Masters of the Universe Beast Man (Tree Man) Original Artwork by Mark Taylor (Mattel, 1981). Tearing its way out of Mark Taylor's primal imagination comes the original concept artwork for Masters of the Universe Beast Man-initially dubbed "Tree Man"-a snarling brute who would become one of Eternia's most ferocious villains. Rendered in mixed media on illustration board with a clear protective overlay measuring 20 by 15 inches, this 1981 piece embodies the early, untamed vision of Beast Man: a towering figure cloaked in shaggy orange fur, with darker orange armor, bold blue fur trunks, and a fierce, fanged expression that practically growls from the page. Signed and dated "Mark Taylor / 4-2-81" in the bottom right corner and labeled TA08 Tree Man, the artwork showcases not only Taylor's raw creature design but also the production notes that hint at its development journey. Callouts along the edges point to specifics like the removable head and torso, unique bicep guards and cuirass, and even note that the spiked gauntlets-at this stage-were non-removable.
Built upon the chassis of the Big Jim gorilla figure but scaled down dramatically, this early version of Beast Man stood even shorter than He-Man and Skeletor. The design evolved through multiple revisions: the signature star on the belt migrated to the chest armor, the exaggerated spikes were tamed, and the armor gained a rough fur overlay for added texture. The arm guards were repositioned higher on the biceps and reshaped to echo the original shoulder armor-a small but telling refinement in the character's brutal aesthetic. While the final toyline figure streamlined these elements for production, this concept art remains a powerful snapshot of Beast Man in his wildest, most unrefined form.
The artwork shows visible signs of use, with handling wear along the edges and corners, surface scratching, and scuffing throughout. Toning and wear along the bottom edge and creasing upper right further reflect its hands-on role in the toy design process. First made available to fans as part of the T. Mark Taylor - Sketches 1 print collection at Power-Con 2018, this piece stands not only as a cornerstone of MOTU history but as a vivid reminder of how chaos, beast, and brilliance converged in one of Taylor's most enduring villainous creations.
