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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Collected Editions) #3
He-Man And The Masters of The Universe, Vol. 3
The hordes of Hordak attack Eternia!
Eternia is under attack and a woman named Despara is at the lead. When He-Man discovers her true identity, one closely connected to him, it will take all of his power to stop her from destroying everything and everyone he loves. No one in Eternia is safe!
Eternia is under attack and a woman named Despara is at the lead. When He-Man discovers her true identity, one closely connected to him, it will take all of his power to stop her from destroying everything and everyone he loves. No one in Eternia is safe!
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2014
8 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Keith Giffen
1,934 books217 followersKeith Ian Giffen was an American comic book illustrator and writer. He is possibly best-known for his long runs illustrating, and later writing the Legion of Super-Heroes title in the 1980s and 1990s. He also created the alien mercenary character Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the irreverent "want-to-be" hero, Ambush Bug. Giffen is known for having an unorthodox writing style, often using characters in ways not seen before. His dialogue is usually characterized by a biting wit that is seen as much less zany than dialogue provided by longtime collaborators DeMatteis and Robert Loren Fleming. That approach has brought him both criticism and admiration, as perhaps best illustrated by the mixed (although commercially successful) response to his work in DC Comics' Justice League International (1987-1992). He also plotted and was breakdown artist for an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with writer Robert Loren Fleming and artist Curt Swan for DC Comics.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 10, 2015
Since the first volume, you're left with one thought: She-Ra! And she's re-introduced here... and you're going to love it! Although, for the most part, the re-introduction of She-Ra reminds me of the Black Mary Marvel storyline from DC's "52", this version is different enough to keep you sitting on the edge of your seat.
February 28, 2016
Reprints He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1-6 and Masters of the Universe Digital Comic #8 (June 2013-November 2013). The Sorceress is dead and Hordak and his Horde are attacking Eternia from Etheria. Leading the attack is Hordak’s warrior Despara, but Despara isn’t all she appears to be. When Teela recognizes Despara as her childhood imaginary friend Adora, the truth about Adora and Etheria’s ties to Eternia will be revealed…if He-Man and the Masters of the Universe can survive!
Written by Keith Giffen and Mike Costa, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3 collects the first six issues of the continuing He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series. Following He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2: Origins of Eternia which collected a series of one-shots, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3 is a direct follow-up to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 1 which collected the first mini-series.
I grew up watching and collecting He-Man, but I recognize a series based around a guy named “He-Man” is pretty goofy. The original substance material was pretty flimsy (at best) and an obvious ploy to sell toys (which worked on me). That is why I have to say I love the new He-Man comic by DC.
The writers have an almost empty palette to work with on He-Man, but they are challenged by established “events” in Masters of the Universe lore that kind of need to be adhered to. Having already done away with He-Man’s “secret identity” of Adam, the series now is looking at relationship between characters by building up these lightly touched upon ideas. It is fun watching them try to navigate the fanboys while trying desperately to make He-Man and his one-trick “Masters of the Universe” (like Mekanek) into a valid source for a comic book.
The real focus on this volume is Teela and Adora. Teela’s relationship to the now deceased Sorceress is revealed to her and Adora comes to Eternia as an agent of Hordak only to learn that she’s Adam’s kidnapped twin Adora. This opens up a future for She-Ra and a lot of exploration for the character since She-Ra was almost always delegated Etheria for her TV series and comic appearances.
I’m not going to argue that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a perfect comic book, but it is a fun comic book. The series has a ton of potential and there is a great lack of “fun” comics nowadays with everything being so heavy handed and “big event” driven storylines. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3 is followed by He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 4: What Lies Within.
Written by Keith Giffen and Mike Costa, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3 collects the first six issues of the continuing He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series. Following He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 2: Origins of Eternia which collected a series of one-shots, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3 is a direct follow-up to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 1 which collected the first mini-series.
I grew up watching and collecting He-Man, but I recognize a series based around a guy named “He-Man” is pretty goofy. The original substance material was pretty flimsy (at best) and an obvious ploy to sell toys (which worked on me). That is why I have to say I love the new He-Man comic by DC.
The writers have an almost empty palette to work with on He-Man, but they are challenged by established “events” in Masters of the Universe lore that kind of need to be adhered to. Having already done away with He-Man’s “secret identity” of Adam, the series now is looking at relationship between characters by building up these lightly touched upon ideas. It is fun watching them try to navigate the fanboys while trying desperately to make He-Man and his one-trick “Masters of the Universe” (like Mekanek) into a valid source for a comic book.
The real focus on this volume is Teela and Adora. Teela’s relationship to the now deceased Sorceress is revealed to her and Adora comes to Eternia as an agent of Hordak only to learn that she’s Adam’s kidnapped twin Adora. This opens up a future for She-Ra and a lot of exploration for the character since She-Ra was almost always delegated Etheria for her TV series and comic appearances.
I’m not going to argue that He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a perfect comic book, but it is a fun comic book. The series has a ton of potential and there is a great lack of “fun” comics nowadays with everything being so heavy handed and “big event” driven storylines. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3 is followed by He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 4: What Lies Within.
January 4, 2022
He-Man hits form again after a bit of a slow second volume, Hordak and the Horde invade Eternia and bring a very familiar blond warrior with them, she also has a connection with Teela.
This is full of action and humour and you get to spend some more time with more of the Masters as well, Mekaneck, Stratos and the unfortunately titled Fisto get more page time and the relationship and digs between Teela and Mekaneck and Teela and Adam are superb.
Don't expect Eternia to come out of this unscathed but do expect to want to read on into the next collection.
This is full of action and humour and you get to spend some more time with more of the Masters as well, Mekaneck, Stratos and the unfortunately titled Fisto get more page time and the relationship and digs between Teela and Mekaneck and Teela and Adam are superb.
Don't expect Eternia to come out of this unscathed but do expect to want to read on into the next collection.
August 21, 2023
I was NOT expecting this...but I LOVED this! Its different from the story I know and love about He-Man and Adora from the Secret of the Sword...which I watched countless times growing up. Some of the same broad strokes...but darker. A lot of the details are different...but that's ok...makes it interesting. But...the artwork, the colors, the way the panels are set up? Perfection. I LOVED it. Can't wait to read the next one!
March 10, 2024
Definite improvement on the art this go round. Story's great, though Teela, and especially Teela and Adam's interactions, feel very...forced. It feels very "Oooh, she's edgy because she's an ACTION GIRL" instead of just letting her be a hero. Thankfully once the plot really kicks in, that's mostly what happens. It's interesting see some of the lore shifts here and there. Grayskull is ever the point of interest even when it's mostly in the background.
December 28, 2017
Despara makes her way through the lands of Eternia, guiding the Horde on their attack against He-Man and the King. He-Man makes an important discovery about Despara--and he realizes just how important it is to stop the Horde before they take over Eternia.
October 31, 2025
While I enjoyed the introduction of She-Ra and all the character revelations (mainly surrounding Teela) it took a while for me to get into it. Volume 2 being focused on character mini stories meant this felt disjointed from the first when everyone regained their memories and the story was nicely set up.
It went so quickly from being focused on Skeletor and He-Man's villains to Hordak's invasion here, so I feel I'd have benefitted from a slower pace that explained how Eternia's gone back to normal after vol 1 instead of being thrown right into action and new characters.
It went so quickly from being focused on Skeletor and He-Man's villains to Hordak's invasion here, so I feel I'd have benefitted from a slower pace that explained how Eternia's gone back to normal after vol 1 instead of being thrown right into action and new characters.
February 17, 2021
I really don't know how to express my shock at how much I like this series. The art is good, solid character development, great humor, and even some, dare I say it about a He-man comic, depth. This is a true treat for any MOTU fans and really anyone who wants to know more about the franchise
August 11, 2021
Excellent!!!!!!
Five *****'s for absolutely everything!!!! Wonderful that this MOTU is way more mature than the original cartoon version. Cannot wait to read the upcoming issues!
Five *****'s for absolutely everything!!!! Wonderful that this MOTU is way more mature than the original cartoon version. Cannot wait to read the upcoming issues!
June 18, 2017
My main interest was/is She-Ra. I liked her origin story here; art is mind-blowing; and the story moves quickly. But the writing doesn't always hit the mark the way I'd like. Still, I enjoyed it!
March 30, 2021
Not completely familiar with He-man canon but at least this volume furthers the story. I'm also not clear if one of the characters is supposed to be She-ra.
June 17, 2022
Sigue la historia de Eternia con una nueva protagonista en juego y con un pasado oculto que parece que va a ser clave en la historia. Hordak ha hecho su movimiento…
September 23, 2015
The story introduces Despara and her heinous mask... Meanwhile, in Eternos, people honor Teela Na; Eternia is invaded by the Horde, and does Teela know Adora? Battlecat makes a triumphant entrance! And so Despara wants He-Man's blood...
And old friend counsels Adam; the secret of Castle Grayskull revealed to him... He-Man upgraded and a raging battle in front of the castle. Adora and Teela find out about their origins.
I wish there were more of Hordak...
And old friend counsels Adam; the secret of Castle Grayskull revealed to him... He-Man upgraded and a raging battle in front of the castle. Adora and Teela find out about their origins.
I wish there were more of Hordak...
February 7, 2016
You know what. No shame. I read the first two volumes and was transported back to my childhood. But this is the one. This is the volume that’s meant for adults. Witty dialogue and refreshing takes on old characters. Sure, He-Man was just a glorified toy commercial. But the characters were fun, and this volume shows they still can be.
August 24, 2014
The return of Princess Adora, Adam's long-lost twin sister. An otherwise strong story marred by moments of pointless female objectification by the artist, particularly Teela, who at one point, for no reason at all, strips to her underwear in front of a group of men, including her father (!)
October 2, 2014
Still enjoying this darker take on the MOTU mythos. Cool to see Etheria brought into it and I like this version of Adora quite a bit.
December 10, 2014
We've finally met She-Ra in her villainy stage, which as a little girl who grew up late 80s early 90s is basically what I've been waiting for.
January 14, 2015
Outstanding art and story
March 14, 2016
a massive improvement in story over the previous volume
February 2, 2018
An interesting variation on the origins of the citizens of Eternia. It took a little while to get rolling, yet the story kept me interested enough.
May 3, 2017
Pretty good although the story seemed to drag at times. This is primarily an updated origin story for She-Ra. From what I saw here, I liked the updated origin, but it doesn't completely unfold in this volume.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews