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| “ | Spare no flesh! | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark's catchphrase and most common order when a battle starts. |
| “ | You've won this battle, Legion of Light. But I shall live to fight another day! I always do... | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark gloating about his immortality. |
Baron Dark is the main antagonist of the 1994 cartoon Skeleton Warriors, along with its toyline, comic and video game tie-ins.
He is voiced by Philip L. Clarke.
Biography[]
Baron Dark was an ambitious nobleman who hungered to steal the Lightstar Crystal powering the lands of Luminaire. Dark arranged for the king's shuttle to crash in hostile territory and manipulated his younger son Joshua into going for the Lightstar Crystal himself before attempting to steal it.
Joshua intervened, and during the struggle the crystal was split into two. One of the half's energies made the Baron's evil manifest fully as he became the first Skeleton Warrior, an immortal living dead creature who transformed all his forces into the same kind of monster.
| “ | It can't be. Yet I live... I live! | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark after his transformation. |
Baron Dark became obsessed with defeating the Legion of Light who pestered him and constantly interrupted his take-over of lands beyond, as well as stopping him from finding and taking control of the other half of the Lightstar Crystal, to unite both pieces and be granted absolute power for himself.
He eventually succeeded in the series finale, but was stopped by the reveal of Lightstar's sword being a third piece of the crystal, and was destroyed along with it when both him and the artifact were thrown into lava.
Appearance[]
Baron Dark atop his War Horse.
Baron Dark is a tall, skeletal figure with dark blue hair (or black with a white lock in most other pieces of media, including production artwork) and empty black sockets with red irises within. He has a tiny skull on his head and a skull necklace, as well as wears a long, red cape and shoulder armor covered with skulls.
Before his transformation, he was a long haired man in his 40s or 50s, wearing dark red and black clothing. The only thing that remained after he became a Skeleton Warriors was his hair.
Personality[]
| “ | Baron Dark is the very embodiment of evil. | „ |
| ~ Prince Lightstar, Dark Vs. Lightstar card |
| “ | Riding into battle warms my bones. It gives me the pleasure of devouring my victims up close. | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark, Bone Steed card |
| “ | Dr. Cyborn: And this transformation... the splitting crystal only affected you this way? Baron Dark: Yes! [Baron Dark laughs maniacally] Dr. Cyborn: Perhaps it sensed the depravity of your character! [Dr. Cyborn cackles] |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark and Dr. Cyborn |
Sadistic and cruel yet cunning and intriguing, Baron Dark believes skeletons to be superior to humans, more specifically his Skeleton Warriors, which would be a logical assessment given their inherent immortality and regenerative abilities, except that becoming one increases the darkness in your heart, making you more (if not entirely) evil, as well as obedient to Baron Dark. The wicked baron abuses this ability and takes joy in forcefully removing the humanity and will power of others, turning innocent people into eternally loyal monsters.
The Baron manipulating Prince Joshua into overthrowing his brother, before his transformation.
Despite how often he uses his power to obtain more soldiers for his army, he has retained the intelligence he had as a human to reach such a position of power and manipulate others into helping him.
| “ | Baron Dark: Good afternoon, Prince Joshua. Grimskull: You! Baron Dark: My minions have kindly separated your siblings so that you and I might talk... of brotherhood! You dwell in the shadows, young Joshua. Always struggling toward the light. But we are soulmates, you and I. You feel my presence every time you step into your mystic shadow world. Cease your struggling, boy. Release the darkness within. Grimskull: No! [Grimskull destroys Baron Dark's arm with his firearm] Baron Dark: You fail to comprehend. We can never be destroyed. You fight for the light... but you know, deep within, that you belong to the dark. Join me, boy. Give me the other half of the crystal and we shall be brothers... as you and Lightstar never were. |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark makes a proposition to Grimskull. |
For example, though the baron holds no regard for the lives of others, he feels grateful to Grimskull (Prince Joshua) for the accident that gave him his powers, and has even proposed him to join his side and be a better brother than Joshua's own sibling, Lightstar, ever was. In spite of this, he still considers him a pathetic child in comparison to him.
Baron Dark also has a dark humorous side to him, delighting himself in mocking his opponents. This comedic nature can sometimes make him act in rather comical or downright incompetent ways, such as in one instance where he nearly fled from battle despite of his indestructible and immortal body.
Powers and Abilities[]
| “ | Yes... I feel free. Transformed! Invulnerable! | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark, shortly after his transformation. |
| “ | Darkest soul... Evil's courier... Serve me as a Skeleton Warrior! | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark's words to turn others into living skeletons. |
Baron Dark surviving a massive explosion.
Originally, the baron wasn't a particularly imposing warrior, physically speaking. He was drastically changed after his transformation, growing more powerful than ever before.
Thanks to the immortality and regenerative abilities Skeleton Warriors possess, Baron Dark cannot die unless the Lightstar Crystal is destroyed. No matter what is thrown at him, his body will keep regenerating. Even when taking his immortality into account, his most impressive feat was surviving an explosion the size of a small nuclear explosion.
He is not only extremely hard to kill, but also quite strong despite lacking any muscle mass, thanks to his skeletal body being empowered by magic that allows him to easily lift and throw people in armor with one arm.
His strength comes quite in handy when he has to overpower someone (which he nearly always does with ease) to turn them into a Skeleton Warrior with a touch. Sometimes an enchantation accompanies the touch, but most of the time, he doesn't need it. The transformation can happen in a few seconds, sometimes instantly, but those who are purer of heart can resist the transformation, and in some cases, are immune to it.
When he first found out some people couldn't be converted, he was furious and ordered the rest of the population of Luminaire murdered, only relenting when one of his men reminded him they'd need slaves.
Baron Dark with the power of the Lightstar Crystal at his disposal.
Additionally, he is an exceptional swordsman, rarely challenged by any other character in the series, with the exception of Lightstar and Grimskull.
After putting both halves of the Lightstar Crystal together, Baron Dark became even more powerful. He altered his clothing to solidify his new godlike status and could summon new abilities from the Lightstar Crystal, such as harmful beams of light capable of destroying buildings and barriers made to protect himself from surprise attacks. With the power of the crystal, he planned to remake the world into a hellish landscape where only his Skeleton Warriors would survive.
Quotes[]
| “ | Baron Dark: I have felt the power of half of the Lightstar Crystal. The other half awaits us. Join me, Dr. Cyborn, and know the dark joy of the crystal! [Dr. Cyborn screams in agony as he transforms] Dr. Cyborn: The darkness... Baron, the glorious darkness! [Dr. Cyborn laughs maniacally] |
„ |
| ~ Bark Dark converting Dr. Cyborn into a Skeleton Warrior. |
| “ | Now we are one, joined in the darkness! Soon, all of creation shall be ours! Ours! HAHAHAHA!! | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark after turning his subjects into Skeleton Warriors. |
| “ | Baron Dark: How thoughtful of you to give me the pleasure of your annihilation! [Baron Dark threatens to kill Lightstar and Talyn, but someone steps in behind him] Grimskull: Stop right there, baron. You betrayed me. |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark and Grimskull. |
| “ | Diamonds are a temporary thing, Selkirk. But invincibility is forever. | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark turning Selkirk into a Skeleton Warrior, telling him wealth is irrelevant now. |
| “ | Baron Dark: Ah, the royal brats are awake! So, like what I've done with the place? Talyn: Not bad if you're into filth. Baron Dark: Don't get cheeky, girl. You're not the conquering heroes you think you are. Talyn: Oh, yeah? Well we thrashed your backside at the perimeter defense unit! Baron Dark: You were supposed to win! It helped prove your brother was an informer! Lightstar: So Grimskull was innocent... Baron Dark: Grimskull? Oh, you mean Prince Joshua. I forgot you all have new battle names: Guardian, Grimskull, Talyn and Lightstar! Tut, tut, tut, not very original. |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark mocking the Legion of Light. |
| “ | Such lovely pale skin... Pity I can't relieve you of it. | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark to Talyn, who is too pure of heart to be converted. |
| “ | Hear this... Your victory will be brief. I am invincible. I cannot be destroyed. And eventually, I will triumph! | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark to Lightstar. |
| “ | Baron Dark: Almost makes me miss my flesh! Such utter annihilation would give me... goosebumps. Dr. Cyborn: The humans have piqued my curiosity, however. What in the world has made them willing to fight us so fiercely here on this dismal bit of swamp? Baron Dark: Why do they insist on fighting us at all? How many battles must they endure before they realize we are invincible?! |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark with Dr. Cyborn. |
| “ | Such easy prey! It hardly seems fair! But just the way I like it. | „ |
| ~ Baron Dark while bombarding his enemies atop his skullcycle from above. |
| “ | Lightstar: Zara? [Zara cries, and Baron Dark appears from the shadows behind her and grabs her] Baron Dark: I've always believed that everyone has a price, and lovely Zara's price was well within my budget. And now, the rest of the crystal, dear boy. Lightstar: Never! [Lightstar gets ready to attack Baron Dark, while the baron gets Zara even closer to him] Baron Dark: Ah-ah-ah, wouldn't want to catch your girlfriend on the crossfire, would you, Lightbulb? |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark taking Lightstar's girlfriend hostage. |
| “ | Grimskull: Can't... half my strength is... gone. Lightstar: Then draw strength from your family! Guardian and I stand beside you! Baron Dark: Oh, how very touching. Sheer nonsense, of course, but touching nevertheless. [Baron Dark shoots Lightstar] |
„ |
| ~ Lightstar, Grimskull and Baron Dark inside the baron's nightmare realm. |
| “ | Baron Dark: Yes! As I join the crystal halves, let the transformation begin. Pave me in your glow, let your energy flow through me, let me feel absolute power! LET THE CRYSTAL BE ONE, AGAIN! Dr: Cyborg: Baron Dark! What's happening?! Baron Dark: My destiny, doctor! And all of you are witnesses to my newfound power! Pure... unstoppable... POWER!! The world will be fashioned in my image, and all will bow before me, now and forevermore! And Lightstar and his pathetic Legion of Light will be the first to pay tribute. Then, I shall DESTROY THEM! |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark after obtaining the power of the Lightstar crystal. |
| “ | Guardian: Why are you doing all this? Baron Dark: Because, I can. |
„ |
| ~ Baron Dark to Guardian after showing off his new destructive power. |
Trivia[]
- Baron Dark serves as not only the main antagonist, but also the face of the franchise, since he is the first Skeleton Warrior. Not only that, but he's also the first character to be presented to the audience since he's the first to appear in the opening sequence.
- Additionally, he's often seen as one of the highlights of the show thanks to Philip L. Clarke's performance.
- Due to his design and snarky personality, comparisons tend to be made between him and Skeletor.
External Links[]
- Baron Dark on the Pure Evil Wiki.