Mattel Announces Masters of the Universe Publishing Program Tied to New Movie
Mattel is unsurprisingly betting big on the Masters of the Universe franchise in 2026. Even as a new live-action movie hits theaters, Mattel will be kicking off a new publishing program that will see the release of new novels, comics, middle-grade stories, and art books.
IGN can exclusively reveal the first wave of books in this He-Man-centric publishing program. Read on to learn more.
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Author Steve Behling is penning a novelization of the new film geared toward younger readers.
Release Date: May 5, 2026
The Power Within is a storybook based on the film, while I Am He-Man! is an early reader adaptation. Both of these books are penned by Eric Geron.
Release Date: June 2, 2026
This YA novel is a tie-in to the film that focuses on the relationship between Teela, Man-at-Arms, and Evil-Lyn. The book is written by Mackenzi Lee.
Release Date: September 22, 2026
As the name suggests, this is a coffee table art book that offers a deep dive into the concept art and development of the new movie.
Release Date: June 10, 2026
This four-issue comic series from Dark Horse Comics is set in the world of the film. The series is written by Tim Sheridan, illustrated by Will Sliney, colored by Israel Silva, and lettered by AndWorld Design.
Release Date: November 1, 2026
This book marks a first for the He-Man franchise, as it’s a manga-style graphic novel set in the film universe. It’s published by TOKYOPOP and written by Amanda Deibert.
Release Date: May 5, 2026
This adult coloring book features artwork pulled from the classic 1980s He-Man and She-Ra cartoons.
Release Date: May 5, 2026
This humor-focused kids book sees Skeletor learn a valuable lesson about being nice to others. The book is written by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Andrew Kolb.
Release Date: September 1, 2026
This book kicks off a new middle-grade series that sees an Earthling boy named Porter drawn into the world of Eternia. The book is written by Stephan Pastis and illustrated by Will Henry.
“Masters of the Universe has always been more than a single format—it’s a mythology that evolves across generations and mediums,” said Ryan Ferguson, Global Head of Publishing at Mattel, in a statement. “With this publishing initiative, we aren’t just retelling the film’s story; we’re expanding the world of Eternia in ways that invite fans to go deeper and discover new facets of the universe. Through Mattel Press, we’re partnering with New York Times-bestselling authors and top creative talent to move quickly into diverse formats and reach a broader range of readers, while still delivering rich, meaningful storytelling for longtime fans. From character-driven young adult novels to manga-inspired narratives and fan-centric celebrations of the lore, this slate reflects our ambition to build Masters of the Universe into a fully realized, multi-platform franchise that resonates with fans old and new.”
Previously, IGN got an exclusive look at the new Masters of the Universe toys and figures being released alongside the movie. We also recently learned that Dark Horse’s Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws miniseries has been expanded into an ongoing series.
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