Some of the better Origins minicomics link to Vintage concepts. This provides an interesting continuity that works quite well, proving those early ideas remain at the heart of the Masters of the Universe canon even today.

THE BONES BENEATH

This is a very good and fascinating minicomic. It came with a two-pack (Skeleton Warriors) which I think is the first time that’s happened in this line. It is about a new character, Garrick, who appeared unnamed in Serpent’s Siege.

There are grammar mistakes and artwork curiosities. Garrick, when alive, is seen in the Skeleton Warrior armour. In his resurrected form, as Cada-Var, he looks rather like Demo-Man in some images. Skeletor is unusually strategic.

THE FADING FORTRESS

An entertaining tale in which Man-at-Arms and one of his guards search for a magical fortress in order to prevent the Snake Men using it as a source of power. The fortress appears and disappears a bit like Point Dread.

Skeletor and Spikor observe from afar and hope to use the magic for themselves. The story introduces a basilisk named Coil who is apparently the mother of the Snake Men. Sssqueeze has the role of raising an army.

ETERNIA REMASTERED

This is a peculiar tale which uses the theme of being trapped in a dream. He-Man realises that he is living in a nightmare created by Fangor. He acquires some cosmic power, changes colour and defeats his enemy.

This absurd style of story has never worked in the Masters of the Universe canon. The chief protagonist is a man of muscle, not unlimited god-like abilities. This is Marvel-esque superhero territory, not classic MOTU storytelling.

SWORD OF THE SERPENT

This tale appears to be a sequel to Eternia Remastered. The theme of deception is revisited here, this time solely among the Snakemen. He-Man, in his bizarre cosmic form from the previous minicomic, shows up at the end.

This time the challenge is to destroy a weird cosmic snake that threatens to consume Eternia. He-Man uses up his newly acquired powers to defeat the adversary. It’s all rather incoherent and far detached from the core canon.

THE FACES WITHIN

A sequel of sorts to The Ordeal of Man-E-Faces! from Series Two, The Faces Within presents the main character with the chance to reverse Skeletor’s spell. Aware of the consequences, Man-E-Faces rejects the opportunity.

The premise is sound but, as has become typical with the Origins minicomics, the execution is contradictory and muddled. The writers are trying to squeeze far too much complicated world-building canon into six small pages.

POISON FROM THE STARS!

This is quite a good story. King Hiss and his comrades start a terrible fire to distract the heroes while they attempt to escape Eternia in the spaceship which brought them to the planet centuries ago. Moss Man finds the culprits.

When cornered, King Hiss tries to persuade He-Man to let the Snakemen leave Eternia, but He-Man refuses. To do so would force another world to endure the serpents’ cruelty. Moss Man’s role is significant across the ages.