Skeletor's Origin - Charming Wizard To Maniacal Monstrosity - Complicated Backstory Explained

[@bradrankin844]

I love the original being a child of the 80s myself. But I also really like the unpublished version that you found! Thanks so much for a walk down memory lane!!! Keep up the AMAZING work👍👍👍👍

[@amarmehta01]

Rankin? As in Rankin Bass Productions??

[@bradrankin844]

@@amarmehta01 I have no idea what your talking about sorry.

[@christopherharper9932]

AH MAY ZEENG

[@simondavidwooliscroft7673]

Child of the 80's myself too.

[@bryantherocker]

They should have brought Back the Original Skeletor's Voice Actor, with all his one liners.

[@musicjunkie7549]

I love the idea of Keldor and Randor being brothers..That would makes sense for Skeletor wanting to rule Eternia

[@daviddutch2258]

It's what I always thought as a kid.. Hemans uncle.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Yes, that could have been a better animated plot than Kevin Smith's mess.

[@rockstarphantom8112]

I like it but not the thought of him and He-Man being related. But then again I've always preferred the movie version of He-Man; no secret identity, he's just the local champion.

[@comicbookreviewer4856]

The way I always wanted to do Keldor Race the Gar on Roman Britain and have it that Adi instead of being a identity used by King Hiss would of been the Emperor and would end up being my take on Scare Glow and Skeletor grandfather and Saryn father as well as having British actors for the Gar

[@nyxurich8959]

To bad it's not canon though... Skeletor was part of the horde...

[@dravenvandross8281]

Skeletor is one of the all-time greatest cartoon villains ever and definitely part of my childhood Skeletor rules.

[@bschuler6216]

Skeletor vs. Mum-Ra

[@kmalm4776]

@@bschuler6216 Skeletor, by personal preference and I'll assume this is a common opinion, I haven't hear that many talk about Mum-ra.

[@djokadjokovic7771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWetkGNth72jjtE

[@gregoreisenhorn5093]

I liked the original 80's cartoon but loved how they did the 2002 one. Keldor was a legitimate badass able to go sword to sword with anyone, getting the acid in the face was great and seeing Hordak grant him his life at a price was fantastic. That Skeletor was then able to fight both He-Man and Randor at the same time only added to the excellence. I watched it with my son who lately and he loves it too. Timeless classics.

[@djokadjokovic7771]

Filmation He-Man is a TOY. He was created in a TV cartoon that was the most awful POS cartoon ever put on TV. There was not a single good story on that show, ever. And no good action, ever. There was nothing about it that was good. Ot was just a 30 minute commercial for toys.

[@OctasLP]

@@djokadjokovic7771 Well I like the old show is better than whole new shit. Guess what brainiac it a show made it for children and not specially for adults and always have positive messages for children. The drawings are better this typical american comics style I like more than the other stuff creating to rise again the brand. I like the old show exactly how is created

[@djokadjokovic7771]

@@OctasLP kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWetkGNth72jjtE

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

@@djokadjokovic7771 While I enjoyed the original He-Man as a child, the 2002 version is the more superior one, in my opinion.

[@dianaprince6743]

Are you still around?

[@davesmith7432]

The toys were well made. They were detailed and tough! They took years of abuse from us kids of the 80s. Strangely, one of the things I remember most about them was their smell. All the toys from Mattel had a distinct smell, especially when they were brand new.

[@Tjockisknut]

Stinklor, ye he was really a stinking toy :)

[@Alan6505smith]

Had mine well into the 90s as well. Great toys.

[@kri249]

Stinkor definitely had a scent to him. I love how they went all out with toys back then. Even with Transformers how some even had metal components to them.

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

One of the coolest villains ever, he was especially cool in the mini comics and never gave up trying to defeat Heman...I love the rivalry and connection he had to Hordak as well 💀

[@hneugiii1245]

Frank Langella as Skelator is probably the best cartoon to live action adoption ever. As a kid I thought he was awesome and still enjoy it today. Frank Langella is the reason to watch the live action movie.

[@Leaglestalon]

I have enjoyed He-man since i was young but I actually did enjoy the reboot where He was shown officially as Keldor. It had a actual building of characters to the whole arc..Sadly they cut it short but was enjoying seeing so much more vivid look at the world building itself and Skeletor as a true antagonist. He had a more equal footing with He-man than I seen in other versions.

[@jamesbaggett7223]

Exactly...he was still a snarky character but could rumble toe-to-toe with HM

[@djokadjokovic7771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWetkGNth72jjtE

[@dianaprince6743]

Are you still around?

[@thebrownbaldy]

The backstory at 4:43 caught my attention the most. He-man's concept was derived from Conan originally and that backstory would've been awesome to adapt.

[@lucascoval828]

Would be interesting if the new live action film decides to go in that direction.

[@actionpssthead2979]

Shhh.. Don't let Disney hear you they'll ruin another franchise 🤫

[@jasonsantos3037]

Yeah skeleton was based off of a Villain from Conan called false doom

[@kri249]

That's why you have snake mountain and king hiss. The symbology of snakes relates to stygia and its sorcery stemming from Set worship from the Conan novels.

[@roccoguglielmi4040]

@@jasonsantos3037 Thulsa Doom

[@Sanjaytherealist]

I was a huge fan of the 80's cartoon, but my favorite version of him was in the 2002 reboot.

[@djokadjokovic7771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWetkGNth72jjtE

[@FakeJake5843]

Same

[@yamilbrito9324]

The origin from the cartoon “ Masters of the Universe” was my favorite. It gave him, a great line, being a great swordsman and best friend to the back then Prince. It also gave an out look to why his face looks the way it does without too many contradictions or fairy tales, it was poison and he was dying, plane and simple, Hodak saves him and grants him new powers, now you have Skeletor.

[@Kobalt_Rax_the_one]

Yea the 2002 cartoon version ? that is my favorite series too and it seems the new show will continue that version from 2002

[@myturn1274]

The wiki rabbit hole of he-man and skeletor’s backstories is a beautiful affirmation of a life not meaningless

[@arthas640]

I always love it when a franchise just sets a dedicated nerd lose on their characters backstories and you wind up with background characters with Tolkien level backstories

[@muttipi]

@@arthas640 star wars novel writers giving glup shitto, the lip lop that shows up in one frame of episode 10, a 400 page backstory about his many war crimes and religious journey to atone for his sins.

[@tiggerthemighty8279]

Skeletor's like The Joker. No one knows how he became what he is, even himself. And even if he did, he'd never reveal the truth...

[@tonybush8237]

Unless of course you talk to the creators. In which case he is an extra dimensional demon. The Keldor thing is speculation and fan service and isn't Canon to the original back story. It was a cool variation in the 200x series but kinda cheese. Revelation confirmed that he is once again a demon from a different dimension, thank Zoar

[@tiggerthemighty8279]

@@tonybush8237 I liked my joke more than your facts. But that doesn't mean I find fault with them.

[@tonybush8237]

@Tigger TheMighty jokes usually have a punchline my dude lol

[@DanRyzESPUK]

​@tonybush8237 sorry, but wrong. They were preparing him to become Adam's uncle in plenty of comics.

[@TomE.V.]

Oh boy! I've been watching He Man videos all day. Now this pops up! What a great day!

[@bespokestylingu.k4199]

KZbin knows your every move

[@JovhonteFirstOfHisName]

Hes the strongest skeleton I've ever seen 😂. Born in 83 so definitely one of my favorite shows going up.

[@RickGamesNow]

Skeletor has more origin stories than the Joker.

[@arthas640]

Skeletor: "Would you like to know how I got these scars?" He Man: "actually yeah, but I was afraid to ask. Like seriously bro, _what happened to your goddamn face?"_ Skeletor: "well-" He Man: "and how do you have a bodybuilder physic but just a skull?"

[@Mangolite]

How interesting that Skeletor is now being voiced by Mark Hamill, the voice behind some of the most iconic animated Joker series.

[@muttipi]

@@arthas640 He is simply built different

[@BklynBabe]

Plot twist: Skeletor IS the joker.

[@rbrache85]

Skeleton: “If I am going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice.”

[@eddiegusslerii7975]

My mother wrote a script for an episode of he-man when I was very little and sent it to them. They responded that they liked it but the show had been cancelled for a few years or so. So I was oh-so-close to being able to say my mom made an episode of my favorite show 😂.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

To Skeletor! Easily one of the Big Bads of the 80s, worthy of his continued popularity and iconography to this very day!!!

[@BlackSuperman2099]

I like the 200X series the best. It introduced and/or explained many ingenious concepts. To me, that series has the best origin story for Skeletor. I hope it's carried over & expounded upon in the upcoming "Revelation" series.

[@HisRoyalMajestyKingofWeedshire]

This aged poorly.

[@gamoratitan]

Are you still around?

[@BlackSuperman2099]

@@gamoratitan Why are you still stalking me after all this time?

[@IBESMusic94]

Skeletor looking like he living in Chicago with his 2 kids and wife V

[@franknstein33]

Skeletor was the Original "I'll Be Back" poster child 💀

[@keyopronin4134]

Damn, your Statement is Gospel.

[@CascadeFreak]

*HEROIC!* Skeletor, He-Man series, circa 1981

[@mnoell35]

Damn near all those characters could have competed in the “Mr. Olympia.”

[@sonic-bb]

That's the 70s and 80s for ya

[@Siderite]

I want a He-man film where he temporarily gets sucked into Skeletor's dimension and everyone there looks like Skeletor and consider He-man a monstrous and ugly being.

[@MarvelousVideos]

**Bangs the Gavel** PROJECT FUNDED!

[@johnbush5347]

@@MarvelousVideos don't say that unless you really gonna do it

[@joslyncarter4813]

That *would* be interesting.

[@yoda908]

All I know is yeah the live action movie flopped; it did an amazing job with the budget that was given. I would honestly love to see the original script before being edited for budget reasons actually get made. The whole cast was perfect and both Lundgren and Langella both were amazing in their roles. Even though Langella stole the show. I'm just curious now on how Cringer would've looked.

[@Karateka1973]

I agree that this movie was a flop, but fortunately the Flash Gordon movie of the 80's wins the award for The Most Absolutely Trash Comic Movie of the 80's

[@djokadjokovic7771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWetkGNth72jjtE

[@TheRealJPhillips]

Ppl give the live action film a bad Rapp. I say it's a masterpiece.

[@ronaldomontora2449]

Facts

[@porshprix4286]

I liked it too.

[@ryanbrown938]

CLASSIC!!!

[@rockstarphantom8112]

A Cannon staple and the best Skeletor.

[@Ryan-xn3mt]

My favorite origins would be Skeletor being the long lost brother of King Randor.

[@jamesricker3997]

It would be and even better origin if he was the firstborn and rightful King and Randor stole the throne

[@gideonmele1556]

It’s all because of the face *sad

[@gamoratitan]

Are you still around?

[@simondavidwooliscroft7673]

My favourite was always the 1980's one from He-Man and The Masters of the Universe. As well as evil as can be he was also entertaining at times! He would perceive the absurdity of a situation and comment on it. He was often very emotional and his feelings and actions were understandable, though impossible to condone. As a villain, he was very well cast.

[@usamazahid3882]

Impressive. I can't wait for Megatron/Galvatron origins Explained.

[@CommodoreFloopjack78]

I remember collecting all the figures and watching every episode of the cartoon as a kid. And I effectively managed to drag my parents to the theater to see the film four times.

[@superermac55]

I wish we got to see that unpublished origin mentioned in the Masters of the mutliverse Series. It sounds like a fun alternate universe version of heman and skeletor and it just wouldve been something cool to explore for an issue

[@CommanderBohn]

There can never be too many Skeletor origins. Edit: HE IS NOT NICE!!!

[@relativeparadox9567]

Thirty seven years later, I still melt at watching Langella's Skeletor.

[@kyledodsen3261]

THIS VIDEO IS SOOO WELL PUT TOGETHER AND HIGHLY ENJOYABLE!!😁😀😎😎🎓🎓

[@fcweddington]

Original Conan-like comic had the best story. So simple and dark. I remember staring at those images for hours. Both haunting and fascinating. The whole brother of Randor thing isn't really for me.

[@aerialhorizonrc7827]

Netflix will release an updated He-Man soon. Cartoon Network released an updated He-man series years ago.

[@zubinchadha6489]

The new show is woke and teela's the main character in it, thanks to Kevin woke Smith. P.S. : King Greyskull is black in new netflix show

[@MrRyuken555]

They are spitting on the original story with this new woke crap story where the new butch Teela and her girlfriend save the universe. And yes King Grayskull is now black...... God forbid that we have a white CIS male as the main protagonist in 2021.

[@pikeb.3993]

She-Ma'am and the mistresses of the universe.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Fans are very ticked at Smith & how he wrecked He Man. Mattel must be very upset.

[@ouchsp]

I like the 2001 animated version of Skeletor's story. It made a lot of sense and had continuity through the show.

[@djokadjokovic7771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWetkGNth72jjtE

[@gamoratitan]

Are you still around?

[@Revengance6]

Skeletor was originally the god of death. The original toy packages called him that. Teela was the serpent goddesses. This didn’t play well during the satanic panic. Thus the cartoon series.

[@AaBb-mr9wc]

Kevin "He-Ma’am" Smith’s wife’s boyfriend said he likes the new Teela.

[@yourfatboy5359]

Does he live hin his wife's boyfriend cellular?

[@KasirRham]

Gotta love the effort put into the art in that so called "mini-comic"

[@antonkovalenko364]

"Joke's on you! I'm *into* that shit!" - Skeletor

[@George_Glass]

I've never heard of that new adventures show. What a step down in design.

[@ThomasMiddlehurs1984]

What was weird about the new adventures. Is that occasionally they used some of the orginal animation. In flashbacks. I don't know if you ever watched the x men and spiderman cartoons from the 90s. But they did something similar where they just inserted the xmen into spiderman. Which was jarring as the animation looked a lot different.

[@sarlaccstapeworm990]

They did a good job in the 2002 remake (and I've been a fan since 83')!!

[@catspaw3092]

Skeletor has always been & always will be an interesting character I would really like to know Hordak's origin he's always been a mystery to me.

[@Kj16V]

This video was really well written and orated. Much better, in fact, than all the other videos from this channel, which often sound like they're being read out by someone who doesn't seem to understand what they are reading

[@johnryder1713]

I never thought it had that much to do with Conan and more to do with Lin Carters Gondwane series which featured a huge blond warrior fighting a his way across a post apocalypse world with medieval and technological aspects. There was also a black haired figure of He man offered for sale in a magazine but they were mostly withdrawn and disappeared.

[@superermac55]

Youre thinking of Savage He-man/ Wun-dar. He had brown hair. He was given away in buy 3 get 1 for free giveaway, but retracted after a mom complained about the cheapness of the toy (i.e just a heman repainy we with basic weapons and no armor and no power sword)

[@johnryder1713]

@@superermac55 Well this was well before the original toy line was released at all way back in the early 80s when it was called Lords of power I think or to be called, but turned down as a name due to its religious undertones

[@superermac55]

@@johnryder1713 but lords of power heman was still blonde

[@johnryder1713]

@@superermac55 Maybe not then Lords of power but this was as a mail order well before any of the other toys came out, and was just called Heman with very little connection to the further continuity.

[@superermac55]

@@johnryder1713 yeah still sounds like savage he-man. This figure has no connection to the story to heman and despite coming out after the first year, is marked 1981. And you could only get him in a buy 3 and 1 free mail away offer from mattle. It wasnt til much later in the classics line did we get any kind of story to savage he-man, now called Wun-dar.

[@benjaminwebster548]

I always liked the original concept and also the one used in the film adaptation. Sorcerer/ war lord from another demention.

[@clintfrederici3928]

the dog gave me a lot of insights into the personality of Skeletor, I know so much more than I did before

[@thetreeofwoe2304]

What the heck? I was never even aware of that second goofy-looking cartoon series! Great video!

[@mkproductions2.0]

I like most of the Skeletor backstories!

[@shinra358]

The old mortal kombat looks great!

[@darth_batman8190]

I grew up watching He-Man but my favorite origin of Skeletor is the 200x version. Great video and channel.

[@winterburden]

Not to mention, Alan Oppenheimer is the best Skeletor voice ever.

[@marcustmachado]

Amazing review. I am collection He-Man Origins toys and they are pure nostalgia.

[@malorie-kaesteinmuller6810]

Took me forever to learn that isn't a body suit under the armor. Boy just as skimpily dressed as He-Man and I love it

[@MagnanimousEntropy]

As far as i am concerned Frank Langell will always be the greatest Skeletor.

[@Fenris77]

14:25 This could almost be right out of Conan except for the hi-tech gadgets. Yeah this is my favourite origin story.

[@johnrussellpelt9091]

Pretty sure the denoument from the LA film was "inspired" by the climax of Captain America vs. the Red Skull's first duel over the Cosmic Cube by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, right down to the golden armor..

[@orinanime]

The live-action version as portrayed by Frank Langella is the absolute best.

[@Pengalen]

I would like to see a version of MotU that followed the original mini-comic story line.

[@nathanhorne1]

I love that his origin is vague and there are many variations. Makes him more mysterious. One of the best and most memorable villains ever created - and he has the most interesting appearance. His action figure will always remain a favourite.

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nice video. And it's a shame that unpublished story never came about. Because it seemed quite good.

[@forlatagate1]

Skeletor is the most outstanding villain ever

[@jesserichards5582]

I absolutely cannot stand him being a long lost brother of Randor. I loved the mystery of the original

[@terrorcop101]

The 2002 version was the first one I saw and will always hold a special place for me; although I do find the 80s cartoon version quite endearing. Also, Skeletor is about the only thing the new Netflix version did right.

[@PiperAmadeus]

I must say i really liked this video since i grew up with the first He-Man as a child. Also some stuff i did not know was told, thumbs up!

[@peterbehringer63]

Thanks 🙏. Villains need some love, too.! Great entertaining character the writers/creators developed.

[@tonyyul703]

You should hear my Skelet-tor Frank Langella voice

[@khamaji09]

He man animated will forever be how I view him. Also that meme of him running away laughinh

[@princessmarlena1359]

“Nyyyyeeeeeh!” (My best friend does a perfect Skeletor impression).

[@onespeed4ever901]

Please keep doing these videos especially Masters and g I joe It'll help with the script I'm writing to send to Mattel

[@genequist3859]

I roll my eyes every time I hear the word "prophecy" in fiction.

[@hooligan9068]

Skeletor oughtta get his own cartoon

[@Kj16V]

Skeletor looks ridiculous with eyes.

[@floydiustube]

i remember reading the search for keldor comic when i was a kid. he-man was my absolute favorite back then

[@fluoriteheals]

Funniest thing about Skeltor on the cartoon.....He sounds like a 1920's gangster..MMYAAAH. LMAO!!!

[@PelinalDidNothingWrong]

Skeletor's 2002 origin will always be my favourite but I like how MOTU:Classics combined the Keldor origin and the interdimensional demon origin. Hordak used his magic to combine Keldor with a demon called Demo-Man.

[@dianaprince6743]

Are you still around?

[@hrishikeshdesai9494]

I liked the 2002 version of skeletor. But the original 1980s series was the best due to the strong voice acting and amazing background score.....

[@eddiepatriotsperez7205]

This is a great way to tell his story. I like the one that got acid to his face.

[@radastir]

"In the name of Eternia I arrest you for crimes against..." - "My face!"

[@flawlesspine483hamonn5]

I wonder if there's a way to read that unfinished comic online? It sure caught my curiosity!

[@theblackgoatofthewoods]

I loved Frank when he played Skeletor. He is the only one to seems to have fun and plays for laughs. He overacts in the movie whenever he can. I also think the godlike Skeletor might be a proto-Keldor. Have anyone notised that Hordak and Skeletor is almost the same as Morgoth and Sauron?

[@nonmutualgroup]

Fun Fact 1 In The 80s Viewmaster Joints Skeletor And Beast Man Beat He Man Down In Some Desert Then Took His Chest Strap And Left Him For Dead. Fun Fact 2 There Is A Cannon That Skeletor In A Fight With Trap Jaw Skeletor Ripped His Arm Off And Broke His Jaw Off Later Skeletor Gave Him The Jaw And Manufactured His Other Arms Once Trap Jaw Pledged His Allegiance.

[@MrGeo-EmitFodrol]

To be honest I was never a fan of 80s He-Man but I did really like the 2002 cartoon and loved that Skeletor.

[@savage6983]

The mini comics and toys were awesome. I still have the original toys.

[@OUTSIDER40]

Thank you for making this video 👍

[@euclyptuseuphoria3759]

I think my favourite interpretation for Skeletor in the 2021 CGI Netflix series, he's a little cooky but he is genuinely evil as heck and that speech when we first transforms into Skeletor is just awesome. Also I like how in this version, he does not seek for the power of Greyskull because he claims that pretty much, Greyskull is for goody two shoes and Havoc (his new power source) is for awesome bad guys.

[@brainstorm9560]

I think what made the 2002 version of Skelletor interesting to watch was that while he was the main villain, he wasn't the strongest. He constantly had to compete with mightier villains like Hordak and King Hiss that would challenge his superiority. It was fun to see him face off against the same threats the heroes did and since he and his followers were the underdogs in these conflicts you couldn't help but root for them.

[@dianaprince6743]

Hey this was a nice analysis, would you be interested in a He-Man fanfic?

[@gamefiends7420]

He-Man and Captain America being similar totally blew my mind

[@eidolonfilmsukuk8456]

So, going by that, even before the dc/filmation 'adam secret identity' revamp, Mattel were planning on abandoning the original version and starting the story over, with He-Man being a shepherd? I wonder why? There was nothing at all wrong with the original version

[@Sircris2fer]

Skeletor on the big screen will always be the best version

[@sunnyshine2215]

Thanks for this, very interesting, especially the unpublished one !

[@Kallivak]

Frank langella's skeletor look was the best thing about the movie

[@gatodestructo4933]

I like his origin story back in the early 2000s.

[@BovineDesigns]

I don't know what you're talking about, he's even more charming as a skellyman.

[@BrianMillerCEO]

Cool! Now do Hordak!

[@jamesbrown-fb1gk]

another interesting origin for skeletor is portraied in the second german audio play,where it is revealed,that the preternian giants are responsible for skeletors existence in erternia.Skeletor is sort of the embodiment of all the evil the giants wanted to leave behind

[@shainewhite2781]

Thanks for the video!! See you later!! Stay safe.😉

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

Hi Shaine

[@monkeyseatcatfood]

Just found your channel. Even though I’m not a huge fan of a lot of the series you cover, I still enjoy the lore videos you make about them.

[@dwoodstwin]

It's weird you point out Captain America but ignore that Skelator is basically Loki in half these stories