Prince Adam actually had powers years before he first transformed into He-Man - and these powers hinted at his great destiny. In 2015’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #19, first published by DC Comics, fans are transported back to Prince Adam’s childhood. When his father is attacked by Keldor (the future Skeletor), Adam demonstrates fantastic powers, enough to convince the Sorceress of his great destiny.
He-Man is the central character of the Masters of the Universe line, which over the past 40 years has grown to encompass multiple cartoons and toys, as well as a live-action feature film and an array of merchandise. He-Man is actually Prince Adam, the son of King Randor and a distant descendant of King Grayskull. Earlier incarnations of the franchise skimped on giving He-Man a backstory, and fans never saw Prince Adam’s first transformation into the hero. Newer versions gave He-Man an origin story and fleshed out the other Masters of the Universe as well. In 2013, DC Comics began a new series of Masters of the Universe comics that took He-Man’s story to new heights, giving readers a bold new vision of the franchise - and one issue showed that Prince Adam was destined to become He-Man.
Prince Adam Could Stop Time Before He Was He-Man
The issue, written by Rob David and drawn by Tom Derenick, is a flashback, beginning 12 years in the past. Keldor has made his move, launching an assault on King Randor and the forces of Eternos. Randor and Adam are traveling together when they are set upon by Beast Man. When a beam falls on Randor, pinning him, Adam leaps into action. Using all his strength, Adam tries to pick up the beam, foreshadowing his future as He-Man. Suddenly, time stops, and the Sorceress and Zodiac the Cosmic Enforcer appear. The Sorceress realizes Adam has tapped into the Power of Eternity; he has slowed time down enough around him that now medical help will reach his father in time, changing the king's fate The two realize just how powerful Adam is - powerful enough to change fate and destiny. Zodiac feels such power in the hands of a human is too dangerous, but the Sorceress rebukes him, feeling Adam’s humanity and compassion make him perfect to wield it. Zodiac sees her logic and the Sorceress gives Adam the strength he needs to free his father.
Prince Adam Was Always a Cosmic Force of Good
This revelation, that Prince Adam was able to tap into the Power of Eternity at such a young age, redefines He-Man’s origin, showing that he was always destined to be a champion. Adam’s love for his father, coupled with the intense emotions he felt in battle, unlocked something in the young prince; something so powerful he could stop time around him and attract the attention of two powerful cosmic beings. While Zodiac was understandably worried about such power in human hands, the Sorceress knew better; she understood that Adam would make a great hero. She and Zodiac rolled the dice in this situation, and gave the universe its greatest champion.
Recent iterations of Masters of the Universe have taken care in giving He-Man an origin story. Seeing how Prince Adam first became He-Man was a treat for fans, but in this story, David and Derenick take it a step further, showing fans that Adam possessed significant power all by himself, long before he fully became He-Man.