The Evolution of He-Man's Iconic Battle Armor

He-Man's Iconic Design Canonized

The iconic He-Man design has finally made its way into the canonical tie-in show, Masters of the Universe: Revolution. Despite being the lead in the classic sword-and-planet series Masters of the Universe, He-Man has never donned one of his most iconic designs in a canonical tie-in show. However, the third part of Kevin Smith's revamped He-Man series, Revolution, has finally canonized a look popularized by Mattel's line of He-Man toys.

He-Man Smiling with a Battle Axe in Masters of the Universe Revolution

In 2021, Kevin Smith helmed a re-imagining of the classic show with the two-part Masters of the Universe: Revelation. Both Revelation and Revolution, are direct sequels to the original Masters of the Universe (1983–1985) animated series, playing with the original mythology and characters. The Netflix series delves deeper into Castle Grayskull, Eternia, and even the connection between Skeletor and He-Man, adding new lore to the original continuity.

He-Man wields his sword and wears his regular armor in Masters of the Universe

One of the most exciting updates in Revolution is the latest He-Man design, which introduces a welcome addition to the Masters of the Universe canon. The series surprises fans with changes like He-Man's breastplate boasting a giant 'H' across it instead of the armor's original cross, adding a fresh twist to the classic character's appearance.

He-Man wears battle armor with Castle Grayskull backdrop in key art for Masters of the Universe - Revolution

The Influence of Mattel's He-Man Toyline

The influence of Mattel's He-Man toyline on the Masters of the Universe franchise is undeniable. Certain '80s action figure designs are just as iconic as the looks of the character's animated counterparts. The battle armor version of He-Man, in particular, has become an integral part of the franchise, and in mid-2023, Mattel released an updated Battle Armor He-Man that was meant to tie into Revolution.

He-Man with his battle armor in Masters of the Universe - Revolution

While Battle Armor He-Man became a massively popular variant thanks to his inclusion on posters and comics, the beloved toy design never became part of the animated Masters of the Universe canon. However, with Revolution adding to the original continuity, Battle Armor He-Man is officially part of the animated universe, marking an exciting development for fans of the franchise.

Prince Adam summoning the power of He-Man in Masters of the Universe - Revolution

The Significance of Battle Armor He-Man

The introduction of He-Man's battle armor design in Masters of the Universe: Revolution holds significant importance, delivering on an over-40-year-old toyline setup. Despite not being in any other show, Battle Armor He-Man's inclusion in the animated universe is substantial. It not only appeals to the nostalgia factor but also serves as a practical power-up for the beloved character.

He-Man's Eyes Reflected in His Sword in Masters of the Universe Revolution

The importance of Battle Armor He-Man lies in its impact on the franchise, offering fan service and correcting the missteps from previous adaptations. It adds a new layer of excitement and nostalgia to the Masters of the Universe canon, making it a substantial and noteworthy addition to the lore of He-Man.