He-Man’s Power Sword – The Most Powerful Sword in the Universe
Regardless of the iteration, He-Man’s Power Sword is usually one (or all) of the following: A source of great power, the key to accessing great power, and the held aloft implement bestowing great power. And this power? It’s the fundamental force that powers the universe, and anyone imbued with said power will become the most powerful being (i.e., man) in the universe.
And if you're counting the times I use “power” in this article, we already hit eleven (including the title and all variations of the word).
So, what makes He-Man’s Power Sword (also, “Sword of Power'') so particularly….powerful? Let’s take a trip into He-Man’s relationship with – and pseudo-dependence on – Eternia’s ultimate weapon.
According to the original story for Mattel’s “Masters of the Universe” toyline…
(Image credit: Mattel Toys)
When the muscly He-Man action figure hit store shelves in 1981, the first included mini-comic – titled “He-Man and the Power Sword” – told the story of Skeletor’s quest. You see, he held one-half of an impossibly powerful sword, and wished to find the other half hidden in Castle Grayskull. Why? To combine them, unleash the singular sword’s full power, and open a gate to his dimension (allowing other Skeletor-like beings to enter – and conquer – Eternia).
Skeletor combined the swords and wielded their united might, but only briefly; with the help of He-Man, the Sorceress re-split the swords – one ended up at Eternia’s “highest point” (Stratos’ mountain), and the other in the “hardest rock” (where, coincidentally, He-Man built his home).
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If the swords were ever recombined, they would act as a key and grant one entrance to Castle Grayskull. And what awaits one inside the castle's legendary walls? The throne to Castle Grayskull, and access to the “secrets of the universe” (translation: ultimate power).
An important note: In the series of mini-comics included with each Masters of the Universe figure, He-Man rarely wielded the Power Sword; he spent most of his time keeping each half away from Skeletor, and doing so with his trusty axe and shield.
Of course, the Power Sword changed slightly when translated to after-school animation.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (courtesy of Filmation)
(Image credit: Mattel Toys/Filmation Associates)
When the Filmation cartoon debuted in 1983, we learned a few very important (and initially odd) things:
This “Adam” guy? With nary a mini-comic mention or accompanying action figure? He “transforms” into He-Man. Uh….what?
“Battlecat” is also the result of transformation by Power Sword – his “normal” state is the cowardly “Cringer.”
The Power Sword is fully formed, and already bequeathed to Adam courtesy of the Sorceress.
Man-At-Arms has…a mustache?
Adam’s mission? To defend the secrets of Castle Grayskull, a repository for ultimate universal power. Who is he defending it against? That’s right – Skeletor and his evil minions (Evil-Lyn, Beast Man, Trap Jaw, Mer-Man, and a rotating collection of techo/magic-enhanced thugs generally referred to as “bumbling boobs,” “useless ninnies,” “dolts,” “half-wits,” “bunglers,” or other alliterative Skeletor-isms).
In the Filmation He-Man cartoon, the Power Sword channels the power of Castle Grayskull, transforming Adam into an unbelievable powerhouse, and his whining, talking tiger into Battlecat. He-Man is indestructible, and capable of hefting mountains into the sun.
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The Power Sword is capable of deflecting anything, cutting through anything, and absorbing/redirecting energy. It’s a veritable conduit for Grayskull’s incalculable power, and the ultimate foil for Skeletor’s endless (and dependably inept) plots.
In 1989, The New Adventures of He-Man debuted. It was…quite a departure from the mini-comics/cartoon, and not at all worth mentioning (again). So, let’s move on to 2002’s spiritual successor....
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002)
(Image credit: Mattel Toys/Mike Young Productions)
In this 2002 series – a series totally ignoring that 1989 misfire and leaning on the Filmation series – the Power Sword, and Castle Grayskull, boasted slightly altered origins.
Castle Grayskull was actually the home of King Grayskull, Prince Adam’s powerful ancestor – he resembled He-Man, but noticeably larger with locks of Viking-inspired hair. King Grayskull wielded the legendary Power Sword to defend Eternia against the dreaded Snake Men, the horrible Horde, and the Horde’s more horrible leader, Hordak.
During his final battle with Hordak, King Grayskull and his forces were surrounded by a massive portal summoned by Hordak’s wizards – a portal leading to the dark dimension, Despondos. Grayskull, summoning all his ancient might through the Power Sword, redirected the portal around and below Castle Grayskull, drawing Hordak – and his forces – through the doorway to Despondos. Having used all his might and suffering a mortal blow, King Grayskull perished while eternally trapping Eternia’s enemies.
When Grayskull died, he transferred his incredible powers into the sword. And his wife, Veena, becoming the first Sorceress, sealed the castle with assistance from the Council of Elders. Their mission? To protect the Power Sword, and guard the legacy of Castle Grayskull (and freely share both, in time, with a noble spirit – i.e., Prince Adam).
An important note: When Adam summons the power of Grayskull (“By the power of Grayskull….!”), he’s summoning the energies of King Grayskull himself.
Interested in another continuation of a more on-brand He-Man? Then prepare yourself for….
Masters of the Universe: Revelations (2021)
(Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Productions)
Relying again on He-Man’s Filmation/mini-comic origins, Masters of the Universe: Revelations was a more direct continuation of the universally fan-approved roots. And in this modern-day continuation, we learned how the sword was forged.
500 Years B.H. (Before He-Man): King Grayskull, needing a weapon to combat the Snake Men and their new ally, the Orlax of Primeria, acquired a special dark ore from Scare Glow in Subternia. With the help of Trollan (Orco’s race!) Magesmiths, Grayskull created a blade from the ore, merged it with his own powerful blade from Preternia, and created the invincible “Sword of Power.” And this sword was passed to Eternia’s greatest champions, the first being Grayskull’s son, Ro (later named He-ro), and eventually, Prince Adam (He-Man).
Present Day: Skeletor finally has a constructive epiphany: Castle Grayskull isn't the prize. In fact, the Castle is a ruse. An illusion. What matters lies within and beneath: The Hall of Wisdom, the repository of all knowledge in the universe, and the Orb of Power, an item containing the concentrated powers of the Council of Elders (remember them?).
But Skeletor needed help opening the Hall of Wisdom. So, he tricked He-Man into stabbing him while standing in front of a hidden lock. The Sword of Power ran through Skeletor, penetrated the lock, and opened it. Like a key.
Skeletor smashed the newly revealed Orb of Power with his staff, releasing incalculable magics – a level of power that could destroy the universe. The Sorceress, thinking on her feet, slowed time in order to telepathically confer with He-Man and Teela. The best course of action? To use the Sword of Power as a conduit – to absorb/redirect this explosion of existence-shattering energy.
Did it work? Kind of. The sword absorbed the power, but split into its original halves before He-Man and Skeletor….exploded. Kind of.
Where did each half materialize? Why, they appeared from whence they came – the “light” side materialized in Preternia (a Valhalla-like afterlife enjoyed by Eternia’s greatest champions), and Subternia (Eternia’s version of hell, lorded over by its master, Scare Glow). And if you haven’t watched the series on Netflix, I’m sure you can guess the nature of the remaining heroes’ quest.
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And with the sword split and the Orb shattered, there was very little magic left in Eternia. You see, the Sword of Power is also a mystical anchor – it binds magic to Eternia. So, with magic practically exploded and the literal anchor halved, things were certainly dire for our heroic Eternians.
Oh, and if Eternia goes? That spinning keystone of the entire universe? It’s absolutely curtains for everyone.
Were the blades found and reforged? SPOILER ALERT – DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO WATCH MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVELATIONS ON NETFLIX. Yes, they were, with the help of a mighty forge in Preternia and the very last of Eternia’s magic.
Is He-Man’s Power Sword the Most Powerful Sword in the Universe?
Very much so, considering the universe depends on it.
What do you think about the Power Sword? Is it a mighty weapon indeed, or an overhyped dagger that fails in comparison to your forthcoming suggestions? (And please place said suggestions in the comments below.)
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