Frequent readers of this blog know that if there is one aspect of Masters of the Universe that endlessly fascinates me, it’s the early minicomics and the concept toy designs for the brand. As I was reviewing the recent Power-Con “Lords of Power” set, I noticed that Alfredo Alcala, illustrator of the first four minicomics (or really, story books) for the series seemed to be using two different references for He-Man, in his early material. I thought it might be interesting to identify all of the reference material Alcala used, based on similarity to known prototypes and concept art.
Before I get into that, I should note some actual extant reference material that Alcala used still exists, and was shared by his son, Alfred Junior. Mattel sent Alfredo Sr. some actual toys to use as references, which were well-loved by his son. It seems that Alcala used this in later comics (he illustrated various comics for the 1983 and 1984 waves). The Teela head below is actually an early incarnation with sculpted eyelids, not present on the production toy, so that might have been used for his 1982 material (images courtesy of Alfred Alcala Jr.).
I thought I would trace the references he used in the first four minicomics by character. I’m also operating under the assumption that the order of illustration of the comics is He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, and Battle in the Clouds. That assumption is based on the evolving look of the characters and how that matches with the evolution of the character designs at Mattel. I’m also going to include some early line art that the artist did for He-Man and the Power Sword.
He-Man
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
The earliest Alcala comic, He-Man and the Power Sword, is the only one of the series to feature He-Man with his boot dagger, which shows up in several panels. The dagger shows up only in Mark Taylor’s B-sheet art, and not in any known prototypes, so the reference material at the start must have been Mark’s B-sheet. I imagine someone at Mattel told Alcala to skip the helmet, as they had decided to nix that early on. You can also see the early belt design in several panels (square center buckle, furry shorts spilling over the top). In some panels you do see the revised belt (cleaner top, round center buckle), so that might have been a running change at the 11th hour. The axe and shield are also taken directly from the B-sheet.
Early line art, not used in the final. Modified beltMark Taylor B-Sheet. Source: The Power and the Honor Foundation
In the other three comics, every depiction of He-Man seems pretty clearly based on the prototype figure shown in the “Lords of Power” slide series. The defining characteristics are: no boot dagger, no bracer on the left wrist, cleaned up belt design, x-shaped harness around the back (thanks Dušan M. for the reminder) and somewhat paler skin:
Image source: Andy YoussiSide view, in prototype Wind Raider
Skeletor
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
In all four comics, Skeletor seems to be based on both the original Mark Taylor B-sheet and on the “Lords of Power” prototype. He always has the smooth forearms of the prototype, but he also usually (but not always) has the chest straps of the B-sheet. Sometimes he has the yellow detail of either the chest (which shows up on both references) or just the shin guards (only in the B-sheet). Perhaps there was an additional transitional reference he was working from, or perhaps he simply got notes from Mattel about which arms to use, or (after the first minicomic) dropping the yellow detail on the costume. The skull is of course quite different from the “rotting face” concept. I suspect Mattel told him to replace the concept face with a skull face, and so without a reference Alcala came up with his own unique design there:
Mark Taylor concept art.Image: Super7/Power and Honor FoundationImage source: Andy YoussiImage source: The Power of He-Man/Jukka Issakainen
Teela/Sorceress
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
Teela and Sorceress change the most from comic to comic, which makes sense, given how many changes these character designs went through behind the scenes. I’m putting them together because at times their costumes and roles converge in the early Alcala comics. Technically Sorceress only appears in the first minicomic.
In He-Man and the Power Sword, Sorceress is the guardian of the two halves of the Power Sword and Teela is a wandering warrior. In King of Castle Grayskull, Teela is the guardian of Castle Grayskull, having been selected by the Castle itself for that role. By Battle in the Clouds, Teela is back to warrior duties but she’s wearing the Sorceress’ snake armor.
Images from He-Man and the Power Sword:
The reference material for both characters above is clearly Mark Taylor’s B-sheets. The one deviation is Sorceress’ face, which Alcala colored green. That may have been an oversight. Also the staff the Sorceress uses has some kind of horn design. It’s unclear why that is.
Image source: Super 7/The Power and Honor FoundationImage source: Super 7/The Power and Honor Foundation
In King of Castle Grayskull, Teela steps into the Sorceress’ role (who is never mentioned in this series again). Her costume is mainly her B-sheet design but with the Sorceress’ staff. Her boots are redder, and the hair ranges from reddish to blondish – perhaps because the hair in the B-sheet is both reddish and blondish, and the boots are somewhat ambiguous. There may have been some other lost reference material used here. Mark Taylor was also known to do several color variations of his B-sheets, so there may have been more variants that didn’t survive.
Interestingly, early line art for the final panel of that comic shows Teela with the spear from Mark Taylor’s B-sheet. In the final version, she holds the snake staff:
In The Vengeance of Skeletor, Teela looks very much like her first comic appearance (blonde hair, brown boots, with Charger), but she carries the Sorceress staff.
Finally, in Battle in the Clouds, Teela for the first time pulls from identifiably different source material – here she is based on the cross sell art that was used on the back of the action figure cards:
Beast Man
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, The Vengeance of Skeletor
In the first comic, Beast Man is depicted with red fur and a red costume with yellow medallion. In his other appearance (The Vengeance of Skeletor), he has orange fur and a red and blue costume. It’s clear that in both cases, Alcala was using Mark Taylor’s B-sheet (below for reference). But I think there must have been an all red version (with red trunks and a yellow medallion) that has unfortunately not survived.
Image source: Super 7/The Power and Honor Foundation
Man-At-Arms
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
We can see a few different references used in Alcala’s early depictions of Man-At-Arms. In the unused panel below, we see a transitional version of Man-At-Arms – something in between Mark Taylor’s first, pre-MOTU concept (labeled “Paladin” below) for the character, and his B-Sheet. Unfortunately we don’t have Mark’s transitional concept, but thankfully Alcala’s interpretation still exists. What sets this version apart is the piece of armor on his right shoulder, and the bladed rifle that he carries.
Unused Alcala panel, from The Power of Grayskull documentary Early Mark Taylor “Paladin” design Mark Taylor B-sheet
In He-Man and the Power Sword, the reference seems to almost entirely from the “Lords of Power” prototype. It has the updated belt and the colors of the prototype, as opposed to the orange boots and squared off belt of the B-sheet. In one panel he has the fur cape, which is a holdover from the earlier design and an earlier draft panel (more on that panel later).
Man-At-Arms prototype
In Man-At-Arms’ other appearances, a major reference is the cross sell art, (note the his symmetrical helmet design and monochromic boots). However, his left arm armor still extends to his fist, which was a feature of the prototype.
Mer-Man
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
In the first three appearances, Mer-Man’s art references could have just as easily been Mark Taylor’s B-sheet or Tony Guerrero’s prototype sculpt – they are essentially the same design. Regardless of source, Alcala usually illustrated Mer-Man with a lighter blue color than what appeared in the source material:
Image source: Super 7/The Power and Honor FoundationImage source: Andy YoussiImage source: The Power of Grayskull/Jukka Issakainen
In Battle in the Clouds, Alcala bases his Mer-Man on the character’s cross-sell artwork, as evidenced by the more greenish skin, simplified belt, bare feet and modified shin guards:
Stratos
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
Alcala’s Stratos illustration in the first three comics all seem to be based on Mark Taylor’s B-sheet design for the character. In the B-Sheet, Stratos seems to have gray skin, except for on his chest. Alcala may have interpreted that to mean the design wasn’t fully colored and the character was to have tan skin. Stratos also has a necklace of feathers and a large buckle at a strap near his belt.
In Battle In the Clouds, the reference changed to the updated (but still not finalized) cross sell art design:
Battle Cat
Appearances: King of Castle Grayskull, Battle in the Clouds.
Battle Cat is a surprisingly infrequent guest in the early Alcala illustrations. When he does show up he tends to have stripes on his tail, indicative of Mark Taylor’s concept art. However, it appears that the reference for Battle Cat was actually the prototype figure, which has a slightly different helmet shape than Mark’s art, as well as orange around the edges of its mouth:
Image source: Andy YoussiImage source: Super 7/The Power and Honor Foundation
Castle Grayskull
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, King of Castle Grayskull, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
The striking Castle Grayskull depicted in the early Alcala comics is always based on the prototype castle, rather than on any known concept art. The prototype (sculpted by Mark Taylor) is quite different from Mark’s previous artwork.
Imagesource: James Eatock/Andy YoussiImage Source: The Power and the Honor Foundation
Vehicles
Appearances: He-Man and the Power Sword, The Vengeance of Skeletor, Battle in the Clouds.
Alcala included various vehicles in the early comics. The earliest vehicles, included in the early line art draft of He-Man and the Power Sword, were actually Mark Taylor concept vehicles. Eventually Mark brought Ted Mayer in to the project to design the vehicles, so Alcala must have started the draft before that time. The earliest known Ted Mayer concept is an early Battle Ram design from April 7, 1981, so Alcala probably started his draft images before then.
One early vehicle in the draft minicomic was a Mark Taylor chariot design, which is being driven by Man-At-Arms below:
Early Alfredo Alcala comic panel, featuring the prototype vehicle.Image source: The Power of Grayskull documentaryMark Taylor concept vehicle. Image source: The Power and the Honor Foundation
In the final comic, that vehicle was swapped out for Ted Mayer’s concept Battle Chariot, which was also never produced. That vehicle was designed by Ted Mayer on June 5, 1981, so Alcala must have completed his work on He-Man and the Power Sword after that date.
Ted Mayer’s Battle Chariot concept
Another Mark Taylor vehicle, the Battle Catapult, shows up in Alcala’s draft below:
Image source: Rebecca Salari Taylor
In the final version of the comic, it’s replaced with the Battle Ram and the Battle Chariot:
The Battle Ram itself is (which shows up in Power Sword and Vengeance) was created referencing the prototype Battle Ram toy:
Image source: Ted Mayer
The Wind Raider shows up only in Battle In The Clouds, and is based on one of the prototypes for that vehicle (which, along with Battle Ram, was sculpted by Jim Openshaw). The prototype in question had smaller engine inlet cones and its wings were straight along the trailing edge, rather than ridged.
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Masters of the Universe Classics Mer-Man, released in April of 2009 and again as a blue variant in November of 2010, is still, for me, the best figure ever released in the Classics toyline. Part of that is certainly the painstakingly accurate reproduction of Mer-Man as he appeared in the vintage cross sell artwork, but part of it also is the shading and detail on the figure itself.
First release Classics Mer-Man in greenWith his trident weapon
Source Material
The main source material for the Classics Mer-Man (green version) is explicitly the vintage cross sell artwork. It’s nearly a perfect reproduction of that depiction, and a passion project for Eric Treadaway of the Four Horsemen. The details reproduced from the artwork include:
Color and shape of the gloves
Four-fingered hands, with open left hand
Bare feet with smooth, yellow shin guards
Yellow loin cloth
Yellow detail on face
Large eyes
Upward pointed fins on the head
Sculpted gills around the neck
Wide chest armor with enlarged spikes
More detailed sword (the Classics version is more detailed still than the source material)
Scanned by Adam McCombs
The figure was augmented beyond the source material with some colored gems on the armor and some additional shading throughout the figure. There are some nods to the vintage figure as well. The most obvious one of course, is the second head, sculpted after the vintage figure, but also the green belt, which was featured on early releases of the 1982 toy.
Vintage toy style headFirst release 1982 made in Taiwan figure
It should be noted that in some respects the Classics vintage style head is somewhat less detailed compared to the original vintage head. The vintage head has fins that terminate in individual protuberances, while the fins on the Classics head are rounded at the ends, and more closely resemble ears.
There is one nod to the 2002 Mer-Man figure as well – the trident accessory. Of course the 2002 figure is also influenced by the vintage cross sell art, particular in the head sculpt:
The blue version of Mer-Man that came packed with Aquaman is supposed to resemble Mer-Man as he appeared in the earliest minicomics illustrated by Alfredo Alcala. That version was based on early concept art by Mark Taylor and an early prototype sculpted by Tony Guerrero.
Alcala’s depiction of Mer-ManMark Taylor’s original Mer-Man B-sheet, published by Super7/The Power and the Honor Foundation. Image courtesy of Axel Giménez.
Tony Guerrero prototype Mer-Man. Image courtesy of Andy Youssi
The color scheme is similar to the minicomic version (blue skin, blue and yellow sword, full yellow boots), but it borrows wholesale the sculpt of the original green release of Mer-Man. It doesn’t have the unique boots, gloves, belt and other details of the minicomic/concept version, so it actually winds up looking like earlier versions of the cross sell artwork, which featured a blue-skinned Mer-Man:
Image courtesy of TokyoneverBlue Mer-Man
This Mer-Man also has the green belt of the vintage toy. Note also that early concept art gave Mer-Man copper/gold/ accents on parts of his costume, which didn’t end up in the minicomic artwork.
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The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (published by Dark Horse, April 28, 2015) is a celebration of He-Man from his earliest known concept drawings in 1979 to his latest 2015 evolution in modern comics and toys (images below courtesy of Jukka Issakainen).
Limited Edition printing of The Art of He-Man, with Castle Grayskull slipcover and exclusive artwork by Gerald Parel.
The focus of the book is primarily on artwork, although there is some time spent on toys. In many ways the Dark Horse book seems to take some cues from Mattel’s 2009 book, The Art of Masters of the Universe (a San Diego Comic Con exclusive). The 2009 book took a broad approach to the subject, starting with early concept artwork and moving on to cross sell artwork, box art, mini comics, the New Adventures of He-Man line, the 2002 He-Man line, the ongoing Masters of the Universe Classics adult collector line, and finishing up with some modern concept art for a potential rebooted line. The Dark Horse book follows the same general outline, but radically expands it with more than five times as much content.
The Art of He-Man was written by Tim and Steve Seeley and edited by Daniel Chabon and Ian Tucker, with contributions by Emiliano Santalucia, Joshua Van Pelt, James Eatock, Danielle Gelehrter, Val Staples, and others. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, from current and former insiders at Mattel to external collectors and experts, The Art of He-Man is able to delve deeper into the subject than the 2009 Mattel SDCC book, and expands the territory into areas like the 1983 Filmation cartoon and the 1987 live-action film.
By comparison, The Power and the Honor Foundation’s 2011 Catalog Volume One went into far greater depth on the subject of toy design, but stayed away from topics like packaging design, mini comics, and Filmation. Some of the artwork from both The Power and the Honor Foundation Catalog and the 2009 Mattel book made it into The Art of He-Man, but by no means all of it.
Early on, The Art of He-Man was slated to be much shorter, capping out at 168 pages by the beginning of chapter 10 (thanks to Jukka Issakainen for the image and the reminder):
After I believe some extensive contributions from The Power and the Honor Foundation and others, the page count was radically increased to about 320 pages total:
The Art of He-Man starts things off with some tantalizing internal memos, most of them directly or indirectly related to the creation of He-Man. One notable exception is the December 24, 1981 memo from Mark Ellis looking into the creation of a generic male action figure line for use in licensed properties. The He-Man line had already been largely created by then, and the memo seems to favor a smaller scale line of figures.
If you’re familiar with my blog, it might not surprise you that the first chapter of The Art of He-Man is my favorite, as it covers early concept designs by Mark Taylor, Ted Mayer and Colin Bailey, as well as the first He-Man prototype sculpted by Tony Guerrero. We also get to see a number of other concept drawings by Roger Sweet, Ed Watts, Mark Jones, James McElroy, David Wolfram and others. Quite a lot of the artwork in the sample below was contributed by The Power and the Honor Foundation:
About 40 pages in, the book switches gears to packaging artwork, including figure and vehicle cross sell artwork, some of it blown up gloriously large. It’s here where I get a little frustrated at the limitations of printed media, as many of these images are heavily cropped.
At about 50 pages in, the book changes focus to concept artwork for unproduced toys like He-Ro, Turbosaurus, Rotary Man, Rhino Man, Torton, and others. Some of my favorites here are the Ed Watts concepts, which were also contributed by The Power and the Honor Foundation. Watts created some really imaginative vehicle and vehicle/creature designs in full color illustrations with background scenery included.
Turbosaurus, by Ed Watts. An early incarnation of Gigantisaur. Originally via The Power and the Honor Foundation.
About 60 pages in the book begins to explore some of the painted packaging artwork that appeared on product boxes and cardbacks. We’re treated to a gorgeous, two-page spread of Rudy Obrero’s iconic Castle Grayskull illustration. We also see a great deal of artwork by prolific MOTU artists Errol McCarthy and William George. There is also the packaging illustration for Tyrantosaurus Rex artwork by Warren Hile, who painted several packaging illustrations near the tail end of the line.
At around the 70 page mark, the book changes focus to the vintage mini comics. I would say that this section had been rendered mostly redundant by the Dark Horse He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mini Comic Collection (more on that in a separate article), but this section does feature some lovely blown up pages, as well as an interview with writer Steven Grant and illustrator Larry Houston.
Speaking of interviews, The Art of He-Man is peppered with them. Interviewed subjects include:
David Wolfram
Dolph Lundgren
Earl Norem
Eric Treadaway
Erika Scheimer
Gabriel de la Torre
Gary Goddard
Joe Ferencz
Larry Houston
Paul Dini
The Power and the Honor Foundation
Rob David
Scott Neitlich
Steven Grant
Val Staples
William Stout
At the 85-page mark, the book switches focus to the subject of the Filmation He-Man series. It includes some lovely drawings from the early Filmation animated toy commercial, and development artwork and story boards for the actual series. One of my favorites is a page showing numerous early designs for Hordak. There is also included a replica animation cel and three printed backgrounds, so you can get a tangible lesson in the magic of traditional hand-drawn animation.
At 120 pages in, we turn to the subject of artwork from magazines, story books and posters. That means we’re treated to a number of large size images of artwork by the late, great Earl Norem, not to mention the fantastic William George.
Artwork by Earl Norem
Some 150 pages into the book, there is a smattering of miscellaneous subject matter, from the vintage DC comics, newspaper comic strips, Golden Books, coloring books, as well as some style guide and licensing artwork by Errol McCarthy.
At 175 pages, the book takes a very in-depth look at the 1987 Masters of the Universe motion picture, a topic not covered in the 2009 Mattel art book. This section is thick with interviews, draft scripts, and concept artwork by William Stout, Claudio Mazzoli and Ralph McQuarrie.
Ralph McQuarrie’s Man-At-Arms
The subject turns to the New Adventures of He-Man some 200 pages into the book. We get to take a peek at early attempts to relaunch He-Man as a G.I. Joe-like military hero, before designers eventually moved toward a science fiction look for the most powerful man in the universe.
New Adventures of He-Man concept, by Martin Arriola
At 219 pages we finally move on to the 21st century, with a look at the 2002 reboot of Masters of the Universe. I remember at the time I did encounter the Commemorative reissues of the vintage toys (I bought one of the five-packs immediately when I saw it at Toys ‘R’ Us), but I somehow missed the entire 2002 relaunch.
We get some great concept drawings from the Four Horsemen, including depictions of many new characters who never made it into the toyline or the cartoon series. This section also covers the Mike Young Productions cartoon, with some lovely background art, as well as an extensive look at artwork from the MVCreations comic book series. I do like the Four Horsemen’s original concept He-Man, but I’m not as fond of the anime look and oversized weapons that are peppered throughout the 2002 line. On the other hand, I absolutely adore the line’s vision for characters like Stinkor, Leech, Mer-Man and Webstor. I also find the stories in the 2002 cartoon series more compelling than the original Filmation series, although I prefer the look of the original cartoon.
Concept 2002 He-Man, by Four Horsemen Studios. Image via The Art of He-Man.
At about 250 pages in, we turn to the 2008 adult collector series, Masters of the Universe Classics. We to see some of the artwork that Rudy Obrero produced for the toyline (including his maps of Eternia and Etheria), as well as prototypes from Four Horsemen Studios. There are also maps, concept art, packaging artwork by Nate Baertsch and Axel Giménez. Tucked away in this section is also the original 1981 Wind Raider box art, which was used as a basis for the Masters of the Universe Classics version of the toy.
Classics “Alcala” style Skeletor and prototype Demo Man
The last 20 pages or so are a hodgepodge of subjects, from mobile games to social media, modern DC MOTU comics and far-out, exploratory artwork.
The Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is practically mandatory reading for any serious He-Man fan, but I there’s I think it’s broad enough to appeal even to non-collectors who merely remember He-Man with fondness.
Several sections of the book have since been expanded into separate Dark Horse books, or else are in the works:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mini Comic Collection
He-Man and She-Ra – A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe – The Newspaper Comic Strips (Available February 14, 2017)
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe – A Character Guide and World Compendium (May 16, 2017)
I hope that at some point we’ll see the subjects of vintage toy concept artwork and packaging artwork get the same treatment. The two topics could easily fill a couple of large volumes, and would be, in my opinion, required reading.
Modulok illustration for Masters of the Universe Classics, by Axel Giménez
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In my continuing quest to understand the history of the vintage Masters of the Universe toyline, I’ve put together the following timeline. It’s generally focused on toy design, drawing dates from concept artwork, internal Mattel documents, patent filings, trademark filings, and even the Masters of the Universe Bible. My goal here is to give readers a sense of how the He-Man toyline developed and evolved. I’ve also included a few dates gleaned from the CPI (Conan Properties International) vs Mattel court cases. I believe this will help put to bed the idea that He-Man started out as a Conan figure. While He-Man was certainly influenced by Conan as depicted by Frank Frazetta, the He-Man project predates Mattel’s work on the Conan property by some time.
I drew on a number of different sources in compiling this information. Those sources include:
The Power and the Honor Foundation Catalog, Vol. 1
This is by no means an exhaustive timeline. I included only those pieces of information that were dated in some way. That includes information from court cases that was assigned an approximate date, like an early 1981 date for Tony Guerrero’s He-Man prototype. That also means that undated material like Mark Taylor’s Demo Man concept or Roger Sweet’s Mekaneck concept are not included in the timeline. I could of course infer dates for this kind of material, but I wanted to avoid guessing and stick to known facts.
I also have stayed away from dates tied to media not directly related to toy production. There are many specific dates available for individual episodes of the Filmation He-Man cartoon, for instance, but that is really outside of the parameters of this particular project.
I have only included a few images of concept designs here – some of them appear in earlier posts in this blog, and almost all of them appear in the sources I drew from. Unfortunately it would not be practical to try to include all of them in this post.
Finally, I’ve included some names that were listed in the Masters of the Universe Bible. The Bible itself is dated December 1, 1982, which gives us an early (if not exact) date for at least the conceptual existence of characters like Orko (or Gorpo, as he was first named) and Jitsu (or Chopper).
Update: on December 28, 2022, I updated this post with additional dates from previous research. That includes “first use in commerce” dates from the US Trademark office, which they say means:
“A date of first use in commerce is the date when (1) the goods were first sold or transported, or the services were first rendered, under the mark in a type of commerce that may be lawfully regulated by the U.S. Congress (such as interstate commerce or commerce between the United States and a foreign country), and (2) such use was bona fide and in the ordinary course of trade.”
Update 2: On January 1, 2023 I added first newspaper ad appearance dates from this article.
Update 3(May 26, 2023): I recently noticed in a 2015 Slashfilm article about the MOTU toyline and movie, one of the people they interviewed was Joe Morrison, an EVP of Marketing at Mattel. Joe is quoted as saying:
When we got the go-ahead from management to do the original toy line, we put in an estimate of, like, $12 million in sales. Well, we didn’t even release the toy until May of that year and we wound up doing $32 million. These were significant numbers in 1982.
This supports the data that I’ve been finding that all points to a May 1982 release date for the Masters of the Universe toyline.
1971
“King of Styx” – illustration for a short story by Mark Taylor. Some elements later reused for Skeletor. Image courtesy of Rebecca Salari Taylor
1971: “The King of Styx” concept, by Mark Taylor
1979
Torak, by Mark Taylor – 1979. Image source: The Power and the Honor Foundation
1979: First Castle Grayskull sketch, by Mark Taylor 1979: Torak (very early He-Man) sketch, by Mark Taylor 08/15/1979: Category Management Teams memo
1980
December 1980: Roger Sweet’s “He-Man” trio; the barbarian figure was based on designs by Mark Taylor. Image via the Power and the Honor Foundation.
05/22/1980: Fantasy Make Believe idea disclosure form 06/11/1980: Male Action Figure attributes list 09/08/1980: Figure Attributes list 09/21/1980: Space/Monster/Fantasy Figures budgeted hours form 11/03/1980: Megaton Man project request form 11/??/1980: Work started on “He-Man trio”, Roger Sweet; Barbarian He-Man based on illustration by Mark Taylor (late November) 12/??/1980: He-Man trio presented at Mattel Product Conference (mid-December) 12/30/1980: He-Man Characters & Accessories idea disclosure form
1981
Tony Guerrero’s early 1981 He-Man prototype. Image source: Tomart’s Action Figure Digest.
1981: Bird Man (Stratos) concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Mer-Man concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Castle Grayskull concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Battle Cat concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Sensor (Zodac) concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Battle Tester/Combat Trainer concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Heroic Figure (He-Man) concept, by Mark Taylor 1981: Heroic Figure (He-Man) battles plant monster concept, by Mark Taylor 01/06/1981: He-Man Vehicles and Accessories idea disclosure form (modular vehicles) 01/23/1981: Drawing by Colin Bailey depicting Mark Taylor working on He-Man project 03/30/1981: De-Man (Skeletor) concept, by Mark Taylor 04/01/1981: Man-At-Arms concept, by Mark Taylor 04/02/1981: Tree Man (Beast Man) concept, by Mark Taylor 04/06/1981: He-Man (tan boots) concept, by Mark Taylor 04/07/1981: Battle Ram (tank treads version) concept, by Ted Mayer 04/24/1981: Memorandum urging negotiation for Conan license 04/27/1981: Revised Battle Ram concept art drawings, by Ted Mayer 05/03/1981: He-Man (red/yellow boots) concept, by Mark Taylor 05/05/1981: CPI draft licensing agreement sent 05/20/1981: Skull Castle (Castle Grayskull) Weapons Rack & Weapons by Mark Taylor 05/28/1981: Female Warrior (Teela) concept, by Mark Taylor 05/28/1981: Battle Ram control drawing, by Ted Mayer 06/03/1981: Sorceress concept, by Mark Taylor 06/05/1981: Battle Chariot concept, by Ted Mayer 07/??/1981: He-Man designed by this month, per CPI vs Mattel lawsuit 07/09/1981: Draft Skeletor toy head design document 07/14/1981: Memorandum discussing Mattel’s presentation of He-Man to Toys ‘R’ Us 07/23/1981: Tony Guerrero worked on Conan toys from this date until Sept 11, 1981 07/31/1981: CPI and Mattel entered license agreement to manufacture toys based on Conan movie 08/10/1981: Attak Trak mechanism patent filed (non-Mattel) 09/16/1981: Mer-Man sword design concept, by Mark Taylor 09/30/1981: “Proprietary Line Concepts” document (Megaton Man, Kid Gallant, Robin & The Space Hoods, Monster Fantasy/He-Man) 11/28/1981: King of Castle Grayskull published per copyright records 11/28/1981: He-Man and the Power Sword published per copyright records 11/28/1981: The Vengeance of Skeletor published per copyright records 12/08/1981: He-Man first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Battle Cat first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Battle Ram first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Beast Man first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Man-At-Arms first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Teela first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Mer-Man first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Stratos first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Wind Raider first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Zodac first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Masters of the Universe first use in commerce 12/08/1981: Filmation animated commercial retakes shot 12/14/1981: He-Man trademarked 12/14/1981: Teela trademarked 12/14/1981: Man-At-Arms trademarked 12/14/1981: Stratos trademarked 12/14/1981: Wind Raider trademarked 12/14/1981: Battle Ram trademarked 12/14/1981: Beast Man trademarked 12/14/1981: Mer-Man trademarked 12/14/1981: Zodac trademarked 12/14/1981: Masters of the Universe trademarked 12/21/1981: Battle Cat trademarked 12/21/1981: Castle Grayskull Trap Door patent filed 12/28/1981: Skeletor first use in commerce 12/28/1981: Castle Grayskull first use in commerce
1982
Attak Trak concept drawing, by Ted Mayer – Mark 23, 1982. Image courtesy of Ted Mayer
1982: Gargo/Gargoyle dragon concept, by Mark Taylor 1982: Ram Man concept, by Mark Taylor 1982: Man-E-Faces concept, by Mark Taylor 01/??/1982: Mattel requests termination of Conan license agreement 01/15/1982: Castle Grayskull trademarked 01/15/1982: Skeletor trademarked 02/17/1982: Mattel introduces new “Masters of the Universe” toy line at Toy Fair 03/01/1982: Rebate offer date in first mini comic (earliest purchase date) 03/04/1982: Attak Trak control drawing, by Ted Mayer 03/23/1982: Attak Trak concept, by Ted Mayer 04/08/1982: DC Comics: From Eternia With Death! street date. Cover date: July 1982 05/??/1982: Masters of the Universe toyline released this month, per Mattel EVP Joe Morrison 05/13/1982: Earliest known newspaper ad for MOTU 05/13/1982: First Skeletor newspaper ad 05/13/1982: First Man-At-Arms newspaper ad 05/13/1982: First He-Man newspaper ad 05/13/1982: First Beast Man newspaper ad 05/21/1982: Trap Jaw concept, by Colin Bailey 06/03/1982: First Battle Ram newspaper ad 06/03/1982: First Battle Cat newspaper ad 06/03/1982: First Castle Grayskull newspaper ad (“Castle Grey Skull”) 06/03/1982: First Stratos newspaper ad (pictured, not named) 06/03/1982: First Zodac newspaper ad (pictured, not named) 06/09/1982: First Teela newspaper ad 06/18/1982: First Stratos newspaper ad (mentioned by name) 07/05/2022: CPI and Mattel entered into a termination agreement 07/??/1982: Wasp Man (Buzz-Off) concept, by Colin Bailey 07/??/1982: Lizard Man (Whiplash) concept, by Colin Bailey 07/22/1982: First Wind Raider newspaper ad 08/08/1982: First Mer-Man newspaper ad (mentioned by name) 08/08/1982: First Zodac newspaper ad (mentioned by name) 08/26/1982: DC Comics Fate Is The Killer street date. Cover date: November 1982 09/xx/1982 – 12/xx/1982: Masters of the Universe Figures TV ads 09/xx/1982 – 12/xx/1982: Masters of the Universe Castle Grayskull TV ads 09/xx/1982 – 12/xx/1982: Masters of the Universe DC Comics scheduled run 09/21/1982: Zoar first use in commerce 09/21/1982: Ram Man first use in commerce 09/21/1982: Man-E-Faces first use in commerce 09/21/1982: Trap Jaw first use in commerce 09/21/1982: Attak Trak first use in commerce 09/21/1982: Point Dread & Talon Fighter first use in commerce 09/27/1982: Attak Trak trademarked 09/27/1982: Man-E-Faces trademarked 09/27/1982: Point Dread & The Talon Fighter trademarked 09/27/1982: Ram Man trademarked 09/27/1982: Trap Jaw trademarked 09/27/1982: Zoar trademarked 10/01/1982 – 12/21/1982: “Masters of the Universe Collection” TV ads 10/05/1982: Sultra (Evil-Lyn) concept, by Colin Bailey 10/14/1982: DC Comics The Key To Castle Grayskull street date. Cover date: January 1983 10/19/1982: Black Widow (Webstor) concept art, by Roger Sweet 10/25/1982: Castle Grayskull copyright registered 10/26/1982: Teela copyright registered 11/04/1982: Battle Ram copyright registered 11/04/1982: Beast Man copyright registered 11/04/1982: He-Man copyright registered 11/04/1982: Man-At-Arms copyright registered 11/04/1982: Mer-Man copyright registered 11/04/1982: Skeletor copyright registered 11/04/1982: Stratos copyright registered 11/04/1982: Wind Raider copyright registered 11/04/1982: Zodac copyright registered 11/11/1982: DC Comics Within These Walls… Armageddon! street date. Cover date: February 1983 11/22/1982: Tri-Klops first use in commerce 12/01/1982: Masters of the Universe Bible created. First ever character/place mentions include: Marlena, Tri-Klops, Snake Mountain, Panthor, Gorpo, Delora, Ram Man, Spy Man, Bugoff (Buzz-Off), Tri-Trak, Roton, Faker, Black Widow (Webstor) Fang Man, Chopper (Jitsu) Tornado Traveler, War Sled (evil Battle Ram), Grinder vehicle 12/07/1982: King of Castle Grayskull copyright registered 12/08/1982: He-Man and the Power Sword copyright registered 12/10/1982: Tri-Klops trademarked 12/28/1982: The Vengeance of Skeletor copyright registered
1983
Dragon Walker concept by Ed Watts, 1983. Image source: The Power and the Honor Foundation.
01/11/1983: Evil-Lyn first use in commerce 01/21/1983: Evil-Lyn trademarked 01/21/1983: Heroic Warriors trademarked 01/21/1983: Evil Warriors trademarked 02/09/1983: Panthor first use in commerce 02/09/1983: Screeech first use in commerce 02/16/1983: Panthor trademarked 02/16/1983: Screeech trademarked 02/20/1983: First Man-E-Faces newspaper ad 02/22/1983: Battle Cat copyright registered 02/25/1983: Ram Man copyright registered 02/25/1983: Man-E-Faces copyright registered 03/15/1983: Faker first use in commerce 03/28/1983: First “Buy 3 Get 1 Free” offer ad (Wun-Dar aka Savage He-Man aka Wonder Bread He-Man) 04/04/1983: Attak Trak copyright registered 04/04/1983: Faker copyright registered 04/17/1983: First Faker newspaper ad 05/11/1983: First Ram Man newspaper ad 05/13/1983: Prince Adam first use in commerce 05/23/1983: Prince Adam trademarked 05/25/1983: Faker trademarked 05/25/1983: Point Dread trademarked 05/25/1983: Talon Fighter trademarked 06/21/1983: Evil-Lyn copyright registered 06/30/1983: First Evil-Lyn newspaper ad 06/30/1983: First Tri-Klops newspaper ad 07/15/1983: First Attak Trak newspaper ad 08/04/1983: First Talon Fighter newspaper ad 08/05/1983: Mekaneck first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Fisto first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Jitsu first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Whiplash first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Clawful first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Buzz-Off first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Roton first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Road Ripper first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Stridor first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Snake Mountain first use in commerce 08/05/1983: Battle For Eternia first use in commerce 08/15/1983: Snake Mountain trademarked 08/18/1983: Webstor first use in commerce 08/22/1983: Battle For Eternia trademarked 08/22/1983: Buzz-Off trademarked 08/22/1983: Clawful trademarked 08/22/1983: Fisto trademarked 08/22/1983: Jitsu trademarked 08/22/1983: Mekaneck trademarked 08/22/1983: Road Ripper trademarked 08/22/1983: Roton trademarked 08/22/1983: Stridor trademarked 08/22/1983: Whiplash trademarked 08/28/1983: First Trap Jaw newspaper ad 09/05/1983: Filmation He-Man cartoon debuts (UK) 09/17/1983: Gyro (early Roton) concept, by Ed Watts 09/19/1983: Filmation He-Man cartoon debuts (US) 09/19/1983: Spider Attack Vehicle (early Spydor) concept, by Ed Watts 09/19/1983: Ball Buster (early Bashasaurus) concept, by Ed Watts 09/21/1983: First Screeech newspaper ad (spelled “Screech”) 09/22/1983: Zap ‘N’ Go vehicle concept, by Ted Mayer 09/22/1983: First Panthor newspaper ad 09/23/1983: First Zoar newspaper ad 09/26/1983: Dungeon concept, by Ted Mayer 09/26/1983: Filmation He-Man cartoon debuts (USA) 09/29/1983: Vehicle Launcher (very early Road Ripper) concept, by Ted Mayer 11/18/1983: Masters Playset (two towers) concept, by Ted Mayer 12/05/1983: Early Fright Zone concept, by Ed Watts 12/05/1983: Webstor trademarked 12/08/1983: Dragon concept, by Ed Watts 12/08/1983: Dragon concept (without helmet), by Ed Watts 12/08/1983: Flying Fists He-Man/Battle Armor He-Man concept, by Ted Mayer 12/14/1983: First Mekaneck newspaper ad 12/28/1983: Trap Jaw copyright registered 12/29/1983: Mekaneck patent filed 12/29/1983: Battle Armor He-Man patent filed 1983: Dragon Walker concept, by Ed Watts 1983: Snake Mountain packaging sketch, by William George 1983: Dragon Walker with Land Shark packaging sketch, by William George
1984
Torton, by Ed Watts – February 9, 1984. Image source: The Power and the Honor Foundation
01/06/1984: Kobra Khan first use in commerce 01/06/1984: Battle Armor first use in commerce 01/10/1984: Dragon Walker patent filed 01/13/1984: Tri-Klops copyright registered 01/25/1984: First Road Ripper newspaper ad 01/27/1984: Battle Armor trademarked 01/27/1984: Kobra Khan trademarked 01/27/1984: The Fright Zone trademarked 02/09/1984: Torton concept, by Ed Watts 02/16/1984: Road Ripper copyright registered 03/11/1984: First Battle Armor He-Man newspaper ad 03/11/1984: First Battle Armor Skeletor newspaper ad 03/11/1984: First Roton newspaper ad 03/22/1984: First Prince Adam newspaper ad 03/22/1984: First Orko appearance in stores (costumed actor- unclear if that means toy was available) 03/29/1984: Hordak concept, by Ted Mayer 04/20/1984: Point Dread & Talon Fighter copyright registered 04/20/1984: Roton copyright registered 04/28/1984: First Buzz-Off newspaper ad 04/28/1984: First Whiplash newspaper ad 04/30/1984: Mekaneck copyright registered 04/30/1984: Stridor copyright registered 05/07/1984: Buzz-Off copyright registered 05/07/1984: Whiplash copyright registered 05/11/1984: First Dragon Walker newspaper ad 05/15/1984: Battle Armor He-Man copyright registered 06/01/1984: Horned helmet warrior woman concept, by Ted Mayer 06/03/1984: TM action figure concept, by Ted Mayer 06/03/1984: First Snake Mountain newspaper ad 06/03/1984: First Stridor newspaper ad 06/06/1984: Modular Man (Multi-Bot) concept, by Ted Mayer 06/07/1984: Horde Octopus Woman (Octavia) concept, by Ted Mayer 06/15/1984: Snout Spout concept, by Ted Mayer 06/15/1984: Dragon Walker copyright registered 06/18/1984: Walking skull vehicle concept, by Jim Keifer 06/19/1984: Early Megator concept, by Ted Mayer 07/06/1984: Chest cannon He-Man concept, by Ted Mayer 07/06/1984: Multi-Bot concept, by Ted Mayer 07/07/1984: Chest monster Skeletor concept, by Ted Mayer 07/07/1984: Transparent Man (Roboto) concept, by Ted Mayer 07/07/1984: Jester figure (Acrobad) concept, by Ted Mayer 07/08/1984: Vulture figure concept, by Ted Mayer 07/08/1984: Rotary Man (early Hurricane Hordak) concept, by Ted Mayer 07/08/1984: Horde Mummy concept, by Ted Mayer 07/08/1984: Stilt Stalkers concept, by Ted Mayer 07/08/1984: Helicopter accessory and Claw Climbing accessory concepts,, by Ted Mayer 07/08/1984: Jet Sled (close to final) concept, by Ted Mayer 07/09/1984: Handsome and Basher concepts, by Ted Mayer 07/10/1984: Megalaser concept, by Ted Mayer 07/10/1984: Octavia (colored) concept, by Ted Mayer 07/12/1984: Tung Lashor concept, by Ted Mayer 07/13/1984: Snout Spout concept, by Ted Mayer 07/13/1984: Masters Gigor concept, by Ed Watts 07/13/1984: Fright Fighter Concept, by Ed Watts 07/13/1984: Mantor (Mantisaur) concept, by Ed Watts 07/13/1984: Battle For Eternia game concept, by Ed Watts 07/13/1984: Attack Pose Panthor concept, by Ed Watts 07/13/1984: Dart (Laser Bolt) concept, by Ed Watts 07/13/1984: Ted Mayer unproduced concepts: Big Foot, Snowman, Green Witch, Archer Woman 07/13/1984: Ed Watts unproduced concepts: Cyclo Marauder, War Wing, Monster Walker, Dungeon, Tyroar, Disc Blaster 07/15/1984: Turbosaurus (early Gigantosaur) concept, by Ed Watts 07/16/1984: Weapons Factory concept, by Jim Keifer 07/22/1984: Land Shark & Battle Armor Skeletor packaging sketch, by William George 08/03/1984: First Fisto newspaper ad 08/30/1984: Land Shark first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Stinkor first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Hordak first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Leech first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Mantenna first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Grizzlor first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Spikor first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Two Bad first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Spydor first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Fright Zone first use in commerce 08/30/1984: Thunder Punch He-Man first use in commerce 09/09/1984: First Webstor newspaper ad 09/10/1984: Grizzlor trademarked 09/10/1984: Hordak trademarked 09/10/1984: The Horde trademarked 09/10/1984: Land Shark trademarked 09/10/1984: Leech trademarked 09/10/1984: Mantenna trademarked 09/10/1984: Spikor trademarked 09/10/1984: Spydor trademarked 09/10/1984: Stinkor trademarked 09/10/1984: Thunder Punch trademarked 09/10/1984: Two Bad trademarked 09/15/1984: Canyon Hopper concept, by Ed Watts 09/18/1984: Motorized walking monster armor concept, by Ed Watts 09/24/1984: Dragon Fly (Fright Fighter) concept, by Ed Watts 09/27/1984: First Weapons Pak newspaper ad 09/27/1984: First Clawful (misspelled “Clawfall”) newspaper ad 09/29/1984: Transforming figure concept, by Ed Watts 10/03/1984: Firepower Man (Rio Blast) concept, by Ed Watts 10/12/1984: Clawful and Buzz-Off mentioned as popular toys in newspaper story 10/24/1984: First Kobra Khan newspaper ad 10/25/1984: First Orko newspaper ad (actual toy) 11/08/1984: Dragon Blaster Skeletor first use in commerce 11/08/1984: Modulok first use in commerce 11/08/1984: Battle Bones first use in commerce 11/08/1984: Night Stalker first use in commerce 11/08/1984: The Evil Horde first use in commerce 11/08/1984: Bashasaurus first use in commerce 11/13/1984: Land Shark patent filed 11/18/1984: First Jitsu newspaper ad 11/23/1984: Bashasaurus trademarked 11/23/1984: Night Stalker trademarked 11/23/1984: The Evil Horde trademarked 11/29/1984: Battle Armor Skeletor copyright registered 12/01/1984: Engine Man (Dragstor) concept, by Ed Watts 12/07/1984: Moss Man first use in commerce 12/11/1984: Conan Properties, Inc. v. Mattel Inc. lawsuit 12/14/1984: Battle Bones patent filed 12/14/1984: Sy-Klone patent filed 12/17/1984: Mantenna patent filed 12/19/1984: Dragon Blaster trademarked 12/19/1984: Modulok trademarked 12/19/1984: Moss Man trademarked 12/24/1984: Two Bad patent filed 12/24/1984: Jitsu copyright registered 12/24/1984: Kobra Khan copyright registered 12/24/1984: Clawful copyright registered 12/24/1984: Webstor copyright registered 12/28/1984: Battle Bones trademarked 1984: Mantisaur concept variations/for “New Ventures” 1984: Battle Armor Skeletor & Panthor packaging sketch, by William George 1984: Dragon Blaster Skeletor packaging sketch, by William George 1984: Jaws I, Jaws III, various unproduced concept vehicles for “New Ventures”
1985
Eternia sketch, by Ted Mayer
01/03/1985: Roboto patent filed 01/03/1985: Thunder Punch He-Man patent filed 01/04/1985: Bashasaurus patent filed 01/13/1985: First Land Shark newspaper ad 01/24/1985: First Moss Man newspaper ad 01/24/1985: First Stinkor newspaper ad 01/31/1985: Snake Mountain copyright registered 02/05/1985: Wolf head Eternia concept, by Ted Mayer 02/25/1985: Battle Bones copyright registered 02/26/1985: Early Blast Attak concept, by Mark Jones 02/28/1985: First Roboto newspaper ad 02/28/1985: First Two Bad newspaper ad 02/28/1985: “Tongue Lasher” (Tung Lashor) concept art by Martin Arriola and Pat Dunn 03/04/1985: Pre-Production Early Rio Blast Guns Rough Pencil Concept by John Hollis 03/14/1985: “Tongue Lasher” (Tung Lashor) illustration by John Hollis 03/18/1985: “Tongue Lasher” (Tung Lashor)”Dragonfly Compound Bow” concept art by John Hollis 03/29/1985: Seaman (Scubattack) concept, by Alan Tyler 03/31/1985: First Bashasaurus newspaper ad 03/31/1985: First Battle Bones newspaper ad 04/05/1985: Fright Zone puppet tooling method patent filed 04/18/1985: Heroic Giant (Tytus) concept, by Alan Tyler 04/22/1985: Fisto copyright registered 05/03/1985: Tung Lashor “Dragonfly Compound Bow” concept art by John Hollis 05/22/1985: Land Shark copyright registered 05/22/1985: Bashasaurus copyright registered 05/22/1985: Roboto copyright registered 05/22/1985: Two Bad copyright registered 05/30/1985: First Spikor newspaper ad 05/30/1985: Sy-Klone first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Flying Fists He-Man first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Terror Claws Skeletor first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Rokkon first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Stonedar first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Rattlor first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Tung Lashor first use in commerce 05/30/1985: Laser Bolt first use in commerce 06/01/1985: First Spydor newspaper ad 06/14/1985: First Night Stalker newspaper ad 06/14/1985: Laser Bolt trademarked 06/14/1985: Terror Claws trademarked 06/15/1985: Gyrattacker concept, by Ted Mayer 06/17/1985: Flying Fists trademarked 06/17/1985: Rattlor trademarked 06/17/1985: Rokkon trademarked 06/17/1985: Stonedar trademarked 06/17/1985: Sy-Klone trademarked 06/17/1985: Tung Lashor trademarked 06/19/1985: Eternia blueprint by John Hollis 06/24/1985: Slime Pit trademarked 07/08/1985: Spydor patent filed 07/25/1985: Slasher/Punjab concept, by Roger Sweet 08/08/1985: First Dragon Blaster Skeletor newspaper ad (implied) 08/08/1985: First Hordak Newspaper ad (costumed actor appearance) 08/08/1985: First Thunder Punch He-Man newspaper ad 08/20/1985: First Grizzlor newspaper ad 08/20/1985: First Hordak newspaper ad (actual toy) 08/20/1985: First Leech newspaper ad 08/20/1985: First Mantenna newspaper ad 08/25/1985: First Dragon Blaster Skeletor newspaper ad (explicitly shown) 08/30/1985: First Sy-Klone newspaper ad 09/04/1985: Triceratops (very early Bionatops) concept, by Mark Jones 09/04/1985: Turbodactyl concept, by Mark Jones 09/09/1985: Horde Slurb concept, by Mark Jones 09/13/1985: Unproduced Alan Tyler concepts: Dragon Lord, Sorcerer, Steel Kill 09/13/1985: Laser Bolt patent filed 09/14/1985: First Fright Zone newspaper ad 09/16/1985: Secrets of Grayskull “New Notes” document (Grayskull Tower/King Hiss/etc.) 09/22/1985: Early Jet Sled concept, by Ted Mayer 09/25/1985: Horde Trooper patent filed 09/27/1985: King Hiss patent filed 09/27/1985: Megalaser patent filed 09/28/1985: First Modulok newspaper ad 10/04/1985: Fright Zone patent filed 10/10/1985: Grizzlor copyright registered 10/10/1985: Mantenna copyright registered 10/10/1985: Moss Man copyright registered 10/10/1985: Spikor copyright registered 10/10/1985: Spydor copyright registered 10/10/1985: Sy-Klone copyright registered 10/10/1985: Thunder Punch He-Man copyright registered 10/11/1985: Hurricane Hordak patent filed 10/16/1985: Modulok copyright registered 10/17/1985: Secrets of Grayskull Preliminary Story Background (Eternia/King Hiss/etc.) 11/04/1985: Medusa-Man (Snake Face) concept, by David Wolfram 11/06/1985: Snake Men first use in commerce 11/06/1985: Snout Spout first use in commerce 11/06/1985: Multi-Bot first use in commerce 11/06/1985: Horde Trooper first use in commerce 11/06/1985: Mantisaur first use in commerce 11/12/1985: Horde Trooper trademarked 11/12/1985: Mantisaur trademarked 11/12/1985: Multi-Bot trademarked 11/12/1985: Snake Men trademarked 11/12/1985: Snout Spout trademarked 11/12/1985: Leech copyright registered 11/21/1985: Tyrantisaurus concept, by David Wolfram 11/22/1985: Blasterhawk first use in commerce 11/25/1985: Laser Bolt copyright registered 11/25/1985: Hordak copyright registered 11/25/1985: Fright Zone copyright registered 11/26/1985: Crack-Pot (Blast Attak) concept, by Richard Lepik 12/06/1985: Streak concept, by Alan Tyler 12/09/1985: Rio Blast first use in commerce 12/09/1985: Extendar first use in commerce 12/12/1985: Blasterhawk trademarked 12/16/1985: Evil Giant (Megator) concept, by Alan Tyler 1985: “The Slime Pit” finished painting, by William George 1985: Hurricane Hordak pencils, by William George 1985: Flying Fists He-Man pencils, by William George
1986
Rokkon/Stonedar patent illustration – filed January 14, 1986
01/09/1986: Extendar trademarked 01/09/1986: Rio Blast trademarked 01/11/1986: First Laser Bolt Newspaper ad 01/11/1986: First Slime Pit Newspaper ad 01/14/1986: Rokkon/Stonedar patent filed 01/15/1985: Triceratops (Bionotops) concept, by David Wolfram 01/17/1986: John Hollis “Terror-Dactyl” (Turbodactyl) concept 02/02/1986: First Rokkon newspaper ad 02/02/1986: First Stonedar newspaper ad 02/11/1986: Rokkon copyright registered 02/11/1986: Stonedar copyright registered 02/12/1986: First Flying Fists He-Man newspaper ad 02/12/1986: First Terror Claws Skeletor newspaper ad 02/21/1986: First King Hiss newspaper ad (figure coming in April) 02/21/1986: First Rattlor newspaper ad (figure coming in April) 02/21/1986: First Tung Lashor newspaper ad (figure coming in April) 03/07/1986: Fright Fighter first use in commerce 03/07/1986: Stilt Stalkers first use in commerce 03/15/1986: Comet Warriors trademarked 03/21/1986: Battle For Eternia (game) trademarked 03/21/1986: Fright Fighter trademarked 03/21/1985: John Hollis Rio Blast Fold Out Arm Blaster drawing 03/21/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Early Rio Blast Arm Blaster 03/24/1986: Stilt Stalker trademarked 04/07/1986: Eternia first use in commerce 04/07/1986: Jet Sled first use in commerce 04/16/1985: John Hollis Rio Blast Pre-Production Chest Gun Sketch 04/18/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Rio Blast Backpack Gun and Concept Sketches 04/18/1985: John Hollis Rio Blast Backpack Gun control drawing 04/23/1986: First Dragstor newspaper ad 05/01/1986: First King Hiss newspaper ad (figure listed as available) 05/03/1985: Mike McKittrick Pre-Production Eternia Playset Blueprint of Parts Layout 05/10/1986: First Rattlor newspaper ad (figure listed as available) 05/10/1986: First Tung Lashor newspaper ad (figure listed as available) 05/11/1986: First Mantisaur newspaper ad 05/12/1986: Flying Fists He-Man copyright registered 05/12/1986: Rattlor copyright registered 05/12/1986: Tung Lashor copyright registered 05/12/1986: Mantisaur copyright registered 05/13/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Rio Blast Leg Control Drawing 05/14/1986: The Multiples (heroic) concept, by James McElroy 05/16/1986: Monstroid first use in commerce 05/19/1986: Terror Claws Skeletor copyright registered 05/28/1986: Snout Spout copyright registered 05/28/1986: Dragstor copyright registered 06/03/1986: First Blasterhawk newspaper ad 06/05/1986: Sorceress first use in commerce 06/05/1986: Mosquitor first use in commerce 06/05/1986: Buzz-Saw Hordak first use in commerce 06/09/1986: Tower Tools/Cliff Climber/Scubattack mechanism patent filed 06/12/1985: John Hollis “Snake Tower” Eternia sketch 06/14/1986: Sticky Minions concept, by James McElroy 06/14/1986: Spider People Centiped concept, by James McElroy 06/15/1986: The Multiples (evil) concept, by James McElroy 06/16/1986: Recording Sound Playset concept, by James McElroy 06/18/1986: Spider People Tarantula concept, by James McElroy 06/19/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eternia Playset Near-Final Copy with Color Marker 06/20/1986: The Lockers concept, by James McElroy 06/20/1986: Skeletor Dragon Disguise concept, by James McElroy 06/20/1986: The Slime Monster concept, by James McElroy 06/20/1986: Gwildor concept, by Alan Tyler (based on movie designs) 06/23/1986: Rotar/Twistoid patent filed 06/23/1986: Eternia trademarked 06/23/1986: Grayskull (He-Ro early name) trademarked (canceled) 06/23/1986: Jet Sled trademarked 06/23/1986: Monstroid trademarked 06/23/1986: Buzz-Saw trademarked 06/23/1986: Mosquitor trademarked 06/23/1986: Sorceress trademarked 06/23/1986: Meteorbs trademarked 06/23/1986: Cometroid trademarked 06/23/1986: Ty-Grrr trademarked 06/23/1986: Astro Lion trademarked 06/23/1986: Comet Cat trademarked 06/23/1986: Tuskor trademarked 06/23/1986: Dinosorb trademarked 06/23/1986: Crocobite trademarked 06/23/1986: Rhinorb trademarked 06/23/1986: Orbear trademarked 06/23/1986: Gore-Illa trademarked 06/29/1986: The Optimagic concept, by James McElroy 06/30/1986: The Voice concept, by James McElroy 07/09/1986: Giant Foot Print Trap concept, by James McElroy 07/09/1986: Net Trap concept, by James McElroy 07/13/1986: Gyrattacker patent filed 07/15/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eterna Playset Center Tower Gun Control Drawing 07/18/1986: First Jet Sled newspaper ad 07/18/1986: First Megalaser newspaper ad 07/18/1986: First Stilt Stalkers newspaper ad 07/24/1984: Ed Watts Pre-Production Fright Fighter “Dragonfly” (Fright Fighter) Concept Photo 07/29/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eternia Playset Snake Tower Strut Concept Details 08/02/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eternia Playset Center Tower Strut Drawing 08/04/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eternia Playset Elevator Crank Control Drawing 08/05/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eternia Playset Elevator Lift Platform Blueprint 08/01/1986: King Hiss copyright registered 08/07/1986: Horde Trooper copyright registered 08/15/1985: John Hollis Pre-Production Eternia Playset Grappling Hook Control Drawing 08/18/1986: Slime Pit copyright registered 08/18/1986: Extendar copyright registered 08/22/1986: Rio Blast copyright registered 08/24/1986: First Snout Spout newspaper ad 09/10/1986: First Hurricane Hordak newspaper ad 09/16/1986: Blast Attak patent filed 09/17/1986: Tyrantisaurus Rex first use in commerce 09/17/1986: Bionatops first use in commerce 09/17/1986: Gigantisaur first use in commerce 09/22/1986: Bionotops trademarked 09/22/1986: Gigantisaur trademarked 09/22/1986: Powers of Grayskull trademarked 09/22/1986: Tyrantisaurus Rex trademarked 09/28/1986: First Fright Fighter newspaper ad 09/30/1986: Turbodactyl first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Blast-Attak first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Gwildor first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Rotar first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Twistoid first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Cliff Climber first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Scubattack first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Tytus first use in commerce 09/30/1986: Eldor first use in commerce 10/xx/1986: He-Man military pitch, by Stephen Lee 10/06/1986: Eldor trademarked 10/06/1986: Rotar trademarked 10/06/1986: Turbodactyl trademarked 10/06/1986: Twistoid trademarked 10/06/1986: Tytus trademarked 10/07/1986: Blast-Attak trademarked 10/07/1986: Gwildor trademarked 10/11/1986: First Meteorbs newspaper ad 10/11/1986: First Multi-Bot newspaper ad 10/14/1986: Cliff Climber trademarked 10/14/1986: Scubattack trademarked 10/23/1986: First Monstroid newspaper ad 10/28/1986: Mosquitor copyright registered 10/28/1986: Ninjor copyright registered 10/28/1986: Scare Glow copyright registered 10/28/1986: Sorceress copyright registered 10/28/1986: Sssqueeze copyright registered 11/05/1986: First Extendar newspaper ad 11/05/1986: First Rio Blast newspaper ad 11/08/1986: First Horde Trooper newspaper ad 11/10/1986: Blast-Attak copyright registered 11/17/1986: H.E./M.A.N. concept, by James McElroy 11/23/1986: First Eternia Playset newspaper ad 11/27/1986: First Beam Blaster & Artilleray newspaper ad 11/27/1986: First Mosquitor newspaper ad 11/27/1986: First Ninjor newspaper ad 11/27/1986: First Scare Glow newspaper ad 11/27/1986: First Snake Face newspaper ad 12/09/1986: First Clamp Champ newspaper ad 12/09/1986: First King Randor newspaper ad 12/09/1986: First Faker (reissue) newspaper ad
1987
Megator concept, by Mark Jones, based on Mark Taylor’s Demo-Man concept – 1987. Image source: The Art of He-Man/The Power and the Honor Foundation
01/21/1987: The Evil Horde Slime copyright registered 01/28/1987: Snake Face copyright registered 02/02/1987: Artilleray copyright registered 02/02/1987: Beam Blaster copyright registered 02/02/1987: Blasterhawk copyright registered 03/14/1987: First Tyrantisaurus Rex newspaper ad 03/21/1987: First Blast Attak newspaper ad 03/21/1987: First Sorceress newspaper ad 03/21/1987: First Sssqueeze newspaper ad 04/04/1987: First Bionatops newspaper ad 04/04/1987: First Turbodactyl newspaper ad 04/15/1987: Saurod first use in commerce 04/15/1987: Megator first use in commerce 04/27/1987: Saurod trademarked 04/27/1987: Megator trademarked 04/28/1987: Bionatops copyright registered 04/28/1987: Turbodactyl copyright registered 05/18/1987: Laser Power He-Man concept art, by David Wolfram, based on design by Martin Arriola 06/22/1987: Regular Bio-Mechazoid Skeletor (early Laser Light) concept, by David Wolfram 08/08/1987: First Blade newspaper ad 08/08/1987: First Gwildor newspaper ad 08/08/1987: First Saurod newspaper ad 08/18/1987: Bio-Mechazoid Skeletor (revised Laser Light) concept, by David Wolfram 11/11/1987: First Buzz-Saw Hordak newspaper ad 11/11/1987: First Rotar newspaper ad 11/11/1987: First Twistoid newspaper ad 1987: Megator concept/based on Mark Taylor’s Demo-Man, colored by Mark Jones
Thanks to Shawn for pointing me towards the CPI vs Mattel material.
“Death of Mark Taylor From Night Visitation.” Artwork by Colin Bailey, January 23, 1981. Given to Mark when he was working on his “dark project” (He-Man). Image courtesy of Rebecca Salari Taylor.
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