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How He-Man Mastered the Universe
Toy to Television to the Big Screen
Release Date
Format
Paperback
228 words
6 x 9 inches
13 photos, filmography, notes, bibliography, index
Category
Popular Culture & Performing Arts
ISBN-13 978-1-47666-590-0
Retailers
Elaborate cinematic universes and sophisticated marketing tie-ins are commonplace in entertainment today. It’s easy to forget that the transmedia trend began in 1982 with a barbarian action figure. He-Man and the other characters in Mattel’s popular Masters of the Universe toy line quickly found their way into comic books, video games, multiple television series and a Hollywood film. The original animated series (1983–1985) was the first based on an action figure, and the cult classic Masters of the Universe (1987) was the first toy-inspired live-action feature film.
But it wasn’t easy. He-Man faced adversaries more dangerous than Skeletor: entertainment lawyers, Hollywood executives, even the Reagan administration. The heroes and villains of Eternia did more than shape the childhoods of the toy-buying public—they formed the modern entertainment landscape.
"This book is a wonderfully meticulous exploration into the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe phenomenon! Brian C. Baer has done a fantastic job!" --James Eatock, He-Man and She-Ra: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures
"How He-Man Mastered the Universe is an entertaining and insightful look into the He-Man franchise and its effect on later media franchises. Essential reading for anyone interested in reading about the evolution of the modern media franchise." --Jess Nevins, The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4000-Year History of the Superhero
"Finally a comprehensive history of one of the greatest (if not the greatest) action figure line in the history of human civilization! Baer digs deep, and shows the influence of a hero who became much more than 5 inches of plastic."--Tim Seeley, The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Revival
"With his entertaining and informative look at the cultural significance of these '80s action icons, Brian C. Baer has written a book for gamers and scholars alike that's as colorful and fun as a classic cartoon." --Telly Davidson, Culture War: How the '90s Made Us Who We Are Today (Whether We Like It or Not)
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