A question about Prince Adam...

[Sadara]

I'm looking for some opinions on Prince Adam's character. Watching the show now that I'm an adult, I tend to see Adam and He Man as fundamentally the same person; and that Adam's penchant for goofing off is to throw others off the mark.

With that said, I'm having some difficulty writing the more playful side of Adam. Especially on Etheria, I'm getting more of the responsible side, perhaps too much so.

I guess what I'm asking is for other takes on the character; specifically are there any instances or potential circumstances I'm not seeing where Adam may act impulsively, make a mistake, or do something because he wants to?

I hope I'm making sense.

[Danavas]

In light of the 200x series, I have come to the conclusion that the Filmation version of He-Man was already seasoned by the time we, as viewers, were introduced to him. For instance, in the Filmation series, He-Man's legend had already spread across Eternia, even to places he had never been. This leads to the conclusion that He-Man had been around awhile and probably had already matured mentally and emotionally. There was little inner conflict within Adam in the original series. He was responsible and everything he did that was irresponsible was simply a ruse (as you stated in your post).

As a character, He-Man can't develop in any other way. Adam can't continuously be irresponsible or otherwise He-Man would never save the day. The exact same thing can be said about Superman or any other superhero with two identities.

If you want to flesh out Adam's irresponsibility it's going to have to be right after Adam learns of his destiny and is struggling with his wants and desires in contrast to the needs of Eternia. This scenerio can lead to many mistakes and even tragedy (depending on how serious you want the situation to get).

You must realize that Adam can't remain irresponsible or he simply becomes another villain - sins of omission are sins nonetheless.

[Barezz]

Adam is a hard character for me to really "get" as an adult, or more accuratly the whole "dual identity" thing. I recently rewatched the 200X series pilot, and Adam is told that he has to keep his identity as He man seperate for the safety of his family and friends...

Really? Because at this very moment his father has been kidnapped by Skeletor. Depending on which version we are looking at injured Keldor which led to the creation of Skeletor. I would think that Skeletor sees this as something Randor did purposefully. Beyond that, his parents are King and Queen, making them natural targets to the badguys. All of Adams friends are "Masters" and serve as heroic warriors, meaning that they are in constant danger.

We aren't talking about Ma and Pa Kent in Kansas here... so it just doesn't make any sense to me how people knowing that Adam and He-Man are one and the same could put family and friends in even more danger. Skeletor is already likely to kidnap or capture someone to try and "get" at He-Man anyway.

But anywhoo enough rambles there. Personally I would dump the whole "secret Identity" crap and just focus on Adam/He-Man as a single character and growing and maturing together.

[Sadara]

In light of the 200x series, I have come to the conclusion that the Filmation version of He-Man was already seasoned by the time we, as viewers, were introduced to him. For instance, in the Filmation series, He-Man's legend had already spread across Eternia, even to places he had never been. This leads to the conclusion that He-Man had been around awhile and probably had already matured mentally and emotionally. There was little inner conflict within Adam in the original series. He was responsible and everything he did that was irresponsible was simply a ruse (as you stated in your post).

As a character, He-Man can't develop in any other way. Adam can't continuously be irresponsible or otherwise He-Man would never save the day. The exact same thing can be said about Superman or any other superhero with two identities.

If you want to flesh out Adam's irresponsibility it's going to have to be right after Adam learns of his destiny and is struggling with his wants and desires in contrast to the needs of Eternia. This scenerio can lead to many mistakes and even tragedy (depending on how serious you want the situation to get).

You must realize that Adam can't remain irresponsible or he simply becomes another villain - sins of omission are sins nonetheless.

In that case, I am probably writing him correctly, at least as far as individual interpretation allows (every writer is different). I found myself working with a scene where he's faced with the choice of doing something he wants, but could potentially have consquences and he has that inner struggle going on. What was hard for me was in the old 80's toon he also has moments where he tells Teela to buzz off cuz he doesn't feel like training. So I was curious as to how far he might push a moment's irresponsiblity.

Honestly, Adam is a lot more complex to write than I was expecting.

Thanks for the feedback. It's appreciated.

[Barezz]

I don't think that Adam would ever push the act far enough to cause someone to be seriously hurt or killed. I think that he would attempt to run off in order to preserve the persona that he is playing, or maybe act like he didn't want to go on a dangerous mission with everyone so that he could go as He-man instead.

But if it was a real life or death situation I can't imagine that he would keep the act up, to the point that he would likely change into He-man and blow his cover rather than let anyone die.

Sounds like you are doing a good job though, and I agree that Adam is a difficult character to write (or in my case, concept).

[KryptonianMike]

But if it was a real life or death situation I can't imagine that he would keep the act up, to the point that he would likely change into He-man and blow his cover rather than let anyone die.

I remember in one filmation episode Adam almost did transform infront of Teela on purpose. Something was about to shoot the vehicle they were in and he didn't have a hiding place to change in.

[manny]

I remember in one filmation episode Adam almost did transform infront of Teela on purpose. Something was about to shoot the vehicle they were in and he didn't have a hiding place to change in.

hey thats from the season 2 ep the shadow of skeletor when he was looking to start a war with the people of the dark moon

[Sadara]

ESP! I was about to mention that ep. I wish they had made an episode where Teela learned the truth. Her nagging at Adam all the time frustrated *me* and I wasn't the one she was chewing out.

[PanMan]

Adam is a hard character for me to really "get" as an adult, or more accuratly the whole "dual identity" thing. I recently rewatched the 200X series pilot, and Adam is told that he has to keep his identity as He man seperate for the safety of his family and friends...

Really? Because at this very moment his father has been kidnapped by Skeletor. Depending on which version we are looking at injured Keldor which led to the creation of Skeletor. I would think that Skeletor sees this as something Randor did purposefully. Beyond that, his parents are King and Queen, making them natural targets to the badguys. All of Adams friends are "Masters" and serve as heroic warriors, meaning that they are in constant danger.

We aren't talking about Ma and Pa Kent in Kansas here... so it just doesn't make any sense to me how people knowing that Adam and He-Man are one and the same could put family and friends in even more danger. Skeletor is already likely to kidnap or capture someone to try and "get" at He-Man anyway.

But anywhoo enough rambles there. Personally I would dump the whole "secret Identity" crap and just focus on Adam/He-Man as a single character and growing and maturing together.

I agree with this to an extent, but people knowing his secret identity would give them advantages. His family will become more direct targets and say Randor is kidnapped... Skeletor can use that more to his advantage because he knows there is a closer bond/relationship between Randor and Adam than Randor and a mysterious He-Man. It also gives him a break from all the attention of being He-Man, something that he wouldn't get if everyone knew. Look at all the celebrities that crack from too much attention. And the best reason I can think of, especially in MYP, is that nobody would want to take orders from some lazy teenager, and they wouldn't trust him or give him the benefit of the doubt like they do to the mysterious He-Man. People look to He-Man like he is a god, but if they knew it was Adam that's all they'd see.

In my canon his secret is ultimately revealed when he is older, but that's at the stage where He-Man is already established, which I guess can be equated to the Filmation period.

[Sadara]

I agree with this to an extent, but people knowing his secret identity would give them advantages. His family will become more direct targets and say Randor is kidnapped... Skeletor can use that more to his advantage because he knows there is a closer bond/relationship between Randor and Adam than Randor and a mysterious He-Man. It also gives him a break from all the attention of being He-Man, something that he wouldn't get if everyone knew. Look at all the celebrities that crack from too much attention. And the best reason I can think of, especially in MYP, is that nobody would want to take orders from some lazy teenager, and they wouldn't trust him or give him the benefit of the doubt like they do to the mysterious He-Man. People look to He-Man like he is a god, but if they knew it was Adam that's all they'd see.

In my canon his secret is ultimately revealed when he is older, but that's at the stage where He-Man is already established, which I guess can be equated to the Filmation period.

I think another issue would be if Skeletor and his goons knew Adam and He Man were one and the same, they'd be trying to find out how that transformation happens. Skeletor isn't an idiot so I'm sure he'd figure it after not too long. Once that happens, the Power Sword itself becomes a target. Get it away from Adam and Skeletor has improved his chances.

I think knowing Adam's secret would make some like Teela and Randor uncomfortable for a while; but far from seeing HeMan as really some lazy teenager (if that were the case He Man would be lazy), they'd see Adam as more responsible. Knowing Adam is He Man would take out the mysterious quality for sure, but He Man would still be there when they need him, saving the day, and all that.