Vault Review: MOTU
Classics Snake Face

Snake Face’s other head has the exact same helmet, but no ponytail of snake hair out the back.  His eyes and mouth have red snakes emerging out of them, and there is also two more coming from underneath the helmet to join their buds.  This is one of the coolest looking and disturbing attack features in the entire He-Man universe.  Forget that it can turn you to stone, snakes bursting from someone’s eyes and mouth would freak me the hell out.  I definitely wouldn’t want to go up against that guy on the battlefield.

Snake Face has one of the more complex paint jobs in the line.  From the waist up his gray skin has been given a light green airbrushing.  This really gives the figure some nice depth and also makes his body look like it’s partially made of stone.  The snakes on his helmet and arms have all been painted green, with the one in the center and the symbol on his chest being a darker metallic.  The black leather armor has been molded in matte but given highlights in gloss.  Not only does this bring out the detail of the sculpt, but it also looks wet and slimy.

Snake Face comes with two accessories.  First is the snake staff that both King Hssss and Rattlor came with.  SF’s is a dark green with metallic green highlighting the underbelly and patterns on the snake’s back.  I personally think this staff looks more imposing than the lighter colored version that came with Hssss, so he’ll probably be holding it from now on.

SF’s other accessory is a shield.  The sculpted intertwined snakes look good, but I personally think the shield is just too small.  He-Man is the strongest man in the universe and a little buckler shield isn’t going to save you from one of his punches, much less a blow from his axe or sword.

All around I’m pretty happy with Snake Face.  I’m a bit disappointed in the lack of detail in his legs.  There are no paint apps and I don’t know why they didn’t use the Whiplash legs so they would match the arms, but whatever.  The figure looks fantastic from the waist up.  I also love the two heads.  Both are done so well that it’s hard to decide which to use on the shelf.

-Vault

16 thoughts on “Vault Review: MOTU
Classics Snake Face

  1. This dude is easily the creepiest character in the entire Masters of the Universe line. I don’t think I could’ve picked up the vintage figure as a kid. It would have freaked me out for sure.

    The 4H really outdid themselves sculpting the modern version. The detail and colors are top notch. The new parts are sure to look good on any future offerings. Excellent work on the pics as always, Vault.

  2. Well its true not a fig I had as a kid. Dunno if was slowly getting done with the fandom back then or maybe he freaked my folks out. My main stint with Snake-face was in 200x and he spent a majority as a stone statue. (Variant idea)

    Will be looking for him. Just have to be ready for shocking prices this year on the secondary market.

  3. Mine is still in the box. Waiting for this months subscription figure to get my MOTUC on with both of them.
    Great review. I do like the paint apps and scaled skin. Whiplash/Buzzoff’s legs would have been nice, but overall this figure looks great.

    1. that’s exactly what i was thinking, given whiplash’s legs and hordak’s feet, this dude would be completely killer. instead, he looks like a pro wrestler.

  4. Cool looking dude.
    I do kinda wish the vest didn’t have that snake, so it could be used for other characters or another Weapons Pak. I do have to agree having the snake legs would have helped this guy even more.

    LOL at the Office Space joke. I’m surprised you didn’t use the “scared” face to make a joke with Webster (“EEK! Spider!”) or something.

    1. oh, and I just heard. RIP Ray Harryhausen, Master of Stop Motion. 🙁
      I’m sure his influence could be felt on this line, esp for a Medusa-esque character like this one.

      1. The man was a legend, so much of the things we love today have been inspired by Ray’s work…the world would be a very different place if not for him. This is the saddest I have been for any the recent wave of celebrity deaths. On the plus side he lived a long full life, and there are legions of people who remember him and his work fondly.

  5. Great review and pics as usual, and excellent comic panels!

    This is a great update of the original (which I actually had)*. My only beef with this MOTUC version is that I think his torso-snakes (settle down, DR) would’ve looked better in their original green-and-black motif. I also agree with the assertion that Whiplash thighs and Hordak feet would’ve made for an even better update on this version. Also a more station-based shield design, which ruled.

    * The original looked kind of like a bloated, no-necked corpse with ludicrously stumpy legs. What was good about the original: More writhy snakes on the helmet, the aforementioned green-and-black torso snakes, and a shield with a handle that could be held instead of these wretched paint-scraping clips we keep getting these days. Also, R.I.P. Ray Harryhausen, who I’m convinced was not only the inspiration for this figure (Clash of the Titans Medusa), but also the Shadow Beasts (the illegitimate PUMAT of his Giant Ymir, Horned Cyclops, and Mighty Joe Young).

  6. Snake Face was the only Snake Man I didn’t have as a kid because my mom pointblank refused to buy him for being too gross.

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