Continuing a MOTU power sword conversation from the DC thread
I agree with the idea of "big thing hit better" being stupid.
I grew up with many anime (namely, some mecha anime) where swords just entirely change in size just for the cool factor with 0 explanation, so I'm very used to it. I also adore when magical/mythological weapons are practically living characters in of themselves with some sort of pseudo-sentience and often physical properties that morph depending on situations, with inconsistent descriptions as a result. Gae Bolg, Stormbringer, Vampire Killer, etc.
If we go exclusively for mini-comics lore, the sword should be small and puny and stay that way no matter what. He-Man is just built different, the sword is practically an accessory.
Within more contemporary lore with the Council of Elders turning themselves into the Power of Grayskull or whatever and the sword being a conduit of that power into Adam, I don't mind it morphing in size. I haven't seen much She-Ra media yet, but the Sword of Power also changes the size of Cringer and often its wielder, so it's not too out of the realm of possibilities for it to also change in size. Either way, I'd like this version's default to feel like a natural part of He-Man, and Mondo's is fairly close to the perfect size for that. Size shifting would just be a dumb excuse to make it smaller or larger to emphasize it or He-Man depending on scene and context.
I'm very surface level on He-Man lore and only started deep diving this month (Simultaneously doing bits of mini-comics, Filmation, and MYP at the moment) though, so maybe all these thoughts will change as I get deeper.
Alcala Power Sword is the coolest design though, regardless of size.
I actually hate the artistic trope, if we can call it that, of just making a weapon bigger for emphasis during random scenes. It seems like a lazy way to not have to draw the thing correctly every time. I hate, way more, the argument that the sword is -actually- changing size within continuity because 'magic.'
Like.. what magic? Why? Assuming someone could make a magic sword or enchant a regular sword to become magical - why would anyone expend any amount of energy putting THAT enchantment into a weapon of all possible enchantments? It makes zero sense and, again, just feels like bullshit born of laziness or stupidity.
Obviously, there are exceptions, so I'm speaking generally.
He-Man actually had different swords during the mini-comics run and, being drawn by different artists, it did change in size. Not from panel-to-panel, but from design-to-design. Thing is, they were always totally reasonable and there's nothing wrong with that. I'd argue they look better that way and make more sense. Giant Sword = Cool is very much a modern (post-80s) kind of thing.
Even conceptually I don't like 'big sword' here. Like, what would be the purpose of it? Assuming He-Man is infinitely strong (not true in all versions) and therefore the size, leverage, and balance don't impact him at all and his speed/agility/accuracy are the exact same regardless, then the reason for 'bigger sword' is literally to hit things from further away. Which is a very like... regular guy doing fencing kind of concern. Forget about how irritating a bigger sword is to store and wear, which various versions of He-Man does as often as use it.
I dunno. I could go REALLY deep into the weeds on this. But suffice to say I just think 'normal size swords' always look better than 'comically oversized' swords, and for He-Man specifically, I do tend to like his Power Sword to feel ancient and I equate ancient with 'smaller' for obvious reasons.
