Multi-Bot MOTU Origins Box Art Teases and Easter Eggs
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Fresh off the official MOTU Origins Multi-Bot reveal and Amazon preorder, we’re diving into the incredible box art that’s packed with Easter eggs and potential teases for what could be coming next in the line. Roy Juarez and the amazing packaging team have outdone themselves once again, filling every inch of the artwork with nods to classic and unproduced concepts that have that have us wondering who will make it into plastic. In true Origins fashion, the scene not only brings the Evil Horde’s mechanical menace to life but also hints at possible additions to both the main line and maybe even the Sketch Book Series, which has been known to pull deep cuts from concept art and vintage ideas. From glimpses of familiar vehicles to background creatures that feel like callbacks to long-lost concepts, it’s hard not to get excited imagining what might emerge next from Eternia’s creative vault. I’m personally geeking out over the possibility that some of these visual clues could hint at future Origins releases, or, dare I dream, new creatures and vehicles making their long-awaited debut. Before we dive in, I wanted to thank Toy Habits Crew members Allison Troy (aka Retro Toy Princess), Everlost, and the one and only Mr. Home Arcade for their help deciphering some of these amazing teases and for pointing us to some images we can use!
Sketch Book Series Paladin
We could be looking at a future Sketch Book Series character as Mark Taylor has revealed an early version of the character in his “Sketches 1” set of prints that he made available at Power-Con 2018. This character, called Paladin. His costume takes on a primitive feel, covered in layered armor plates and fur, with a ventilator positioned near his face rather than on his chest as seen in later Man-At-Arms designs.
He carries a futuristic rifle and a spiked orange mace, giving him both medieval and sci-fi weaponry. According to Dušan M, this was apparently the design used in the “Rob-N & The Space Hoods” toyline concept. The original concept actually featured a red and orange color scheme, as shown in this original B-sheet for the Rob-N & The Space Hoods concept Man-At-Arms, courtesy of Axel Giménez and Rebecca Salari Taylor.
Sketch Book Series Teela (Original Concept for She-Ra)
This illustration is fascinating as the character first appeared on the MOTU Origins Battleground Warriors box set, making it great to see her return here. According to the Retro Toy Princess and the Battle Ram Blog, this sketch could be interpreted in a couple of ways.
Huge thanks to the Retro Toy Princess for pointing us to the deep history on this tease! This sketch is from Tomart’s and was actually an early design for She-Ra before the girls’ department took her over, according to Adam from the Battle Ram Blog.
We wanted to send a huge thanks to Mr. Home Arcade for providing these amazing shot of the artwork from the Battlefield Warriors box art and to Toy Habits Crew Member Everlost for reminding us that she was first featured on the art for this cool set.
Here’s a close-up of how she was teased on the MOTU Origins Battlefield Warriors set, showing the same armored design with her red crested helmet, metallic chest armor, and circular shield in action against a classic Eternian foe.
Mantisaur
One of the biggest teases tucked into the scene is Mantisaur, shown in all his insectoid glory carrying Hordak into battle. The mechanical legs and segmented body look straight out of the vintage design. While a Mantisaur release for MOTU Origins seems unlikely at this point, there’s still a glimmer of hope that fan-driven initiatives like the Club Grayskull membership program could one day make this long-awaited Horde beast a reality.
According to the Wiki Grayskull:
Mantisaur is Hordak’s mount, making him the Horde equivalent to Battle Cat and Panthor. Mantisaur’s first appearance is in the minicomic Between a Rock and a Hard Place!, where he is able to speak and can control insects. Mantisaur also appears in the Star MOTU comics and in the She-Ra TV episode A Talent for Trouble, although in the series, he is green instead of his normal red-and-black.
Mantisaur | Wiki Grayskull | Fandom
Released in 1986, Mattel’s version of the Mantesour was a direct translation of how he was depicted in the minicomics. With it’s bright red head, bulging eyes and spider like legs, this was truly a sight to see. The removeable saddle allowed Hordak or one of his minions to ride on the Mantesours’s back and also included a rotating rear gun. Kids really enjoyed this insectoid steed for Hordak!
The Mantisaur can first be spotted on the Masters of the Universe Origins Buzzsaw Hordak Card back Artwork. He is prominently illustrated in the background, flanking Buzzsaw Hordak.
The Mantisaur was next featured in the steps of the Fright Zone throne room in the masterful interior artwork for the 2021 Masters of the Universe Origins Power-Con Exclusive Horde 4 Pack.
interior Artwork
Blaster Hawk
This illustration of the Blasterhawk from the Multi-Bot box art pays direct homage to the vintage design, right down to its angular dragon-like head and rotating launcher. Battle Armor He-Man is shown piloting the vehicle, mirroring the original box art from the 1980s. It’s a clever nod to the classic packaging that is instantly recognizable, blending nostalgia with fresh Origins-style artwork.
The vintage Masters of the Universe Blasterhawk box front captures all the excitement of 80s toy design with bold, action-packed artwork and vibrant colors. The packaging highlights its unique feature as both a land and air vehicle, capable of launching orange discs up to 15 feet. The art depicts Battle Armor He-Man piloting the craft.
The vintage MOTU Blasterhawk is one of those unforgettable late-line vehicles that perfectly captures the techno-mechanical aesthetic of the Horde. Designed with a menacing dragon-like head and a rotating launcher platform, the Blasterhawk fired orange spinning discs. The vehicle’s grey rolling base is loaded with molded mechanical details and Horde-themed decals, while the upper red section sports silver and purple highlights that emphasize its sleek, aggressive profile. Complete with its radar cannon and disc launcher accessories, the Blasterhawk remains one of the more unique and inventive vehicles from the Masters of the Universe vintage line.
