DC Comics has debuted Ed Benes' cover for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #4, which reveals a radically new look for the hero of television, film and toyboxes.

Gone are the trademark furry shorts and metal harness the character has worn since toymaker Mattel launched the line of action figures in 1981, replaced by what appears to be Eternia's version of football gear, complete with honest-to-goodness pants.

"In the epic war against the forces of Hordak ripping through the pages of the current series, He-Man must don the sacred armor of his ancestors," DC states on its blog. "While fans may be surprised by this turn of events, this dynamic direction for one of the world’s best-known heroes is firmly rooted in the classic legacy of MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. After all, so long as you stay true to the core concepts, it’s always exciting to explore new possibilities, right?"

Masters of the Universe #4 goes on sale in July.