Some storyboard artwork from the scariest He-Man episode of all time.

Robert Lamb, writer of classic He-Man episodes such as "Not so Blind" and "Into the Abyss" was also a storyboard artist. Here we display his art to one of the darkest episodes in the He-Man series. Robert Lamb took time out from his schedule to scan in this art and explain some points behind it.

"I had the good fortune to get a string of Larry DiTillio scripts to board during the 1st season. Among them were "The Dragon's Gift" and "The Return of Granamyr". I remember having to coordinate scenes with Don Manuel who boarded "House of Shokoti" Part 1 to reuse backgrounds and animation of Melaktha and Stanlan since we didn't create stock for extra characters. This is one of Larry's best and I enjoyed getting the assignment. I remember now the frustration of trying to stay true to Larry DiTillio's script, which was terrific. I tried to keep the animation I called for within budgetary reason, but the story just needed as much as we could give it.

"House of Shokoti" as a board doesn't look as good as other boards due to massive revisions necessary to bring the budget down to something that could be produced. The revisions the board received from both Bob Arkwright and Hal Sutherland were extensive. The board was overdue and several other artists assisted me in completing the revisions. The final board looks like a patchwork quilt. It is amazing that the episode came out as good as it did. I'm a bit embarrassed by some of the art. Some of the art is good and the story got told as well as possible, but some of the art is sloppy. The script was strong enough and I hope I did it justice."

It was "House of Shokoti, Part 2" where Ram Man came alive for me. I got the biggest kick out of him mispronouncing Shokoti's name. "Shipoopi, Sashimi, Shabooti" I loved it. So when I did "Not So Blind" I put Rammy in there because he deserved another chance to shine. What can I say? He cracked me up."

These first three pages of the draft show an original scene which actually doesn't appear at all in the episode. Ram Man is using the Battle Ram to dig up the sand surrounding the pyramid. The dialogue, while similar has a few differences. Notice the new version of Melaktha still doesn't resemble the final version which was seen on the show.

Melaktha looks nothing like the animated version.

Ram Man uses the Battle Ram to dig a trench.

Melaktha continues his quest, no matter what the risk.

The next three pages are the revised draft of the above three pages.

The original panning shot.

Melaktha looks slightly more like the animated version.

Again, Melaktha continues his quest, no matter what the risk.

This is the now famous scene where Stanlan talks Ram Man into ramming down the door to the pyramid. Stanlan's design is early, and doesn't resemble the final version used in the show. The expressions from this part of the storyboard are very much in the final animated scene.

Ram Man leaps into action . . .

and knocks himself out.

Stanlan is captured by the evil of Shokoti.

These following pages are from the change sequence. These parts of the storyboard were usually photocopied straight from the original storyboard art of the change sequence. The text "Dupe Neg" means that the animators need not animate the scene, and that the negative of the film would just be edited into the final version.

Adam begins the transformation.

Stock footage.

Battle Cat attempts to rescue Stanlan, with not much luck.

Here's the amusing scene when Ram Man attempts to ram the illusions created by Shokoti. However he rams the overhanging stone structure. The big difference in this scene is that the way Ram Man is captured. You can see that Robert Lamb originally had him fall back down and trapped within a brazier. The final animated scene had him fall onto the sacrificial table.

Ram Man once again leaps into action . . .

and crashes into the overhanging stone structure.

The final big scene at the end of the episode when Stanlan finally confronts his fear of Shokoti. The art on this part of the board is really expressive, especially with Stanlan holding the sword in challenge to Shokoti.

Stanlan stands ready against Shokoti.

Freedom for the good guys.

A shot of Shokoti and Stanlan that was reworked in the revisions.