Preternia Snake Mountain MOTU Origins Concept

Snake Mountain, the iconic stronghold of Skeletor, was once inhabited by the Snake Men. Taking a slightly different form than the vintage playset we grew up with, illustrations of Snake Mountain have been seen on Masters of the Universe Origins card and box art. With a giant snake face with a gaping mouth and giant fangs, this version of Snake Mountain was from Preternia and was the stronghold of King Hiss, Lady Slither, Lord Gr’asp, Terroar, Reptilax, and others. Mr. Home Arcade has commissioned this amazing Preternia Snake Mountain from the talented bombstaroutkast, who also created The Rhinoman and several other Masters of the Universe custom figures. Before we dive into the details of this amazing work of art, let’s take a look at the history!

Preternia Snake Mountain Card and Box Art Teases

Axel Gimenez got full freedom to define the story of Camo Kahn and the history surrounding him, which includes both illustrations of Snake Mountain in the upper left (classic version) and the upper right (Preternia version). He goes on to explain in an Instagram post, “Mattel gave me total freedom to define that story (Thanks @feduswan for your help once again) based on the original by created by Top Toys to justify the inclusion of Camo Khan (Kobra Khan Camouflado in Argentina) but changing the part where Kobra Khan traveled the galaxies in search of more reptiles, for the travel back in time to Preternia, in order to begin to show in Origins that rich and unexplored age. Being responsible for redefining the history of Camo Khan and finally making it official, meant a kind of redemption for me. In the late 80s when this figure came out in Argentina, only the brief story that I mentioned existed, and just as a small paper included within the minicomics (which were obviously leftover from Top Toys and had nothing to do with the Snake Men). So I drew a little mini-comic on my own illustrating that short story (in Alcala style and even in color). All that material was lost some time later, so it all came full circle 34 years later with my work on Camo Khan for Origins.”

It was here we got to see the first version of Preternia Snake Mountain as illustrated on the Camo Khan card art. According to Axel Gimenez, in an Instagram post he penned, “Preternia and Snake Mountain in that age, with its original inhabitants, the Snake Men. And also the birth of the Diabolical Snakes. About Snake Mountain, we could see in Mike Young’s series that this stronghold was different in the past when it was the domain of the Snake Men, having three snakes instead of one. In the case of Origins, since we have the design of the vintage playset, I thought of changing the wolf’s head for another snake, and the facade with the demon face, for the main snake of the Snake Men logo.”

This version of Snake Mountain has also been seen on the Diabolical Snake Men Invasion 4-pack, illustrated by the talented @fetch.franciscoetchart.

A Message From Bombstar Outkast Customs

Bombstar Outkast Customs created this amazing piece for Mr. Home Arcade and here is a note from bombstaroutkast himself, “So here it is everyone all complete snake mountain with the snake men lived before Skeletor did With a diorama, I kept it vintage style because the snake mountain place is the vintage one. A lot of work went to the diorama. You can take the castle off and display your figures right on top of the diorama put a lot of work and a lot of effort into this one just to make it look exactly like the artwork where the wolf microphone used to be. I had to remove it to add the second snake it also moves I hope you guys like and enjoy thanks to everyone who’s been liking and enjoying my work I have another diorama for a friend for gray skull!”

You can also check out Mr. Home Arcades Preternia Snake Mountain video here:

Preternia Snake Mountain MOTU Origins Concept

This is more than a playset and is constructed as a diorama piece that pays homage to, and brings to life, the illustrations by the amazing talented @fetch.franciscoetchart (artist who illustrated the Diabolical Snake Men Invasion packaging) and Axel Gimenez (artist who illustrated the Camo Khan card art). The scene is set off by a classic purple motif with a foreground that contains what look to be thick tree roots and lava emanating from the base. Using the vintage Snake Mountain as the base for the playset, it features amazing sculpted details to bring this creation to fruition.

The demon face came out outstanding and the way that it was sculpted makes it look like it has been a part of Snake Mountain for ages! It is so well integrated into the playset and it blends so well with the organic, natural feeling of original design. For example, the top of the snake face has earthy roots and thick vines that give it that integrated look.

In addition to the centerpiece of the snake face, two more snakes were added that flank each side of the face. These are thinner snakes are from the vintage Snake Mountain and were perfect as the MOTU Origins snake was too oversized.

Running down the center of Snake Mountain is lava, which is a great addition as it adds some nice orange tones to the playset to break up all of the purple.

Here is a battle scene in front of Snake Mountain and the dio looks so awesome! The playset has a ton of versatility that you can build out any way you want! I love that King Hiss and Lady Slither are looking on.

Turning out attention to the inside of the playset, we get a glimpse of the giant snake throne and the dio floor which makes the living space within the playset more expansive. There is a cool lava pit as well as some stone surrounds, creating that organic feel.

Looking at a top down view of Preternia Snake Mountain from the inside, we get a better view of the snakes and the cool lava pit that is part of the dio.

Here is a closeup of the giant snake throne, which features a large cobra head high back chair with fangs on the arms of the chair…how apropos!

Here you can see how the playset can hold and display a scene of MOTU Origins figures as the Snake Men look upon the poor soul about to get a lava bath!

One really cool aspect of this playset is that it is also a separate diorama all on it’s own! It utilizes the same bridge to connect the dio in the back and the lava effects look amazing!

Here is a cray cool battle scene featuring just the dio so you can see how versatile it is.