He-Man Eternity War # 10

 By Mark Rodriguez

Hordak had obtained the Powers of Grayskull, but before he could launch his deadly attack upon the universe, Skeletor comes in and kills him with the help of Evil Lyn. Skeletor challenged Prince Adam to a final battle at Grayskull, which he agrees to. Just then Adam flicks a snake-like tongue.

The story opens with the soldiers that defend Eternos gathering together with the Snake Men as they prepare to face Skeletor and take back Grayskull. They know the odds, and they know that they risk their lives, but they will fight to their last breathe to defend the universe. As the soldiers cheer on for King Adam, we see that he is dressed in King Hsss' armor.

At Castle Grayskull, Skeletor draws his staff saying that the souls of the fallen Horde Troopers now return to him, to nourish him and empower his Havoc Staff. Evil Lyn says that she can sense an army approaching. Skeletor tells her to let them come and shred themselves along the Fright Zone. Evil Lyn says he's draining the souls from the Horde Troopers back into his staff and asks if he won't need soldiers for the upcoming battle. Skeletor says he needs souls, but not as soldiers. He says this war is no longer about soldiers. 

Skeletor summons a warrior named War Wraith. He commands him to go to the Fright Zone and cut out Adam's heart. Evil Lyn sheds a tear and Skeletor asks if it's for Adam. She says she weeps for the goddess, as she senses hesitancy in her conflict. She says another part of the goddess weeps for the end that is to come, and she is fighting to resist this. Skeletor asks if the goddess can hear him, and Evil Lyn says she can through her.

Skeletor grabs Evil Lyn and tells the goddess part of her that the end is coming and there's no going back. He was chosen to bring this moment, but he is not her servant, but her murderer. Skeletor says that soon all of his children will be at the gates of her fortress begging for him to spare them and he will tell them NO. If he can't rule the universe than he will slay it. He makes Evil Lyn bow to him and tells her find the ancient aspect of the goddess within her and eradicate it. 

As dawn hits the Fright Zone, the armies of Eternos go forth in a fleet of Dragon Walkers. They were designed by Man-At-Arms years ago and found by Adam in Randor's hidden armories. As they travel, Fisto asks Adam why he's dressed in the armor of the Snake Men. He says he will fight alongside them, but he will not serve them. Adam says the Snake Men are primitive and inspired by symbols, so dressing like this will inspire their devotion. He says if the Snake Men are willing to die for them, then they can at least show that they are willing to live for them.

Just then a soldier warns the king that the ground beneath them is shaking. Adam says the Fright Zone senses them and tells everyone to engage in traversing gears. Spires burst through the ground and the Dragon Walkers try to get past the chasms. Some of the vehicles are skewered while the other aim their weapons against the spires.

One of the Snake Men is shot by a sniper. As another warns his comrades to get behind the shield, he is shot through the head. War Wraith is shooting at them as he rides the flying vehicle Roton. He says death has found them and death sees them. 

Elsewhere in the void of lost souls, She-Ra is trapped and is attacked by the souls of all of those that she had murdered in Hordak's name when she went by the name Despera. She knows she deserves this and doesn't resist as she remembers the names of all of those the had hurt. A voice calls out to her, calling her Adora, and telling her that her story has not yet been told. She-Ra asks who is speaking to her, and she says she will know in time. The voice says at the end of darkness there is always the hope of light, as She-Ra sees the image of Castle Bright Moon. The image vanishes as She-Ra calls out for it.

As She-Ra reaches out towards the light, she sees Teela. Teela takes her hand and pulls her from the void. Teela now has She-Ra and comforts her.

Back to the battle, King Adam's men say they can't advance or the Fright Zone will swallow them all. A Wind Raider arrives behind War Wraith, who assumes has come to fight him. The pilot is Moss Man and rather than fight, he leaps off the vehicle. He tells King Adam that he said 'til the last breath' so he will give him his. As Adam and Fisto watch in horror, Moss Man sacrifices himself, diving into the ravine and destroying the Fright Zone from its very core. One of the oldest living beings sacrificed his life energy and the Fright Zone is replaced by nature and life as the area is now purified. The soldiers are relieved to be alive but also see that Castle Grayskull is within reach.

As everyone rejoices and thanks Moss Man for his sacrifice, Adam has a sudden headache and walks off. Rattlor follows and asks if he's well. Adam says to leave him be, but Rattlor refuses as he knows who he really is. Rattlor asks King Hsss how long has he worn Adam's skin. King Hsss says he's been with them since Adam took Eternos, but something is wrong as he has never felt such pain after consuming a victim. 

Rattlor says there is something different about Adam, he has the touch of the goddess and he is unlike King Hsss' other victims. He says Adam is his better. King Hsss says it sounds like he's chosen a side. Rattlor says Adam has proven himself to be a true leader. He will avenge him and tell everyone of King Hsss' trickery. King Hsss says the Snake Men have belonged to him since the drawn of Eternia. He lets out a bright light from his mouth that roasts Rattlor alive. As Rattlor's corpse burns, King Hsss says he lives and dies at his command.

As King Hsss walks away, he is suddenly jumped by War Wraith who is impressed that he survived the Fright Zone. He removes his mask and says that Skeletor sends his regards. King Hsss is surprised to see that War Wraith is actually Man-At-Arms!

My Opinions-

Things continue to ramp up as we only get closer to what looks to be the final battle against Skeletor, but we also get more and more reveals. Just like in the previous series where King Hsss had, at some point in time, killed Randor and took his place, he did the same to Adam. We obviously know Adam will somehow beat this, but I was surprised to see Rattlor still pledge his loyalty towards Adam over King Hsss.

There were several surprising deaths. Not only did Rattlor die, but Moss Man also gave his life to destroy the Fright Zone. On a smaller scale, it's a bit hard to tell with the art style, but it looks like War Wraith actually shot and killed Tung Lashor and Sssqueeze rather than generic Snake Men. 

When Skeletor summoned War Wraith, I was a bit confused. The MOTU series has a huge catalog of characters, I didn't see the need of them making up some. It turns out he's actually Man-At-Arms, either corrupted, brainwashed or maybe he flat out betrayed He-Man. In the DC version of the story literally anything can happen.

One thing I was not expecting was the appearance of the Dragon Walkers. This is where we really have to suspend our disbelief. The actual toy had the gimmick that it was able to move forward on its own, while one of your action figures was riding it. The base on a track, and when the base reached the end of the track, the track itself would rotate forward and then the base would move forward again. As a toy it was cool because it used this mechanism to move forward on its own. In real life though.... it's just plain ridiculous. I almost laughed when Adam told everyone 'full speed ahead'. 

In my opinion, if I were going to use this vehicle, I would have just added wheels while keeping the rest of the design as close as possible, as a homage to the toy. I mean it's already been modified when compared to the comic. The toy lets a single person ride it, but the comic shows it to be large enough to have several people inside the dragon head part. How would it feel to be inside that thing as it launches forward every time the track rotates? I think I'd get motion sickness.

The story is ramping up. I can't wait to see what happens next. I like the idea that they got rid of the Evil Horde and ended up siding with the Snake Men as they establish Skeletor to be the main threat once again. After all, regardless of other enemies, the final battle will always be between He-Man and Skeletor.