Queen Marlena
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Queen Marlena is a fictional character from the Masters of the Universe franchise. The mother of Prince Adam (the secret identity of the main hero He-Man), Marlena first appears in the toys' minicomics as a typical medieval queen with no mention being made of her having any extraterrestrial (to Eternia) origin.
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[edit] Character history
[edit] Filmation animated series
Filmation's He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series, presents a somewhat expanded version of the queen of Eternia, making her the mother of Prince Adam/He-Man. In the cartoon Marlena is given an elaborate backstory[1], being an astronaut from the planet Earth who became stranded on the planet Eternia when her spaceship was bombarded by an asteroid storm. There, she was found by King Randor[2], king of Eternia, and Duncan (Man-At-Arms). She then married the King[3], apparently abandoning any desire to return to her homeworld, despite the fact that later episodes of the animated series indicated that Man-At-Arms did have means to transport individuals to and from Earth. Marlena's full name is Marlena Glenn, probably as an homage to the famous astronaut John Glenn. The original cartoon series indicated she suspected her son's dual identity in the episode, The Rainbow Warrior, which was also a signature episode for the character as she led the Eternian Royal Guard into battle against Skeletor in her spaceship, the Rainbow.
Some fans speculate that she may have come from Earth's future, given the fact that her spaceship was of an unfamiliar science-fictionesque design and is implied to have incredible range (on the assumption that Eternia is located a great distance away from Earth). However, this theory is somewhat belied by two sources. In the animated TV feature He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special, two children from Earth are accidentally teleported to Eternia. From the brief glimpses of Earth shown in this episode (and the children's parents' incredulous reaction to some high-tech gadgets the children return with) there is nothing to suggest a futuristic era. Another source depicted in an issue of DC Comics Presents depicts the Earth Marlena came from as being the contemporary DC Universe, as the comic involved a crossover with Superman. However, the MOTU comics published by DC are unlikely to be set in the same continuity as the Filmation cartoon.
[edit] The New Adventures of He-Man
Queen Marlena appears in the first episode of the New Adventure series, 'A New Beginning'. When her son, Adam, reveals to her and King Randor he will travel to the future, he also reveals his secret identity as He-Man. Marlena and Randor tell their son they are very proud of him before he leaves. Marlena and Randor look similar to their previous filmation incarnations, and wear the same robes, they are also seated in the same throne room. Curiously though, Marlena now has blue/grey hair.
[edit] Mike Young Productions animated series
In the 2002 Mike Young Productions animated series, Marlena is given a somewhat reduced role, although is characterised much the same way. No mention is made, however, of Marlena having been an Earth astronaut in this continuity. She is on one occasion depicted as an accomplished diplomat and competent warrior, wearing battle-armour and defending herself against the Snake Men in episode 33 Of Machines and Men.
[edit] References
- ^ Masters of the Universe Series Bible p.13. He-Man.org.
- ^ Masters of the Universe Series Bible p.16. He-Man.org.
- ^ Masters of the Universe Series Bible p.19. He-Man.org.
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