Evil-Lyn: Fantasy’s Underrated Icon |

Also fundamental to her character, as well as underscoring her magical prowess, is that Evil-Lyn never demonstrated any combat prowess. While not unheard of for female characters in traditionally male-targeted shows, she stands out in a show like He-Man because everybody is a master combatant. The aforementioned Teela is the Captain of the Royal Guard and debateably as capable a fighter as He-Man. The Sorceress, from whom pretty much all the powers of good derive their might, gets involved in many a battle (often in the form of a great falcon known as Zoar). Even He-Man’s own mother, Queen Marlena, is actually a combat pilot (Lt. Marlena Glenn, and reputedly one of Earth’s first female astronauts). Every woman in this show was capable of throwing down, except Evil-Lyn.

This isn’t a short-coming on her part, however. It’s a testament. In a world where physical might and combat prowess are universally required, that she doesn’t have (or certainly never demonstrates) the requisite skills speaks volumes to the intelligence, cunning, and magical might that she does command. Unlike the “evil witches” in other fantasy stories, however, Evil-Lyn doesn’t rely on henchmen or artifacts to work her will. She is shown throughout the run of the show to have little need for henchmen or intermediary agents, nor does she often rely on magical amulets or great artifacts. Even her oft-present orb staff appears to be more trinket than necessity. Her magic is her own and she has more than enough for almost any need.

Huh, if Netflix does a He-Man reboot, Skeletor and Evil-Lyn could be an interesting contrast to power dynamics established for Hordak and Shadow Weaver.

I think I figured out what He-Man’s niche should be compared to She-Ra

I’ve constantly struggled how you could do a more story-driven He-Man that doesn’t intrude on She-Ra’s niche,even before the netflix show .And I think I thought of one.

I propose his niche be taking down “ancient evils” awakened by a cosmic alignment. But half the time he does so through nonviolent means, treating these horrific screaming hellspawn or great old ones with kindness and understanding, and some of the respond in kind. Others are jerks though and exploit what they see as weakness. And others there is just a language barrier which make thing difficult.

Meanwhile Skeletor is trying to exploit each situations/subtly siphon their power for his own benefit, while also worried how awkward it would be if one of them turns out to be his old boss from eons past. Because that’s exactly where the loveable dork’s priorities lie. ( I prefer the idea tossed around by the toymakers when they considered a caveman-theme prequel to He-Man of Skeletor being really old and disfigured by cosmic power rather than a dude who gets his face melted off by acid).

Also, lets go back to old Prince Adam who was compassionate to ridiculous levels and not like the edgy jerk reboot. I want him to check on a giant spider he knocked unconscious to make sure its ok, and refuse to destroy robots until he’ sure they’re not people.

edit: And yes, Orko will be critical to the plot and drawn to Eternia by the cosmic alignment’s effects.

talesfromweirdland:

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE card backs. 1980s.

Maybe it was just me—I was a melancholic kid—but the scenes on the backs of the He-Man toys always felt so forlorn to me. The hostile landscapes, the lonely freaks, doing their dark things, the constant battle for survival. Even alien Orko seems slightly sinister here, as if his magic comes from a darker place than his audience realizes. He’s startled people are laughing at him, and might lash out.

I was quite fascinated by Evil-Lyn, and bought the figure partly because of the alluring illustration. So mysterious and eerie.