Warning: contains spoilers for Masters of the Universe: Revolution #1!Shadow Weaver is one of She-Ra’s creepiest villains, and now Masters of the Universe has revealed her origin. In both incarnations of the She-Ra franchise, Shadow Weaver is one of the primary members of the Evil Horde. She has had different origins over the years, and in Masters of the Universe: Revolution #1, she gets a new one that gives her even deeper ties to Hordak.

Masters of the Universe: Revolution #1 is written by Tim Sheridan, from a script by Sheridan, Rob Davis and Ted Biaselli and drawn by Daniel HDR. Hordak, early in his career, goes to the Fright Zone, seeking out a coven of witches that live there. Hordak is seeking a weapon, and they hold the key. The three purple-hooded witches give themselves many names, including “weavers of shadows.”

They speak in riddles to Hordak, but one of them then betrays the other two.

She gives Hordak the Ha’Vok staff, unleashing a great and powerful evil in the universe.

Shadow Weaver Is One of She-Ra’s Worst Villains

Yet She Also Played a Role in Shaping She-Ra

In the mid-1980s, the success of the Masters of the Universe led Mattel to create a spin-off line, aimed at girls, called She-Ra: Princess of Power. Introduced as He-Man’s sister, She-Ra had her own rogue’s gallery, including Shadow Weaver. Depicted as a powerful sorceress, the cloaked and masked Shadow Weaver cast an ominous presence wherever she went. Her abilities at magic made her feared throughout Etheria, and few dared to cross her. No doubt her imposing and downright creepy appearance helped deter many.

Shadow Weaver’s origin has changed with different incarnations of the franchise. In the original She-Ra: Princess of Power cartoon, as well as its 2018 reboot, Shadow Weaver was from the realm of Mysticor. The reasons for her grotesque appearance varied: in the original cartoon, she sold out her own people to Hordak in exchange for power, while in the reboot she was simply a sorceress who fell from grace. In both versions, Shadow Weaver raises Adora, the future She-Ra, after her abduction as an infant by Hordak. As such, She-Ra and Shadow Weaver share something of a bond.

Shadow Weaver’s Backstory Is One of Murder and Betrayal

Shadow Weaver Also Has Ties to Skeletor

Masters of the Universe: Revolution #1 ties into the Netflix show of the same name, and here gives Shadow Weaver a new backstory, one that honors her She-Ra origin. Part of the coven guarding the Ha’Vok staff, Shadow Weaver once again sells out her two sisters and sides with Hordak. The Ha’Vok staff will one day end up in Skeletor’s hands, giving him a connection to Shadow Weaver as well. These new revelations about Shadow Weaver help elevate her further, showing how evil this creepy villain can be.

Masters of the Universe: Revolution #1 is on sale now from Dark Horse Comics!