Mattel Masters Of The Universe He-Man & Skeletor Action Figures

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By the Power of Grayskull! A Look at He-Man and Skeletor Action Figures

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe have been captivating audiences for decades with their epic battles, fantastical creatures, and timeless themes of good versus evil. At the heart of this enduring franchise lies a rich history, spanning action figures, animated series, comic books, and even a live-action film. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of He-Man and Skeletor, exploring their origins, their action figure variations, and what the future holds for these iconic characters.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A History

The Masters of the Universe saga began in the early 1980s when Mattel sought to create an action figure line that would capture the imaginations of children. Designer Mark Taylor drew inspiration from his childhood drawings, and Mattel designer Roger Sweet further developed the concept, suggesting the name “He-Man” and incorporating a twist-action waist feature¹.

Initially, He-Man was simply a barbarian from an Eternian tribe, defending Castle Grayskull from the evil Skeletor. However, with the release of the animated series “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” in 1983, the character’s backstory expanded. He-Man was revealed to be Prince Adam, the son of King Randor and Queen Marlena. By raising his Power Sword and proclaiming, “By the power of Grayskull! I have the power!”, Adam could transform into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. This transformation also imbued him with superhuman strength, nigh indestructibility, and the ability to absorb and project energy and shapeshift¹.

The animated series quickly became a phenomenon, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. Its success led to a spin-off series, “She-Ra: Princess of Power,” featuring He-Man’s twin sister, Princess Adora¹. The show itself was one of the first syndicated shows to be based on a toy, and its popularity with children influenced other animation houses to produce similar shows². This changed the syndicated cartoon market considerably.

Over the years, the Masters of the Universe franchise has continued to evolve, with various reboots and reinterpretations. Despite these changes, the core elements of the story—He-Man’s heroic nature, Skeletor’s evil ambitions, and the battle for Eternia—have remained constant.

He-Man and Skeletor: Origins and Relationships

He-Man and Skeletor’s origins have been explored in various media, with some inconsistencies across different continuities. In the original toy line, He-Man was a barbarian who received his powers from the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull. Skeletor, his archenemy, sought to conquer Castle Grayskull and rule Eternia¹.

Later iterations revealed that Skeletor was once known as Keldor, a powerful warrior who was corrupted by dark magic after acid was thrown on his face³. In some versions, Keldor is King Randor’s half-brother, whose mother was a member of the Gar race. He was ousted from the royal castle due to his Gar heritage. While roaming Eternia in search of knowledge, he learned the Dark Arts from Hordak and sought to unite Eternia by ruling it himself. After battling Randor and losing, he turned to his mentor, Hordak, to survive and was merged with an entity known as the Demo-Man, becoming Skeletor⁴. This makes him He-Man’s uncle. This familial connection adds another layer of complexity to their rivalry¹.

Regardless of their specific origins, He-Man and Skeletor’s relationship is defined by their eternal conflict. He-Man, with his unwavering commitment to justice, stands as the protector of Eternia, while Skeletor, driven by his lust for power, seeks to plunge the world into darkness.

Exploring Eternia: Friends and Foes

The Masters of the Universe universe is populated by a diverse cast of characters, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the story.

He-Man’s Allies

On He-Man’s side, we have allies like:

• Man-At-Arms: The Eternian royal family’s master inventor, Man-At-Arms provides He-Man with weapons and technology¹.
• Teela: The brave Captain of the Guard and childhood friend of Prince Adam, Teela is a skilled warrior who fights alongside He-Man¹.
• Orko: A clumsy but well-meaning sorcerer from another dimension, Orko provides comic relief and occasional magical assistance¹.
• Buzz-Off: The leader of the Bee People, Buzz-Off is a brave warrior with the ability to fly and a distrustful nature⁷.
• Stratos: The powerful warrior from Avion, Stratos possesses superhuman strength and the ability to fly⁷.
• Moss Man: A mystical creature who can control plant life, Moss Man uses his powers to aid He-Man⁷.

Skeletor’s Henchmen

Skeletor, in his quest for domination, surrounds himself with a menacing group of henchmen, including:

• Beast Man: With his animalistic strength and unwavering loyalty, Beast Man is Skeletor’s most trusted ally¹.
• Trap Jaw: A cunning warrior with interchangeable weapons, Trap Jaw is a formidable opponent for He-Man¹.
• Evil-Lyn: A powerful sorceress, Evil-Lyn uses her magic to aid Skeletor’s schemes¹.

He-Man and Skeletor on Screen: Movies, TV Shows, and Video Games

The Masters of the Universe franchise has extended beyond action figures and comic books, with numerous adaptations in film, television, and video games.

The 1987 live-action film “Masters of the Universe,” starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, brought the characters to life on the big screen. While not a critical success, the film has gained a cult following over the years. A sequel was planned but ultimately canceled due to the poor performance of the first film and issues with Cannon Films, the production company⁸.

Several animated series have further explored the world of Eternia. The original “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (1983) ran for two seasons with a total of 130 episodes². “The New Adventures of He-Man” (1990) continued the story with a futuristic setting, while “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (2002) rebooted the franchise with updated animation and storylines. This reboot renamed “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe vs. The Snake Men” during season 2, as Skeletor was replaced as the main villain by the Snake Men of Snake Mountain². More recently, “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” (2021) and “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (2021) offered new interpretations for modern audiences¹. In 1995, Lou Scheimer pitched a sequel series to Mattel called “He-Ro: Son of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,” in which He-Man was King of Eternia, married to Teela, and had a son, Dare, who inherited the Sword of Power¹.

Video games have also played a significant role in the franchise’s history. Titles like “Masters of the Universe: The Power of He-Man” (1983), the first video game released as a Masters of the Universe title, and “He-Man: Defender of Grayskull” (2005) allowed players to experience the world of Eternia firsthand¹⁰. “He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe” (2012) was a successful mobile game that played on nostalgia by taking inspiration from the original animated series and classic side-scrolling action platformers¹². He-Man and Skeletor also made cameo appearances in the 2022 film “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.” ¹

Mattel’s foray into the world of film and television with He-Man is a testament to the company’s success and its ability to adapt its brands to different media. This success can be attributed, in part, to Mattel’s overall success as a toy company, which has allowed them to expand the franchise and explore new avenues.

Mattel: The Powerhouse Behind He-Man

Mattel, the company behind He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, has a long and storied history in the toy industry. Founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot and Ruth Handler, Mattel initially focused on picture frames and dollhouse furniture¹³. The company faced financial struggles in its early years, but it overcame them through innovative product development and strategic marketing¹⁴.

In 1959, Mattel introduced the Barbie doll, which became one of the most iconic and successful toys in history. The company continued to innovate, releasing popular lines like Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price¹⁴. In the 1970s, Mattel expanded into the electronics market, producing handheld games and other electronic toys¹³.

Mattel’s acquisition of other toy companies, such as Fisher-Price and American Girl, further expanded its portfolio. In 1988, Mattel entered into an agreement with the Walt Disney Company to produce toys based on characters drawn from its movies and television programs¹³. Today, Mattel remains a dominant force in the industry, with a diverse range of products that continue to entertain and inspire children worldwide. As stated in their vision statement, Mattel strives to be the “world’s premier toy brands, for today and tomorrow.” ¹⁵

He-Man and Skeletor Action Figures: A Collector’s Dream

Over the years, Mattel has released countless variations of He-Man and Skeletor action figures, each with unique features and accessories. The original He-Man figure, released in 1982, featured a twist-action waist, allowing for a “power punch” action. It came with accessories such as a power sword, axe, and shield. Skeletor, with his removable armor and Havoc Staff, was equally popular¹⁶.

Later releases introduced new variations, such as Battle Armor He-Man and Skeletor, Dragon Blaster Skeletor, and Terror Claws Skeletor. These figures often featured updated sculpts, accessories, and action features¹⁸. International variations of the action figures were also produced, with markings from countries like Malaysia, Spain, India, Argentina, and France¹⁶.The original figures were priced around $5, but their value has increased significantly over time. Today, vintage figures in good condition can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars²⁰. Modern figures, while more readily available, can still be valuable, especially limited editions or those with unique features²¹. Collectors today seek out these vintage figures, with rare and well-preserved examples commanding high prices²⁰. The enduring appeal of these action figures lies not only in their nostalgic value but also in their intricate designs and the imaginative play they inspire.

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