Cora’s Thoughts on the Actual Masters of the Universe Trailer

Yesterday, I shared my thoughts on the teaser trailer for the actual trailer for the upcoming Masters of the Universe live action film.

Now, you can read my thoughts on the actual trailer, which was released today. But first, let’s have a look at the full trailer below:

Continue reading

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Cora’s Thoughts on the Masters of the Universe Teaser Trailer

A few days ago, I was chatting with a friend and we were talking about the fact that the first trailer for the Masters of the Universe live action film was overdue, considering we’re less than six months out from the release date.

Meanwhile, Avengers: Doomsday, which releases in December 2026, is getting a battery of bizarre teasers which only confirm that everyone and their sister is in this movie and that both Thor and Steve Rogers have just announced their candidacy for the Jonathan and Martha Kent Fictional Parent of the Year Award.

At the time, I thought, “One day, I will wake up or come home from somewhere and open social media and there will be a trailer.

Well, that day was today. So here is the trailer. Or rather, it’s a trailer for the actual trailer (cause that’s apparently a thing now), which is coming tomorrow:

So what does Cora think of the teaser trailer for the Masters of the Universe live action movie?

Well, I’m glad you asked (or not), because here are my thoughts: Continue reading

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A Toyetic Interlude

I’m at File 770 today, reviewing the Mythic Legions: War of the Aetherblade Attila Leossyr II and Gorgo Aetherblade II Two-Pack with bonus toy photos, so check it out.

I sort of stumbled into Mythic Legions collecting last year, when I bought a bunch of skeleton warriors for my Masters of the Universe, Conan and other action figures to fight. You can see them here in my Halloween post.

I got the skeletons from a collectibles shop that was having a sale and while I was at it, I also got a knight, the noble paladin Sir Gideon Heavensbrand. He’s a gorgeous figure and I liked him a lot and so over the next few months other Mythic Legions figures joined my collection.

One of them was the evil lady knight Lady Avarona. I got her for a really good price and initially bought her to play the villainous girlfriend of the Masters of the Universe villain Count Marzo, because their dark red and black colour scheme. But even though Mythic Legions and Masters of the Universe Classics and Masterverse figures do work well together, the female Mythic Legions characters are quite a bit smaller than the male figures and as a result Lady Avarona looked like a teenager next to Marzo, which would not be entirely out of character for him, since Marzo does use kids to do his evil bidding, but it also felt wrong. So I put her next to Gideon Heavensbrand on the shelf.

Now my Lady Avarona figure has somewhat weak ankles and tends to fall over. And one day she knocked Gideon over as well as and I found her lying on top of him in a rather compromising position. This planted the story seed that these two are having a very inappropriate affair, even though they fight on different sides. And yes, you will see more of that particular romantic drama eventually.

Before deciding what to buy, I watched some YouTube videos reviewing the figures and noticed that people kept recommending that Attila Leossyr and Gorgo Aetherblade Two-Pack. So when I saw it offered at a German online marketplace for a good price, I snapped it up.  And because it’s a special set, I reviewed it for File 770 and I had a lot of fun with the figures.

As I said in the review, at the time I took the photos, I didn’t have any of Attila’s minions and only one of Gorgo Aetherblade’s, because the respective figures were mostly released years ago and are very expensive by now. Some have upcoming re-releases, but those are still some time away. Sir Gideon fares a bit better, because many of his noble knights were released fairly recently and are still available for normal prices.

I have had some new arrivals, since I wrote that review, so enjoy some quick dining table photos:

First of all, I got another knight for Sir Gideon and the Order of Eathyron, because those knights are just amazing figures. I’m not quite sure why a fantasy world that does not have Christianity (The Order of Eathyron is a religious order of knights, but their god is a crowned eagle) has Templars, but if they look this great, who cares? And yes, I love it that the newest addition Sir Elijah is a knight of colour.

Mythic Legions Sir Enoch, Sir Gideon and Sir Elijah

The Order of Eathyron as represented by Sir Enoch, Sir Gideon Heavensbrand and Sir Elijah

“Forward brethren! Smite the undead and all evil doers! And screw Attila Leossyr!”

“Don’t you think making that your battle cry is taking your rivalry with the King a tad far, Gideon?”

***

Then I got really lucky, when I saw that Comic Cave, a collectibles shop in Hamburg from whom I occasionally buy, still had some older Mythic Legions figures in stock, including one of Attila Leossyr’s minions, namely Magnus, a knight who is billed as a deputy commander of the Red Shield division of the Army of Leodysseus. Apparently, the Army of Leodysseus organises its regiments by the colour of their shields, because there also are Blue Shields, none of which I have. Magnus looks awesome, so of course I got him.

Mythic Legions Magnus

Magnus, deputy commander of the Red Shield division of the Army of Leodysseus

If you’re thinking, “Wait a minute, that guy looks a tad familiar”, well, you’re right. Because he looks a lot like Malcolm a.k.a. Fisto from Masters of the Universe. This isn’t an accident either, since Four Horsemen Studios, the company which makes the Mythic Legions figures, also designed the Masters of the Universe 200X and Classics toylines for Mattel.

For proof, here is the Mythic Legions Magnus posing with the Masters of the Universe Classics Fisto:

Masters of the Universe Classics Fisto and Mythic Legions Magnus

Fisto and Magnus side by side

“Hello there. My name’s Malcolm a.k.a. Fisto of the Masters of the Universe. Love the beard.”

“Thank you. I’m Magnus, deputy commander of the Red Shield division of the Army of Leodysseus. Cool fist you have there, friend.”

***

 Finally, here is Magnus with his King:

Mythic Legions Magnus and Attila Leossyr

Magnus and Attila Leossyr

“So let Gideon Heavensbrand and his knights crawl back to their castle. Who needs them? We are the Army of Leodysseus and we shall win this war, with or without the Order of Eathyron.”

“With all due respect, Sire, we are an army of two, because the monstrous Legions of Arethyr have eaten the rest of our soldiers. If we want to defeat the Forces of Darkness, we need Sir Gideon and the knights of Eathyron.”

“Shut up, Magnus! Don’t distract me with a reality check.”

***

Finally, there is this guy:

Mythic Legions The Unknown One

The Unknown One

This monster is called The Unknown One and apparently was a con exclusive. I got mine loose and initially assumed that he was one of Gorgo Aetherblade’s minions, because he looks suitably monstrous. However, according to his official bio, he isn’t a part of any faction, but a monster that prowls the battlefields and preys on warriors of all sides. He’s definitely cool, though.

And here he is, battling Magnus:

Mythic Legions Magnus versus the Unknown One

Magnus versus the Unknown One

“Have at thee, vile monster of Arethyr! Tell Gorgo his evil legions may have captured and eaten our soldiers, but they will never have Magnus of the Red Shield.”

“Arethyr? You think I serve Arethyr?”

“You’re a demonic monster. Whom else would you serve?”

“I only serve A’death, true lord of the cosmos.”

“Another evil faction leader? Weren’t four horsemen enough?”

***

That’s it for today. You will eventually see more of these guys and of course my Masters of the Universe figures in upcoming toy photo stories.

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Comic Review: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws No. 2 by Tim Seeley and Freddie Williams II

Here is my much delayed review of issue 2 of Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws by Tim Seeley and Freddie Williams II with colours by Andrew Dalhouse. For my take on issue 1, go here.

What is more, it has just been announced that The Sword of Flaws will transition into an ongoing Masters of the Universe comic series at Dark Horse, the first ongoing Masters of the Universe comic we’ve had since the DC run ended in 2016. Continue reading

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Snowed In

In the past week, North Germany has been blessed – or cursed, depending on your POV – with an unusual amount of snow. You already saw some of it in my post about my road trip to Hildesheim, but this weekend, we not only got an extra dose of snow, but also a veritable blizzard.

The weather service had forecast a snow storm for Friday and urged people to stay at home if at all possible. Schools were closed in Bremen, Hamburg and Lower Saxony to the usual cries of “But I have to work. Who shall take care of my child?” Oddly enough, you never heard these complaints back in the 1980s, when the schools were closed because of snow approx. one or two days every winter, even though there were a lot of families where both parents were working or single parent families back then as well. Continue reading

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The First Road Trip of the Year: Walsrode and Hildesheim in the Snow

In my New Year’s post, I mentioned that I may have a road trip report for you soon and here it is. Because on Sunday, when 2026 was only four days old, I went on the first road trip of the year.

Though this particular trip was still planned in 2025. For you see, I have a toy collector pal named Michael. He lives about 150 kilometers away in a village near Hildesheim. I wanted to buy some Masters of the Universe Classics figures from him, so we agreed that I’d come to pick them up on Sunday, January 4.

Of course, at the time the weather was nice and clear and there was no snow. But then, it started to snow on Friday afternoon and just kept going intermittently through Friday night and Saturday. And according to the weather report, the snow would stick around at least until following weekend. What is more, North Germany is having veritable snow storm this weekend that’s so dangerous that people are being urged to stay at home if possible, though we didn’t know that at the time. Nonetheless, we agree to wait what the weather and traffic conditions would be like on Sunday and then I would decide whether to drive to Hildesheim on Sunday or reschedule.

On Sunday morning, I woke up, looked out of the front door and saw that not only was the snow that had fallen on Friday and Saturday was still there, but that there was even more of it, which had fallen overnight. I guess we had about ten to fifteen centimeters of snow, which is a lot by North German standards. And indeed, North Germany got the brunt of the current snowfall, which is very unusual.

On Friday and Saturday, the snowfall had caused lots of traffic accidents in North Germany and several Autobahnen and Bundesstraßen were clogged with traffic or closed altogether as a result. So I checked the traffic reports and saw that while several train and bus services had been cancelled because of the snow, the streets were clear. I deliberated for a few moments – Do I really want to drive in the snow? Though it would be a lovely road trip. – and then decided, “Screw it! I’ll go.”

Now Autobahnen and Bundesstraßen have priority, when clearing the roads with snow ploughs (and the snow is mostly cleared during the night). Besides, my car has a four-wheel drive, if necessary. So I messaged Michael that I’m coming to pick up the figures and embarked on my road trip to Hildesheim.

Of course, more snow had fallen overnight. So I looked out of the front door and wondered whether to shovel the driveway before leaving. Cause in Germany, you are required to remove snow from your driveway, the path to your front door and the sidewalk, lest someone slip and fall. However, clearing the driveway would take time and there would only be more snow. Besides, it was Sunday and there would be no mail delivery, I wasn’t expcting visitors and no one would have any reason to walk up to my front door. So I decided to shovel the driveway on Monday morning, if necessary. Continue reading

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Toy Photo Story: Nutcracker versus Mouse King: The Legendary Battle

As promised, I am working on a post about a snowy road trip I took this weekend, but first have this toy photo story, which I created as I am waiting to be snowed in by the blizzard that’s rolling in from the East.

You may remember that I bought the Figura Obscura Mouse King action figure from Four Horsemen Studios and that I reviewed him for File 770.

The Mouse King figure also came with the head of his mortal enemy, the Nutcracker, as a special surprise gift. Continue reading

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Happy New Year 2026

2026 is already three days old by now, so here is my annual New Year post.

As I’ve said before, I’ve never been a huge fan of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Part of the reason is that New Year’s Eve happens only a week after Christmas Eve and I’m usually all holidayed out from three days of Christmas celebrations, so I don’t really feel like having yet another holiday that requires preparations. Of course, I did the party thing and the “standing around on the market square in the cold, watching fireworks” thing, when I was younger. But in the past ten years or so, I mostly celebrated with my parents at home and/or in a restaurant and in the past three years I’ve been celebrating all alone. Continue reading

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A handy guide to all SFF-related posts and works of 2025

I never felt particularly comfortable with eligibility posts, but I posted such an overview for the first time in 2016, when someone added my name to the Hugo Nominations Wiki. Eventually, it paid off, because I was a Hugo finalist for Best Fan Writer in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and won in 2022.

So if you’re interested in what I write, here is an overview of all SFF related blogposts of 2025, in chronological order, as well as a list of all the SFF and other fiction I published.

That said, I have a shiny rocket on my shelf and there are many highly deserving fan writers who have never even been nominated, let alone won. I’m not going to refuse another nomination, but I’d like to ask you to consider some of those other great fan writers as well.

Finally, I know that there are people out there who don’t like me and don’t like what I have to say. That’s okay, no one has to like me and my work. But if you don’t like my work, just don’t read it. There’s no need to send harassment mobs my way.

And if you think you’re going to silence me, think again. Cause it’s not going to work. Continue reading

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The 2025 Jonathan and Martha Kent Fictional Parent of the Year Award

It’s the last day of the year, so we present to you, live from the Multiversal Nexus Ballroom, the winner of the 2025 Jonathan and Martha Kent Fictional Parent of the Year Award.

While I have been awarding the Darth Vader Parenthood Award for Outstandingly Horrible Fictional Parents for 45 years now (see the 2025 winner here), the Jonathan and Martha Kent Fictional Parent of the Year Award is a fairly new prize that I only introduced in 2020 as a companion piece to the Darth Vader Parenthood Award. The 2020 winner may be found here, the 2021 winner here, the 2022 winner here, the 2023 winner here and the 2024 winner here.

As for why I felt the need to introduce a companion award, depictions of parenthood in popular culture have been undergoing a paradigm shift in the past few years with more positive portrayals of supportive and loving parents and fewer utterly terrible parents. Personally, I believe that this shift is a very good thing, because the reason that I started the Darth Vader Parenthood Award in the first place is because I was annoyed by all the terrible parents in pop culture. For while most real world parents may not be perfect, at least most of thmy do their best. Maybe, the conditions that gave rise to the Darth Vader Parenthood Award will eventually cease to exist and we can permanently retire the award.

The bar is open for the adults, the play area and ball pit are open for the kids, and the kitchen is serving up delicacies from around Multiverse as well as the greatest selection of pastries and sweets found anywhere in any universe, so without further ado, let’s get started.

Warning: Spoilers for lots of things behind the cut! Continue reading

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