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

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2012 DC comic) refers to a comic book series published by DC Comics that rebooted the popular 1980s franchise Masters of the Universe. Unlike the prior comics which were typically mini-series or one-shots, this incarnation represented a longer-form, serialized story that significantly re-imagined aspects of the mythos.

The comic series began with a six-issue mini-series in 2012, written by James Robinson and drawn by Philip Tan. This served as a re-introduction to the characters and the world of Eternia, presenting a darker and more serious tone than previous iterations. The storyline centered around a weakened Prince Adam struggling to regain his powers and the memories of his heroic alter ego, He-Man, after Skeletor had essentially won and enslaved Eternia.

Following the initial mini-series, a new ongoing series launched in 2013, written by Keith Giffen and drawn by various artists. This ongoing series continued the darker narrative, exploring the consequences of Skeletor's dominance and the efforts of the scattered Masters of the Universe to resist his rule. It delved into character motivations and backstories with greater depth and nuance, sometimes deviating significantly from established lore.

Key elements of the 2012 DC comic series include:

• Rebooted Continuity: The series served as a fresh start for the Masters of the Universe universe, re-introducing characters and altering aspects of their origins and relationships.
• Darker Tone: Compared to the cartoon and prior comic series, the DC comics adopted a grimmer and more mature tone, featuring more violence and complex moral dilemmas.
• Character Redesigns: Many characters received visual redesigns, sometimes altering their costumes and physical appearances.
• Expanded Lore: The series expanded on the history and mythology of Eternia, introducing new characters, locations, and conflicts.
• Skeletor's Victory: The narrative begins with Skeletor having essentially conquered Eternia, presenting a unique starting point for the He-Man story.

The DC Comics He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series, particularly the ongoing series, ran until 2014 and concluded with issue #19, leaving some plot threads unresolved. Although a point of contention for some long-time fans due to its deviations from established canon and its darker aesthetic, it provided a more modern and serialized take on the Masters of the Universe franchise.