Masters of the Universe Ursis Prime / Beast Man Original Concept Artwork By Mark Taylor (Mattel, Undated). Before Beast Man became Skeletor's snarling sidekick, he existed as Ursis Prime-a primal, bear-like creature brought to life in the earliest stages of Masters of the Universe by the hand of Mark Taylor. This original concept artwork, rendered in mixed media on a 17 by 14 inch illustration board, offers a rare look into the raw, untamed roots of one of Eternia's most enduring villains. Cloaked in earthy browns with fiery red and orange accents, the savage figure wears a skeletal emblem harness, a spiked collar, and a rugged belt with undergarment, all signaling his brutal role in the unfolding mythos. His clawed, metallic gloves hint at his untamed strength, while the bear-inspired physique reveals a vision later altered due to concerns at Mattel that it resembled Chewbacca too closely. A circular cut-out drawn around the character anchors the design at center stage, while visible edge wear, staining, surface tears, and tape marks at the corners give the piece an archival feel, as if it had survived its own battle through the developmental wilderness. Ursis Prime stands not only as Beast Man's conceptual ancestor, but also as a symbol of the wild energy that helped spark the MOTU universe into being.
Taylor's original concept for Ursis Prime-later evolved into Beast Man-is one of the most revered early designs in the Masters of the Universe mythos. This artwork is among the most sought-after pieces in the MOTU collecting community, often commanding significant interest at auction and appearing in definitive references such as The Toys of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and The Art of He-Man. Recognized as a central creative force behind the franchise, Taylor's visionary work on characters like Ursis Prime continues to be celebrated by collectors and historians alike for its foundational role in shaping the brutal, fantastical world of Eternia.
