Inspired by He-Man.org’s Roast Gooble Dinner podcast, welcome to PGPoA’s latest MOTUC Bio Discussion: Skeletor!
NOTE: This bio was slightly altered for the figure’s re-release (after all the trademark and copyright applications had gone through). Here’s the bio as written on Mattycollector.com:
SKELETOR
Real Name: Keldorâ„¢
Mortally wounded in battle with his half-brother Captain Randorâ„¢, Keldorâ„¢ turned to his dark-arts master Hordakâ„¢ to save his life. Merging Keldorâ„¢ with the extra-dimensional being Demo-Manâ„¢ from Despondosâ„¢, Keldorâ„¢ was forever changed into Skeletor®, Overlord of Evilâ„¢! He gathered together the greatest outcasts and evil warriors of Eternia® in his quest to gain entry into Castle Grayskullâ„¢ and obtain what he believes is the universe’s ultimate power source.
Portrait art source: “The Vengeance of Skeletor” minicomic
While there was some intriguing material in the He-Man bio, this is the first bio that really begins to depart from any of the previous MOTU incarnations and carve out a MOTUC-specific canon. I speak, of course, of Demo-Man…but more on that in a moment.
This is, to my knowledge, the first time it’s been explicitly stated in any official MOTU material that Keldor is Randor’s brother (half-brother, but brother nonetheless). It was strongly hinted, but not confirmed, in the minicomic “The Search for Keldor.” The Millennium cartoon never explicitly stated it, though at least once, in “The Last Stand,” Skeletor says to Adam, “It’s not nice to take what rightfully belongs to others. But then – like father like son.” But in the MOTUC canon it’s confirmed–Skeletor can now say, “Adam–your father never told you what happened to your uncle…” etc. etc.
It’s also confirmed that Hordak, once again, was Skeletor’s “master” in the dark arts, and–as in the Millennium cartoon–it was Hordak who saved Keldor from certain death and turned him into Skeletor. However, the manner in which he did so is probably the most controversial thing in these bios so far.
First, some background: way, way back in the earliest development days of the original Masters of the Universe toy line, before any of the character’s names had really been nailed down, the working title of the villain was “Demo-Man.” Presumably the “demo” is meant to evoke “demon,” but it’s still a lame name, which is no doubt why it was changed to Skeletor. This became an extremely obscure piece of MOTU trivia that only Mattel insiders and the most diehard fans were aware of.
The image to the left is concept art by Mattel artist Mark Taylor, generally identified as representing “Demo-Man.” As you can see, he looks more like Beast Man than Skeletor. Image from Grayskull Museum.
I’m not sure what the bio writers’ motivation was in including a reference to Demo-Man. It’s not like the character, or even the concept art, were particularly popular with fans (even the “barbarian He-Man” had more of a following than Demo-Man). If it’s meant to be a wink to diehard fans it’s a misguided one, since barely anyone knew about it and most of those who did didn’t like the name. But here’s what I think happened: the writers knew about Demo-Man and thought it would be a cool idea to work him in somehow. Obviously a lot of people think they were wrong, but there it is.
What’s at stake here is the growing story of the bios is increasingly implying Keldor/Skeletor may not be the Overlord of Evil we know and love. I’ll get into this more as we move through the bios, but the concern is that this weakens the character. If Skeletor is no longer wholly responsible for his actions, he’s not really the bad guy, and he loses a lot of his appeal. I would hate to think the bio writers are setting up a grand Star Wars rip-off whereby Anakin/Keldor ultimately saves his son/nephew Luke/Adam from the Emperor/Horde Supreme.
There have been some fan theories that attempt to explain the Demo-Man thing without compromising the character too much. One is that that Demo-Man operates like the “symbiote suit” of the Spider-Man enemy Venom, amplifying Keldor’s powers and hatred but not creating them. Another theory suggests that, while Skeletor received some of Demo-Man’s physical features and powers, the demon’s mind was not part of the exchange.¹ Thought of another way, the two were forcibly merged but Demo-Man died in the process.
While the idea of merging Keldor and Demo-Man may be controversial, there’s no question the concept is interesting. Having never seen an artistic depiction of the event, I commissioned our own MechaShiva to draw his own conception of the merging. While I knew MS was good, I had no idea I’d receive this masterpiece in response! Click on the image for a larger version. –PG
Ultimately, all we know from the bio is that Keldor was merged with a being named Demo-Man. I’ve already noticed a few cases where it looks like bios were tweaked to match fan speculation or concerns, so I wouldn’t be surprised to get a better explanation of how the merge worked–perhaps when we get the inevitable Demo-Man figure (whom Mattel has already trademarked).
Speaking of a MOTUC Demo-Man figure, here’s He-Man.org member The Raw‘s interpretation of what it might look like. Pretty neat, I say (although Demo-Man was apparently colored green in the art book). Bios and lame name aside, I love the idea of getting a Demo-Man figure–but then, there are very few characters I wouldn’t like to see in MOTUC. The more the merrier!
Returning to the bio, Demo-Man apparently hails from the dimension of Despondos, home of Etheria (She-Ra’s homeworld) and the place that Hordak was exiled to by King Grayskull. We’re definitely going to have to find out more about what went on in Despondos. Were Hordak and Demo-Man buddies for a while before the whole Keldor thing?
The bio ends with the standard mention of Skeletor forever trying to break into Castle Grayskull to get whatever secrets it holds.
Next time: Faker!
—
¹ Interestingly, this theory reminds me of the Hellboy story “The Island,” where (spoiler alert) a human revenant absorbs some of Hellboy’s blood and begins to transform into a demonic creature, while maintaining its own mind and motivations.
Snarf! Snarf!
*add mildly crazy over the top maniac laugh here* You were right Poe! You really were prepping up for this one!
My thoughts on merging with Demo-Man:
It reeks of the Mephisto/Zarathos/ Johnny Blaze thing. That opens the door to the whole "Keldor's Redemption" angle that personally I dislike.
I believe that Hordak did NOT merge Keldor with Demo-Man (I wonder when Full-Version-Man will be released) Hordak is not one to go out of his way to save his servants… (Callix comes to mind)
On Keldor:
I do like the idea of a "hero falling from grace" that is being given to Keldor. (using the whole racism issue) I'm also taking in consideration the fact that K. was banished for other reasons other than being blue. There might be a chance that his methods aren't too heroic.
Skeletor: The Merger DID have an effect on Keldor. He gained more powers like enhanced magicks and knowledge in the arcane. An intense hatred of Hordak comes with the territory. Is the demon skewing Keldor's "moral compass"? Maybe a little bit, but I do believe that Keldor is still in control. (no "Evil Demo-Man made me do it" excuse here.)
So basically Skeletor is Keldor without any restraints and super demon powers…
Mysterious Stranger
Shouldn't this be Bio #4? He-Man, Beastman, Stratos and now Skeletor?
The thing with the Demo-Man merging that people I don't think are taking into account is the possibility that maybe Keldor wasn't as noble as we think. Maybe he was a truly evil bastard with his own agenda and only when betrayed by his brother and merged with Demo-Man was he finally allowed to let his evil flag fly. Sure he was discriminated against because of his race and yeah he's the illegitimate son of the King but those are just excuses he uses to behave the way he really wants to. Some people are just born evil ya know?
Lay Ze-Man
Great illustration, but (as was mentioned) to me that "Demo-Man" art clearly became Beast Man and not Skeletor.
If Mattel ever releases that "Demo-Man" concept art as a figure and actually calls it "Demo-Man", I will completely ignore it.
Snarf! Snarf!
@Snarf! Snarf!: Missed something on my small rant: Hordak did not merge Keldor with the D-man in order to save Keldor… Hordak is not known to be nice.
Nicholai
I really just can't stand Demo-Man and the whole merge idea at all.
Lemonjuice_McGee
I'm not a fan of the merging of Keldor and Demo-Man (horrible name). I would much prefer Hordak just burning Keldor's face off when transferring power to him or some such since I don't like the "acid angle" either.
However, now that it's MOTUC canon or whatever, I'd rather go with the symbiote idea you threw out. Demo-Man's essence gives Skeletor power..and a hatred, yet loyalty, to Hordak.
toyman2581
I too think the merging with Demo-Man is lame. Keldor should just be evil to begin with and after his face gets burned, he's evil AND pissed. A little dark magic help from Hordak sure, but no crazy posession angle. If it's gotta be canon though, I like the symbiote idea best.
As far as a MOTUC figure of Lame-o Man, I'll be interested if it looks more like an evil demon-spirit thing instead of a blue beast man with a hint of skeletor. Seriously, that art looks like the bastard son of a lonely, drunk night at Snake Mountain between a skeleton man and his dimwitted henchman.
Wyngarde
I hate Keldor being Skeletor. It's lame and it makes Skeletor less than the Lord of Destruction.
PrfktTear
I think one of the reasons why MOTU has resonated with fans is because of the theme of absolute good versus absolute evil. These MOTUC bios are really starting to muddy the waters. I am all for advancing the story and even trying to make sense of something that is absolutely whacky, but sometimes adding unnecessary details convolutes things and detracts from the story itself.
The idea that Keldor was “twisted” into Skeletor and could possibly be set up for redemption one day does not sit well with me. Just as the statement that Keldor was “banished” due to the distrust for the blue-skinned Gar. So in one fell swoop, not only are they saying that Skeletor might not really be inherently bad, but that the “good guys” might not be that good after all.
As a child I always accepted that Skeletor just “was” he did not need a back-story. That said, I did own a Golden Books story book titled “The Horde” which detailed how Skeletor was conceived. It followed the basic premise that Skeletor was an apprentice for Hordak (though it did not name him as Keldor), however he wanted power for himself, so he betrayed Hordak and took this substance called “Eternium” , but was unable to control the power, and it turned him into Skeletor.
Snakeeyes22
I say Skeletor is responsible for his actions. Demo-Man and Keldor were merged into one individual who is single minded, non-conflicted, and neither Keldor nor Demo-Man.
You could view it as the opposite of how we're viewing the story. Perhaps Skeletor is mostly Demo-Man, a big bad ultimate evil and Keldor was just the physical body he needed. This would be similar to early takes of Skeletor coming from another dimension and render Keldor's personal motivations irrelevant.
We don't know anything about Demo-Man. If you like Keldor, and feel the merge lessens his evil, then maybe Demo-Man is more of a force of nature than an individual and his greater power simply premits Keldor to commit atrocities that he previously didn't have the abilities to carry through.
Heck, for all we know the Gar race were magically created long ago to be evil fueled warriors, so the mistrust is justified.
As far as the brother Randor deal, these relationships definitely make for interesting dynamics on a per character basis, but it does get to be a complicated soap opera when all characters are viewed as a whole. Reminds me of how its silly, but understandable how so many of Spider-Man's villains are personally related to him after 40 some years and random issues, but when they jammed so much of it into 3 films, it finally became very cluttered and stupid. I feel MOTUC is doing a better, or more interesting job pulling elements from the franchise's history than that, at least.
Heli
I have to agree; there seems to be a lot of effort given to making Skeletor "misunderstood" or whatever; a bad guy who is motivated by good intentions or blah blah blah.
Skeletor is an evil, skull-faced wizard who wants to rule the world/universe. Can't we just leave it at that?
Berserker13
There is a cool customiser called Jin Saotome who I think made an excellent interpretation of what Demo-Man could've looked like http://www.angelfire.com/mech/jinsaotome/JinsDang…
d. verburg
wait, why is everyone nay-saying keldor's eventual redemption?
am i wrong, or did skeletor totally save christmas from hordak and horde prime? he even made magic coats for cold children. this is his final act of kindness, his throwing the emperor into the death star reactor core.
skeletor. saves. christmas.
Damien
I actually really like the Demo-Man concept. The name is dumb, but lots of MOTU names aren't exactly brilliant.
The idea is pretty cool though. For what it's worth, I never took the 'bonding' idea to mean that Keldor stopped being himself.
Keldor is bonded to Demo-Man and the result is Keldor being mutated physically, as well as taking on aspects of Demo-Man; such as perhaps his voice, and certain of his speech patterns and mannerisms, but ultimately remains 'Keldor' in terms of his overall personality.
Essentially, Skeletor is evil because Keldor is evil. Demo-Man simply gave Keldor certain extra qualities, as well as perhaps driving him slightly mad, which fits with Skeletor's over-the-top sort of evil.
Jives really well, in my opinion, and maintains Skeletor as singularly evil.
Honestly, I have more of a problem with Hordak than Demo-Man. I feel that Hordak and his Horde actually do more to damage Skeletor's place as supreme evil than Demo-Man ever could.
Grenadier
I like the symbiote angle of the Demo-Man merger. Perhaps Skeletor's hatred of Hordak is mutual; Keldor hates his former master for being turned into a slave, and Demo-Man hates him for being used to revive some brat from Eternia.
I also don't like the possible set-up for a "redemption" storyline. On the other hand, the best villains are the ones whom you can sympathize with–Skeletor truly believes he will unite Eternia under a justified rule…if a little on the "obey me or die" side.
Snakeeyes22
@Damien
That is a good point, most MOTU names are dumb, even Squidish Rex may be less silly than a merman named Mer-Man.
On another note, I'd consider the merging of the two to be the birth of Skeletor as we know him. I can't imagine him being born a skull baby, and his skinless floaty head has to have more supernatural roots than acid burns. Maybe it's not the best story, maybe some things should be left a mystery, but it's fun seeing them puzzle pieces of canon together.
Katar Hol
My theory is that Demo-Man was chosen by Hordak to save Keldor life only because is a minor demon/creature with a very low intelligence but gifted with a strong lifeforce(think of Beast Man for example),otherwise an indipendent mind would interfere and endangered the forced fusion,in this way,Skeletor's evil is still a consequence of Keldor behavior and worsened by his transfiguration.
DoctorKent
I think that the addition of Demo-Man has been blown out of proportion way too much.
The bio doesn't really clarify anything – there was Keldor, he was dying, he was merged with Demo-Man, then there was Skeletor. And that would satisfy my need for knowledge on this subject, really. Skeletor is an evil bastard. It doesn't matter to me how he becomes evil, if he carries around a dragon on his back for a certain point in his life, or later becomes half machine (while in space) in his quest to defeat He-Man – he is still Skeletor.
Obviously, Demo-Man's essence/soul/whatever was enough to save Keldor's life – that much is clear from the bio. But Keldor was definitely already evil, so I don't think there is an easy Vader-esque redemption in the pipeline for him.
gambit320
Not sure if anyone has said this yet but it seems the the basic idea of this Demo-Man stuff dates back to the original mini-comics.
"I seem to remember it as one of those things Mattel came up with out of the blue … Slur Keldor and you end up with Skeletor … His backstory wasn't really worked out. Some sort of evil cosmic energies altered him."
http://www.he-man.org/resources/archive.php?id=28
It's a pretty interesting interview.
Personally I'm not a fan of the idea. It kind of cheapens Skeletor a bit in my eyes.
the raw
…as you can see re-designing him, i don´t mind Demo-Man, i´m down with Keldor beeing Skeletor too and if you grew up in germany, like i did, and hadn´t had the chance to watch a lot of the filmation-toon, like i did( we didn´t had cable-tv then) your canon´s from the mini-comics AND in germany we had those GREAT tapes and there Skeletors origin was, that he was "made" by a race of giants, who merged all evil in one being – Skeletor, and they send him to Eternia(yep, thats very different)…….so, i´m used to a lot, when it comes to MOTU-character-origins
Poe
@Snarf! Snarf!: You're right–that Ghost Rider interpretation is a good one that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere…though it also suggests much more of a duality in the joining than I like. Ultimately I'm not really a fan of the Demo-Man merging at all; however, despite not like that concept or his name, I do want a Demo-Man figure.
But if you don't think Hordak saved Keldor, how do you think Keldor became Skeletor? What did Hordak do?
@Mysterious Stranger: You're right, this is #4. Fixed.
Snarf! Snarf!
@Poe: my thought was incomplete in that post and I was unable to edit it for some reason… (stupid desire to make a Demo joke…)
I believe Hordak Hordak did NOT merge Keldor with Demo-Man in order to save Keldor… Since Hordak is supposed to be so ruthless that he'll kill his own men even if they are right… Like Callix. The Merger was more like a way for Hordak to get rid of Demo-Man. He's basically sending Demo-Man to another world and binding it to a dying man.
So if Keldor dies then Demo-Man would die. If Keldor somehow made it then Hordak would have a better servant in Eternia. That's how I see it. Unfortunately for Hordak, Skeletor was a lot tougher than expected.
dayraven
what if we're missing the obvious? what if demo-man was a perpetual loser obsessed with an unattainable goal in penetrating castle grayskull? and he is keldor's penance for getting his face burnt off? like demo-man is hordak's idea of a joke he's playing at keldor's expense?
after all, we know hordak isn't a nice guy, but she ra proved he has a sense of humor, such as it is.
i too have an issue w/ the idea of skeletor as a sympathetic villain. i want an evil badass!! i want a skeletor who'd eager to turn on his master and his allies, so long as it advances his cause. i want an uncle keldor who was letting little adora play with his magic wand when hordak came a calling and she was tossed into the wagon. i want a keldor who was eager to acid bath his brother and had nefarious plans for his sister in law before a tragic accident left him dying, embarassed and angry, and now, in the ultimate humiliation, he's saddled with a half-assed demon who manages to botch his best laid plans. for that embarassment, hordak must pay!!
Cythagen
Personally, I have no problem with the Keldor/Demo-Man merger. I was actually struck by one possible explanation that has been so played out in various horror/fantasy stories that I'm absolutely SHOCKED that no one else suggested it.
Suppose Demo-Man is an incredibly powerful spirit (who may or may not have had a previous physical form) whose powers Hordak is hoping to access for his own use. The disembodied spirit needs a vessel to be at full strength, which Hordak all too happily provides in the form of his maimed lackey. Once housed in Keldor's altered body, Demo-Man turns on Hordak, adopts the identity of Skeletor, and makes use of all of Keldor's assets (including his army of criminal outcasts) in order to further his own evil agenda.
That does sound so far-fetched, does it?
Cythagen
Meant to say *doesn't* sound so far fetched.
Dlia
The bios are okay. I really don't pay attention to them since apparently the Marty Mattel folks (or rather Toyguru says) they're not considered official canon and its up to fans "to make their own canon."
But some of the story still doesn't fit together even with this caveat. They don't do their homework or rather the Marty Mattel Interns don't do their homework when answering Q&As. Recent example was answer to the Techno Sword in the latest Q&A. Big thread going on at the Org about this.
Russ
I happen to have no problem with the Demo Man angle.
It opens the door for even more exploration into other parts of the Horde's past.
I do agree with "Snarf! Snarf!" that Hordak is not one to intentionally save his minions; I believe he had ulterior motives for both of them, but the possibility also exists he may've somewhat underestimated Keldor considerably.
Thrawn
I hate the Demo man concept. The idea that he also increased Keldor's power is not something I'm happy about either. I can't see any aspect of this idea that I like.