Mattel and Dark Horse Comics are launching a 12-issue series, “Masters of the Universe: Genesis,” that digs into the backstories of Eternia and its heroes and villains. The book opens with a three-issue arc centered on Skeletor, and issue #1 goes on sale Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
The opening arc is written by Rich Douek with art by Gavin Smith, colors by Fabi Marques, and letters by AndWorld Design. The published synopsis frames issue #1 around Skeletor as “a power-hungry demon-mage determined to seize control of Castle Grayskull, conquer Eternia, and become Master of the Universe.” The primary cover for #1 is by Mark Buckingham, with a photorealistic variant from Lee Bermejo. Later arcs are credited to writers Cavan Scott, Nick Roche, John Harris Dunning, Giovanni LaPietra, and Tiffany Smith, who voiced Andra on “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.”
“Genesis” is separate from “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate,” the four-issue Dark Horse and Mattel tie-in that launched June 10 alongside the film’s release. Where “Wings of Fate” sits inside the movie’s story world, “Genesis” is pitched as an origins anthology spanning the wider mythology, with Skeletor (long told as the man Keldor, half-brother to King Randor) as the first subject.
The timing is the news here. The series arrives as Travis Knight’s live-action “Masters of the Universe” closes a soft theatrical run, with the film crossing 100 million dollars worldwide against a reported budget near 200 million. With the movie’s box office story largely settled, Mattel’s publishing slate becomes the next forward-looking piece of the franchise push that also includes a new action-figure line. For collectors, an August 5 on-sale date means final-order and pre-order windows are open now.
Sources
- New Masters of the Universe: Genesis comic will reveal the origins of Skeletor and history of Eternia (exclusive), SlashFilm
- Masters of the Universe announces surprise sequel ahead of the movie’s summer 2026 premiere, ScreenRant
- Dark Horse Comics and Mattel announce He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate, Dark Horse Comics
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