ABANDONED POST: Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021)

MotU: Revelation (2021)

Dirs. Adam Conarroe / Patrick Stannard | Episodes: 5, approx 25 mins each.

When the news broke that a new Masters of the Universe animated series was on the way, I was intrigued. When it emerged that it wasn't another 'fashionable' reboot, but a direct continuation of the original Filmation 1980s He-Man and the MotU television series, I was genuinely taken aback.

But then I learned it was a Netflix series being overseen by Kevin Smith, so I adjusted expectations accordingly; i.e., I feared the absolute worst. I've not liked Smith's film work and have mixed feelings about his comic work, which tends to be mostly drivel with one or two really great scenes in each issue, at best.

Even though Smith didn't write all of the episodes alone, the new MotU is much the same - mostly drivel with a single great scene in each one. And like the previous Netflix animated series that I watched, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, it's only half a story.

Wonder Woman: Black and Gold - Collected Comic Book Covers

 Wonder Woman: Black and Gold

Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar (2021)

Dune: Blood of the Sardaukar (2021)

Authors: Brian Herbert + Kevin J. Anderson | Illustrator: Adam Gorham | Page Count: 42

[No Quote]

A one-shot story set in the DUNE universe, revolving around a Sardaukar colonel by the name of Jopati Kolona, who, according to the promotional blurb, must 'choose between duty and forgiveness', but it's not in any meaningful way, thanks to the weak characterisation and dull backstory that the 'elite' military leader is given.

Under orders from the Padishah Emperor, Shaddam IV, Col. Jopati participates in a situation that he deems dishonourable, and which gives rise to a moral dilemma.

Interestingly, the story's primary setting is the same as it was in the other one-shot by the same authors that I read recently, A Whisper of Caladan Seas (2021), which featured soldiers from the opposing army. The situations are different but occur around the same time. [1]

Dune: A Whisper of Caladan Seas (2021)

Dune: A Whisper of Caladan Seas (2021)

Authors: Brian Herbert + Kevin J. Anderson | Illustrator: Jakub Rebelka | Page Count: 41

"There is a power in memories... in stories."

An overpriced comic book adapted from the first ever DUNE universe tie-in short story from the combined incompetence of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

It purports to be issue No. 1, but it's really just a one-shot. It's just more publisher lies. BOOM!' Studios did the same with the Blood of the Sardaukar one-shot, too.

It's set in the year 10, 191 at the Battle of Arrakeen, which occurred in Frank Herbert's first DUNE novel.

A contingent of Atreides guards get trapped in an Arrakis cave during the conflict, and slowly begin running out of food, air, hope, or anything interesting to say.

The leader of the group is Sergeant Hoh Vitt, a storyteller from a long line of storytellers, who, it's alleged, has the ability to spin a yarn that's so all-consuming and influential to men's minds that it's considered a powerful and dangerous skill.

Hollow Eve's Mourning After (2021)

Some Truth (Betwixt the Lies)

Many moons ago, in a Kingdom United, October's end was a seasonal occasion duly respected by the nature-loving folk who dwelled there. But all things change, sooner or later, and during a night of storms and knives a wicked hunger was born in the hearts of some men, which quickly spread.

The Kingdom's protectors were unwilling or unable to stop the capitalist greed that slowly consumed the once-good people.

In time, the cruel equation that ensures the rich get richer and the poor become poorer was added to a child's primary education.

Generations later, behind closed doors, handpicked scientists, doctors, and surgeons began working on a method to have it coded directly into the DNA of newborns. But it wasn't necessary, because the children copied what their parents did: as they grew, they looked around and deemed what they had to be of lesser economic value to what they felt their peers had, so they embraced the government approved ideology with great zeal, as if it were mandate.

Dune: House Atreides - Collected Comic Book Covers

Dune: House Atreides - Comic Book Covers

In Oct 2020 BOOM! Studios began publication of a comic book adaptation of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's House Atreides (1999) novel, the first of many insults from the duo towards Frank Herbert's successful DUNE universe. I read the House Atreides novel when it was first published; it was shit. I read the first few issues of the comic, regardless, not expecting much from the story; they were shit, too. But I like some of the cover art, so I've gathered it below: