Mattel Launches “Masters of the Universe” Publishing Program to Accompany The Live-Action Film

Mattel is all in on promoting the upcoming live-action Masters of the Universe movie. Along with toy figures and collectibles, fans can look forward to diving deeper into this particular fictional world through books.

While I’m big into seeing toys and other collectibles being released for IPs across the board, I also appreciate promotional campaigns that include books and other literary material. So, I’m here for the Masters of the Universe line featuring a bunch of books for young (and older) fans.

The Masters of the Universe publishing program will be launching throughout 2026 via Mattel Press and partners. Ryan Ferguson, Global Head of Publishing at Mattel, shared that they have teamed up with New York Times bestselling authors as well as other talented creatives to create content that will be appealing to a broader range of readers.

The titles include:

• Masters of the Universe: The Junior Novel – By author Steve Behling, this will be a junior novel that will retell the film’s story. Publishing May 5, 2026, you can preorder it here.
• Masters of the Universe: The Power Within and Masters of the Universe: I Am He-Man! – Written by Eric Geron, you will get a storybook as well as an early reader, respectively. Publishing May 5, 2026, you can preorder MotU: The Power Within here, and MotU: I Am He-Man! here.
• Teela: Daughter of Eternos – From New York Times best-selling author Mackenzi Lee and set in the film’s world, this is an original young adult novel meant to expand the story of Teela, Man-at-Arms, and Evil-Lyn. Publishing June 2, 2026, you can preorder the novel here.
• Masters of the Universe: The Art of the Film – This is a coffee table book offering featuring an in-depth visual celebration of the film’s cinematic world. (Publishing September 22, 2026) 

As for the partners, Mattel Press is working with Dark Horse Comics and TokyoPop to bring forth:

• Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate – Written by Tim Sheridan, illustrated by Will Sliney, colored by Israel Silve, and lettered by AndWorld Design, this is a new four-issue comic series set in the film universe of Masters of the Universe from Dark Horse Comics. (Publishing beginning June 10, 2026, through October 2026) 
• Masters of the Universe: Legends of Eternia – Being promoted as a manga-style graphic novel set in the film’s universe, this piece of content has been written by Amanda Deibert and is from TokyoPop. It’s a first for the brand. (Publishing November 1, 2026)  

There’s even more stuff coming to the book market that plays with characters outside the world of the upcoming movie!

• Retro Power! Coloring Book – An adult coloring book featuring original 1980’s coloring book art for He-Man and She-Ra. Publishing May 5, 2026, it is currently available for preorder. 
• Skeletor Has No Friends – Written by New York Times bestselling author Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Andrew Kolb, this is a humorous picture book where Skeletor learns that even evil villains need to be a little bit nice. Publishing May 5, 2026, you can place a preorder here. 
• Skeletor Ate My Homework(The Adventures of He-Man and Porter #1) – Being described as a laugh-out-loud original middle-grade book, the story will feature a boy named Porter (from Fort Lauderdale, Florida) who gets transported to the world of Eternia. This book has been written by New York Times bestselling author Stephan Pastis and illustrated by Will Henry. (Publishing September 1, 2026) 

Directed by Travis Knight, the upcoming live-action Masters of the Universe will have a theatrical debut on June 5, 2026. The film stars Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) as Adam Glenn/He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Jared Leto as Keldor/Skeletor, Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-At-Arms, Alison Brie as Professor Evelyn Powers/Evil-Lyn, and Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress.

I have seen some people be excited about such a film. However, there are also others who aren’t into the narrative decision of whisking a young Adam to Earth and having him find his way back to Eternia as an adult. Also, with a reported production budget in the $170-$200 million range, and the current state of the box office, it’s going to be an uphill battle for the Amazon MGM Studios action flick to turn a profit and launch a new live-action IP.

Let’s see what happens.

Are you excited about watching Masters of the Universe?

Feel free to leave a comment.

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(via Press Release)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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