What Would Skeletor Actually Do?

The short answer to this question is: whatever it takes. The long answer requires a more nuanced understanding of the man within the skull. Skeletor is undeniably a villain, but that is not all that he is. In his pursuit of power he has committed many crimes. He has also developed ground breaking new technologies, mastered ancient magicks, lead armies, and trained his body to peak physical condition. Skeletor wages war against a demigod, empowered by a magical cabal and equipped with legendary artifacts. Without any of these advantages, Skeletor holds his own. Yes, he is often rebuffed, but he is never defeated. It is in this unrelenting perseverance and indominable spirit that the true wisdom of Skeletor lies. Let’s take a look at some specific scenarios and ask ourselves the question: What would Skeletor actually do and what can we learn from his example.

Others will fail to recognize your genius

We’ve all been there. Maybe it’s at work, maybe school, maybe even within your own family. Our achievements go unrecognized and unrewarded, while every mistake and minor infraction is put under a microscope. In these situations we might be tempted to give up, to ask ourselves what is the point of even trying. In times like these it may be helpful to remember that even the genius inventor of the duplication machine struggled at times to be recognized.

Skeletor has different origin stories depending on who you ask. In one version of the tale, Skeletor and his teacher and mentor Hordak attempt to kidnap the children of King Randor. When things go wrong Hordak escapes on his own, leaving Skeletor to be captured. Skeletor then uno-reverse-betrays Hordak. He gives up the location of their secret base and eventually sets himself up as the new dark lord.

What Skeletor can teach us here is that we don’t need to allow other people’s perceptions to define how we see ourselves. We don’t need their gratitude to find fulfillment. Define your own success. Sometimes you may need to cut yourself free from relationships that are holding you back.

Anger is a double-edged sword

It’s no secret that Skeletor struggles with anger management. A student of Skeletorian philosophy will find uncounted lessons about the importance of strength, passion, and a single-minded focus on one’s goals, but we can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Skeletor’s plans often fail. At the root of many of Skeletor’s failings is Skeletor’s own anger. We can learn as much from Skeletor’s failures as we can from his successes.

There is no greater example of Skeletor’s anger getting the better of him than in one of his rumored origin stories. In a duel with King Randor, a yet-to-be Skeletor found himself on the ass-end of an ass kicking. In an act of desperate rage, he threw acid at King Randor. Randor redirected that acid back into Skeletor’s own face.

We need to remember that while our anger and grudges against the universe are our primary source of motivation, unchecked hatred will hurt us every bit as much as it hurts our enemies, sometimes more.

Always get back up

Getting that acid thrown back in his face was arguably Skeletor’s lowest point. It would have been very easy for Skeletor to have laid down on that floor and died. In fact, it would have been nearly impossible to do anything else. But Skeletor is a master of sometimes doing the nearly impossible. In this version of the story, Skeletor makes a deal with Hordak to become a weird skull monster. This allows Skeletor to survive his injuries. The loss of his face, scalp, and neck never held Skeletor back. He was back out there trying to take over the world the next morning. Never give up. Never surrender. Never stop trying to take over the world.

Surround yourself with supportive people who share your vision

The world is filled with annoying pseudo-intellectual podcasters who have nothing better to do than tear good people down. It’s only a matter of time until you run afoul of one of these misanthropic, basement-dwelling losers. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid support system in place who shares your vision and who would literally die in combat fighting to make it a reality. Skeletor doesn’t waste his time on naysayers who only want to drag him down. Skeletor moves fast and breaks things, especially magical barriers designed to keep him out. If they can’t handle him at his worst then they don’t deserve him at his best. The same is true for you.