Devil Comics Review | He-Man: The Eternity War Vol. 2 [2015] Dan Abnett

He-Man: The Eternity War #7 Skeletor discovers he kidnapped Adora and traveled to the past to raise her with Shadow Weaver. We also discover Skeletor was destroyed by Hordak and his staff is his skull. Now using his staff Skeletor will travel to Despondos to settle with Hordak. 

He-Man: The Eternity War #8 Adam plans to save the Eternians by travelling to the stars and finding a new home on a distant planet. However Hordak has the Eyes of Grayskull and destroys the planet where the Eternians would have eventually settled upon. Now he asks King Adam to surrender because he is the Master of the Universe.

He-Man: The Eternity War #9 Hordak has become the Master of the Universe and takes Evil-Lyn as his Queen however he now faces the wrath of Skeletor who turns his army against him. Evil-Lyn becomes the new Sorceress of Horokoth and betrays Hordak as Skeletor plunges his sword into him. Now Skeletor becomes the Master of Death.

He-Man: The Eternity War #10 King Adam assumes leadership and leads his forces against the Fright Zone and Castle Grayskull. Skeletor sends War Wraith against King Adam and vows to rule the universe or destroy it. She-Ra escapes the Void of the Lost Souls with the help of Teela as Moss Man sacrifices himself restores the lands which was once the Fright Zone. As the forces marches towards Castle Grayskull, King Adam faces the War Wraith who is really Duncan, the Man-At-Arms.

He-Man: The Eternity War #11 We discover how Duncan survived his fall from space with the help of Roboto. He is captured by Tri-Klops and taken to Skeletor where he is turned. Now Duncan takes on Adam who is battling the Snake-Man from within Hssss, the Master of Disguise.

He-Man: The Eternity War #12 The blood of Adam courses through Skeletor and forges Hordak’s Dark Blade. Adam battles the Master of Disguise as uncertainty falls on the final page.

He-Man: Eternity War #13 She-Ra battles the Dark Riders to reach Castle Greyskull as the shield around it comes crashing down thanks to Man-At-Arms placing a bomb on Tri-Klops helmet. In Adam’s mind he takes back control from Hsss, the Master of Disguise and with him the Snake Men. Skeletor rises to become the Master of Death as Adam also rises to become the Master of Eternity.

He-Man: Eternity War #14 He-Man and the forces of Eternia hold back Skeletor and his legion of the dead. She-Ra realizes she must destroy the Eyes of Greyskull but first she must face the undead Hordak. He-Man destroys Skeletor while She-Ra destroys the Eyes of Greyskull. What’s left is a new Castle Greyskull floating above the land. Man-At-Arms exchanges his life for the life of his daughter Teela who is dying after Hsss was defeated by Adam.

He-Man: Eternity War #15 Zodac reveals to Adam that the universe is saved after defeating Skeletor and destiny has changed. Grayskull is open for everyone and not just for the Masters of the Universe. After the death of Hordak, She-Ra leaves for Etheria to find the Crystal Castle. Adam and Teela marry each other to become the King and Queen of Eternia as Evil-Lyn resurrects Skeletor. 

The series is a great ending and beginning for the Masters of the Universe closing out these versions of the stories. Hopefully after Rebirth, DC Comics will return to the world and forge new stories and new adventures of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

He-Man: The Eternity War Vol. 1 [2015] by Dan Abnett | Pop Mhan

HE-MAN: THE ETERNITY WAR TRADE PAPERBACK

He-Man: The Eternity War begins as the blood of He-Man is used to restore Hordak in Castle Grayskull as our heroes use Snake Mountain as a refuge. Hordak uses the power within Grayskull to forge the Sword of Darkness. Now Hordak and his minions search for the Eyes of Grayskull. Teela is the new Sorceress and summons both He-Man and She-Ra and tells them about the Eyes of Grayskull which are power stones of Chrono and Chaos controlling time and space. They were meant to control the universe from Castle Grayskull through the stones. King Grayskull believed no one should have that much power which got him assassinated. Later Skeletor found the Eye of Chaos while the original Sorceress, Teela’s mother, found the Eye of Chrono and hid it. He-Man wants to find the Eyes of Grayskull and destroy them. The war for Eternia has begun and a key player emerges with one of the Eyes of Grayskull: Skeletor.

The second issue of He-Man: The Eternity War sees He-Man and his army of Snake Men prepared to take Mount Zoar from Hordak. They release Spydor against He-Man while also preparing the orbital disrupter to level him and his Snake Men. However Man-At-Arms uses Roboto to destroy the orbital disrupter before it could be used. He-Man defeats Spydor as Man-At-Arms helplessly falls towards Eternia. This was an action packed issue with little carry over from the first issue concerning the Eyes of Grayskull. 

The third issue of He-Man: The Eternity War refocuses on the Eyes of Grayskull. She-Ra attempts to locate the Eye of Chronos using her sword but first she takes on Horak’s forces. She locates the Eye of Chronos however faces both Catra and Scorpia. After defeating them both She-Ra now faces Hordak. The series is arranged as the events of issue two and three are happening at the same time leading them to come together within the fifth and sixth issues. The series so far is quite enjoyable and worth picking up.  

He-Man: The Eternity War #4 Teela reveals to He-Man the Age of Horokoth is upon them. Eternia goes through Ages where the Mother Goddess is the source and heart of all creation. First it was Goddess Serpos of the Snakemen, then the Goddess Zoar of the Eternians, and now the end of days of the Goddess Horokoth. Meanwhile She-Ra facing Hordak as well as finds the Eye of Chronos. She is defeated by Hordak however before he strikes the killing blow, his pupil Skeletor arrives and takes the Eye of Chronos as well as She-Ra. Teela reveals to He-Man the Age of Horokoth is upon them. Eternia goes through Ages where the Mother Goddess is the source and heart of all creation. First it was Goddess Serpos of the Snakemen, then the Goddess Zoar of the Eternians, and now the end of days of the Goddess Horokoth. 

He-Man: The Eternity War #5 Skeletor gives She-Ra her sword so she can heal herself. He tells She-Ra how he kidnapped her and how he was trapped on Earth before returning to Eternia by traveling through the multiverse. She-Ra refers him as an Uncle Prince Keldor the brother of King Randor who wants to be healed as Skeletor to defeat Hordak and to finally return as Keldor. Evil-Lyn decides she has been betrayed by Skeletor so takes the Eyes of Chaos and Chronos and vanishes to Castle Greyskull and gives the Eyes to Hordak. Teela shows He-Man what has happened as thirty years have passed since the defeat of Hordak. 

The Eternity War has been an enjoyable experience as it builds the characters and position them within the story to create a Master of the Universe epic beyond expectations. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - 5 OUT OF 5

E70: Deathstroke #5 | He-Man: Eternity War #3 | Suiciders #1 Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

Deathstroke #5 shows Deathstroke battling Batman for the first half of the book before getting away with Harley Quinn. Elsewhere in Gotham both Rose and Jericho meet Possum who uses a app to shut him down as Odysseus arrives with Lady Shiva and Bronze Tiger. Next issue is the finale to the first story arc by Tony Daniel and hopefully will give closure to the story before going to the next arc in June.

The third issue of He-Man: Eternity War refocuses on the Eyes of Grayskull. She-Ra attempts to locate the Eye of Chronos using her sword but first she takes on Horak’s forces. She locates the Eye of Chronos however faces both Catra and Scorpia. After defeating them both She-Ra now faces Hordak. The series is arranged as the events of issue two and three are happening at the same time leading them to come together within the fifth and sixth issues. The series so far is quite enjoyable and worth picking up. 

Suiciders #1 is a story of Los Angeles after suffering the largest earthquake in history thirty years later. Now the entertainment industry is in charge running gladiator games. A wall is raised around the city keeping undesirables out. Those who sneak in get shot and killed. The first issue kicks off strong by Lee Bermejo and I am looking forward to the next issue.

E54: Deathstroke #4 | He-Man: The Eternity War #2 Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

Deathstroke #4 begins with Red Fury and Deathstroke using the truth serum on Bronze Tiger. Slade uses the truth serum on Red Fury exposing her real identity. He is reunited with old friends who are working with the CIA. They want to kill Slade’s father Odysseus because he has the power to infiltrate minds and connected to his son Jericho. Elsewhere Odysseus asks Shiva to lead the League of Assassins and to swear allegiance to him. Meanwhile Jericho arrives in Gotham City looking for his sister Rose. Deathstroke also arrives in Gotham and teams up with former Suicide Squad teammate Harley Quinn. However she frames Slade for murder as Batman arrives to take him down. The next two issues will see Slade taking on Batman as well as his father Odysseus before the Convergence series takes place in April. 

The second issue of He-Man: Eternity War sees He-Man and his army of Snake Men prepared to take Mount Zoar from Hordak. They release Spydor against He-Man while also preparing the orbital disrupter to level him and his Snake Men. However Man-At-Arms uses Roboto to destroy the orbital disrupter before it could be used. He-Man defeats Spydor as Man-At-Arms helplessly falls towards Eternia. This was an action packed issue with little carry over from the first issue concerning the Eyes of Grayskull.

E37: Deathstroke #3 | Superman #37 | He-Man The Eternity War #1 Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

Deathstroke #3 begins with him remembering rescuing his son Jericho. He discovers Odysseus was using Jericho to restore himself. We also find out Odysseus is Deathstroke’s father who is shot to death by his son. However Slade discovers his father Odysseus is still alive and his son Jericho disappeared to Gotham City where Harley Quinn is waiting for him. 

Superman is imprisoned by Ulysses and discovers Klerik is his adoptive father in Superman #37. The battle with Klerik was a ruse to gain Superman’s trust and the world so when the time came to take them to the Fourth Dimension then there will be no resistance. Ulysses manages to take six million people as well as his parents back to his adoptive world. Ulysses is a seeker who seeks life energies to replenish his adoptive world. Superman discovers Ulysses’ parents are on transport ships and convinces him to free him. Together they send the people back to Earth however the energy used depleted the planet and it explodes. Ulysses blames Superman for its destruction. The next issue promises a new costume for Superman in January. 

He-Man: Eternity War begins as the blood of He-Man is used to restore Hordak in Castle Grayskull as our heroes use Snake Mountain as a refuge. Hordak uses the power within Grayskull to forge the Sword of Darkness. Now Hordak and his minions search for the Eyes of Grayskull. Teela is the new Sorceress and summons both He-Man and She-Ra and tells them about the Eyes of Grayskull which are power stones of Chrono and Chaos controlling time and space. They were meant to control the universe from Castle Grayskull through the stones. King Grayskull believed no one should have that much power which got him assassinated. Later Skeletor found the Eye of Chaos while the original Sorceress, Teela’s mother, found the Eye of Chrono and hid it. He-Man wants to find the Eyes of Grayskull and destroy them. The war for Eternia has begun and a key player emerges with one of the Eyes of Grayskull: Skeletor.

E24: Red Lanterns #36 GodHead | Superman #36 | He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #19 Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

GodHead continues picking up where the last issue of Red Lanterns left off. Guy Gardner and Simon Baz are determined to travel to New Genesis. They find Cyborg who reluctantly helps them get to New Genesis. Gardner and Baz arrive at the home of the New Gods who attacked them on Earth. After their short battle Highfather arrives and wants them both imprisoned and interrogated. I love this issue keeps continuity. After Highfather obtains the White Ring from Kyle in Green Lanterns: New Guardians, he makes a weapon to show his followers. The GodHead story has a nice flow that keeps moving along unlike the current Marvel Axis tie-ins. 

Superman #36 begins as wants to take six million people to another dimension within 24 hours. Citizens gather to leave and aliens from the other dimension are ready to take them. Ulysses visits Klerik and his parents who he refuses to take. Superman arrives to find out what is really going on and the two battle it out. Ulysses reveals he has done this exodus before and a perfect world has a cost which Earth must pay for it. The problems I have with this issue is that there are no translations with the alien conversations. It seemed like blank pages of comics when the writer and artist do this and not allowing the readers to figure out what they are saying. 

The final issue of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has a stamp on the front that indicates this will be the Prelude to the Infinity War. However the issue takes place 12 years ago when Adam wants to become a Master but his father King Randor forbids it because he has not mastered himself. Adam is manipulated by his Uncle Keldor to prove his father wrong by venturing into the no-man’s land. Uncle Keldor asks Beast Man to take Adam hostage as he plans to poisoning the council and take over Eternia. King Randor searches for his son however his search comes under attack and is pinned down. Adam attempts to rescue his father as the Sorceress watches and grants him the strength to do so and promising to give his great power to save others. This is a fill-in issue as it doesn’t add any value as we approach the Eternity War in December. 

E10: Deathstroke #1 | Arkham Manor #1 | Multiversity The Just #1 | He-Man and the MOTU #18 | Red Lanterns #35 GodHead | Superman #35 [Devil Comics Entertainment]

Tony Daniel took over the first issue of Detective Comics when the New 52 was launched in 2011. Now the writer and artist now tackles Deathstroke after the character’s popularity grew following the Arrow TV series. This is the second attempt to revive Deathstroke after the 2011 New 52 launch. The story begins as Deathstroke takes a contract out on Possum however the tables are quickly turned until Deathstroke makes his escape. He retreats to find a monk who heals him. After sixteen days, Wilson Slade wakes up regenerated into a younger body. 

Continuing the 75^th Anniversary of Batman, the new Batman series Arkham Manor takes place after Batman Eternal #30 which will be released next week. After the destruction of Arkham Asylum, Wayne Manor now becomes the temporary home for the Arkham inmates. Now Batman ends up solving a murder at the former Wayne Manor. Now Bruce Wayne has to go undercover within Arkham Manor as Jack Shaw to solve a murder. Overall the first issue is a great start to the series which would probably end shortly once the storyline runs its course or due to poor sales. 

The past generation of superheroes leaves their children in a carefree world where they are not need in The Multiversity: The Just. Until a superhero Sapphire Mason AKA Megamorpho committed suicide. Now both Batman and Superman investigate the murder. Batman discovers Megamorpho killed herself after reading a comic book. They discover the comic books might carry an infection from parallel worlds.

We are made aware that Lex Luthor killed Superman and Chris Kent is resentful to Alexis Luthor because her father killed his father. The issue includes other superheroes including Plastic Man’s son Off Spring, the Flash Wally West, Green Arrow Conner Hawke, Alpha Centurion, Wonder Woman Artemis. Together they will form the super-team the Just. 

The Origin of She-Ra continues in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Adora fights for the Sword of Protection and becomes She-Ra. We also learn the woman who murdered King Grayskull is the father of Skeletor. Adora arrives in time to save her brother Adam and together they defeat the Fright Zone. Meanwhile at Castle Grayskull, Hordak will use the blood of He-Man to free himself from his prison and conquer Eternia.

This week is the Red Lanterns issue of GodHead where the New Gods arrive on Earth to confiscate the Lantern rings. Guy Gardner fights them off with the help of Simon Baz. The New Gods are called back by the Highfather to New Genesis. Now both Guy Gardner and Simon Baz want to go after them to New Genesis. 

Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr. continue their Superman epic leading to January’s issue where Superman undergoes a costume change. Both Superman and Ulysses track down the Machinist who works for Mr. Oz. Ulysses realizes the world he has left continue to hunger for war so he makes a worldwide announcement offering six million people sanctuary in a new world in the fourth dimension. 

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Blood of Greyskull TPB [2014]

HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE BLOOD OF GREYSKULL TPB

One thousand years ago, King Grayskull wins the Horde War however he is betrayed by his own people and Eternia burns due to a prophecy. In the present Adam visits his sister Adora who is on the run due to her actions as Despara. He tells her their father Randor was slained by an ancient evil. Now both Adam and Adora travel to Anwat-Gar to find answers after freeing Eternians imprisoned by Hordak. 

Adora sees the ghost of King Grayskull while He-Man faces Tri-Klops who has made a deal with the Gar for the death of He-Man. However Adora arrives and kills He-Man with her sword as King Grayskull was killed a thousand years ago. After nearly killing his brother Adam, Adora discovers the existence of the Sword of Protection which will be able to save He-Man. The series lays the groundwork for the upcoming limited series He-Man: Eternity War in December.

The Origin of She-Ra continues in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Adora fights for the Sword of Protection and becomes She-Ra. We also learn the woman who murdered King Grayskull is the father of Skeletor. Adora arrives in time to save her brother Adam and together they defeat the Fright Zone. Meanwhile at Castle Grayskull, Hodrak will use the blood of He-Man to free himself from his prison and conquer Eternia. 

This trade paperback collects

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #13-18

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5 

E01: Batman Eternal #25 | Futures End [Superman #1 | Flash #1 | Sinestro #1] | He-Man and MOTU #17 Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

We will be summarizing and reviewing the top DC releases for September 24, 2014.

BATMAN
The weekly Batman Eternal #25 sees Gotham under Martial Law as the Gotham television series debuts this week. Gotham has become as much of a character as Batman and this series reinforces the fact.

SUPERMAN

This week is also the final issue of summer Superman event Doomed where Superman is infected by the Doomsday virus and becomes Superdoom. The series was way too long and the final splash page gives us the existence of the pre-New 52 or B-52 DC Universe.

HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

After nearly killing his brother last issue, Adora discovers the existence of the Sword of Protection which will be able to save He-Man. The series lays the groundwork for the upcoming limited series He-Man: Eternity War in December.

THE NEW 52 – FUTURES END
This week is also the final releases of the New 52 Futures End books. The New 52 – Futures End #21 sees Green Arrow and the outsiders ready to take on Camdus by the end of the issue. 

Superman: Futures End #1 reveals why Shazam became the masked Superman and leading to the return of his true self by the end of the issue. 

The Flash: Futures End #1 begins the debut of Wally West as the Flash taking on the future Flash.

Sinestro: Futures End #1 begins on a prison planet where Sinestro is a prisoner with his ring finger missing. However an artificial missing finger is forged and Sinestro can wield the ring again. Sinestro heads back to where his corps fell on Necropolis and rebirths his corps into the new Black Lanterns.

Booster Gold: Futures End #1 sees Booster Gold bouncing throughout the multiverse. Meanwhile another version of Booster Gold is tortured into giving the location of Vanishing Point. The story will definitely continue in the DC Crisis event celebrating the 30th anniversary of Crisis of Infinite Earths. 

That’s it for the last week of September for DC Comics. 

Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Hordak #1 [2013]

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE ORIGIN OF HORDAK #1

After the last two origin issues with beautiful art however horrible writing, DC Comics issues another origin story featuring Hordak. Zodac pushes further into the arms of Hordak who is a vampire of soul energy. Hordak grows stronger with each death of his own army and proclaims himself Master of the Universe. This is a better story than the other two origin issues however still falls short of being with the price on the cover. 

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

Masters of the Universe: Origin of He-Man #1 [2013]

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: ORIGIN OF HE-MAN #1

Skeletor seeks the Sword of King Greyskull to claim Eternia. Prince Adam and the Sorceress reveal the Sword of King Greyskull belongs to his descendent of King Randor. Writer Joshua Hale Fialkow has failed to reveal an origin worthy of Masters of the Universe. Much like the Masters of the Universe: Origin of Skeletor the issues were light on story and dialogue. A complete waste of a comic with very little to add to the mythos of He-Man.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1 [2012]

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE ORIGIN OF SKELETOR #1

The origin of Skeletor is less of an origin and more of a flashback. The identity of Skeletor is revealed to be the elder half-breed brother of King Randor, Keldor. After betraying his kingdom to Hordak, Keldor stabs his brother and gives it to Hordak for some unknown reason. His reward for King Randor’s blood is the rebirth of Keldor into Skeletor. Artist Frazer Irving presents his best art while Joshua Hale Fialkov provide a very short story. A one issue origin will not cut it for such a great villain as Skeletor.

FUBAR – 1 OUT OF 5