Summary
Warning: contains spoilers forMasters of the Universe: Revolution#2!
Hordak is one ofMasters of the Universe’smost diabolical villains, and the franchise just introduced his nightmarish take onStar Trek.Netflix’sMasters of the Universe: Revolutioncartoonturned its attention to Hordak, and the tie-in comic from Dark Horse has explored his backstory further. In issue two,Hordak and his evil Horde are scouting for new territories to conquer in a twisted version ofStar Trek.
Masters of the Universe: Revolution#2 is written by Tim Sheridan, from a script by Sheridan, Rob David and Ted Biaselli and drawn by Daniel HDR. In the issue’s opening pages, a Horde scouting mission, led by Keldor (the future Skeletor) surveys a planet the Empire has long sought. The Horde’s scout ship is run very much like a Federation starship. The bridge design resembles theEnterprise, complete with a “captain’s chair” in the center.
Yet rather than a mission of exploration, Keldor is on a mission of conquest, or “assimilation,” as he puts it.
The Horde Is the Dark Opposite ofStar Trek’sFederation
The Horde Is Made Up of The Galaxy’s Worst Criminals
The Horde (referred to in Mattel’s marketing materials as “the Evil Horde”) was a late entry into theMasters of the Universefranchise. Led by Hordak, the Horde terrorized the multiverse, and subjugated She-Ra’s adopted homeworld of Etheria. Many years prior, Hordak and Skeletor had been teacher and student, until Skeletor betrayed him. The introduction of Hordak and the Horde shifted the dynamics of the franchise. NowHe-Man had to worry about not onlySkeletor taking Castle Grayskull, but Hordak invading as well. Add in Hordak’s hatred for Skeletor, and it creates a nightmare scenario for He-Man.
The Horde perfectly compliments Hordak, as it is composed of some of the franchise’s scummiest villains. Among the Horde’s ranks are Mantenna, Grizzlor, Leech and Succubug. Each of these is formidable in their own right, but they are united under the Horde banner, creating a fighting force feared throughout the universe.Masters of the Universe: Revolutionhas made it clear that Hordak favors technology over magic, and the scouting vessel seen in this issue exemplifies this belief. There is nothing at all magical about the ship.
Hordak Completely Flips the Script onStar Trek
Can He-Man Stop the Horde From Enslaving the Multiverse?
The issue’s opening sequence is a hellish version ofStar Trek.In addition to the aforementioned bridge design, the crew of the Horde ship talk as if they are on a Federation ship. They scan their target, looking for weaknesses they can exploit. The Horde even lapses intoStar Trek’strademark “technobabble” at points. However, unlike the Federation, the Horde is not “boldly going,” but instead conquering and oppressing.Masters of the Universe’sdark parody ofStar Trekis bone-chilling and gives disturbing insight into Hordak and the Horde.
Masters of the Universe: Revolution#2 is on sale now from Dark Horse Comics!
Masters of the Universe: Revolution#2 (2024)
