Review of Slush Head - Masters of the Universe Classics figure

Introduction

Slush Head is merely one of several new Masters of the Universe Classics figures for May. As you might expect, he's a villain, as well as a 'space mutant'. If you weren't aware, the big sticker on the bubble will make sure you know the 411.

Slush Head is another figure that did have an original vintage version, a bumbling oaf of a bad guy who was destined to always be second in command. The original toy allowed the child to fill the tank over his head with water, a feature included with this new incarnation as well.

This figure was May 2012 release, and ran $22 at Matty Collector. He sold out fairly soon, as do most of the updated vintage characters.

Packaging - ***
Same package with only one change - he has a sticker proclaiming his statues as a space mutant.

Sculpting - **1/2
Normally, the sculpting is one of the better aspects of any MOTUC figure. The figure itself is another winner here, but the tentacles are a big disappointment, and this is the first category where he's taking a hit because of it.

The head sculpt looks good. He has a bug eyed doofus look, with lots of nice detailing. Add to that the cool new armor (removable) and backpack, new bands for the arms, and the cool clear plastic helmet, and you have a very cool looking design overall. Perhaps coolest of all, there's a small plug on the back of the helmet that allows you top fill it with water for the full effect.

But the mechanical arms are a big part of this figure, and they don't attach properly. Now it might just be mine (I certainly hope so), but I couldn't attach either correctly. They have specific ends designed for each side of the back pack, one rectangle, one half round, and neither worked on mine no matter how hard I tried. I managed to get them to hold in place on the WRONG sides long enough for one photo, but they wouldn't stay in place correctly in their intended peg holes.

That's a huge let down, and really hurts a Sculpting score that otherwise would have gotten another full star.

Paint - ***1/2
The paint work here is solid, with some very nice details on the new armor and face. It's clean, with no major slop or seriously irregular cut lines, and most of the smaller detail work is well done. There's a minor slip here and there on the silver, and the right eye is a smidge googly, but it's very minor.

Articulation - ***
The figure has most of the usual, but because of the design there's a couple key missing joints.

Obviously, the neck is not movable, since the tank has to be water tight. The ball shoulders with cut biceps, pin elbows and knees, ball hips and twisting thighs, cut wrists, pin ankles, cut waist, cut shins, and ab-crunch all work as you'd expect. The armor restricts the ab-crunch of course, but it's there.

The lack of a neck though hurts this score. They could have made up for that though with the mechanical arms, as they have a few joints. Once connected to the backpack, they can't turn there (remember, they have specific connectors for each side) but they can turn on the ends of the arms. While Matty claims these are 'fully articulated', the U shaped claw doesn't close and open. The V shaped claw does, however.

And no, they aren't bendy either. Overall, the tentacles are pretty disappointing.

Accessories - **1/2
This category takes a hit because of the arms as well, since they are a major part of the accessories. If yours work properly, you can bump this category another full star.

Other than the two arms, there's also a 'laser ax'. It works as both a laser gun and as an ax, pulling double deadly duty.

Fun Factor - ***
The water feature is cute but a huge part of the fun factor on this figure is the mechanical arms. When they won't stay on, he loses over other figures in this series. He can still have some play value, but not as much as was intended.

Value - **
Remember, we're now paying $22 each plus shipping for these guys, with prices to rise again by 2013. I'd give him another half star - an average value score - if the arms attached properly. That way, you'd have enough usable accessories to make the price tag a little less painful. But with the gun being the only useful extra for me, he takes a hit here.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.

Overall - ***1/2
The only, and I mean only, reason this guy is getting a low score is the poorly fitting tentacles. Had these worked as designed - even close - then I bet this guy would be up another half star. But the arms hit so many categories, including Sculpt, Value and Accessories, that I just can't let it slide. If you get more fortunate than I and your fittings work properly, you'll have a very good addition to your display.

I'll still have mine displayed amongst the ranks of the evil doers, but he won't be wearing the arms. Considering the price of these figures, that's not acceptable.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - **1/2
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ***
Accessories - **1/2
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - **1/2

Where to Buy 
Obviously, this guy has sold out at Matty Collector, but you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I've covered a lot of MOTUC:

- most recent was the excellent Draego.

- other figures include Kobra Khan, Sorceress, Demo-man, Fearless Photog, Snout Spou, Wind Raider, the large Megator, the giant Tytus. Leech, Icarius, Clawful, the Faceless One, Catra, Sy-Klone, King Hssss, Vikor, Buzz Off, Grizzlor, Roboto, Gygor, Chief Carnivus, Whiplash, Orko, Count Marzo, She-Ra, Optikk, Evil-Lyn, Moss Man, Trap Jaw, Adora, Scare glow, Teela, Man-at-arms, Hordak, Zodac, Faker, Mer-man, Stratos, Webstor, Tri-klops, and starting out with He-man, Skeletor and Beastman together in one review.

- I also covered Battle Cat and Panthor, the big kitties.

- check out the cool MOTUC Display stands.

- I've also looked at more weapons recently.the cool custom swords and shields you can get from SpyMonkey Creations.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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