I love getting the non-traditional characters in the MOTU Classics line. So June was actually a pretty exciting month for me. Not only were we able to pick up Teela in here non-canon DC Comics barbarian swimsuit look, but we also got an original 200X character with The Faceless One.
Character wise, I’m not a big fan of The Faceless One. He originally appeared in MYP cartoon, but always seemed more like a deus ex machina to me. They gave you hints of characterization by making him Evil-Lyn’s mysterious father, but he was never really developed fully. Instead, he became a way to introduce and explain away magical items like the Havoc Staff and Ram Stone, or even to find an excuse to get He-Man involved in a predominantly Evil-Lyn episode. It wasn’t until his appearance in the MVC comics that we even learned his back story.
But, aside from not really liking his character, I’m a fan of how The Faceless One looks. He’s got this fantastically imposing style to his costume that makes you take notice. With his mix of dark purples and blacks, when you first see him you can’t help but wonder if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. Then there’s the whole ram motif that surrounds him, which immediately makes you think only of Skeletor.
The Horsemen did a fantastic job with The Faceless One’s sculpt. Even though he’s based on Count Marzo’s body, the added armor really goes a long way in making him his own figure. I was really amazed to discover that his body armor/cape is actually three separate pieces. His chest armor, collar, and the back part of his cape are all one piece. His shoulder pads are separate and each are molded with the side of his cape. It’s a very simple construction that gives his design a look of complexity. Something else I didn’t expect was just how awesome his armor looks on the other MOTU characters. Even more odd is how Faceless seems to wear Marzo’s armor better than the Count himself.
The other piece that really sets his body apart from Marzo’s is his loin cloth. This is probably one of the most intricate loin cloths we’ve gotten in the Classics line and it definitely sets itself apart from the sea of furry underwear. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that even though it’s one piece, it still hangs down in six separate sections so his articulation isn’t hindered at all. I’m assuming this is why the 4H didn’t go with the robe design from the 200X cartoon, but instead chose his MVC Comics look. I was a bit disappointed when he first debuted without the robe look, but I’ve gotten used to it. Plus, I like the nod to the comics.
I am a bit annoyed that the nod to the MVC comics didn’t continue though. Considering the limited amount of new tooling that was given to The Faceless One, there really is no reason that he didn’t come with his alternate faced head. Toy Guru is always saying we’ll get alternate heads if they make sense for the character. What makes more sense than including the human looking Nikolas’ head, especially since his bio talks about him before he was faceless. Ultimately, I’m not really sure why they didn’t include his human head, but decisions like this do very little in stopping the rumors that Mattel has something against the MVC comics. Continue to page 2…
Little known fact: Optimus Prime took the Faceless One’s face.
Great review! Upon looking at the “Are you a wizard” pic I immediately burst out laughing.
That “clutching” hand for the ram stone screams “KALI MA” when it is empty…maybe he and Marzo just need some burning heart accessories? 😀
two thoughts:
1) the last pic, about borrowing the havoc staff… excellence. the one about all the guys being dead… excellence. but the one w/ marzo armor and the fo armor on scare glo? friggin brilliance!! me likeys.
2) you should snag a photo or bow holding marzo’s gem or the ram stone… i suspect his archery hands would work for holding the items, and would prove that they HAVE the hands needed for holdin’ and posin’ already in the parts bank. i could be wrong, i’m on vaca or i’d try it myself, but give it a whirl and let me know, k?
I know Power Ranger fans give Bandai America a lot of crap for “not making sense,” but I think Mattel is a strong dark horse contender in that race.
Just look at DCUC Green Arrow and MOTUC Bow. “Look! Balljoint wrists! On characters whose main weapon requires them to keep their wrists as straight as humanly possible! Good for us!
“What’s that? Ball wrists on characters like He-Man or She-Ra so they can raise their swords above their head in their trademark “I have the power!” pose?
Pfft!
How does THAT make sense? Silly fanboys!”
Speaking of Bandai America not making sense, I just got word that they’ve banned online e-tailers from sending their Thundercats toys overseas. All I freakin’ want is a Ssslithe, and they won’t let my usual U.S. connections send me one, EVEN IF I PAY FOR IT. Bandai America: Shooting themselves in the foot with potential customers and refusing good money.
Heck, even Mattel ships overseas! Oh, wait, there’s that Monday Madness blind-box bargain deal they’re not shipping beyond the States.
Never mind.
Sweet review with great pics, as always. Looking forward to getting this guy (cross fingers), and from what you say of his armour & cape rig, making a soft-goods cape for him sounds easier than I thought it’d be!
Actually, I think Marzo and Faceless have totally different clutching hands – if you look at them, I’m pretty sure each was sculpted to hold a particular artifact.
I really like this figure. I ended up liking Faceless’ head more than I thought I would, to the point that I display him equally with and without the cloak.
I don’t know what it is about Keldor, but once you pose him in a pic with any MOTUC female that smile goes from vile to dirty. Find him a barrel of rum to post one leg on, and you have a whole spectrum of fitting, yet unsavory behavior.
It’s not just the ladies. Walking past my shelf the other day, I realised I inadvertently had Keldor checking out Bow’s ass.
Eagerly awaiting my Faceless One. I know almost nothing about him, but he’s purple and black with a floaty head! Cool. I received my Catra in exactly ten days, so I’m hoping UK shipping’s picking up speed again and he’ll arrive this weekend…
Between Grizzlor’s face and The Faceless One’s ‘face’ I have a feeling in the pits of my soul that they’re just stealing the sculpts from horror movies from the 1980’s that only I have seen.
Great review, thanks. I loved the pictures.
I can’t help but see figures like this and think how it is a perfect example of the flaws that repaint-remold-renew lines like DCUC and MOTU bring to the table. If he was a figure from Hasbro or any other reputable company, and a whole new figure, his armor would be incorporated into the actual sculpt as opposed to handled by accessories, this would mean that instead of looking like a Power Rangers villain, they could put stronger details into the armor, and design the articulation to incorporate it as opposed to the way that the armor was designed to incorporate the articulation.
Another funny review, wish he actually had a real face & since he was part of the Council of Elders and from Eternia past-should have a Powers of Grayskull logo!
First off, really good review.
I’m a fan of the character and I love this figure. I still don’t understand how the 4H sculpted him a face when he’s the “Faceless One”, but at least it’s not as bad in person.
I also agree that he could have totally come with a second head. Not every figure needs one, but he certainly did. Mattel needs to quit being cheap when it comes to the second heads.