As a long-time fan of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and nostalgia when I hear about the latest addition to the MOTU multiverse: Scare Mare, the ghostly steed of Scare Glow. Growing up in the ’80s, I spent countless hours playing with my MOTU action figures, imagining intricate stories and adventures for my favorite characters.
For over half a century, the Masters of the Universe franchise has kept fans of all ages captivated with its distinctive and grandiose characters. Last month, it was revealed that a new character is set to be introduced into this impressive lineup. Scare Mare, the steed of the infamous villain Scare Glow, will be unveiled, brought to life through collaborative efforts between Mondo’s Hector Arce and Bob Fulkerson, and Mondo’s Masters of the Universe historian, Florian Bertmer. This remarkable figure is part of a premium release from Mondo, with further details to be shared during their Toy Talk livestream. Additionally, Scare Mare will debut as a new Funko Pop! character in the upcoming Funko Fusion video game. To complement the release of the Mondo figure, Dark Horse Entertainment is producing a mini-comic featuring Scare Mare, written by esteemed Masters of the Universe author, Tim Seeley.
Before the release of the new deluxe figures Scare Glow and Scare Mare, along with a mini-comic, ComicBook had a conversation with Seeley and Rob David from Mattel. They discussed how they developed the background for Masters of the Universe, created Scare Mare’s origin story, and other related topics.
As a die-hard Masters of the Universe fan and a gamer who’s had the privilege of weaving various tales within this epic universe, introducing an entirely new character is an exhilarating experience I can’t help but cherish. It’s like being given a blank canvas and unlimited creative potential to bring a unique character to life among the legendary heroes and villains of Eternia. The anticipation of seeing how fans will connect with this fresh addition to the Masters of the Universe lore is truly thrilling!
Tim Seeley shares an exciting revelation: a new project connects him to a beloved character from his past, complete with an impressive collector’s item. For him, it’s not just one layer of cool but multiple levels. As a kid, obtaining the Scare Glow figure was a rare achievement, making him unique among his peers. The glow-in-the-dark skeleton toy with the giant scythe became a legendary possession for years, often eliciting confused responses when mentioned to others. Now, the return of Scare Glow brings not only the character but also his fearsome horse with wings in a deluxe Mondo figure.
Growing up as a kid in the 80s, I was utterly captivated by the world of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The mini-comics that came with my action figures were like little windows into this fantastical realm full of heroes and villains. Each one left me longing for more adventures in Eternia.
Based on my understanding from the previous announcement, it seems that some details about Scare Glow’s backstory were disclosed. I’m curious to know, however, how much of this information was actually contributed by you and how much was provided by Mattel and Mondo. Given my background in collecting figurines and following the news related to them closely, I believe that collaboration between individuals and companies is common in creating intriguing backstories for collectible items. It would be fascinating to learn more about your involvement in this project and the unique perspective you brought to the table.
Seeley described being presented with a design, whose true name they were aware of. They had been asked to generate some concepts on how this figure transformed into the glowing skeleton wielding a large scythe. Seeley offered various brief storylines and they selected one, which has historical connections while remaining distinct. This approach maintains originality and avoids linking him directly to other versions of the character.
What was it like to collaborate with Mattel and Mondo?
Working with Mattel and Rob has always been a smooth experience for me. Each time we collaborated, my suggestions were met with enthusiasm. People would respond with “That’s an interesting idea,” followed by encouragement to proceed. We then produced the item, and it was completed. This pattern held true in all my projects with Mattel, making them the only company I’ve worked for where this process consistently worked well.
Rob David: I enjoy collaborating with Tim on Masters of the Universe projects. Whether it’s a comic book or another type of media, I turn to Tim because of our shared passion for this franchise and his deep understanding of its history. When Mondo wanted to create a figure based on the toy team, they asked for suggestions. Since I work in television and don’t directly contribute to Mattel’s toy division, but am an avid fan of both Masters of the Universe and comic books, I was eager to provide input. Tim Seeley came to mind as an ideal candidate due to his extensive knowledge of the lore and ability to weave together new stories while staying true to the original themes. He presented several ideas, one of which stood out as particularly compelling. The unexpected twist in the story’s conclusion resonated with me, adding yet another layer of depth to this forty-year-old property that continues to captivate audiences. Tim and others like him are instrumental in keeping Masters of the Universe fresh and exciting.
How about this: “Did you encounter any difficulties when presenting the backstory of a mute protagonist, as they couldn’t share their perspective directly? Did this limitation impact the storytelling in any significant way?”
Our concept was making him the wicked Mr. Ed without the ability to speak. I imagined portraying him as an animal, adding an intriguing twist. In this story, Scare Glow serves as the villain with a cursed identity as a skeletal phantom horse. We subtly weave in this aspect into the narrative, highlighting how Scare Glow exploits his curse to gain power over others, including his steed.
Reflecting on my experience of bringing a fresh character into a long-standing franchise, I must admit it was quite a rollercoaster ride! The weight of history and fan expectations can be overwhelming at times. But what surprised me most was the level of collaboration and creativity that went into making this new addition feel authentic and well-integrated within the established universe.
Seeley explains that there isn’t much established backstory for Scare Glow, and what little exists can be interpreted in numerous ways. For instance, in his initial appearance in mini-comics, Skeletor summons him as “the ghost of Skeletor.” However, this leaves open questions such as how he became a ghost, and whether he is literally the ghost of Skeletor or not.
David: That was the big mystery with fans, when Scare Glow was referred to as “the ghost of Skeletor.” People said, “is he actually a ghost who’s under the employee of Skeletor, or is Skeletor dead and now that’s his ghost?’ It’s just funny, it could be both or neither. It could be all things. That’s the beauty of the multiverse of MOTU.
Seeley additionally advocates for allowing various interpretations of the “Masters of the Universe” story among children. In our creation process, we must preserve enough elements for individuals to engage and contribute their own ideas, regardless of age.
David: MOTU has always been like a jazz session. Different musicians, or in this case fans, join in with their unique interpretations. Kids at home playing with their figures and adult fans are all part of the ensemble. There’s no definitive melody to MOTU; it’s more about each person adding their own riff. Yet, there must be a sense of cohesion and connection to what came before. This Mondo figure and Tim’s story for it perfectly embody this spirit. The steed Scare Glow rides is a testament to the deepest recesses of our subconscious desires. It’s an organic, surprising addition that enhances the existing narrative. I’m really impressed by how well they complement each other.
Based on my understanding of the context, it seems that “Scare Mare” is a character or concept that goes beyond the realm of comics and figurines. I’ve noticed this trend in popular culture lately where beloved characters or themes expand into various mediums, from movies to merchandise and even into our daily lives.
David expressed his enthusiasm by saying: “Absolutely, I’d love to incorporate those elements extensively in all our projects – comics, animated series, films, you name it. When we have such a wealth of resources, it’s essential to make the most of it. That’s what creates a sense of nostalgia without being old-fashioned. It remains fresh because introducing new characters keeps the audience engaged. If not, then we might as well rewatch the old productions, making them feel like museum pieces. But when we have something that is alive and dynamic, it broadens the scope for storytelling.”
Could I assume that Scare Mare may make an appearance in any upcoming comics you plan to create, Tim?
Seeley ensures each toy he encounters is cherished as if it’s someone’s beloved Master of the Universe figure. He considers every character with care, knowing someone will be drawn to its unique appeal – whether a Mondo collector or simply captivated by its heavy-metal design. Consequently, he approaches each figure with the same curiosity, interest, and respect as he would for established characters like Mantenna, Evil-Lyn, and Twistoid. Whenever possible, he incorporates these toys into his comics.
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On Thursday, July 18th at 8/7 central time, I eagerly invite you to join me live on Mondo’s Toy Talk stream. There, we’ll delve deeper into the intriguing world of Scare Mare. Stay tuned!
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2024-07-19 00:10