Buzz-Off is a fictional character from the popular Masters of the Universe franchise. He is a humanoid bee, and comes from a race of Bee People based in the Mystic Mountains. In the 2002 series the Bee People are given the name Andreenids.
Character history[]
1980s[]
Buzz-Off was introduced into the Masters of the Universe toy line in 1984. He was originally tagged by Mattel as "Heroic Spy in the Sky", he serves He-Man and the Heroic Warriors primarily as a spy. He occasionally wears a pair of insect visors which give him insect vision as opposed to human.
Minicomics[]
He appears in the following minicomics, often with Mekaneck-
Filmation[]
- Main article: Buzz-Off (Filmation)
He appears in four episodes of the cartoon series by Filmation.
Buzz-Off's Bee People are the main focus of the episode "The Good Shall Survive", in which they come under attack by Skeletor, but Buzz-Off's role in the episode is actually little more than a cameo, other members of his race receiving a stronger focus (the cartoon was even drawing to a close when he was incarnated). In "Disappearing Dragons" and "Search for a Son" he is teamed up with Mekaneck, a natural pairing due to the spying abilities of both characters.
Appearances[]
Behind the Scenes[]
- Buzz-Off's animation model, based on the toy prototype by Mattel, was designed by Harry Sabin.
2002 series[]
- Main article: Buzz-Off (2002)
Finally, the bad-ass that is expected from a human bee hybrid!
Buzz-Off features in the 2002 relaunch of the Masters of the Universe toy line, and its accompanying cartoon series. His personality is developed significantly in this contemporary incarnation, and his image is also redesigned to appear more insect-like.
The leader of the Andreenids, Buzz-Off is presented as a sullen, independent and distrustful character, easily suspicious of others. He and his people are introduced in the episode Sky War in which he initially refuses to ally with the Masters, feeling his people are too strong and independent to need allies. His people produce a powerful substance called Ambrosia, which is stolen by Skeletor to enhance his power. After being manipulated by Skeletor into entering a war with Stratos and his Bird People, Buzz-Off is finally convinced of the danger Skeletor poses to Eternia and agrees to join the Masters.
Buzz-Off's most significant appearances includes Siren's Song, in which tensions fly between him and Ram-Man as the Masters attempt to identify a traitor within their ranks. Ram-Man is suspicious of Buzz-Off due to Buzz-Off's distrustful nature and his refusal to swear an oath to protect Castle Grayskull.
Another major appearance for Buzz-Off is Buzz-Off's Pride in which he suffers a humiliating defeat at the hands of three giants on his journey to a village for a gift for his queen. Returning to protect the village from the giants, Buzz-Off initially refuses to call upon the help of his heroic allies due to fear that his defeat would hurt his pride.
His race also comes under attack in season 2's Web of Evil in which their Ambrosia is stolen, first by Webstor, and subsequently the Snake Men. Presented as a headstrong and independent character whose main weakness is his ego and suspicious nature, Buzz-Off receives a substantial development from his one-dimensional portrayal of the 1980s.
Other significant members of Buzz-Off's race from the 2002 series include his General, Stingrad, and the Andreenid Queen.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021)[]
- Main article: Buzz-Off (Revelation)
Buzz-Off makes a brief cameo appearance in the episode Hope, for a Destination.
Powers and Abilities[]
Buzz-Off has the ability to fly and is quite agile. He is a skilled warrior physically, either in land or air. He carries with visors that give him the ability to see a larger than normal radius. He is always armed with a axe stake that fires yellow energy beams.