REVIEW: 8684 LEGO Minifigures Series 2

[GRogall]

I still think that the problem is with the US dealers and like I mentioned before, when the series was introduced at the New York

toy show the excitement from them was very low. While in Europe the dealers ordered a lot more. This is why the problem will only be ratified

when series 3 gets released Jan-Feb time frame. but only if the US dealers don't make the same mistake!

[Darth Jar Jar]

Well, what I'm trying to say is that IMHO they have so far an undecided (or careful) strategy. Many posters are saying that these series are hard to find, and get sold out quickly. To me this suggests that TLG management just wasn't sure it was a good idea and took a "safe tactic": limited production to see how the first series go, and made in China to keep the costs minimal. They picked their budget for a bunch of designers and a number of pieces to produce so that series 1 would make a profit if at least XX% of the bags were sold, now they've seen they sold 100% and they will increase production for series 2.

Also I am not angry at all with TLG for this! Believe me, with so much Lego out there to possibly buy, there is no single Lego set or minifig I cannot live without.

I'm a parent too however, and while my kids are still too young for these, I am already thinking whether I should keep them away from collections in general, or if I should let them try and learn from their mistakes. I do have a very negative opinion on "collectable toys" and collecting hobbies based on close collections, I believe they are as unhealthy as gambling.

So for me the matter was very simple: since they're sold at random, I didn't even consider buying them, no matter how nice they look. Once I found out about the barcodes, I bought 5 that I though were cool, maybe I'll buy 2-3 more, and that's it (since we already know the barcodes are over in series 3). I understand your concerns for people who buy 500 of the same minifig, which combined with the scarcity of the whole series makes it almost impossible for regular children to complete their collection, but normal people would use the barcodes to help their kids complete the collection for a smaller price. I don't see how this "cheating" can possibly be less moral than the industrial strategy you explained well yourself of tricking children into buying 30 minifigs to get 16.

Well series two production was already completed before series one hit the shelves. Its series three that they are going to up the production not two...

[Aanchir]

I understand your concerns for people who buy 500 of the same minifig, which combined with the scarcity of the whole series makes it almost impossible for regular children to complete their collection, but normal people would use the barcodes to help their kids complete the collection for a smaller price. I don't see how this "cheating" can possibly be less moral than the industrial strategy you explained well yourself of tricking children into buying 30 minifigs to get 16.

Well, here's the part where people seem to be confused. There's no trickery involved LEGO's not forcing anyone to buy more minifigs than they want. If you pay for five minifigs, you get five minifigs. All of the minifigs are equally valuable, unless you're talking about resale value. And LEGO doesn't design their sets with the intention that they be resold-- sets are designed for the people who have a personal demand for them.

Even if you already have a certain figure, there's no reason the fig you already have is less valuable than any fig you don't have. On the contrary, there's no problem with having multiples of a fig. Army builders in fact prefer to have as many multiples as possible-- provided they're multiples of the fig they're setting out to collect. And this doesn't make the Spartan figure any better than, say, the jungle explorer. The materials cost is roughly the same, the frequency is only marginally different, and thus LEGO has done everything in their power to give the sets equal value (short of "handicapping" figs with higher demand by producing more of them or giving them deliberately mediocre designs).

Some people will want to get a full set of 16, and that's fine. Other people won't care either way. Notice that LEGO does not have "Collect them all!" or a similar tagline on the boxes, packets, or website. There's no "big brother" figure imposing demands on the buyers-- rather, buyers just get as many figs as they feel are a worthwhile investment. The packets just state, matter-of-factly, "16 to collect", which is in no way an exhortation to get all 16. It's just telling you what's available.

All in all, the problem would not exist if people knew how to appreciate the figs equally. But instead, people expect LEGO to compensate for the demand that they-- the buyers-- created in the first place! It's a really ridiculous way to choose a scapegoat.

[Joebot]

All of the minifigs are equally valuable, unless you're talking about resale value.

And this doesn't make the Spartan figure any better than, say, the jungle explorer. The materials cost is roughly the same, the frequency is only marginally different, and thus LEGO has done everything in their power to give the sets equal value.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you don't have kids, do you?

Intellectually, your argument makes sense. From the perspective of my 10-year-old son though? Not so much. From his point of view, there is a HUUUUUUUGE difference in "value" between the Spartan and, say, the pop singer.

[Tervlon]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you don't have kids, do you?

Intellectually, your argument makes sense. From the perspective of my 10-year-old son though? Not so much. From his point of view, there is a HUUUUUUUGE difference in "value" between the Spartan and, say, the pop singer.

QFT. Subjective value makes all the difference. It matters to all of us just as much as to the 10 year old, I mean I'm not army building pop singers either. Though my wife REALLY likes the singer especially with a pixie cut using the skater or surfer's hair. But that is neither here nor there...

However, I do think that the Spartan is the most expensive of the figs for LEGO to produce. Hence the lower quantity. That is merely speculation based on the big and gold helmet, rubberized spear and cloth cape. But who knows.

[kohhu]

Series 2 is now available in the US s@h store. Limit 16 per person.

[Mr. Elijah Timms]

Finished the collection by picking up the remainders of the set. My initial thoughts:

• The adventurer is a pretty great fig. Great colors, great print on the torso, funny face.
  
• The skiier is outstanding, primarily because of his accessories. Possibly my 2nd favorite besides the Spartan.
  
• Also, the surfer is great-- such great characterization in the entire design. Every time you pick him up you wanna say 'Duuuuuude.'
  

[spinster_30]

I FOUND THESE !!!! @ Walmart in Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada on Kenaston..got my son a case!!!!

Edited September 1, 2010 by spinster_30

[Dunjohn]

Pfft! Your son? Yeah, right...

I'm going to go into town later and see if I can rustle up the five I'm missing. I'm not going to start avidly barcoding for Spartans for a week or two, to give kids a chance to get them, but I need surfer torsos for some current MOCs so I'll try to hunt for those. I'm not really that interested in amassing a Spartan army, the way I amassed a Zombie one, because I want to save that energy for a certain Series 3 fig, but I would like a handful.

[Ogre]

[*]Also, the surfer is great-- such great characterization in the entire design. Every time you pick him up you wanna say 'Duuuuuude.'

Totally agree!

[Marckeyh]

I finally managed to complete my 2nd series set today. Got a few spare lifeguards and spartans...

[angel1802]

Hi guys,

Little question, can somebody tell me if they 're already available in Toy's r Us in North America ?? I mean officialy released ? Can't find them !!

[blueandwhite]

Hi guys,

Little question, can somebody tell me if they 're already available in Toy's r Us in North America ?? I mean officialy released ? Can't find them !!

USA or Canada?

As far as I've heard they are available in some US Toys R Us stores in the US. If you're in Canada you need to check out your local Walmarts. Thus far Series 2 distribution seems very similar to the distribution of Series 1. It also seems that parts of North America recieved only a few shipments. It's very easy to miss the window to purchase these in the US or Canada. Smaller shops and book stores are also worth considering although these too are hit and miss.

Edited September 3, 2010 by blueandwhite

[Nick Wolfe]

I found series one at my local Borders book store and haven't been down too recently, i'll be checking for them this weekend. I want that vampire!

[angel1802]

USA or Canada?

Sorry, forgot to precise... In USA. Still didn't find them in toy's r us. But i heard that the "official" release date is the 6th of september is that true ? or am i late ?

[Lego_Hero]

Sorry, forgot to precise... In USA. Still didn't find them in toy's r us. But i heard that the "official" release date is the 6th of september is that true ? or am i late ?

The official release probably happened last week, maybe Friday. I don't see them doing an officail release on Labor Day. I say that because my TRU got their second shipmant and put it out Friday. They've gotten a box early and then two boxes at the official time with both Series now.

[Dunjohn]

Now that I've finally got all sixteen, there are a few things I'd like to point out:

- The popstar - the final fig I needed, just got her today - is way better than I'd thought. I wish I had more than one.

- The surfer's torso is nice and I've been accumulating them, but was neon orange really the best colour choise? Surely black or brown would have been better?

- I love the fact that one of the Spartan's eyes is squinting. Makes him look even more crazed.

- I really wish they'd make a smaller broom. I see that the witch's one is being used in the new Harry Potter sets but it's ridiculously out of scale with City brushes and spades.

Overall, I voted that I preferred Series 1 back when this thread started and I think I still feel that way. Series 2 is great, Series 1 is just better.

[Jebediahs]

The official release probably happened last week, maybe Friday. I don't see them doing an officail release on Labor Day. I say that because my TRU got their second shipmant and put it out Friday. They've gotten a box early and then two boxes at the official time with both Series now.

Thanks for the info. The closest TRU to me is a few cities away and I haven't been there in months. I've never had much interest in these "Series" figs but some figs I recently decided to make would benefit from some Series 2 pieces.

JEB!

[Ogre]

One thing that dawned on me that I keep forgetting to mention: is the Spartan's spear the first-ever 'two colour' moulded weapon from LEGO? I'm trying hard to think of other items that have been moulded in more than one colour and I just keep coming up with accessories from these figures...the clown's horn, the singer's microphone, etc. Am I forgetting something?

[Joebot]

One thing that dawned on me that I keep forgetting to mention: is the Spartan's spear the first-ever 'two colour' moulded weapon from LEGO? I'm trying hard to think of other items that have been moulded in more than one colour and I just keep coming up with accessories from these figures...the clown's horn, the singer's microphone, etc. Am I forgetting something?

Good question. Off the top of my head, I can think of three other existing pieces:

- a green / white pine tree from an old Belville set

- dark green / grey rock piece

- Fawkes the phoenix (red / orange)

[Mr. Elijah Timms]

Good question. Off the top of my head, I can think of three other existing pieces:

- a green / white pine tree from an old Belville set

- dark green / grey rock piece

- Fawkes the phoenix (red / orange)

How about those crazy marbled blue and white molded rock/ice pieces from 7666 Hoth Rebel Base??

Edited September 8, 2010 by Mr. Elijah Timms

[Aanchir]

Good question. Off the top of my head, I can think of three other existing pieces:

- a green / white pine tree from an old Belville set

- dark green / grey rock piece

- Fawkes the phoenix (red / orange)

How about those crazy marbled blue and white molded rock/ice pieces from 7666 Hoth Rebel Base??

There's also the parrot from the Pirates theme, and an octopus in the Agents theme who was blended in glow-in-the-dark and trans. light blue colors.

In addition, there have been countless blended BIONICLE parts, both in the BIONICLE theme and in other System themes. However, I think Ogre was talking specifically about minifig weapons and accessories. As far as those are concerned, I can't think of any examples.

It would help if Bricklink had a better naming system, but sadly that's not the case. And then they go and get the colors wrong, so we have "BIONICLE Mask Avsa with Black Top" for what is clearly a dark blue and silver part with no black in sight, or "BIONICLE head, Barraki Carapar, Marbled Black Pattern", which allegedly exists in Bright Light Orange and Black (the Bright Light Orange one is blended with trans-black, not black, and black blended with black is not even possible-- the real alternate color is black blended with very light bluish gray).

Then you get examples like "BIONICLE Head, Barraki Ehlek, Marbled Lime Pattern", which exists in lime. Yup. Lime-on-lime blend, which technically wouldn't be a blend at all. The real piece is trans. dark green blended with yellow.

One time I tried using search terms like "marbled" to put together a complete list of blended parts (for future reference, "blended" is the fan-term BIONICLE fans use; the actual term is "co-injected"). It was hopeless-- the use of the term "marbled" was inconsistent, and where it was used the colors were listed incorrectly. The only thing that keeps me from getting a Bricklink account and setting things straight is because the registration process is so inconvenient unless you actually plan on using the Bricklink stores to buy parts.

But anyway, sorry for the rant. To sum up, variations on this practice have been around since at least 2002, but the use of this technique for parts as small as minifig weapons is brand-new to the collectible figs.

[Fugazi]

One recent example of a two-colour blended minifig weapon is the Dagger of Time from PoP. I can't think of any others though.

(from Bricklink)

[Ogre]

One recent example of a two-colour blended minifig weapon is the Dagger of Time from PoP. I can't think of any others though.

(from Bricklink)

Ahh, okay. I've never actually seen a close-up of the dagger before (and I don't have that set yet). Thanks!

[Darth Jar Jar]

Ahh, okay. I've never actually seen a close-up of the dagger before (and I don't have that set yet). Thanks!

Well you should get the sets they are absolutely great especially for the minifigs and the parts