Masters of the Universe: The Motion Picture [Comic Adap] (1987)

Masters of the Universe: TMP (1987)

Adaptation: Ralph Macchio (from a screenplay by David Odell) | Illustrators: George Tuska (Pencil) / Art Nichols (Ink) / Evelyn Stein (Colour) | Page Count: 46

"Treachery. Suddenly Skeletor's men were everywhere. Someone must have let them through the defences."

A comic book adaptation of the MotU live action movie (1987) that's illustrated in a style comparable with the minicomics. The basic story is the largely the same, but visually it's a million times better than the live action atrocity is. The only exception is Beast Man, who, for some reason, resembles the onscreen version.

I wrote 'largely the same' because there's a few notable differences between the two. I don't know if it was author Ralph Macchio's own doing or if he was working from a screenplay that got further edited in the final cut, but the comic has some interesting scenes that the movie lacks, most of which function as much-needed characterisation and/or attempt to better connect or even remedy the levels of stupid in the story. [1]

One such example is near the book's start, wherein we witness an Eternian family fleeing from the tyranny of a newly victorious Skeletor, their possessions loaded into a cart. The family get into some trouble on the road, but are saved by He-Man. It's just two pages long, but it adds to the drama and enriches both the citizens of Eternia and He-Man, who offers the family advice and even some hope that the situation they find themselves in may yet be turned around. It reminds us that smaller tragedies often exist within larger ones, and it underlines his role as protector and friend to all who need help.

- Castle Grayskull is like it ought to be! -

While most of the newly added scenes are beneficial, to a degree, none are quite as successful as that first one. No amount of polishing could've saved the final third of the story, however, and it seems that by then even Macchio had given up trying. Still, credit to him for what he did manage.

It's interesting seeing something close to what could've been if the movie had stuck closer to the established, classic MotU aesthetic, even if it wouldn't have helped the awful screenplay.

[1] Not the Karate Kid; same name, different person.

- You're getting very touchy-feely with my daughter, there, quadzilla. -