"He-Man and the Power Sword" by SiMo Sol

[Captain Atkin]

German artist Simon Soltau (aka SiMo Sol) has finished work on an amazing oil painting that pays homage to the classic work of famed artist Alfredo Alcala.

He-Man mini-comic cover.Facebook gallery.

I have been a fan of He-Man since the very first hour and my intention was to combine the beloved first mini-comic covers and the awesome boxart styles of Rudy Obrero and William George, because those were the very first MOTU media ever – and these were the imaginations that caught my eye as a kid.

After getting a great response for the first painting I decided to make a second one that was much bigger than the first. Meanwhile more and more German MOTU fans knew my work – so this time the first steps were realized at Germany’s Grayskull Convention in 2014. I made a 10-hours live panel painting the background with Castle Grayskull (above photo by Jukka Issakainen). After that – in a process of almost four months – I included the characters. I did it in due consideration of feedbacks by members of the German Planet Eternia forum and some chummy experts like Björn Korthof and Jukka Issakainen – we discussed the question of who will be at the laser cannon for example.

You can check out more amazing artwork at the artist’s blog at SiMo Sol’s Atelier.

[Black Zodac]

That is an amazing piece of art. This is the type of art that got me hooked on MOTU as a kid. Would be amazing to see art like this on MOTUC packaging.

[Toad]

Nice... a lost art, painting things by hand in fine art fashion.

[Mechanizor]

This is how I've always imagined MOTU's vibe and settings when I was a kid. He-Man with his axe simply rules... I also like how he added the knife in his right boot. Awesome stuff.

[D.M.]

A lot of early artwork depict He-Man carrying a dagger in his boot.

[Mechanizor]

I believe I've seen such art but I cannot recall where!

[Matthew L. Martin]

Whereas for me, the detail that really adds to it is the force-field Man-at-Arms is projecting from his gauntlet.

I'd love to see someone try to apply the 'box art/posters' style and approach of Obrero, George and Norem to the 200X designs.

EDIT: And for me personally, it's always been about the swords. That's for both He-Man and Skeletor. Blame it on a combination of aesthetics, a love of symmetry, and that I read three of the 1983 mini-comics before I ever saw the cartoon.

[Y2Greg]

Very impressive art!

[Nankeiro]

What a work! Thanks for sharing it.

[Battle Ram Man]

This is amazing. It really captures the feel of vintage MOTU box art

[Andy]

Agreed. That is amazing. Reminds me of the art that got me hooked on this property from the beginning.

[D.M.]

He-Man's hair could've used a darker shade of yellow but other than that is AWESOME!

[orkothegreat]

Its absolutely amazing ! What amaze me the most is this piece of art was made by hand ! no computer , no photoshop ! wow ! incredible. He-Man hair and face shape are my 2 remarks but the rest is absolutely fantastic

[Robarr The Morbid]

That is super-duper sweeeeeeeeeeeet! ower:

[PhantomZodak]

this is amazing. mattel should hire him to make more art.

[GREP-A-TOR]

I think I saw somewhere of his progression on this piece. Great vintage vibe, reminds me or Norem, and that is a huge compliment.

[RoboSteveo]

If Mattel makes a Snake Mountain for MOTUC, they need to hire Simon to do the box art!

[SiMo Sol]

Hello there!

I just brought my inactive account into action, because there are several threads about my art by now and I really have the wish to thank you for linking my art.
I really appreciate that my paintings are that present here and you like it that much.