Sectaurs

Sectaurs is a science-fantasy entertainment and toy franchise originating with a Coleco action-figure line released in the mid-1980s. Its setting, Symbion, is a world transformed by a failed genetic experiment that enlarged insects and arachnids and gave its humanoid inhabitants insect-like characteristics. The concept combined conventional articulated figures with oversized insect companions, creating a distinctive play pattern in which a humanlike character was paired with an insectoid creature. The original concept is associated with puppet designer Tim Clarke, who had created a fly-like hand puppet after becoming dissatisfied with conventional Halloween masks. Clarke later presented the idea to Lawrence Mass, who proposed adapting the creature into a toy concept paired with an action figure. Maureen Trotto is also credited in the franchise’s creation. Coleco developed the concept as a toy property rather than as a media adaptation of an existing story, and the toys supplied much of the franchise’s terminology, visual identity, and narrative premise. The fictional conflict centers on two opposing powers. Prince Dargon and his allies represent the peaceful Shining Realm of Prosperon, while Empress Devora and General Spidrax lead the Dark Domain of Synax. Both sides seek control of the Hyves, fortress-like remnants of an ancient civilization whose secrets may provide ultimate power. Sectaurs characters are generally tele-bonded with intelligent insectoid animals. The bond allows the partners to share sensations and emotions, while also providing a story explanation for the unusual physical interaction between the figures and their companion creatures. The merchandise used several companion categories, including rideable Steeds, smaller Action Bugs with mechanical features, and Battle Bugs carrying weapons or projectiles. The first toy program included figures such as Dargon, Pinsor, Zak, Mantor, General Spidrax, Skulk, Commander Waspax, and Skito, along with insect companions, weapons, and the Hyve playset. The Hyve was one of the line’s major play environments, incorporating a laboratory interior, trap door, collapsible bridge, cage, ladder, wrecking ball, and turret. A planned second wave expanded the roster with characters and creatures including Bodyball, Bandor, Nuckles, Fly Flinger, Gyrofly, Snagg, and Ax-Back, although much of that proposed assortment was unreleased. The brand was extended through nine mini-comics packaged with toys, an eight-issue Marvel Comics series published from 1985 to 1986, and a Marvel UK Summer Special in 1986. Ruby-Spears produced a five-episode animated miniseries in 1985, giving the toy characters a broader narrative platform. The television stories followed the struggle between Prosperon and Synax and used the Hyves, tele-bonding, and insectoid companions as recurring elements. Sectaurs later became a collectors’ property associated with 1980s action-figure culture. A Kickstarter effort in 2018 sought to restart the franchise. In 2022, The Nacelle Company announced an exclusive agreement with rights holder Seven Towns Ltd. to develop Sectaurs as a licensed property, with plans for new action figures and an animated series. Oni Press subsequently published a three-issue comic miniseries in 2024–2025 as part of the NacelleVerse. The brand therefore remains active as an intellectual property, although the timing and scope of all announced future products are not established by the available reference material.

The Sectaurs concept developed from Tim Clarke’s interest in insect-like puppetry. After making a fly-inspired hand puppet for a Halloween occasion in 1978, Clarke later brought the idea to a meeting with Lawrence Mass. Mass saw potential in combining the creature with an action figure, establishing the core design principle that would define the property. Maureen Trotto is also credited as a creator. Coleco brought Sectaurs to market as an action-figure line in 1985. Rather than presenting insects merely as enemies or decorative motifs, the brand made them essential partners. Characters from the fictional planet Symbion were tele-bonded to intelligent insectoids and shared their companions’ sensations. This relationship supported both the fantasy premise and the toys’ physical design, with figures interacting with large rideable creatures and smaller companions equipped with levers, buttons, cranks, biting mechanisms, grappling lines, wings, or water-spraying features. The narrative world was organized around the struggle between the Shining Realm of Prosperon and the Dark Domain of Synax. Prince Dargon, Captain Zak, Pinsor, Mantor, and their allies opposed Empress Devora, General Spidrax, Skulk, Commander Waspax, and other antagonists. The factions competed for the Hyves, fortified sites left by an ancient civilization. The original range included weapons and accessories such as Slazors, Venguns, shields, swords, whips, nets, and projectile systems. Its major playset, the Hyve, represented one of the principal locations in the setting and included a laboratory, landing pad, trap door, bridge, cage, ladder, wrecking ball, and turret. Storytelling expanded quickly beyond the toys. Nine mini-comics were packaged with figures in 1984. Marvel Comics then published an eight-issue series from 1985 through 1986, with Bill Mantlo writing the stories and art by Mark Texeira and Steve Geiger. Marvel UK issued a Summer Special in June 1986. These publications developed character relationships, factional rivalries, tele-bonding, and the history of Symbion in ways that packaging copy alone could not. Ruby-Spears produced a five-episode animated miniseries in 1985. The episodes included “Spidrax Attacks,” “Slave City,” “Valley of the Stones,” “Trapped in the Acid Desert,” and “Battle of the Hyve.” The production was associated with Ken Spears and Joe Ruby, with John Kimball directing. Music was composed by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban, and the voice cast included Arthur Burghardt, Peter Cullen, Laurie Faso, Dan Gilvezan, Peter Renaday, Neil Ross, and Frank Welker. The original toy program was not fully realized. A second wave was planned with additional figures, Battle Bugs, and Creepers, but several of those products were unreleased. This incomplete expansion contributed to the property’s later identity as a sought-after vintage toy line. In 2018, a Kickstarter campaign attempted to revive the franchise. In April 2022, The Nacelle Company announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Seven Towns Ltd. and stated that it intended to develop new action figures and an animated series. Oni Press later published a three-issue miniseries in 2024–2025 within the NacelleVerse. Rights are identified in the available reference material as being held by Seven Towns Ltd., while the long-term status of all announced revival projects remains unspecified.

1. 2024Oni Press launches a Sectaurs miniseries

   Oni Press published a new three-issue comic miniseries, continuing into 2025 and linking the property to the NacelleVerse.

   Source
2. 2022The Nacelle Company becomes an announced licensee

   The Nacelle Company announced an exclusive agreement with Seven Towns Ltd. covering planned new figures and animation.

   Source
3. 2018Kickstarter revival campaign begins

   A Kickstarter campaign sought to restart the Sectaurs franchise.

   Source
4. 1986Marvel UK publishes a Summer Special

   Marvel UK released a Sectaurs Summer Special in June 1986.

   Source
5. 1985Coleco launches Sectaurs action figures

   Coleco released the initial action-figure line, centered on insectoid companions and the factions of Symbion.

   Source
6. 1985Ruby-Spears produces a five-episode animated miniseries

   The animated miniseries expanded the toy property into television storytelling.

   Source
7. 1985Marvel begins an eight-issue comic series

   Marvel Comics published an eight-issue Sectaurs series from 1985 to 1986.

   Source
8. 1984Mini-comics accompany the toy line

   Nine Sectaurs mini-comics were included with toys, helping establish the setting and characters.

   Source
9. 1978Tim Clarke develops a fly-inspired puppet concept

   The early concept that led to Sectaurs originated with Tim Clarke’s hand puppet modeled after a fly, later adapted into an action-figure idea.

   Source

A collectible science-fantasy action-figure brand differentiated by humanoid characters, oversized insect and arachnid companions, mechanical play features, and a conflict-driven mythology.

• Original Sectaurs action-figure lineAction figures1985

  The original Coleco range paired humanoid warriors with insectoid partners. Figures represented the Shining Realm and Dark Domain and typically included weapons, shields, or other accessories. The companion creatures provided the line’s central novelty, with rideable Steeds and smaller Action Bugs using physical mechanisms such as biting, grappling, flapping, spraying, or launching projectiles.

• The HyvePlayset1985

  The Hyve was a large playset representing one of Symbion’s fortified ancient sites. It included a landing pad, trap door, collapsible bridge, Bio-Control Laboratory interior, cage, ladder, wrecking ball, and heavy turret gun. The set was guarded by the mutant Insectoids Narr and Vypex.

• Sectaurs mini-comicsMini-comics1984

  Nine mini-comics were packaged with toys and provided concise introductions to the world, factions, characters, and insectoid-bonding concept.

• Marvel Sectaurs comic seriesComic books1985

  Marvel Comics published an eight-issue series from 1985 to 1986. Bill Mantlo wrote the stories, with Mark Texeira drawing the first two issues and Steve Geiger drawing issues three through eight.

• Ruby-Spears animated miniseriesAnimated television1985

  The five-episode 1985 miniseries translated the toy mythology into television, focusing on the conflict between Prosperon and Synax and the struggle for control of the Hyves.

• Oni Press Sectaurs miniseriesComic books2024

  Oni Press published a three-issue revival miniseries in 2024–2025. Dennis Culver wrote the series and Ramón Bachs provided the art. It was positioned as part of the NacelleVerse.

• 2018Sectaurs Kickstarter revival

  United States

  A Kickstarter campaign was launched with the aim of restarting the Sectaurs franchise and developing new interest in the property.

  Outcome. The available reference material confirms the campaign but does not provide sufficient information about its funding result or delivered products.

  Source

• 2024Oni Press extends Sectaurs through a new comic miniseriesProduct launch

  The franchise’s revival strategy included expanding the property through new media and placing it within the broader NacelleVerse.

  What changed. Oni Press released a three-issue series written by Dennis Culver and illustrated by Ramón Bachs.

  Aftermath. The miniseries provided a contemporary comic continuation of the Sectaurs property during 2024–2025.

  Source
• 2022Seven Towns grants The Nacelle Company an exclusive Sectaurs agreementStrategy

  Sectaurs remained a legacy toy and media property with an established collector audience, while rights were held by Seven Towns Ltd.

  What changed. The Nacelle Company announced an exclusive agreement to act as licensee and stated plans for a new action-figure line and an animated series.

  Aftermath. A later Oni Press comic miniseries appeared in 2024–2025 as part of the NacelleVerse. The available sources do not establish whether the proposed new toy line or animated series launched.

  Source

• 2024Oni Press publishes a Sectaurs comic miniseries

  Oni Press released a three-issue Sectaurs miniseries written by Dennis Culver with art by Ramón Bachs. The series was presented as part of the NacelleVerse and continued the property in comic-book form during 2024–2025.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2022The Nacelle Company announces an exclusive Sectaurs licensing agreement with Seven Towns

  The Nacelle Company announced that it had reached an exclusive agreement with Seven Towns Ltd., the rights holder for Sectaurs. The stated plans included a new action-figure line and an animated series.

  M&AProduct launch
  Source

1. Sectaurs