Written by A new installment in this reoccurring series!
For years Michael ”Smitty.81” Smith has been largely responsible for digitizing minicomics for the "Masters of the Universe" community. Now, HE-MANIA.COM will be officially cataloging his work, accompanied with his personal reviews.
COMIC:
REVIEW:
“Beast Barrage”
STORY:
Our story opens in Snake Mountain where Skeletor and Beast Man are planning something, but they may need a few more drafts as the plan isn’t much more than capturing Prince Adam. Evil-Lyn interrupts saying that Prince Adam is out side the castle’s protective shield. Maybe she meant to say “palace” not “castle” but Skeletor knows what she means and is pleased with the news. Outside the magic shield, Price Adam is admiring the beauty of Eterna when Teela and Man-At-Arms show up in a Wind Raider and Teela scolds him for leaving without a guard. Skeletor, Beast Man, and some Shadow Beasts show up through a magic portal and Teela and Man-At-Arms spring into action. Teela tells Adam to make a run for it and of course Adam says he’ll go get He-Man. After running a few yards Adam transforms into He-Man and heads back to the fight. He-Man makes quick work of Beast Man and his Shadow Beasts, then gets so mad he hits Skeletor with a Shadow Beast, knocking him into the still open portal. The portal closes, He-Man and Man-At-Arms pose dramatically, and Teela shows off her butt.
ART:
This very first Origins mini comic has some good, but not great art. There are a few possible mistakes or unusual stylistic choices where some characters of whole panels look desaturated. The characters are well drawn and expressive, but not overly so. The action is well done in most cases and easy to follow.
CONTINUITY:
The only real note would be the Shadow Beast being out on a clear sunny day.
FINAL THOUGHT:
I think these early mini comics got off to a good start, but future stories and writers would try to do too much with the limited pages or over several mini comics.
– Review by Michael ”Smitty.81” Smith @smitty-81