Popular Culture Review Vol. 4, No. 2, June 1993 | Page 31

Toys for Girls

29

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!
I am Adam, Prince of Eternia and defender of the secrets of
Castle Grayskull. This is Cringer, my fearless friend.
Fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held
aloft my magic sword and said, "By the power of Grayskull. 1
have the power!”
Cringer became the mighty Battlecat, and 1 became He-Man,
the most powerful man in the universe. Only three others
share this secret: our friends the Sorceress, Man-at-Arms, and
Orko. Together we defend Castle Grayskull from the evil
forces of Skeletor.
She-Ra, She-Ra.
I am Adora, He-Man's twin sister and defender of the Crystal
Castle. This is Spirit, my beloved steed. Fabulous secrets
were revealed to me the day I held aloft my sword and said,
"For the honor of Grayskull.
I am She-Ra!"
Only a few others share this secret. Among them are LightHope, Madam Razz, and Kowl. Together, we and my friends
of the Great Rebellion strive to free Etheria from the evil
forces of Hordak.

The veneer of equality, indeed of the virtually identical text
between these two cartoon introductions is designed to appease any
remaining feminist parents in the late '80s by feigning blindness to
questions of gender in warrior roles. Closer scrutiny reveals, however,
that while Adam announces himself as "Prince of Etemia," Adora's
first credit is as a familial appendage, "He-Man's twin sister."
Strictly speaking, she is Adam's twin, but the creators have her
borrowing her status from her brother's more Schwarzneggerian alterego. The name Adam signifies for this culture the first man, while
Adora means what? Worthy of adoration? Even her name declares
passivity. Eternia, the name for Adam's princedom, admittedly
sounds rather abstract; but Adora, even should she succeed in the socalled Rebellion (she is more B \