Buzz-Off
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Buzz-Off is a fictional character from the popular Masters of the Universe franchise. He is a humanoid bee, and comes from a race of Bee People based in the Mystic Mountains. In the 2002 series the Bee People are given the name Andreenids.
He was originally tagged by Mattel as "Heroic Spy in the Sky", he serves He-Man and the Heroic Warriors primarily as a spy. He occasionally wears a pair of insect visors which give him insect vision as opposed to human.
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[edit] Character history
[edit] 1980s
Buzz-Off was introduced into the Masters of the Universe toy line in 1984. He appears in four episodes of the cartoon series by Filmation. His episodes were:
- "Island of Fear"
- "Disappearing Dragons"
- "The Good Shall Survive"
- "Search for a Son"
Generally, Buzz-Off receives little in the way of character development, his appearances generally being for the sake of toy promotion. His Bee People are the main focus of the episode "The Good Shall Survive", in which they come under attack by Skeletor, but Buzz-Off's role in the episode is actually little more than a cameo, other members of his race receiving a stronger focus. In "Disappearing Dragons" and "Search for a Son" he is teamed up with Mekaneck, a natural pairing due to the spying abilities of both characters.
He appears in the following minicomics, often with Mekanek-
- The Secret Liquid of Life
- He-Man and the Insect People
- The Obelisk
- Grizzlor: The Legend Comes Alive!
- Mantenna and the Menace of the Evil Horde!
- The Treachery of Modulok
- The Flying Fists of Power
- The Hordes of Hordak
[edit] 2002 series
Buzz-Off is featured in the 2002 relaunch of the Masters of the Universe toy line, and its accompanying cartoon series. His personality is developed significantly in this contemporary incarnation, and his image is also redesigned to appear more insect-like.
The leader of the Andreenids, Buzz-Off is presented as a sullen, independent and distrustful character, easily suspicious of others. He and his people are introduced in the episode "Sky War" in which he initially refuses to ally with the Masters, feeling his people are too strong and independent to need allies. His people produce a powerful substance called Ambrosia, which is stolen by Skeletor to enhance his power. After being manipulated by Skeletor into entering a war with Stratos and his Bird People, Buzz-Off is finally convinced of the danger Skeletor poses to Eternia and agrees to join the Masters.
Buzz-Off's most significant appearances includes "Siren's Song", in which tensions fly between him and Ram-Man as the Masters attempt to identify a traitor within their ranks. Ram-Man is suspicious of Buzz-Off due to Buzz-Off's distrustful nature and his refusal to swear an oath to protect Castle Grayskull. Another major appearance for Buzz-Off is "Buzz-Off's Pride" in which he suffers a humiliating defeat at the hands of three giants on his journey to a village for a gift for his queen. Returning to protect the village from the giants, Buzz-Off initially refuses to call upon the help of his heroic allies due to fear that his defeat would hurt his pride. His race also comes under attack in season 2's "Web of Evil" in which their Ambrosia is stolen, first by Webstor, and subsequently the Snake Men. Presented as a headstrong and independent character whose main weakness is his ego and suspicious nature, Buzz-Off receives a substantial development from his one-dimensional portrayal of the 1980s.
Other significant members of Buzz-Off's race from the 2002 series include his General, Stingrad, and the Andreenid Queen.
