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What Would Skeletor Do?: Diabolical Ways to Master the Universe
Filled with earnest quotes, snarky observations, episode recaps, inspirational mantras, and classic images readers with fond memories of the 1980s classic cartoon He-Man and the Masters of the Universe! will use the wit and wisdom found in this affordable and affable volume to launch their own plans toward planetary domination.
Thanks to its multitude of dynamic characters and rich fantasy and science-fiction storytelling, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has resonated with fans for more than thirty years. Skeletor, He-Man's evil nemesis in the show, remains an icon of villainy for generations who grew up hearing his cackle.
Now, for the first time, all of the diabolical wit and wisdom gleaned from Skeletor's unrelenting campaign to wreak havoc on the planet Eternia are collected into one practical, and practically hilarious, volume. This fully authorized, comical, and empowering guide places the evil Skeletor in a variety of troubling scenarios that will be familiar to any reader--from 'Family and Frenemies' to 'Career' and 'Downtime'--and asks the all-important What Would Skeletor Do? Combining words of devilish wisdom with appropriate (or inappropriate!) pictures from the original cartoons, this book lets Skeletor tell you how to handle any awkward situation with aplomb. With tongue planted very firmly in cheek, What Would Skeletor Do? is the perfect inspirational resource for pop-culture aficionados of all ages.
Thanks to its multitude of dynamic characters and rich fantasy and science-fiction storytelling, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has resonated with fans for more than thirty years. Skeletor, He-Man's evil nemesis in the show, remains an icon of villainy for generations who grew up hearing his cackle.
Now, for the first time, all of the diabolical wit and wisdom gleaned from Skeletor's unrelenting campaign to wreak havoc on the planet Eternia are collected into one practical, and practically hilarious, volume. This fully authorized, comical, and empowering guide places the evil Skeletor in a variety of troubling scenarios that will be familiar to any reader--from 'Family and Frenemies' to 'Career' and 'Downtime'--and asks the all-important What Would Skeletor Do? Combining words of devilish wisdom with appropriate (or inappropriate!) pictures from the original cartoons, this book lets Skeletor tell you how to handle any awkward situation with aplomb. With tongue planted very firmly in cheek, What Would Skeletor Do? is the perfect inspirational resource for pop-culture aficionados of all ages.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
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312 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 8, 2019
Changed my life...Thanks to Skeletor I am going out to find a man to mop my kitchen while wearing a harness and calf-high boots. Fun little coffee table book.
August 31, 2023
I’m giving this 5 stars because it was just plain fun.
I’m assuming people thought it would be a more in depth analysis of Skeletor when it’s just short hilarious quips and def “evil” life lessons. It’s definitely a must read for fans of Masters of the Universe.
October 12, 2023
This was a riot. Read it in Skeletor's voice for the best experience. Don't take it seriously and you won't be disappointed.
January 31, 2022
Could an advice book from SKELETOR be anything less than five stars?
I think not.
I think not.
May 4, 2025
First: a defense of my placing this on my "tax season" shelf. I know I read this on May 2nd, and I know that tax season ended on April 15th. But the fact of the matter is that I discovered this during tax season, wanted (and downright needed) this during tax season, ordered it during tax season, waited for it during tax season, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited for it during tax season, and canceled the order during tax season when it said it might be another month before it shipped, then ordered it again from someone else at the very end of tax season, and waited some more during tax season, and then it wasn't tax season anymore, and it got here two and a half weeks later, but I'm going to put it on the tax season shelf anyway because I want to. And let's be real here: that's totally what Skeletor would do.
So why the dire need to have this during tax season? I wanted advice on how to deal with a couple of coworkers I couldn't quite work up the gumption to murder, and I thought Skeletor might have some input on the matter. He didn't, at least not for me, but I think said coworkers might've read this book, for they do some of the suggestions.
"Friends and family can offer counsel when trying to navigate life's twists and turns. It's important to listen to, and calmly consider, their suggestions. Then, after a few moments of lulling them into a sense of calm, mock them mercilessly for their nincompoopery and do what you wanted to do in the first place."
However, this made me laugh, and that's the next best thing. The advice in and of itself is fun, easily three-star material, but being familiar with the show and its idiosyncrasies (not to mention a couple of specific episodes) is a prerequisite for the full, five-star experience. It's also best enjoyed when read in Skeletor's voice. If you are/were a Masters of the Universe fan, then this is the book for you.
Review is now over, by the way. The rest of this is part of a huge picture story I started about 15 years ago and never finished mostly because it never even got started, really. It will never be finished, but I took a million pictures for it. It was about a war between my Transformers and all the other toys over building my Lego Millennium Falcon, but if I start spelling it out, I'll be here forever. Hell, He-Man even had a rap song modeled on Biggie Smalls' "Warning". That shit was great, and a lot of work went into it, getting the cadence just right, and everything. I even found the backing track for it but never recorded the rest because I didn't have recording equipment. That ship has sailed, but I still remember everything I was going to do with it, and I will share the parts that included Skeletor.
Set-up: I'm dead. (This happened in the previous picture story when I accidentally shot myself in the head with the Lego Death Star I was building for Emperor Palpatine...
...though he was mostly responsible for my passing.) However, I sent word back that the non-Transformer toys were to build my Lego Millennium Falcon for me. I was trying to throw them a bone since the Transformers got so much more attention from me than they did. The Transformers weren't happy about that, but that goes into other matters. The leaders of the fleshling toys were holding a party at Castle Grayskull to discuss exactly how they were going to embark on this ambitious undertaking... And I'm afraid Hee Haw even shows up in this thing. Take it away, Cathy Baker:
"Now, here's Orko at the barbershop."
A bunch of stuff showing off some of my other toys. Cut to He-Man getting a haircut while talking to Hordak, the Joker, a couple others, and Skeletor's head.
(The rest of my childhood Skeletor broke to pieces ages ago and got thrown in the trash, but at least I was able to hold onto the head.)
"I'm all done, He-Man. Would you like a shampoo?"
"No, Orko. When I take a poo, I want the real thing."
Silence met this pronouncement, and even the Joker looked like he was forcing his smile. Orko wasn't going to stand for it, though, so he enlarged his scissors with his magic and decapitated He-Man on the spot.
Then, just for good measure, he outdid Obi-Wan and delimbed the man.
He-Man, far from being nonplussed, looked like he was threatening to make another bad dad joke, so Hordak pulled the lever to the trap door, and away went He-Man to the dungeons, leaving only a leg behind.
Unfortunately, Skeletor fell with him and had to listen to He-Man's inanities on the way down.
Just then two Emperors show up with two Royal Guards, upset they weren't invited to the party, everyone is mad at them for killing me, Yoda and the Emperors fight, Yoda wins killing one of the Emperors and just defeating the other. Living Emperor is all upset about being killed, some quip about "Oh, whatever. Everyone knows you horcrux yourself out so bad that it makes Voldemort blush with shame," and sure enough Voldemort had pulled his turban down over his face and Professor Quirrell was driving that body again, hyuck, hyuck, hyuck. Emperor leaves, others realize they'll need He-Man and Skeletor to help build the Falcon. Will need most powerful mages, wizards, whatevers to manage this, so...
...Gandalf, Quirrell/Voldemort, Orko, a Ring Wraith, and Hordak leave Castle Grayskull with the heads, and go to...
...Snake Mountain to perform the arcane rites. When the ceremony gets to mission critical, Ring Wraith...
...goes Super Saiyan. Spells are cast, words said, blah, blah-blah, blah-blah, and...
...the deed is done! Skeletor and He-Man are back, new and improved (from the 2002 series which I thought was great, but Cartoon Network really dropped the ball on it and cancelled it in the middle of the second season when they already had a story arc planned that would cover three seasons, so all of the fans [which might've consisted of only me] were left bereft. Jerks.)
Anyway, stuff happens, Transformers plan to steal the Falcon after letting the fleggers (their pejorative term for the fleshlings) do all the work of building it, plans are made, schematics and BOMs (Bill of Materials) are checked, a big production, half of it is built in a side hanger because all the parts are taking up space in the main hanger, but in order to finish it, it needs to be moved to said main hanger, docking bay 94.
That's what I said. Docking bay 94, and they need He-Man and Skeletor to do that, so between the former's strength for lift and the latter's magic for balance, they oops-a-daisy it over to its proper place for completion.
After that, a lot more stuff happens, but one piece of advice Skel gives in his book is "always leave them wanting more," so on that note, I'm out like Skeletor.
So why the dire need to have this during tax season? I wanted advice on how to deal with a couple of coworkers I couldn't quite work up the gumption to murder, and I thought Skeletor might have some input on the matter. He didn't, at least not for me, but I think said coworkers might've read this book, for they do some of the suggestions.
"Friends and family can offer counsel when trying to navigate life's twists and turns. It's important to listen to, and calmly consider, their suggestions. Then, after a few moments of lulling them into a sense of calm, mock them mercilessly for their nincompoopery and do what you wanted to do in the first place."
However, this made me laugh, and that's the next best thing. The advice in and of itself is fun, easily three-star material, but being familiar with the show and its idiosyncrasies (not to mention a couple of specific episodes) is a prerequisite for the full, five-star experience. It's also best enjoyed when read in Skeletor's voice. If you are/were a Masters of the Universe fan, then this is the book for you.
Review is now over, by the way. The rest of this is part of a huge picture story I started about 15 years ago and never finished mostly because it never even got started, really. It will never be finished, but I took a million pictures for it. It was about a war between my Transformers and all the other toys over building my Lego Millennium Falcon, but if I start spelling it out, I'll be here forever. Hell, He-Man even had a rap song modeled on Biggie Smalls' "Warning". That shit was great, and a lot of work went into it, getting the cadence just right, and everything. I even found the backing track for it but never recorded the rest because I didn't have recording equipment. That ship has sailed, but I still remember everything I was going to do with it, and I will share the parts that included Skeletor.
Set-up: I'm dead. (This happened in the previous picture story when I accidentally shot myself in the head with the Lego Death Star I was building for Emperor Palpatine...
...though he was mostly responsible for my passing.) However, I sent word back that the non-Transformer toys were to build my Lego Millennium Falcon for me. I was trying to throw them a bone since the Transformers got so much more attention from me than they did. The Transformers weren't happy about that, but that goes into other matters. The leaders of the fleshling toys were holding a party at Castle Grayskull to discuss exactly how they were going to embark on this ambitious undertaking... And I'm afraid Hee Haw even shows up in this thing. Take it away, Cathy Baker:
"Now, here's Orko at the barbershop."
A bunch of stuff showing off some of my other toys. Cut to He-Man getting a haircut while talking to Hordak, the Joker, a couple others, and Skeletor's head.
(The rest of my childhood Skeletor broke to pieces ages ago and got thrown in the trash, but at least I was able to hold onto the head.)
"I'm all done, He-Man. Would you like a shampoo?"
"No, Orko. When I take a poo, I want the real thing."
Silence met this pronouncement, and even the Joker looked like he was forcing his smile. Orko wasn't going to stand for it, though, so he enlarged his scissors with his magic and decapitated He-Man on the spot.
Then, just for good measure, he outdid Obi-Wan and delimbed the man.
He-Man, far from being nonplussed, looked like he was threatening to make another bad dad joke, so Hordak pulled the lever to the trap door, and away went He-Man to the dungeons, leaving only a leg behind.
Unfortunately, Skeletor fell with him and had to listen to He-Man's inanities on the way down.
Just then two Emperors show up with two Royal Guards, upset they weren't invited to the party, everyone is mad at them for killing me, Yoda and the Emperors fight, Yoda wins killing one of the Emperors and just defeating the other. Living Emperor is all upset about being killed, some quip about "Oh, whatever. Everyone knows you horcrux yourself out so bad that it makes Voldemort blush with shame," and sure enough Voldemort had pulled his turban down over his face and Professor Quirrell was driving that body again, hyuck, hyuck, hyuck. Emperor leaves, others realize they'll need He-Man and Skeletor to help build the Falcon. Will need most powerful mages, wizards, whatevers to manage this, so...
...Gandalf, Quirrell/Voldemort, Orko, a Ring Wraith, and Hordak leave Castle Grayskull with the heads, and go to...
...Snake Mountain to perform the arcane rites. When the ceremony gets to mission critical, Ring Wraith...
...goes Super Saiyan. Spells are cast, words said, blah, blah-blah, blah-blah, and...
...the deed is done! Skeletor and He-Man are back, new and improved (from the 2002 series which I thought was great, but Cartoon Network really dropped the ball on it and cancelled it in the middle of the second season when they already had a story arc planned that would cover three seasons, so all of the fans [which might've consisted of only me] were left bereft. Jerks.)
Anyway, stuff happens, Transformers plan to steal the Falcon after letting the fleggers (their pejorative term for the fleshlings) do all the work of building it, plans are made, schematics and BOMs (Bill of Materials) are checked, a big production, half of it is built in a side hanger because all the parts are taking up space in the main hanger, but in order to finish it, it needs to be moved to said main hanger, docking bay 94.
That's what I said. Docking bay 94, and they need He-Man and Skeletor to do that, so between the former's strength for lift and the latter's magic for balance, they oops-a-daisy it over to its proper place for completion.
After that, a lot more stuff happens, but one piece of advice Skel gives in his book is "always leave them wanting more," so on that note, I'm out like Skeletor.
August 12, 2019
I'm a big Skeletor fan and was thrilled to see that a book like this exists! With saying that, I sadly have to say that I was extremely disappointed. This book missed the mark. The content, tone, and "advice" that is provided, is horrible and definitely doesn't reflect what I would expect from Skeletor. Not one bit. If you want something awesome, and what I was hoping to see, just go online and browse the memes of Skeletor giving life advice. Those are more like it.
December 4, 2020
I'm happy to have this in my collection. I go back to it periodically to have a good laugh. Love it!
January 20, 2025
What a life changing, funny, and quick read
April 10, 2025
Cute for fans and collectors 😉
December 25, 2025
Great Christmas pressie!
January 8, 2022
Too short to garner four or five stars, but if you are an old school Filmation MOTU fan and like your life lessons steeped in sarcasm and cynicism, this is the book for you. Also, for the aforementioned Filmation fans, I dare you to read this and not hear Oppenheimer’s voice.
March 26, 2025
What can we learn from the cackling villain who tried (and failed) to conquer Eternia? Skeletor’s outrageous escapades hold surprising life lessons for us mere mortals. As one of the sassiest villains of the 80's, he doesn’t just bring laughs—he’s a masterclass in unapologetic confidence."
Below are a few lessons I have learned from this book:
Embrace Your Flaws: Skeletor owns his bone-chilling appearance without apologies—a lesson in self-acceptance.
Keep Going: Even after countless defeats, Skeletor never quits, proving persistence can be powerful (even if a bit misguided).
Learn What Not To Do: Skeletor's tendency for over-the-top revenge teaches us the value of measured responses.
While Skeletor’s antics make for entertaining reading, it’s worth remembering that his methods are delightfully exaggerated and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Whether you’re here for laughs, life lessons, or Skeletor’s fabulous flair, this book delivers a devilishly good time.
Below are a few lessons I have learned from this book:
Embrace Your Flaws: Skeletor owns his bone-chilling appearance without apologies—a lesson in self-acceptance.
Keep Going: Even after countless defeats, Skeletor never quits, proving persistence can be powerful (even if a bit misguided).
Learn What Not To Do: Skeletor's tendency for over-the-top revenge teaches us the value of measured responses.
While Skeletor’s antics make for entertaining reading, it’s worth remembering that his methods are delightfully exaggerated and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Whether you’re here for laughs, life lessons, or Skeletor’s fabulous flair, this book delivers a devilishly good time.
October 23, 2022
I know what you are thinking...5 stars? Yup!
Did I wish the book was longer? Indubitably!
Do I think it was money well spent by my inner child?
Absolutely!
Skeletor is one of the unsung heroes of sarcasm and cynicism of the 1980s. He was everything a villain should be and more. The fact that the show taught me everything I needed to survive as an elder Millennial is irrelevant; to this day there's an additional layer of knowledge that can be gleaned from the way this sorcerer/leader has evolved throughout the decades.
Don't get this book if you are going to take it for its literal nuggets of wisdom. That's not the point. The point is to laugh at yourself and recognize that you have to let go of what doesn't serve you.
Did I wish the book was longer? Indubitably!
Do I think it was money well spent by my inner child?
Absolutely!
Skeletor is one of the unsung heroes of sarcasm and cynicism of the 1980s. He was everything a villain should be and more. The fact that the show taught me everything I needed to survive as an elder Millennial is irrelevant; to this day there's an additional layer of knowledge that can be gleaned from the way this sorcerer/leader has evolved throughout the decades.
Don't get this book if you are going to take it for its literal nuggets of wisdom. That's not the point. The point is to laugh at yourself and recognize that you have to let go of what doesn't serve you.
August 13, 2020
I thought this would be funnier, so I’m a bit disappointed. I wish more quotes from the show had been used and expanded upon. I also found the formatting to be a little annoying. Sort of humorous, but I wasn’t thrilled with it.
May 12, 2025
If you were hoping for a deep dive into the psyche of Eternia's most persistent villain, prepare for a surprise! Robb Pearlman's "What Would Skeletor Do?" isn't the insightful character study I anticipated. Instead, it's a surprisingly lighthearted and quick read packed with wickedly funny suggestions for… well, let's just say creative inconveniences for your adversaries.
While I initially picked this up expecting an in-depth analysis of Skeletor's motivations and strategic brilliance (or lack thereof), what I found was a playful collection of scenarios and Skeletor-esque solutions that lean heavily into mischievous torment. Think more practical joke master than master of the universe.
Despite not being what I expected, I found myself chuckling along with the book's absurd and often dark humor. It's definitely a departure from serious literary analysis, but it delivers on being a fast and entertaining diversion. If you're looking for a quick, silly read that will undoubtedly elicit a few evil grins, "What Would Skeletor Do?" might just be the unexpected dose of villainous fun you need. Just don't go in expecting profound insights into the bony baddie's inner world.
While I initially picked this up expecting an in-depth analysis of Skeletor's motivations and strategic brilliance (or lack thereof), what I found was a playful collection of scenarios and Skeletor-esque solutions that lean heavily into mischievous torment. Think more practical joke master than master of the universe.
Despite not being what I expected, I found myself chuckling along with the book's absurd and often dark humor. It's definitely a departure from serious literary analysis, but it delivers on being a fast and entertaining diversion. If you're looking for a quick, silly read that will undoubtedly elicit a few evil grins, "What Would Skeletor Do?" might just be the unexpected dose of villainous fun you need. Just don't go in expecting profound insights into the bony baddie's inner world.
August 28, 2021
This is obviously a very silly book. And a quick read. About half of the pages amount to internet memes that have been printed on paper. That said, it actually contains some pretty good advice for interpersonal relationships and leadership. Provided that you do the exact opposite of what Skeletor would do.
An example: "Friends and family can offer counsel when trying to navigate life's twists and turns. It's important to listen to, and calmly consider, their suggestions. Then, after a few moments of lulling them into a sense of calm, mock them mercilessly for their nincompoopery and do what you wanted to do in the first place."
An example: "Friends and family can offer counsel when trying to navigate life's twists and turns. It's important to listen to, and calmly consider, their suggestions. Then, after a few moments of lulling them into a sense of calm, mock them mercilessly for their nincompoopery and do what you wanted to do in the first place."
December 3, 2024
3.5 stars. I bought this for my brother's birthday but I'm not giving it to him until the holidays so no one tell him. I read it since I had it and I wanted to :) My brother and I used to watch Masters of the Universe religiously and had all the toys. Now that we're in our 40s, this feels like the perfect gift of nostalgia and the funniest part is that I can't remember if I've bought this for him already or not...we'll see!!
Favourite bit: You will be judged by what you wear-especially your shoes. Make sure they're clean, laced up, and always at the ready to kick someone while they're down. That's solid.
Favourite bit: You will be judged by what you wear-especially your shoes. Make sure they're clean, laced up, and always at the ready to kick someone while they're down. That's solid.
January 11, 2020
I was given this book as a surprise gift from a friend who I spent countless hours as a kid watching this show after school.
I was super excited for the book when it arrived. This book could have been so good had they used actual phrases from the show from Skeletor and then shared some evil wisdom from there.
Such potential for a nostalgic opportunity of fun wisdom and traveling down memory lane lost on this one.
I was super excited for the book when it arrived. This book could have been so good had they used actual phrases from the show from Skeletor and then shared some evil wisdom from there.
Such potential for a nostalgic opportunity of fun wisdom and traveling down memory lane lost on this one.
March 13, 2025
This quick read is filled with personal and professional advice from Skeletor himself. With a focus on things like family, career, and, Skeletor uses his quick wit and snarky view of the world to provide short statements and exmaples from his world to share his wisdom.
While this is probably not meant to be taken too seriously, there really are some helpful clues for a person to find a better place in the world. I had a lot of fun reading it.
While this is probably not meant to be taken too seriously, there really are some helpful clues for a person to find a better place in the world. I had a lot of fun reading it.
March 10, 2022
Un libro cómico que se burla de los mensajes clásicos y tópicos de "autoayuda" como si Skeletor fuese el propio autor. Visualmente muy espectacular y bien editado, con algunos toques de farsa inteligente, pero no pasa de ahí. Divertido aunque prescindible si no eres un aficionado a los Masters del Universo y la serie de los ochenta.
March 3, 2023
Really funny book! Skeletor guides a person through social settings, decorating, and much more. He starts out by saying something normal and helpful, then he adds something evil at the end! The only negative, I wish it had been longer. You can read it in about 30 minutes. My kids and I habe adopted the WWSD attitude now, What Would Skeletor Do? Haha
May 23, 2025
Fun and quick read for the MOTU fans. Skeletor's foreword and quips for various parts of people's lives like family & friendship, love, career etc. had the right amount of sarcasm to make me chukle a few times.
Not so thrilled about the low-res pictures from the original cartoon but what can you do 🤷🏻♀️
I had fun reading it and that was it's main purpose.
Not so thrilled about the low-res pictures from the original cartoon but what can you do 🤷🏻♀️
I had fun reading it and that was it's main purpose.
June 29, 2025
If you’re a fan of the series He Man and the masters of the universe you’ll probably like this I thought it was a cute interesting spin on a lot of modern day advice and I could see Skeletor Saying these things and you definitely hear his voice reading it it’s a cute fun read I think most fans will enjoy it if you’re not a fan of the series this might not work for you then
November 15, 2019
What have I been doing with my life?! Oh how I have just tossed the years into the abyss and been none the wiser! Now I understand! Now I see! My eyes are open finally and I have found direction! Also..never leat Beast-Man be your lawyer.
November 17, 2019
I simply can't give a higher rating for a book which is only made up of images from the old 80s cartoon with added moraly ambigous advices for handling day to day situations delivered by an evil megalomaniac warlock-skeleton.
But it was 20 minutes of internal chuckles that I did enjoy.
But it was 20 minutes of internal chuckles that I did enjoy.
January 7, 2020
skeletor's guide to being your evilest. this was cute and fun and gave me a couple good chuckles but it left me wanting more general heinous villainous nastiness? it was a little bit of a letdown tbh. 3/5
July 19, 2020
This is an amusing little volume that takes so many time honored bits of wise advice and turns them on their ears. These twisted bits of cliche are made just that much funnier with the nasal voice of a cartoon villain in the reader's head.
May 16, 2021
The best self-help book ever written. I mean could you imagine if He-Man had written one ?
HA !!
It would stink !!!
This almost shouldn't count towards my 2021 Reading Challenge because it could be read in literally one sitting. I, of course managed to spread it out over two days. Why not ??
HA !!
It would stink !!!
This almost shouldn't count towards my 2021 Reading Challenge because it could be read in literally one sitting. I, of course managed to spread it out over two days. Why not ??
January 25, 2022
Very short, but that’s to be expected. I wish skeltor had actually over shadowed or spoke over someone’s self help book. Not little quips and a ton of pictures which it was what it was. Sorta expected though
December 20, 2022
This book was absolutely hilarious! I literally lmao almost every page. It was just the pick me up I needed. I already knew it was going to be funny because Skeletor is hilarious anyway and it did not disappoint. Well done. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a fun quick read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews