Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1
Creative Team
writer: TIM SHERIDAN
artist: WILL SLINEY
colorist: ISRAEL SILVA
letterer: ANDWORLD DESIGNS
publisher: DARK HORSE COMICS
Hot on the heels of the most recent adaptation of the Masters of the Universe franchise, Dark Horse has launched a new loosely-related tie-in comic, Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate.
The miniseries, set just before the events of the film, follows sorcerer Orko as he rescues an unusual falcon and finds himself unexpectedly swept into the war for Eternos in an effort to help guide her safely home.
Writer Tim Sheridan does a fantastic job keeping in line with the film’s tongue-in-cheek tone, balancing Skeletor’s bombastic personality with the seriousness of the conflict he’s gleefully instigating.
Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1 has a classic swords and sorcery feel that anyone who enjoys the action fantasy genre will be able to pick it up regardless of how familiar they are with the Masters of the Universe franchise itself–it would be a great comics entry point for any parent whose kids enjoyed the film.
Artist Will Sliney and colorist Israel Silva deliver a fairly standard capes comic style for the humanoid characters, but Okro and his Trollan family–diminutive sorcerers in oversized hats and clothes that obscure all but the glow of their eyes from shadow–are a delight. Despite their limited features, Sliney and Silva make them incredibly expressive from the set of their eyes to small hand gestures, and the glow and shape of their magic is a thoughtful visual distinction from the smash-and-grab style blasting of Evil-Lyn and the rest of Skeletor’s cruel coterie.
This is a companion piece to the film, so those looking for an adventure more closely focused on Prince Adam and friends may find themselves disappointed. But Sheridan’s writing is engaging and Sliney is an adept action artist, making this a fun read all the same. For anyone who is a fan of a little guy on a big adventure–think Vivi from Final Fantasy IX and his chocobos–this will likely be a fun read no matter how familiar you are with its parent franchise.
Final Verdict
Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1 is an easy-entry prequel to the recent live action adaptation, kicking off an Orko-focused adventure with high-impact combat scenes and tongue-in-cheek dialogue. It’s a fun start to a tale new and veteran Masters of the Universe fans can enjoy.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 8 |
| Story/Plot | 8 |
| Art/Line Work | 7 |
| Colors | 7 |
| Final Score | 7.8/10 |
