Created in the 1980s by Tim Clarke and Maureen Trotto, The Sectaurs tell the story of Symbion, a planet that exists somewhere in space, somewhere in time. The failure of a genetic experiment causes the development of oversized insects and arachnids and produces Sectaurs, humans with insect-like characteristics. Sectaurs, heroes of Prince Dargon's peaceful Shining Realm of Prosperon, paired up with enormous insects to combat Empress Devora, ruler of the Dark Domain of Syntax and her followers. Marvel Comics published eight issues of Sectaurs stories, and a five-episode animated series bought the struggles on Symbion to television. Toy maker Coleco produced Sectaur action figures and toys, and coloring books and other playthings popularized the line. The Sectaurs remained popular for only a few years.