LEGO Superheroes 2012 Rumours & Discussion

[phanstasm]

Thanks CM4S for the Spidey set image! Nice to get a small preview. Going to wait with any comments until there's a slightly larger picture.

I would like to ask several questions about the Lego superhero sets:

2. Why was the Wolverine fig designed without a mask? Do you believe it is purely to appeal to those who prefer the cinematic wolverine to that in the comics, or do you think they saw such a mask as difficult to design without looking slightly ridiculous? if it is the former, why would they do that at the expense of all those who truly want a legit wolverine minifig.

4. Do you think they're likely to remake Robin in his classic suit as opposed to what they've designed him with now? And, secondly, where does that black and red color scheme come from?

2. Because the mask would be another tooling expense, and Lego spent a lot of money on new molds already for 2012 sets - Super Heroes, Friends, LOTR.

Also, the Marvel license is multi-year. Releasing the mask-less one first increases sales because you have people buying the mask-less one just to have a Wolverine. In the future, you'll buy another Wolverine minifigure set to get the mask. Now you've bought two sets instead of just one.

Don't worry, Lego did not forget about the mask. The fact that they printed the mask on Wolverine's back is proof of that. When it can fit into their budget, schedule, and the wishes of their Marvel/Disney partners, Lego will do a Wolverine mask.

4. Lego doesn't always have control over the minifigure design choices for licensed themes like Super Heroes. Most of the time, that comes down from the owners of the material. In this case, Warner Bros.

The black and red Robin color scheme comes from the current "DC Batman Core" style guide. Warner Bros/DC gives this guide out to its licensed product partners like Lego, Funko, and Harper Collins publishers. For the most part, the licensed partners are required to follow this style guide, unless they can make a good case why they should deviate from it.

This is also the reason why Riddler has the grey bowler hat.

You can see some style guide images here: http://www.mikezeck.com/pages/licensing/bmcore/batcore.html

Edited May 26, 2012 by phanstasm

[Iron-Man]

Great point about the Wolverine mask phanstasm! Plus there are scheduled to have a bunch of X-Men movies released in the next couple of years, so maybe in one of them Wolverine will wear his mask and make it even more likely that we will eventually get a mask

[eldiano]

I'm thinking that we will see a set based on the danger room or Xaviers School of the gifted where we get to see some wonderfully exclusive xmen figures. No doubt about it. Maybe they'll throw in the blackbird... this line has no end in sight with the openess of Marvel or DC's infinite characters, not to mention the Justice's League characters.

I bought robin from his submarine set to accompany the blue/grey batman which looks good with the robin /green/red/yellow cape... Looks

[SoupOrFishOil]

You can see some style guide images here: http://www.mikezeck.com/pages/licensing/bmcore/batcore.html

Wow, that explains a lot. At least now we don't have to worry about a lime green Mr. Freeze.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Superficial Username

[GuntherThePenguin]

6. They didn't want to spend money to recolor it.

A few pages back, people already discussed that this was actually because it's supposed to be brown leather.

Anyway, I am very excited for this Spidey set!! Can't wait

[Big T]

You can see some style guide images here: http://www.mikezeck.com/pages/licensing/bmcore/batcore.html

That's really interesting that they want them following those guidelines. Two Face kinda has the same look (although there's a change in the interpretation somewhat, same as Riddler with the question mark placement.)and the Joker looks along similar lines, even if it is his classic look.

If that's the Freeze style we might be looking forward to in the future sets, It looks like we'll get a good version shame we didn't get to see Scarecrow

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

Anyone else pissed off at not buying the Toy Fair DC promo figs when they were relatively cheap? I kind of feel cheated by Lego. Not that they ever said they were going to release them, but they did create expectations. Hopefully the multi-year license will bring us a new GL fig, but still I loved that new Batman fig and it looks like I'm not going to be able to get it ever.

[mindy284]

Thanks! Spidey looks better on the box...

But I don't think I'll be buying this. We'll see, maybe I will if it's a good parts/pieces ratio. That thing in the corner with the fan on top, are it's panels white or blue?

I'm hoping this brings the eBay price of previous Spider-man & Doc Ock figures down...I'll be getting this regardless

Awesome! Super excited for this set! I am glad it's the lab and not the amusement park people were speculating on

Thanks for the pic! Now all we need is a release date. My guess would be no more than a month considering it wasn't long after the Funhouse pictures popped up that we started seeing that around

http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=3302

as always the australians have posted a "release" date for purchase.

http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?ID=3302

should be available later this year according to an Australian Online retailer (see link above)

I've wanted my own Spidey for ages

I've always wanted Doc Ock too to go in my "lego movie villains" set currently including Voldermort, Darth Vader, Joker & Magneto

[Axis_Vega]

I would like to ask several questions about the Lego superhero sets:

1. Why was Captain America's head printed without wings?

2. Why was the Wolverine fig designed without a mask? Do you believe it is purely to appeal to those who prefer the cinematic wolverine to that in the comics, or do you think they saw such a mask as difficult to design without looking slightly ridiculous? if it is the former, why would they do that at the expense of all those who truly want a legit wolverine minifig.

3. Why is the upcoming spider-man minifig printed with big eyes. Sure, it's accurate to the cartoon it's trying to portray, but it's not really what ages groups over 13 who like Spider-man would want, and those below the age group of 13 are indifferent. Why would it be necessary to make such an accurate depiction of the cartoon at the expense of many fans, and, possibly, much money?

4. Do you think they're likely to remake Robin in his classic suit as opposed to what they've designed him with now? And, secondly, where does that black and red color scheme come from?

5. Do you think it's likely they'll redesign the batman minifIg with different suits?

6. Why was Deadpool designed with a brown sword-holder instead of a black one?

7. This isn't really a question related to the superhero sets, but the previous question sparks a point. Often Lego will do things that appeal more to younger generations, which is fair, because that's what will bring in the money, and that's the kind of company they are. But then they do things like design deadpool with a brown sword-holder, and make spider-man have big eyes, and design wolverine without a mask. Lego tries to get an image of caring for all their customers, but when they do things like design spider-man with monstrous eyes and not even give wolverine a mask, it makes me wonder if that image is one true to their nature and why they do things like that. Does anyone else know why they do things like that?

Thanks.

as far as your Spidey's eyes question goes, it really just comes to personal liking. I have been a fan of the larger eyes since the days of Erik Larsen's Spiderman. I am also well over the age of thirteen, in my thirties, to be exact. I am personally glad they went with the large eye design. I feel it make the face seem more dynamic, and matches spidey's personality a bit more. but it is only my opinion.

I am also bummed that Cap has no wings on his head. he is really my least favorite Avengers minifig, behind maybe hawkeye. he just seems... incomplete.. and his face really doesn't do anything for me, either. here's hoping for more versions in the near future!

[just2good]

Has anyone noticed the shortage on the Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape set? I haven't ever seen it anywhere! I thought the Wolverine set would be sold out before Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape!

[HawkLord]

Has anyone noticed the shortage on the Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape set? I haven't ever seen it anywhere! I thought the Wolverine set would be sold out before Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape!

I think it's just a sign of how popular Avengers is right now. Plus, Loki's Escape has three main characters in it for $20, while the next higher Avengers sets are $50 and $70. The smaller set makes for a good entry point.

[CM4Sci]

Has anyone noticed the shortage on the Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape set? I haven't ever seen it anywhere! I thought the Wolverine set would be sold out before Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape!

Saw it at my local TRU today. Wanted to get it so bad because Loki is awesome and my favorite character who'd I be willing to do anything to have, but ended up getting the Swamp set and a Computer Programmer..

-Sci

Edited May 28, 2012 by CM4S

[Bilbo Baggins]

I finally spotted a Avengers set in Blockbuster. It was Captain America's set, I didn't get it since it was too overpriced (around $20Us)

Edited May 28, 2012 by Bilbo Baggins

[King of Nynrah]

For those wondering why Cap's head wasn't printed with his wings, I believe it has something to do with the way LEGO's printing machines work. The sides of minifigure heads have never been printed, only the back and front, so to reprogram them to do a 360 degree print on Cap's head alone would be impractical.

[lotryay]

Could anyone tell me how likely they think it is that the Hulk will be reprinted in the future with classic purple pants?

[The Blue Brick]

I really abhor the new spider set. I was really disappointed with the figs at first, but they grew on me to thinking I would buy the set.

Now that I see the design, it is a must not.

[prateek]

Could anyone tell me how likely they think it is that the Hulk will be reprinted in the future with classic purple pants?

Exactly 0%

[CorneliusMurdock]

Exactly 0%

I'm actually of the opinion that anything could happen with the Marvel theme at this point. The Hulk is a popular character, even more so after his stint in Avengers. Lego may very well find a spot for him in coming waves to capitalize on that especially since they have the mold already. And I can also see them making a purple pants variant just to goad us all into buying another. They have the comic book license as well, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

But there are no guarantees of anything. What I really like about the Marvel sets so far the most is how they've strayed from making the entire wave about one character. Granted, the Avengers being a team movie helped this. I hope they continue the trend with future waves including many different heroes.

Hopefully Lego will realize that they'll sell more sets that way. I know I've bought or plan to buy all but one Marvel set. I've only bought two DC ones. One Batman is all I really need at this point.

[Sam892]

I'm hoping that the next waves of DC and Marvel increase in the set numbers. Although the sets were fantastic both theme centred around Batman and the Avengers (for obvious reasons). Although I don't mind this I didn't leave much room for Superman, The X-men or Spiderman sets. Hopefully the number of sets will go from 6 to 8 or even 10.

[Marty McFly]

I'm hoping that the next waves of DC and Marvel increase in the set numbers. Although the sets were fantastic both theme centred around Batman and the Avengers (for obvious reasons). Although I don't mind this I didn't leave much room for Superman, The X-men or Spiderman sets. Hopefully the number of sets will go from 6 to 8 or even 10.

I love the idea but doubt my wallet would cope!

[natesroom]

I'm actually of the opinion that anything could happen with the Marvel theme at this point. The Hulk is a popular character, even more so after his stint in Avengers. Lego may very well find a spot for him in coming waves to capitalize on that especially since they have the mold already. And I can also see them making a purple pants variant just to goad us all into buying another. They have the comic book license as well, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

But there are no guarantees of anything. What I really like about the Marvel sets so far the most is how they've strayed from making the entire wave about one character. Granted, the Avengers being a team movie helped this. I hope they continue the trend with future waves including many different heroes.

Hopefully Lego will realize that they'll sell more sets that way. I know I've bought or plan to buy all but one Marvel set. I've only bought two DC ones. One Batman is all I really need at this point.

I guess its only a matter of time before they produce a "gray hulk" variant also...

Edited May 29, 2012 by natesroom

[Alldarker]

I guess its only a matter of time before they produce a "gray hulk" variant also...

Gray Hulk would be very handy as Batman: AC version Solomon Grundy.

[charlieboy]

Appologies if this has been mentioned already, I didnt much fancy reading through 289 pages to find out

Is there a good chance of Lego actually making a Green Lantern set anytime soon? I love the character myself and am very tempted just to bite the bullet and buy the Comic-Con 2011 Exclusive listed on Bricklink but at £127.60, he's not cheap and will make him my most expensive minifig so far.

What I dont want to happen is for me to buy that fig and have Lego release a GL set soon afterwards! My thinking is as they already have the Comic-Con fig and the larger 4528 Green Lantern Bionicle style set there is obviously some interest there so surely an affordable minifig set is on the cards?

Again if this has already been discussed I appologise for bringing it up again.

Many thanks.

[Cammo]

Appologies if this has been mentioned already, I didnt much fancy reading through 289 pages to find out

Is there a good chance of Lego actually making a Green Lantern set anytime soon?

Since The Green Lantern is in the upcoming game I think he will be released in the next wave of the DC Superheroes-line. Although the design of the Comic-con may differ from the one in the upcoming set. The one from Comic-con is based on the movie while the one in the next wave could be based of the design from the game.

I would wait for a Green Lantern-set if I was you. (If you're lucky, you can get both Green Lantern AND Sinestro)

Although most of my message is mere speculation, I still advice you to wait on the new Superheroes sets.

[lotryay]

This has probably been discussed in length already, but does anyone have and idea how long the Superhero theme is going to last? Hopefully it will be just like Star Wars.