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This Villain was Headlined on November, 2020. | ||
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| “ | Welcome He-Man, are you here to pledge your loyalty to the new ruler of Eternia? | „ |
| ~ Skeletor. |
| “ | I am the Alpha and the Omega. Death and Rebirth. And as you die, I will be reborn! | „ |
| ~ Skeletor. |
| “ | I am Skeletor. I am the true ruler of Eternia. I am the conqueror of dimensions, the Beast of Gar. And now... I am the slayer of He-Man. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor in the comics. |
Skeletor is the main antagonist of the Masters of The Universe franchise, serving as the main antagonist of both the original 1983 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon and its 1990 continuation The New Adventures of He-Man as well as a recurring antagonist in the 1985 spin-off She-Ra: Princess of Power. He is the leader of the Evil Warriors and He-Man's archenemy.
Known as the "Evil Lord of Destruction", Skeletor seeks to harness the power of Castle Greyskull and use it to rule all of Eternia. He is a former pupil of Hordak, leader of the Evil Horde, until he betrayed his master and sealed him in another dimension. He rules Snake Mountain, from which he and his evil minions plot various schemes to defeat Greyskull's champion He-Man, unlock the power of Castle Greyskull and conquer all of Eternia.
In The New Adventures of He-Man, Skeletor is still the main antagonist, but is presented as being more mature and villainous than in the Filmation series, and has a very morbid sense of humor, often spouting out one-liners and jokes. In this series, Skeletor follows He-Man to the world of Primus and joins forces with the Evil Mutants, pretending to follow the orders of the idiotic Flogg, while manipulating him all the way.
In episode six, Skeletor is transformed into a more powerful version of himself via an evil crystal and stays that way until the final episode. In episode sixty-five, Skeletor is finally defeated when He-Man sends him and his lover Crita rocketing through space. In the final scene, Skeletor vows that he'll return and gives out a chilling laugh.
He was voiced by Alan Oppenheimer in the original 1983 Filmation cartoon, by Campbell Lane in The New Adventures of He-Man, by Brian Dobson in the 2002 reboot cartoon, by Mark Hamill in Masters of the Universe: Revelation, and portrayed by Frank Langella in the Masters of the Universe film.
Biography
Comics
Skeletor has appeared in many He-Man comic book series usually as the main antagonist.
Filmation series (1983-1987)
In the Filmation version, Skeletor is the main antagonist in the 1983 show He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and he was voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.
In the past, when Hordak and his Horde invaded Eternia, Hordak took Skeletor on as his apprentice. He later helped Hordak break into the palace and kidnap the King and Queen's twin babies. While Hordak made off with one of the babies, Skeletor was captured by Man-At-Arms who forced him to divulge the whereabouts of his master. Skeletor revealed that Hordak had retreated to his base of operations Snake Mountain, leading them to go there to rescue the baby. However, when cornered, Hordak opened up a random dimensional portal (later revealed to have led to Etheria) and leaped through with the baby Princess Adora still in his possession.
While Hordak was gone, Skeletor remained on Eternia and raised an army of powerful minions of his own and took over as ruler of Snake Mountain. In pursuit of his goal of ruling Eternia, Skeletor sought to conquer the mysterious fortress of Castle Grayskull, from which He-Man draws his powers. Should he gain control of Castle Greyskull, Skeletor would be able to conquer not only Eternia, but also the entire universe.
In the original series, Skeletor is the main antagonist, either appearing in the flesh, or acting thru one of his minions, such as Evil-Lyn or Whiplash. Due to the semi-comedic nature of the show, Skeletor is shown to be arrogant, whiny, childish, and occasionally incompetent, despite he's the chief villain in the original series, always as He-Man's archenemy.
Examples of his immature behavior is when he attempted to hijack a circus simply because the owner refused to perform at Snake Mountain, throwing a tantrum at his henchmen's stupidity, and repeating that he isn't a nice man. In one of the post-series mini-comics, it's hinted that Skeletor is He-Man's uncle, Prince Keldor.
In the spin-off series She-Ra: Princess of Power, sometimes, he would go out of his way to menace She-Ra and He-Man and attempt to overthrow Hordak out of revenge for being abandoned during Princess Adora's kidnapping.
1987 live-action film
Skeletor also appeared in the 1987 live-action film Masters Of The Universe. He was portrayed by Frank Langella, who later played Bob Alexander in Dave, Dawg Brown in Cutthroat Island, Boris Balkan in The Ninth Gate and Rodney Cole in Unknown. Set sometime after the events of the 1983 TV series, Skeletor and his forces have won the war and took over Castle Grayskull, imprisoning the Sorceress at the same time. To declare his victory public, he tells Evil-Lyn to ready the hologram as everyone, including He-Man, get his message. He was obsessed with becoming a god via stealing the Key of the Universe - however his plans were opposed by He-Man and his group, who went as far as opening a portal to Earth in order to evade him.
Eventually, he wouldn't have to wait long to find the Key's location, when a couple of teenagers found it, thinking its a musical instrument and activating its current position. Skeletor sent several henchmen to get the Key, including Blade, Beast-Man, Saurod, and Karg). When his servants failed him, Skeletor kills Saurod and Beast-Man begs for forgiveness but he shoves him away and plans to arrive on Earth himself via a huge floating throne, accompanied by an entire army. After surrounding Man-At-Arms, Teela, Gwildor, and earthlings Julie and Kevin, he forced He-Man into becoming his slave with the threat of killing his friends should he resist.
Skeletor then took the Key Of The Universe and with it became a god, transforming into a golden vaguely Aztec-inspired super-being as a result. Evil-Lyn, though initially on the same side as Skeletor, wanted to share the universe with him, but he arrogantly refused. However He-Man's friends managed to come to his aid and when Skeletor ordered his men to kill them, He-Man became enraged and the two enemies engaged in a climactic battle, after outdoing Blade and most of Skeletor's forces.
He-Man challenged Skeletor to a fight for the Universe and despite Skeletor using his lightning strikes on his nemesis to prevent him from grabbing his sword, He-Man grabbed it out of the anvil. Although he put up a good fight Skeletor wasn't a match for He-Man, and ultimately lost the battle, with his powerful staff shattered in half and transforming back to his basic form after his godlike energy was dispersed.
He-Man attempted to show mercy to his old foe by informing him that the battle was over, but Skeletor replied with a taunting "yes... for you!" before attempting to kill He-Man again with a hidden sword. He whacks his sword out of his hand by surprise and almost about to fall down. He is able to force He-Man to the ledge and try to make him fall into the dangerous liquid pit. However, the tables turned for Skeletor, as He-Man used his sword to plunge him to his death down a pit.
However, in a post-credits scene, Skeletor survives his fall, and his head rises from the hot-red liquid saying "I'll be back!"
The New Adventures of He-Man (1990)
Skeletor's original appearance in the sequel series.
When two warriors, Hydron and Flipshot, traveled back in time from the futuristic planet Primus to seek He-Man's help against the Evil Mutants that were attacking, Skeletor decided to take advantage of the situation to travel back to the future with them so he could harness Primus's future technology for his own ends and defeat He-Man.
After his henchman Andros captured the two and locked them up in a cell, Skeletor let them out and, pretending to apologize, claimed to be a "good guy" and offered to help them with their problem in the future. As the two brought Skeletor back to their ship, however, He-Man suddenly appeared and revealed the truth, that Skeletor was evil and was only fooling them. However, Skeletor retorted that He-Man was the one who was evil and that he was trying to trick them. Unsure of who to believe, Hydron and Flipshot decided to bring both to the future.
Upon arriving on Primus, however, Skeletor revealed his true colors to the warriors and left to go ally with the invading Evil Mutants. Offering his services to the Mutants' leader Flogg, Skeletor stated he would help them conquer Primus in exchange for their assistance in defeating He-Man, noting they would have to deal with him eventually if they wanted to conquer the planet. Flogg agreed and allowed Skeletor to join his crew, unaware that Skeletor was only manipulating him and the mutants for his own ends.
Over the course of the series, Skeletor would hatch many plans to defeat He-Man and take over Primus. In one episode, Skeletor discovered a powerful crystal below the surface of the moon of Nordor and, after testing its power on Quakke, used it to assume a more powerful form which he kept for the entire series. Skeletor would also draw the advances of the mutant Crita, who was attracted to him and his power. Though wooing her, Skeletor was not above sacrificing her if it furthered his own goals.
At the end of the series, after the Mutants' final attack on Primus was thwarted and they surrendered, Skeletor was banished into space along with Crita by He-Man, all while vowing he would return.
He-Man (2002)
- Main article: Skeletor (2002)
Based on his Filmation incarnation, Skeletor appeared in the reboot once again as the main antagonist, but with an updated design and origin story.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation
Skeletor will return in the sequel to the original cartoon series.
2021 live-action film
Skeletor will be the main antagonist of the 2021 reboot of Masters of the Universe but with a completely different origin. Keldor is the son of King Randor and Prince Adam's older brother before a tragedy turns him into Skeletor.
2021 animated series
- Main article: Skeletor (2021)
Quotes
| “ | MYAH! | „ |
| ~ Skeletor's signature yell. |
| “ | I'll get you for this, He-Man! | „ |
| ~ Skeletor's repeated line. |
| “ | Skeletor: This time I'll have He-Man where I want him. Beast Man: And Eternia will be ours! Skeletor: Ours, fur face? Beast Man: I, I-I-I meant yours, yours, yours. |
„ |
| ~ Skeletor and Beast Man. |
| “ | Dolts! Halfwits! Bunglers! Brainless idiots, you couldn't even beat a motley group of gnomes! | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to Beast Man and Mer-Man. |
| “ | Witless fools! Do I have to do everything for you? | „ |
| ~ Skeletor. |
| “ | Oh, why do I surround myself with fools? Even the robots are smarter than you. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to his henchmen. |
| “ | Silence, you furry fool! I've had it with your whining and bumbling! You're finished here, do you understand? Cast out! Banished! | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to Beast Man. |
| “ | You furry, flea-bitten fool, I'll cover my throne with your hide! | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to Beast Man. |
| “ | He-Man! You're a fool if you think you can stop me here. [cackles] Now we're playing in my dimension, and I make all the rules. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to He-Man. |
| “ | Zagraz: Oh, you must let me go for goodness sake. Skeletor: I never ever do anything for goodness sake. [small chuckle] Everything I do, is for the sake of evil. Zagraz: But there's some good in everybody. Skeletor: Not in this body. [laughs] When are you goody-goody fools going to understand? I am completely and utterly evil. I live to be bad! I care for no one and no one cares for me. |
„ |
| ~ Zagraz and Skeletor. |
| “ | Greetings King Randor! Unless you'd like my pet here to demolish the palace, you surrender to me immediately. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor threatens King Randor to the destroy the palace by using a Drachadon. |
| “ | At last I have the means to conquer Eternia and crush He-Man once and for all. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to his henchmen. |
| “ | In this box lies the lost Diamond Ray of Disappearance. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor shows Beast Man the box of the Diamond Ray of Disappearance. |
| “ | Skeletor: Fight you cowards! Fight. He-Man: You fight Skeletor. Skeletor: (laughs) As you wish He-Man! But now that you're close enough look at this (tries to shoot He-Man). He-Man: No thanks! But have a look for yourself (He-Man reflects the attack). Skeletor: No keep it away. |
„ |
| ~ Skeletor and He-Man fighting. |
| “ | By the powers of darkness, evil and fear, I now command He-Man's memory to now disappear! Doorway now proof that Skeletor is clever. Sweap He-Man inside you and hold him forever. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor erasing He-Mans memory and sends him to another dimension. |
| “ | Curse you all! Once I've restored Evil-Lyn and Faker I'll be back to have vengeance. So swear Skeletor. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor. |
| “ | I'm so powerful I even impress myself. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor watching his controlled dragons. |
| “ | My has worked perfectly! While He-Man and his friends are busy battling the dragon invasion, we will enter Castle Grayskull. The space portal will transport us there! Follow me. | „ |
| ~ Skeletor to his henchmen. |
| “ | Skeletor: He-Man you're a fool! you know i wouldn't have saved you. He-Man: I guess I value life more than you do, Skeletor. |
„ |
| ~ He-Man and Skeletor. |
| “ | Skeletor: Well, well, well! Trying to atone for your crimes, ah Zanthor? Why not give me the Disks? I'll give you something in return. Those long years you spent helpless in the Phantom Dimension, they must have been painful Zanthor: Yes they were. Skeletor: It was torture, wasn't it? To be invisible in the world of men! Unable to touch anyone? to speak to anyone? Zanthor: It was horrible. Skeletor: Then give me the Disks! I will free you from the Phantom Dimension forever. And together we will attack Zodac and your other enemies who put you there. Zanthor: Zodac is not my enemy! You are Skeletor. |
„ |
| ~ Skeletor trying to make Zanthor rejoin his side. |
| “ | He-Man: Alright Skeletor! You're not known for doing favours, what's the catch? Skeletor: A little demand He-Man. Man-At-Arms: We're not in mood for demands. Skeletor: You will grant this one.He-Man: What kind of demand? Skeletor: That Orko turns over the secret thing of the other dimension to me. Teela: And if we don't accept your demands? Skeletor: Then I'll unleash the electroid robot on your kingdom my dear. Man-At-Arms: We must talk this over! We will give you our answer in one hour Skeletor. Skeletor: One hour He-Man (laughs and disappears). |
„ |
| ~ Skeletor threatens to use Aremesh to destroy Eternia. |
| “ | Man-At-Arms: A solute force-field cage! Very clewer Skeletor. Skeletor: That's a high complement coming from a mind as brilliant as yours! But enough with niceties, get to work Man-At-Arms: And how do you intend to make me work? Skeletor: You want to eat don't you? When you're half starv believe me you'll do anything I say. Man-At-Arms: Good point! I was thinking on another teleporter, I suppose I could finish it. Skeletor: Splendid! But finish it on paper. I want plans, not finished products! After all you might try to teleport yourself out of here. You can use that box as a model for the teleporter! When I return I wish to see it completed. |
„ |
| ~ Skeletor forces Man-At-Arms to aid him in his evil plans. |
Trivia
- Skeletor was the first main antagonist of the Masters of The Universe franchise, the second being Hordak.
- Skeletor seems to be inspired by the Kull and Conan villain Thulsa Doom.
 Villains
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Evil Warriors Evil Horde Evil Mutants | ||
