Strongarm (Masters of the Universe)
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Strongarm is a character from the 1980s cartoon series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
He is a minion of Skeletor who made only one appearance, in the early episode "She-Demon of Phantos". He appears to be a cyborg warrior, wearing a tight metal mask with spikes over the head, with a strong metal fist at the end of his extra-long right arm, which is capable of extending. His arm possesses strength powerful enough to rival that of He-Man.
[edit] Character Profile
In Strongarm's singular appearance on the cartoon series in 1983, he filled the role of Skeletor's main minion in his invasion of the moon of Phantos, on which Skeletor enslaved Queen Elmora. Strongarm was portrayed as a powerful and responsible minion, of greater intelligence and capability than most of Skeletor's warriors. His main accomplishment in the episode was his success in trapping He-Man himself, by using the power of his fist to shake the ground, causing He-Man to stumble back into a metal case which entrapped him. He was also able to extend his arm, which enabled him to grip onto objects and swing long distances.
Despite the implication that he was one of Skeletor's more powerful minions, Strongarm made no further appearances throughout the series. This is most likely because he was one of the few characters from the show not to have an accompanying action figure in Mattel's toy line upon which the show was based. Given that he bore a notable resemblance in power to the character of Fisto, whose toy was released the following year, it is possible that he may have been an early prototype character originated from the concept which later spawned Fisto. Fisto's rival in the toy line, Jitsu, with a similar design and power, appeared in the cartoon series at the same stage as Strongarm, in prototype form under the name of 'Chopper'. So it would seem likely that Mattel was experimenting with designs for characters based around this concept, of having one extra-large, powerful arm, at this stage- and Strongarm, like Chopper/Jitsu, was featured in the series to promote a possible upcoming figure. Although in Strongarm's case, his character and design was clearly abandoned in the favor of the heroic character of Fisto. Another theory is that Strongarm was purely Filmation's own creation, as with a number of other villains that appeared through the show's run.
