Sectaurs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sectaurs |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Animation |
| Created by | Lawrence Mass, Tim Clarke and Maureen Trotto |
| Developed by | Dan DiStefano |
| Directed by | John Kimball |
| Voices of | Arthur Burghardt Peter Cullen Laurie Faso Dan Gilvezan Peter Renaday Neil Ross Frank Welker |
| Theme music composer | Shuki Levy Haim Saban |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 5 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Ken Spears Joe Ruby |
| Producer(s) | Cosmo Anzilotti |
| Production company(s) | Ruby-Spears Enterprises |
| Release | |
| Original release | September 14 – October 12, 1985 |
Sectaurs: Warriors of Symbion was a cool line of action figures made by Coleco in 1985. It was created by Lawrence Mass, Tim Clarke, and Maureen Trotto.
The story takes place on a planet called Symbion. A science experiment went wrong, causing insects and spiders to grow to giant sizes! The people of Symbion also gained insect-like features. Prince Dargon, who leads the good guys from the Shining Realm of Prosperon, fights against Empress Devora and her evil forces from the Dark Domain of Synax. They are all trying to control special fortresses called Hyves, which hold ancient power.
Each main character in Sectaurs has a special connection, called a "tele-bond," with an intelligent insect creature called an Insectoid. These Insectoids have unique powers and share feelings with their human partners.
Besides the toys, there was also a five-episode animated TV show and an eight-issue comic book series by Marvel Comics. A storybook with a record was also released.
Contents
Sectaurs Action Figures: What Were They Like?
The Sectaurs action figures were released by Coleco in 1985. Each figure came with its insect companion, weapons, a small comic book, and instructions. Some of the insect companions were so big that the Sectaurs figures could ride them! These larger insects were like puppets; you could put your hand inside them to make their legs move.
A second set of figures was planned but never made. The toys didn't sell very well, partly because some of the heroes and their insect friends looked a bit scary. Also, they cost more than other action figures at the time.
Heroic Sectaurs of the Shining Realm
These are the good guys who fight for peace and justice!
- Dargon: He is the Prince of the Shining Realm. His insect partner is Dragonflyer, a flying creature that can bite. Dargon uses a special sword, shield, and guns. An extra figure, Night Fighting Dargon, had silver armor and glow-in-the-dark antennae. He came with another insectoid called Parafly, which had flapping wings and a glowing tail.
- Pinsor: A brave warrior who rides the huge Battle Beetle. This beetle has strong front arms that can pinch. Pinsor uses a battle axe, sword, shield, and gun.
- Zak: He was the Captain of Prosperon's Royal Guard. His insect friend is Bitaur, an Action Bug that can bite. Zak uses a slazor, a gun, and a shield.
- Mantor/Mantys: He is a wise scholar who studies the ancient powers of the Hyves. His companion is Raplor, an Action Bug that can shoot out a grappling line and pull it back in. Mantor uses a crossbow, gun, and shield. He is also skilled in a special martial art called Kai.
- Stellara: A strong female warrior. In the comics, she tried to tele-bond with a new Insectoid after her first one died. The unreleased toy version of Stellara would have come with Rhine-Ox, an Action Bug that could head-butt. She used a dagger, shield, and gun.
Evil Sectaurs of the Dark Domain
These are the villains who want to control Symbion!
- General Spidrax: The scary leader of the Dark Domain's armies. He uses a whip covered in poison. Unlike other Sectaurs, he forces his insect partner, Spider-Flyer, to obey him instead of forming a bond. Spider-Flyer is a flying creature with biting jaws. A planned Night Fighting Spidrax figure would have had glow-in-the-dark armor.
- Skulk: Empress Devora's mean stepson. He rides the furry, spider-like Trancula, which has biting jaws. Skulk uses a dagger, shield, gun, and a dart wing.
- Commander Waspax: A rival to Spidrax. His insect companion is Wingid, an Action Bug with flapping wings. Waspax uses a saber, shield, and gun.
- Skito: A mercenary, meaning he works for money. His companion, Toxcid, is an Action Bug that can squirt water from its nose, which is called "poison" in the stories. Skito uses a sword, shield, and gun.
The Hyve Playset
A large playset called The Hyve was also made. It came with a wrecking ball, a big gun, a ladder, and a cage. It had a landing pad with a trap door, a bridge that could fall down, and a "Bio-Control Laboratory" inside. The Hyve also included two special guardian Insectoids: Narr (a glove puppet) and Vypex (a smaller finger puppet). They could "ambush" figures from their caves.
Important Characters from the Stories
- Belana: Zak's royal fiancée, who secretly likes Dargon.
- Devora: The powerful Empress of the Dark Domain and Skulk's stepmother.
- Markor the Mighty: Dargon's father and the King of the Shining Realm. He disappeared while looking for the Hyves.
- Scorpia: A villainous scholar and Spidrax's half-sister.
- Seacor: A young character from the TV show who wants to prove himself. His insect partner is Altifly.
Understanding Symbion: Key Terms
- The Great Cataclysm: This was a huge disaster caused by a failed experiment. It made insects and spiders grow giant, and humans on Symbion gained insect-like features, becoming the Sectaurs.
- Hyve: These are mysterious, dangerous fortresses from an ancient civilization. They are full of traps and guardian monsters. Both good and evil Sectaurs want to find their secrets.
- Insectoids: These are the giant, mutated insects and spiders that live on Symbion with the Sectaurs. They often become allies, pets, or mounts for the Sectaurs.
- Action Bugs: Smaller Insectoids that have a special feature, like biting or grappling, activated by a button or crank.
- Flying Steeds: Winged Insectoids that are big enough for Sectaurs to ride. In the toys, you could put your hand inside them to make their legs and wings move.
- Steeds: Large Insectoids that Sectaurs can ride. Like Flying Steeds, the toys were half-puppets.
- Shining Realm: This is the home of the good Sectaurs, led by a royal family. Its capital city is Prosperon.
- Dark Domain: This is the home of the evil Sectaurs, ruled by a military government. Its capital city is Synax.
- Telebond: This is the special ability for a Sectaur and an Insectoid to share thoughts and feelings. It's a very deep connection.
- Vengun: A spring-loaded gun that fires poison darts. The darts are filled with venom from a creature called a Venipede.
Sectaurs TV Series
In 1986, Ruby-Spears made a 5-episode mini-series based on Sectaurs:
- Spydrax Attacks
- Slave City
- Valley of the Stones
- Trapped in the Acid Desert
- Battle of the Hyve
Sectaurs Comic Books
Marvel Comics published an 8-issue comic book series about Sectaurs from 1985 to 1986. All the stories were written by Bill Mantlo.
New Adventures: Kickstarter Campaign
A Kickstarter campaign began in 2018 to bring the Sectaurs franchise back to life!
