In the early 80's, toy manufacturer Mattel released a line of action figures called Masters of the Universe. The toy line was successful and Mattel went on to ask Filmation, an animated studio, to produce a cartoon show based on the toys. The studio obliged and created He Man and the Masters of the Universe.

The He Man series began with simple adventure stories from a planet named Eternia. The He Man character was actually the prince of Eternia, named Adam. The prince used a magic sword to transform himself into He Man. As He Man, he defended the kingdom, often against his archenemy, the evil Skeletor.

Though a cartoon adventure series, the He Man episodes tackled some more serious topics. For example, in one episode a character explores his perceived lack of usefulness. In another episode, Prince Adam struggles with his desire for his father to be proud of him. In yet another episode, He Man discovers the extraordinary cost of bargaining for the life of a friend. The series enjoyed wild popularity. As a result, the He Man line of toys experienced a dramatic increase in sales.

The Masters of the Universe series was not just enjoyed by children. It was also a favorite among many adults. Today, there are a number of He Man items on the market. These items range from sheet and comforter sets to DVDs. Furthermore, there's a full range of memorabilia geared towards adults, including such things as He Man lighters, business card holders, and more.