Snake-Eyes x Leonardo

Wait, this line has good guys, too? Snake-Eyes is proficient in 12 different unarmed fighting systems (Ninjutsu, Kung-Fu, Jujitsu) and is highly skilled in the use of edged weapons. He has received extensive training from his sensei in underwater demolitions (also known as sewer lair renovation), desert survival (Coney Island) and arctic survival (walk-in freezer at the pizza parlor). Qualified Expert: all ooze (both mutagen and retromutagen) small arms. "This mutant is a total mystery, but he's real good at his job, heck, he's the perfect Turtle." If you're doing a GI Joe crossover line, there's no way you're not going to do the franchise character; it would be like the He-Man Transformers choosing not to do Optimus Prime. Or He-Man. But does the choice to make him Leonardo really make sense? Snake-Eyes isn' a leader, the way Leo is (hard to lead when you can't give any orders) and Leonardo isn't the silent type. Really, he should have been Duke or Hawk, and Snake-Eyes should have been... Raphael, I guess? Or Splinter. Speaking of Raphael, this costume looks like Raph's wrestling suit - a pure black suit is a pure black suit, even if it has baggy pantlegs. The boots have two toes, like Turtle feet, and there are pouches sculpted just above his ankles. There's a knife on one leg and a pocket on the other, and small arrows on both his forearms. The grenades on his chest strap are patterned like turtle shells, and the way Leo's bandana blends with Snake-Eyes' visor is really cool. We do get to see a little bit of green skin, to keep the figure from being too dark (although the knee- and elbow-pads, as well as the belt, bandolier, and visor being a vibrant blue also helps in that department). Presumably the forearms were left bare so they'd have an excuse to print the Arashikage tattoo on him... unfortunately, it's on the wrong arm. Snake-Eyes (and everyone else in the comics that has one) has it on the right arm, while Leonardo gets it on his left. Whoops! The visor can be lifted to reveal the eyes behind it; they're both blank white, but there's a big red scar around the left eye, which is way less than Snake-Eyes' is usually disfigured, but it's a nice nod. Being able to hinge the visor up adds one more point of articulation to an already decent assortment. The toy has a balljointed head, swivel/hinge shoulders, double-hinged elbows, swivel wrists, balljoint hips, double-hinge knees, and swivel/hinge ankles. The joints all move smoothly, but hold their position well - there are no detents making them "snap" from position to position, but they're not flopping around under their own weight, either. The visor is attached to the head with metal pins, meaning big silver discs on both sides of his head. was that really necessary? Was making sure the visor couldn't be removed more important than making sure it looked good? It's possible the only reason Playmates chose to mash Snake-Eyes up with Leonardo is that they both use swords - he just wouldn't look right with a sai. Leo gets his two blades, but they're not katanas: instead, they're the same style of sword 1985 Snake-Eyes had! They're solid black, and can store on his back when not in use. Vintage Snake-Eyes also had an Uzi, which this toy kind of does? It's the same shape, but it has a canister under thr front, kind of like a Super Soaker. It's bright green, suggesting mutagen, which turns this weapon into a pun: he's not carrying an Uzi, he's carrying an Ooze-y! And if you buy this figure at retail, that's all you get. But apparently there was an SDCC exclusive version (which would have been nice to know before now) that finished the 1985 homage by giving Snake-Eyes his wolf. And how do you do a wolf in a TMNT crossover line? It's Rahzar! It's basically just a normal grey wolf with a slightly angrier face, and it's wearing a modern dog-handling vest rather than something made of junk, but it's neat that they did that. And I'm sad I missed it. Leonardo may not have been the most logical choice for Snake-Eyes, but this is still a great design and a totally fun mashup. The secret ingredient is not being afraid to get silly with it. -- 09/25/26 Who would you have mashed up with Snake-Eyes? Tell us on our message board, the Loafing Lounge.