shake Castle Grayskull to its core. Amid the chaos, Adam must protect his secret and keep Teela and Prince Stahl out of harm’s way.
As a seismic weapon destabilizes the city, the Sorceress puts up a desperate magical shield, holding off total destruction while He-Man leaps into action with the classic power-up. Skeletor is up to his old tricks, all ego and evil plans, while his henchmen squabble over the spoils and nearly get in each other’s way.
The battle rages below and above, with He-Man going toe-to-toe against monstrous obstacles and bickering baddies. Action is relentless, but Adam’s double life creates tension with his crew: Teela, Man-At-Arms, and Orko pitching in while Adam juggles heroics and royal ineptitude.
As dust settles, Eternia’s villains lick their wounds, the city stands (barely), and He-Man gets a lecture on responsibility and destiny. Yet, lurking at the edge is a spectral vision: a mysterious new Power Sword is unearthed on Eternia’s highest peaks, setting up the next adventure with an ominous prophecy and one whopper of a cliffhanger.
Story
Tim Seeley delivers a script filled with banter and bright one-liners, playing to the cartoon roots. Dialogue punches up classic personalities from Skeletor’s bluster to Teela’s dry put-downs. Still, the plot reads like someone color-copied “Eternia in Danger!” three times and shuffled the result. Serviceable but on autopilot.
Art
Freddie E. Williams II brings the bombast: chunky figures, kinetic splash pages, and energetic panel layouts that pop in every showdown. Andrew Dalhouse’s colors are pure Saturday-morning fever, mixing glowing auras and explosive magic with those unmistakable Eternian hues. The visual throwback is so well-executed, it feels like the cartoon smashed onto the page and flexed for the crowd.
Characters
The cast is hefty, with Adam/He-Man, Teela, Sorceress, and all the classic baddies getting a spotlight. Skeletor’s ego and Evil-Lyn’s scheming are pitch-perfect, but new faces like Prince Stahl barely get time to breathe. There’s action, but little in the way of real growth or surprise. Most characters stick to their animated archetypes, for better or worse.
Positives
The art is the comic’s unstoppable force: dazzling battles, page-turning layouts, and an Eternia so vivid it practically hums. Purists will thrill to the total cartoon authenticity. This issue refuses to tinker with what made the original He-Man tick. The cliffhanger delivers a genuine spark, promising more than just recycled showdowns next month.
Negatives
The story is pure boilerplate, content to run the old “heroes save the kingdom” playbook without an ounce of suspense. Stakes rise, but only because the plot says so; characters rarely surprise, and every twist can be seen from the edge of the universe. Nothing outside the tease at the end carries much originality. When visuals are this fun, it’s a shame the script mostly plays it safe and familiar.
Art Samples:
Final Thoughts:
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A visual knockout and pure nostalgia power-up, HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE SWORD OF FLAWS #1 looks good enough to bench-press a dragon but can’t break free from its own formula. This one entertains, but it’s like watching reruns in high-def: shiny, familiar, and leaving readers waiting for the next big thing to finally shake up Eternia.
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