Masters of the Universe #9
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeMasters of the Universe #9 is a transitional issue in the Star Comics run, marking the point at which series writer Mike Carlin handed scripting duties to George Caragonne, who would carry the title through to its final issue. The story 'The Hate Stones' also introduces Lieutenant Andra, a supporting character original to the comics who would go on to appear in several subsequent issues of the series, making her one of the few characters to originate in the Star Comics run rather than the Mattel toy or Filmation animation lines. As one of only 13 issues in this short-lived series — published in the waning months of the Star Comics imprint, which Marvel would dissolve by the end of that same year — the issue is part of a compact and complete run that represents the first ongoing monthly comic treatment of the He-Man mythology.
In "The Hate Stones," Orko faces his darkest trial yet when his girlfriend Dre-El is injured in a brutal attack by Hordak's Horde. Driven by grief, he uncovers the ancient Hate Stones—powerful relics that promise vengeance but risk consuming his very soul. Written by George Caragonne and brought to life by Dick Ayers' dynamic art, with Danny Bulanadi's inks and Evelyn Stein's colors, this 1987 Marvel classic sees Orko teetering on the edge of fury and redemption. The cover by Ron Wilson and Danny Bulanadi captures the moment of his fateful choice.
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The issue was produced under Marvel's Star Comics imprint, a children's-oriented publishing arm founded in 1984 and designed to adapt licensed toy and cartoon properties for younger readers. By September 1987, when this issue hit stands, the Star imprint was approaching its end — Marvel would fold it into its main line by late 1987. The editorial oversight on this issue came from a heavyweight team: Jim Shooter served as Editor-in-Chief, with Ralph Macchio and Tom DeFalco sharing editing duties. George Caragonne's arrival as writer for issue #9, replacing the series' original writer Mike Carlin, coincided with a shift in the art team as well, with Dick Ayers joining regular inker Danny Bulanadi on interior pencils alongside Ron Wilson.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Title of the story: 'The Hate Stones,' published with a September 1987 cover date by Marvel's Star Comics imprint.
- Written by George Caragonne — marking a writer change from series regular Mike Carlin, who had scripted the first eight issues.
- Interior art by Ron Wilson and Dick Ayers (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Evelyn Stein (colors), and John Morelli (letters).
- Edited by Ralph Macchio and Tom DeFalco, under Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter.
- First appearance of Lieutenant Andra, a comics-original supporting character and former academy comrade of Teela who is promoted to lieutenant by King Randor in this issue.
- The issue features He-Man, Orko, Teela, Prince Adam, King Randor, Dree Elle, Hordak, and Mantenna — a relatively large cast for the series.
- Issue #9 is the ninth of only 13 issues in the entire Star Comics Masters of the Universe ongoing series (1986–1988), placing it near the end of a very short run.
- Both a direct edition and a newsstand edition were published, as was standard for Marvel releases of this period.
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↩ Reprints Masters of the Universe #5 (1987)
Reprinted in Masters of the Universe #5 (1987)
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