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The Train Robber Outlaw From The 1910s Who Was The Inspiration For He-Man’s Skeletor
Elmer McCurdy was a very unlucky and bumbling criminal who died at an early age in 1911, but somehow inspired a 1980s icon
Cartoons are an iconic part of American culture, with some of the most memorable enduring in memory long after they cease being produced and run on television. A perfect example of this is He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, which ran for 65 episodes over the course of two seasons (1983–1985), but is still a well-known part of the modern lexicon. The primary “bad guy” opposing He-Man was Skeletor, who became infamous for his evil ways and distinct skeletal visage. Incredibly, his appearance was based on a real life person; an outlaw bank robber who found it hard to rest in peace after being shot dead by authorities in 1911.
The He-Man cartoon series sprang from a popular Mattel children’s toy line, Masters of the Universe. Seeking to expand on its strong sales numbers, it was turned into something for weekly consumption on tv as a cartoon. According to Wikipedia, the plot of the show consisted of the following:
“The series takes place on Eternia, a planet of magic, myth and fantasy. Its lead character is Prince Adam, the young son of Eternia’s…
