Webstor as seen in the Mike Young Productions animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002).
History[]
Webstor is reused in the 2002 relaunch of the Masters of the Universe cartoon series by Mike Young Productions. He was also intended for the new toy line, but the line was cancelled before his figure could be released. In 2007 NECA with The Four Horsemen released a "stacion figure", an action figure without movable limbs, of Webstor. The writers of the new show showcased him as more of a freelance villain rather than another member of Skeletor's evil team.
Webstor's design was modified quite considerably from the old, to appear more spider-like, with a thinner frame, six equally-sized eyes (the original Webstor had multiple eyes, but they were smaller than his "normal" eyes), and additional spider-limbs. He receives a subtle introduction in the episode Snake Pit, in which we see only a close-up of his eyes as he is awakened by Kobra Khan entering the cavern beneath Snake Mountain. A nod to old-school fans, this appearance immediately stirred intense debate among fans over whether the 'spider' was Webstor or just a regular giant spider. He went on to receive a full introduction in the episode Council of Evil, Part 1, in which he is a hired member of Skeletor's council of evil, composed of independent evildoers from across Eternia. The episode does not show us how exactly he met Skeletor, leaving us to assume that Skeletor just encountered him in the caverns beneath Snake Mountain and adding an aura of mystery to his character. Portrayed as a silent and subtle villain who spends most of his time lurking in the shadows, he is seen to capture Stratos by entrapping him in his web, spun in the hollow of the Eye of Zarcane within the Mystic Mountains. In the second part of the 3-part epic, he uses his webbing to steal the Sword of Power itself from Prince Adam, leaving him with no way to become He-Man and capturing Teela.
In the concluding episode of the 3-parter, The Last Stand which begins season 2, Webstor declares that he will remain allied with Skeletor upon the defeat of the Council of Evil, when other members desert Skeletor. He is only seen in one episode thereafter.
In Web of Evil he is the main villain, stealing the substance Ambrosia from Buzz-Off's people, the Andreenids, to provide him with extra power and mutating him into a bigger, monstrous and more arachnid version of himself, and thus allowing him to spawn hundreds of deadly spiders, which he sets upon the Masters. The name of his species is given by Buzz-off in this episode calling him an Arachna, whose physiology is very similar to the Andreenids. After his Ambroisa-enriched eggs are subsequently stolen and eaten by the Snake Men, Webstor is brutally beaten by them and collapses on the ground, the only member of the regular cast ever to be defeated in a He-Man episode. However, his defeat is depicted in an ambiguous manner so that fans are led to debate over whether he is dead or unconscious, and it was only when Ian Richter of Mattel answered the fans' questions on the He-Man.org that it was confirmed that Webstor did indeed meet his end. It is possible that his defeat may have been deliberately shown in this uncertain manner, so that the writers could be left free to bring Webstor back if they chose to include him in future episodes. The series was canceled three episodes later, so Webstor remained in an eternian prison .
Appearances[]
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002)[]
Season One (2002-2003)
Season Two (2003-2004)
- The Last Stand
- Web of Evil
- Rattle of the Snake (mentioned only)
Gallery[]
