He-Man and the Masters of the Universe... well known. Solo and the Masters of Neptunia? Who?
In DC Comics Presents #47 and one more time in a 1982 comic book insert, Superman journeyed from Earth-One to the other-dimensional realm of Eternia wherein he met He-Man, that world's resident hero. Both times, the Man of Steel aided the transformed Prince Adam against Skeltor, himself seeking access the unlimited power over his planet. Alongside He-Man was his pet/partner Battle Cat, each time dispatching their deformed foe.Of interest is the fact that He-Man's mother, was originally an astronaut from an Earth twenty years prior to this incident wherein her world already has a Superman active. When her vessel was thrown through a black hole, it arrived on Eternia and, after meeting that world's King Randor, fell in love with him and became his Queen Marlena. Thus, she forsook any opportunity of someday returning to her world.
In Wonder Woman #15 and again in #31, the Amazing Amazon encountered the Master of the Masters of Neptunia, Solo. Invading Earth-Two with a series of minions including the tigeapes sent by the All-Highest Ruler of his world to bring it into his orbit. Thankfully, Wonder Woman derailed his schemes both times. Decades later, the Wonder Woman of Earth-One likewise "recalled" an encounter she had with a Solo and his Neptunians under the ocean, and were virtual doppelgängers from a memory chair.
The comparisons between the Eternians and Neptunians of three parallel realities are many and varied:
- Both Adam and Solo have flowing blond manes of hair and manly dispositions.
- Both employee the aforementioned tiger battle cat/tigeapes in their adventures.
- Both had strong females in Teela, Captain of the Royal Guard, and Presidenta Una
- Both had arch-foes of He-Man/Solo in Skeletor and Stalathon battling our heroes.
- Both employed bestial henchmen in the Beast-Man/Mer-Man and Mechanos/Fish-things
- Both worlds had a tinge of medieval elements mixed in with science fiction also.
While there was never a "Masters of Neptunia" series nor an explanation on how they survived such an inhospitable world, either in space or under the sea, there was a Masters of the Universe mini-series published shortly after these two tales. Then they were nevermore addressed in DC's Multiverse, except as part of a “dreamworld”***.
*** Editorial comment from Wonder Woman #212 letter column:
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