The New Adventures of He-Man
Encyclopedia
The New Adventures of He-Man is an animated
series which ran in syndication in the fall of 1990 while Mattel
released the toy line He-Man
, an update of their successful Masters of the Universe
line. The cartoon series was intended to be a continuation of Filmation
's He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
series.
, legendary defender of the planet Eternia
, has been summoned to the future planet of Primus to defend the planet from the evil Mutants of the neighboring planet of Denebria. But his old adversary, Skeletor
, has followed him, and allied himself with the Mutants in his fight to conquer the whole universe. Together with a team of Galactic Guardians, He-Man fights to defend Primus and all its power resources from the continuous attacks by Skeletor and the Mutants.
The majority of the cartoon episodes were written by Jack Olesker.
The element of the transformation from Adam to He-Man is retained from the first cartoon series, as the makers felt it would be unwise to abandon it given that the transformation sequence had been one of the most popular elements of the original series. However, in this series, one word in the transformation line is different - instead of "By the power of Grayskull...I have the power!", he says "By the power of Eternia...I have the power!"
) released The New Adventures of He-Man on DVD in Region 1 in two volume sets in 2006/2007.
As of 2009, this release has been discontinued and is out of print as BCI Eclipse has ceased operations.
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
series which ran in syndication in the fall of 1990 while Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
released the toy line He-Man
He-Man
He-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
, an update of their successful Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe is a media franchise created by Mattel....
line. The cartoon series was intended to be a continuation of Filmation
Filmation
Filmation Associates was an American production company that produced animation and live action programming for television during the latter half of the 20th century. Located in Reseda, California, the animation studio was founded in 1963...
's He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is an American animated television series produced by Filmation based on Mattel's successful toy line Masters of the Universe...
series.
Synopsis
He-ManHe-Man
He-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
, legendary defender of the planet Eternia
Eternia
Eternia is the name of the fictional planet that serves as a setting for the Masters of the Universe toy collection and animated series.-Origins:...
, has been summoned to the future planet of Primus to defend the planet from the evil Mutants of the neighboring planet of Denebria. But his old adversary, Skeletor
Skeletor
Skeletor is a featured villain in the Masters of the Universe franchise and the arch-enemy and main antagonist of He-Man. Depicted as a muscular blue humanoid with a purple hood over his yellowing bare-bone skull, Skeletor seeks to conquer Castle Grayskull so he can learn its ancient secrets,...
, has followed him, and allied himself with the Mutants in his fight to conquer the whole universe. Together with a team of Galactic Guardians, He-Man fights to defend Primus and all its power resources from the continuous attacks by Skeletor and the Mutants.
The majority of the cartoon episodes were written by Jack Olesker.
Galactic Guardians
- Flipshot, aka Icarius, space pilot.
- Hydron, captain of Starship Eternia.
- Kayo, aka Tartarus, a warrior.
- Nocturna, martial artist.
- Vizar, strong powers of sight.
- Tuskador, aka Insyzor, warrior with tusks on his armor.
- Artilla, aka Weaponstronic, cyborg weapons expert.
- Spinwit, aka Tornado, spinning warrior.
- Sagitar, aka Tharkus, four-armed former slave, arch-enemy of Staghorn.
- Master Sebrian, wise ruler of Primus.
- Mara, assistant of Master Sebrian and leader of the Galactimytes.
- The Scientists of Primus.
Evil Mutants
- Flogg, aka Brakk, Leader of the Mutants.
- Slushhead, aka Kalamarr, incompetent cyborg tentacled reptile.
- Optikk, cycloptic cyborg.
- Karatti, Mutant with deadly martial arts skills.
- Hoove, hoofed creature.
- Lizorr, mutant swamp lizard.
- Quakke, aka Earthquake, a warrior who can shake the ground by hitting it with his Grabatron Meteormace.
- Staghorn, scheming evil Mutant, arch enemy of Sagitar.
- Crita, Crafty female Mutant and later leader of the Gleanons.
- Butthead, mutant who uses his head to ram things.
Minicomics
In the New Adventures minicomics packaged with the toys, the story is slightly different: when Prince Adam and Skeletor travel to Primus, Adam becomes He-Man in front of Skeletor, revealing his secret identity and giving up the identity of Prince Adam to remain permanently as He-Man. The "explosion" from the transformation damages Skeletor, and he has to become a cyborg in order to survive. Also, in the comics Skeletor does not fake allegiance to Flogg, but takes command of the Mutants.The element of the transformation from Adam to He-Man is retained from the first cartoon series, as the makers felt it would be unwise to abandon it given that the transformation sequence had been one of the most popular elements of the original series. However, in this series, one word in the transformation line is different - instead of "By the power of Grayskull...I have the power!", he says "By the power of Eternia...I have the power!"
Reception
The show has been compared to the original series, with most reviews noting a dramatic shift in tone, creating a sense of discontinuity compared to the original. The quality of the animation is considered superior, but the character designs as bland.DVD releases
BCI Eclipse LLC (under license from Entertainment RightsEntertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
) released The New Adventures of He-Man on DVD in Region 1 in two volume sets in 2006/2007.
As of 2009, this release has been discontinued and is out of print as BCI Eclipse has ceased operations.
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The New Adventures of He-Man: Volume 1 | 33 | December 26, 2006 |
| The New Adventures of He-Man: Volume 2 | 32 | March 27, 2007 |
Cast
- Long John BaldryLong John BaldryJohn William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
- Treylus - Don Brown - Hydron, Gepple, Optikk, Quakke, Kayo, Vizar, Werban
- Gary ChalkGary Chalk (actor)Gary Chalk is an English-born Canadian actor, tri-national US-Canadian-UK citizen and voice artist. He has lend hit voice in over 30 animated television series and has been in films such as The Fly II and Freddy vs. Jason....
- He-ManHe-ManHe-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
, Artilla, President Pell, Alcon, Sgt. Krone, Andros, Gross - Ted ColeTed Cole- Anime Roles :* Beyblade - Lee, Spencer, Kane, Coach Barthez* Dokkoida!? - Pierre the Slave* Death Note - Reiji Namikawa, Yukito Shiraba, John McEnroe/Larry Conners, Jack Neylon/Kal Snydar* Dragon Ball - Yamcha...
- Spinwit, Slushhead, Karatti, Staghorn, Gleep - Michael DonovanMichael DonovanMichael David Donovan is a voice actor for many TV shows and anime. He is most known for his voice on the series ReBoot for his voices of Phong, Mike the TV, Cecil, and Al. He has also provided the voice of Sabretooth for X-Men: Evolution and Carnage for Spider-Man Unlimited. He played the lead...
- General Nifel - Tracy Eisner - Drissi
- Mark HildrethMark Hildreth (actor)Mark Hildreth is a Canadian actor and musician, based in the U.S. He has appeared in many movie and television roles. A graduate of The National Theater School of Canada, Mark Hildreth's theater credits include Hamlet , Bertram in All's well that Ends well , Richard of Gloucester in Richard III and...
- Caz - Anthony HollandAnthony Holland (actor)Anthony Holland was an American actor known best for his comic performances in theater, film and television.Mr. Holland was a member of the original Second City comedy troupe, which he joined after graduating from the University of Chicago and studying acting with Lee Strasberg, during the 1960s...
- Master Sebrian - Campbell LaneCampbell LaneCampbell Lane is a Canadian actor who primarily does work in Vancouver. He has appeared in many television shows produced there, and has done some voice acting for anime as well.- Television Roles :...
- SkeletorSkeletorSkeletor is a featured villain in the Masters of the Universe franchise and the arch-enemy and main antagonist of He-Man. Depicted as a muscular blue humanoid with a purple hood over his yellowing bare-bone skull, Skeletor seeks to conquer Castle Grayskull so he can learn its ancient secrets,...
, Sagitar - Scott McNeilScott McNeilScott McNeil is a Canadian actor and voice actor. He currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
- Flipshot, Butthead, Krex, Captain Zang - Doug ParkerDoug Parker (voice actor)Doug Parker is a Canadian voice actor and voice director.He has been doing voices in several cartoons and anime.He is probably best known for playing Terrorsaur in Beast Wars, He also played Starscream who made a cameo appearance in the show...
- Prince Adam, Hoove, Meldoc - Alvin SandersAlvin SandersAlvin Sanders is an actor, now residing in Vancouver, BC. He currently sits on the Union of BC Performers' executive board.-Anime Roles:* Darkstalkers - Jon Talbain* Dragon Ball Z - Mr Popo, Additional Voices...
- Flogg, Tuskador - Venus TerzoVenus TerzoVenus Terzo is a Canadian actress best noted for her role as Detective Angela Kosmo in Da Vinci's Inquest and its spinoff, Da Vinci's City Hall. She was nominated in 2002 for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role in that same role...
- Crita, Mara, Sorceress of Castle GrayskullSorceress of Castle GrayskullThe Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, also known as The Goddess and Teela Na, is a fictional character from the Masters of the Universe franchise.-Original MOTU mini-comics:...