New 52

The New 52 was a DC branding event that happened in 2011 and lasted until 2015. The event served as the second major reboot for DC comics, with the first being Crisis on Infinite Earths. In the context of the Masters of the Universe brand, new He-Man stories were published throughout 2012 to the present that have been set within this continuity, as evident by the appearance of New 52 incarnations of DC characters appearing in the few crossover events. Despite the branding ending in 2015, comparatively more comics still reference events that took place in the New 52 series, such as DC Universe vs Masters of the Universe.

Masters of the Universe[]

In June 2012, DC began publishing a weekly digital-first title, Masters of the Universe, with the first chapter written by Geoff Johns, with art by Howard Porter and John Livesay.^[1] The title explored the world of Eternia and tied directly into DC Comics' print title, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The digital series lasted eight issues and ended in December 2012.

DC Digital First (2012)[]

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Volume one)[]

Main article: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2012 DC comic)

In July 2012, a six-issue mini-series started titled He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The series lasted until January 2013. In the story, Skeletor succeeds in capturing Castle Grayskull but ultimately fails at unlocking the secret of its power. In the course of the adventure, Skeletor murders the Sorceress before being brutally defeated by He-Man and transported to the side of an unseen villain who reveals he has been manipulating Skeletor all along.^[2]

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2012-2013)[]

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Volume two)[]

On April 24, 2013, the second volume, an ongoing series, started with the aftermath of the first volume. 19 issues were released, consisting of 3 story arcs of 6 issues and one prelude to the next ongoing series. At the start of the first arc, a celebration of the Sorceress’ life is interrupted by an invasion of the Horde, the army of Hordak himself. Leading the charge is a human woman called Despara. He-Man’s friend Teela soon recognized Despara as her forgotten childhood friend Adora, who is destined to become She-Ra, the Princess of Power.^[2] The second arc, entitled "What Lies Within" (issue 7-12) sees King Randor lead He-Man, Teela, Stratos and Moss Man into Subternia to attempt to bring the Sorceress back to life. Along the way they face the reborn Snake Men. The third arc, "The Blood of Grayskull" (issues 13 to 18) explains the origin of She-Ra. The final issue, #19, features a flashback to the youth of Prince Adam and serves as a prelude to the Eternity War.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2013-2015)[]

Origin one-shots[]

A series of one-shots detailing the origins of different characters have also been published. The origin stories of Skeletor, He-Man and Hordak have been explored.

Origin Specials (2012-2013)[]

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe[]

DC released 5 collected volumes of comics that included the six issues of volume one, the nineteen issues of volume two, plus the eight digital first issues and the three character origins issues.

He-Man MOTU TPBs (2013-2015)[]

He-Man: The Eternity War[]

Main article: He-Man: The Eternity War

A second ongoing series, that continues from Volume two, started publishing in December 2014, and ended in February 2016, after 15 issues.

He-Man: The Eternity War (2015-2016)[]

DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe[]

Starting August 28, 2013, a six-issue mini-series titled DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe began publishing. It takes place between Volume two issues six and seven. Skeletor, last seen at the end of Volume one, has been sent to Earth by his mysterious ally. Once there, he sets a plan in motion to siphon off Earth's core magic. He-Man and the Masters follow Skeletor to Earth but are confronted with the heroes of the DC Universe, primarily the various factions of the Justice League.^[3] Oddly both issues 4 & 5 were titled Worlds Collide. Neither story was retitled for the trade paperback collection.