LEGO Superheroes 2012 Rumours & Discussion

[Blondie-Wan]

Well, we already know TLG plans to go beyond just 2012 with the theme, and I'd bet they do have building-based set ideas kicking around. That this first wave will largely amount to remakes of previous Batman sets doesn't necessarily mean that's what they intend to do for the overall theme, and I do think there's something to be said for tj19941994's idea about TLG possibly doing these sets in response to the feverish demand for those earlier Batman sets. I'm confident they'll do plenty of sets beyond simple vehicular chases and battles between good and bad guys.

[TheLegoDr]

I agree, I think they are doing some of these sets to get new people interested in the sets, then will release others in the future. Same thing happened with Harry Potter last fall. They re-released a lot of sets to get people like me interested since I missed the earlier versions and then when they came out with Diagon Alley and the next summer wave, I was hooked. Plus it helps that the newer sets were a lot better than the previous versions.

However, the new Batman sets aren't super exciting at the moment. I will wait and see the actual box art in my hands before I make any other judgments, but I'd hate to say I may pass on a lot of these compared to my initial excitement.

Time flies by, so they will be here before any of us know it.

[Aanchir]

We can't say much yet; we haven't seen the Marvel part of 2012. The Marvel heroes (and most other DC heroes) don't tend to rely on vehicles, which could be just the thing to rescue this line from repeating its failure of the last Batman series. It maybe the last Batman-heavy wave for some time, though.

Ehhhhh... I don't like when that word "failure" is thrown around. LEGO Batman lasted three years, which is a strong lifespan for a theme IMO. As I see it, this theme is starting out by following the same formula that LEGO Batman followed so successfully. Keep in mind that LEGO Spider-Man had more of a "scenes/story" emphasis over vehicles, and it only lasted two years. They were released at such different times that you can't really say one style of sets was inherently more successful, but that cuts both ways-- you could just as easily argue that TLG is avoiding the "failure" of LEGO Spider-Man (I use that word facetiously; I don't think that theme was a true failure, either).

Personally, one of the things I liked about the LEGO Batman theme compared to many other licenses is somewhat tied with its emphasis on vehicle vs. vehicle combat. LEGO Batman was unusual among licensed themes at the time in that it didn't focus on depicting scenes or content from any one medium. Instead, it drew from various Batman media-- for instance, focusing more on evoking the spirit of a Batmobile than on replicating any particular version.

The vehicle vs. vehicle pattern in sets isn't a necessary component of this, and in truth the only two Batman sets I personally got were the Batcave and Arkham Asylum (and I consider some of the Batcave's vehicles a bit superfluous). But at the same time, this largely prevented specific story-driven scenes from being depicted effectively. Fans of the whole Batman franchise can understand the characters and even the vehicles to some extent, but if the LEGO Batman theme had focused strictly on depicting scenes from the Christopher Nolan films, from Batman TV series of the time, or from the Batman comics, I would argue that the theme would have been a lot less successful and would have appealed to a much smaller audience.

I do want to see more locations in the Super Heroes sets. But frankly, I couldn't name many extremely distinctive locations in any of the super hero franchises currently being promoted in these sets. In Batman specifically, vehicles and characters tend to be a lot more distinctive than locations. Even in Superman I can't say I'd find a Daily Planet set extremely exciting. So I think TLG's decision to use vehicles as the primary building components of the sets is actually quite intelligent, rather than a sign of them "running out of ideas".

[J_Bro83]

I agree, I think they are doing some of these sets to get new people interested in the sets, then will release others in the future.

I have to agree too. I'm not excited that most of these are just remodeled after the last wave of Batman, but I work at a brand store and we have kids looking for the sets they saw in the Lego Batman video game. So it makes sense that this first wave will be a big nod to the old sets.

[Algernon]

I think the Batcave has always been at the $70 price point.

Not to mention that this Batcave looks quite a bit smaller.

[The_Chosen_1]

Not to mention that this Batcave looks quite a bit smaller.

Yeah, I was a little disappointed to see that as well.

The sets look decent for the most part, but I'm hoping to see more playset or scene-style sets.

[White Cat]

Well, at least batcave isn't an impulse set that only worth 20$ or so in our first thought about the second prize. Cheers for that .

[Joebot]

On another note, what do you think the chances are of Super Heros being the next star wars?

By "next Star Wars," I assume you mean a theme that runs for 10+ years, has hundreds of sets, hundreds of unique characters (including some pretty obscure ones), and a devoted fanbase of kids, AFOLs, and toy collectors?

Given that definition, I would say .... maybe. Before I saw the preliminary pictures, I would have said, "Hell, yes!" But man, those sets look uninspiring.

I will say that the POTENTIAL is there for Super Heroes to rival Star Wars in terms of longevity, popularity, and scope. Both Marvel and DC have thousands of licensed characters, dozens of movies and TV shows, and decades of artwork to draw from. The sheer depth of the source material is many times that of Star Wars.

And yet ... those preliminary pictures ... sigh. If TLC can't bust out of their boring, tired "vehicle vs. vehicle" design approach, they will run out of stuff to do within a few short years.

[Oky]

Do my eyes deceive me or are people actually complaining that they are getting pretty much the same sets that they were asking for since the discontinuation of the Batman theme??

Sigh. Some people just can NEVER be pleased.

[Professor Flitwick]

Do my eyes deceive me or are people actually complaining that they are getting pretty much the same sets that they were asking for since the discontinuation of the Batman theme??

Sigh. Some people just can NEVER be pleased.

To me it looks like people are complaining because they are getting pretty much the same sets they had before the discontinuation of the Batman theme.

[Piranha]

I may be in the minority but I think most of these sets offer improvements from the previous versions. But I really wanted to see a new Bat Tumbler. For example the first Bat mobile was way to long and big and I didn't like, but this new smaller and compact one I really like.

The previous Batcave wasn't much like a cave more like some platforms and such. This one has some LURPs and a more cave feeling and overall I find it really neat. The new Bat Cycle is very promising. I have to admit I am partial to it. Plus Bane on a giant drill is hilarious. Overall my favorite of the line up.

Also maybe we will get a Wayne Manor.

However I panicked and got the SDCC Batman because I didn't see any in the sets (which would mean price jump) I did get it for $25 which is cheap enough to risk it being in any future sets yet still getting a good a fig, also the most I have spent on a fig ever. and the SDCC material attached to it is always going to be an exclusive.

Edited October 10, 2011 by Macoco

[tj19941994]

I might have missed something, but brickheros has posted pictures of the box art.

http://www.brickheroes.com/

[Ceroknight]

I might have missed something, but brickheros has posted pictures of the box art.

http://www.brickheroes.com/

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[tj19941994]

"Note that the launch of this series of sets is announced for the month of May 2012, a video game LEGO Super Heroes is scheduled for the month of June, and two cartoon series titled Green Lantern and Justice Young will be broadcast on TV."

From Brick Heros.

GAMEGAMEGAMEGAMEGAMEGAME!!!!

Also, it is just called "lego super heros" which might mean a joint DC-Marvel game! That would be pure epicness!

[White Cat]

"Note that the launch of this series of sets is announced for the month of May 2012, a video game LEGO Super Heroes is scheduled for the month of June, and two cartoon series titled Green Lantern and Justice Young will be broadcast on TV."

From Brick Heros.

GAMEGAMEGAMEGAMEGAMEGAME!!!!

Also, it is just called "lego super heros" which might mean a joint DC-Marvel game! That would be pure epicness!

Nope, I think it's pure agony. Remember about the last time I try to complete 100% in Lego Batman is a horrible experience .

[Ceroknight]

Note there will be two Lego TV Shows: Green Lantern and Young Justice in July

[tj19941994]

Note there will be two Lego TV Shows: Green Lantern and Young Justice in July

Also, if green lantern is being made into a show there will no doubt be sets.

[Delta 38]

The image showing the boxes seem to hint that this is the entire first wave. I was hoping for more sets, but oh well.

I agree, at first glance that the sets look like rereleases of the originals, and Lego seems to be running out of ideas.

The Marvel wave should be more promising though, as we haven't had any Marvel stuff for a long time. Though I missed out on Batman, I was hoping for a bit more emphasis on other DC characters.

[pjonze]

I don't think the cartoons will be Lego cartoons - there's a Green Lantern series starting in 2012 & the Young Justice toon currently showing is getting another series next year.

[Mesonak]

Found the names of the marvel sets for later this year here. Just scroll down a bit and you'll find them. Likely not the final names, but still. Noteworthy nonetheless. Gives you an idea of what the sets will be like.

Edited October 11, 2011 by Mesonak

[LandShark]

6865 - Cpm America Avenging Cyc. - $24.95

6866 - Wolverine Chopper S/down -$49.95

6867 - Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape - $49.95

6868 - Hulk's Helicarrier B/out - $99.95

6869 - Quinjet Aerial Battle - $129.95

Not quite sure what to make of them.

I imagine 'S/down' and 'B/out' are 'Showdown' and 'Blackout' respectively.

Edited October 11, 2011 by LandShark

[Mr. Elijah Timms]

Dang-- that's a really expensive series right there. Looks like TLG has made a decision-- if you want Marvel figs, you're gonna pay for 'em.

Edited October 11, 2011 by Mr. Elijah Timms

[BigHobbit]

I'm betting b/out means breakout--Hulk busting out of the Helicarrier. Yes please!

[Housey98]

Their prices are obviously different to the RRP. Not surprised though as a lot of websites do the same. You can tell they aren't official as the prices from the DC collection that we've had for a while now are completely blown out the window compared to these. I mean not only are the names stupid, but I don't think any American would pay $99.99 for the Two Face set. Although, anyone in the US can easily correct me

Edited October 11, 2011 by Housey98

[Brainbox]

Having finally seen the new pictures, I have to say that I like, even if they do bear an eerie similarity to the sets of old. But you know what, I don't care a jot! The minifig updates are gorgeous, we get a set with Supes, WW and Luthor (!) and we get more Bat-vehicles. And as any Bat-fan knows, there are never enough Bat-vehicles.

And wait a moment, do I see '66-esque Bat-labels in the cave? I think I do!

The possible Marvel set names sound interesting too. I'm particularly interested in seeing that separates an Avenging Cycle from an ordinary motorbike.