Lego Superheroes 2013 Rumours & Discussion

[Captain Nemo]

On topic: Why are some folks so sure there will be another big, exclusive set, like Arkham Asylum? Did I miss some news for this rumor?

I think it's just an assumed set since DC and Marvel all seem to have the same number of sets per wave.

[RaincloudDustbin]

Sorry for the self-promotion if you will, but I'd like some advice over in the 'What set shall I buy?' topic from you guys. I didn't want to post here and risk a warning from the mods.

On topic: I do think we'll see a Marvel Exclusive but I think it will be something boring like Spiderman.

[Repeter]

I think it's just an assumed set since DC and Marvel all seem to have the same number of sets per wave.

I assume there would much QQing if this rumor doesn't se fruition? I know I'd be leading the pack, lol.

Sorry for the self-promotion if you will, but I'd like some advice over in the 'What set shall I buy?' topic from you guys. I didn't want to post here and risk a warning from the mods.

On topic: I do think we'll see a Marvel Exclusive but I think it will be something boring like Spiderman.

Ooof, I hope not. The X-men are so important, imo, to the MU.

Imo, Marvel is set up too differently than DC to treat them the same and it's one of the reasons I feel the super hero line is a bit underwhelming. There are three, distinct themes within Marvel:

1. Avengers/FF...these are your big, bad heros and villians. Conflicts often range form apocalyptic to cosmic.

2. Mutants...your socially aware group, this is my favorite story line in Marvel. Mutant powers trumped science experiments, imo.

3. Marvel Knights...or, Spidey Friends, lol. Y'know? Punisher, DD, etc.

I mention the obvious stuff above, to point out how it just doesn't work to treat these two licenses the same. Not to mention, Marvel has way more successful exposure going on for the past few years. Movies, cartoons, etc...why TLG seems reluctant to give these themes the treatment they deserve is beyond me. We all know how AFOL are fairly big spenders...take our money, LEGO group!!! We beg you!!!

[strangely]

Super heros are iconic, have huge audiences from many age groups and ethnic backgrounds and DC and Marvel have more source material than SW and LotR combined...Yet, for some reason, LotR/Hobbit has had four $100+ sets (which are all awesome), the smaller sets actually have scenery to let you know which universe you are in and there are just more sets to choose from a variety of prices. Heck, even the Lone Ranger had more sets in their initial wave and featured really great builds. What is TLG's problem here?

Honestly I think the problem with the superhero sets is quite simply that there's no definite direction for them to go. With movie sets like LOTR and Lone Ranger you have the entire universe summed up within a few movies. Ultimately Lego just picks different scenes to bring to life with very specific details and features. With the superheroes theme on the other hand they have a billion sources; comic books, movies, tv shows. So creating a definite detail oriented design can be hard to do when there are so many design choices possible.

Also themes like Lotr and Lone Ranger have an advantage in that they have a very defined scope. With superhero based stories you have battles that take place across entire cities, mansions falling off cliffs, ships the size of cities. Which from a design standpoint are hard to cram into a certain price point. Ultimately the sheer size of some things hurts the design of sets.

But I do agree that they manage large size sets poorly. It is odd that LOTR and Hobbit have had so many big sets. I suspect that perhaps contracts have an effect on this. Perhaps when they go to renew the theme they'll rework how many sets we get. I do excuse a lot of the problems with this theme for the sole reason that it is still very new. Perhaps when they have a more definite direction to go they'll improve build qualities. Or perhaps they just need to hire comic book obsessed builders to handle the builds.

[eldiano]

I want a Justice League Exclusive set, Xmen Mansion, Lets hope that in the next toy fair we get surprised on what's coming out!!!

[Legoman123]

Well last year at comic-con in July we saw the minifigures that were coming out in the superheroes range, so hopefully we will again this year. I hope killer moth, green lantern, the flash, cyborg and black mask are there.

[Piranha]

The more I think about the super hero theme and how TLG handles it, the more ticked off I get. They don't even get what they have and they don't know how to handle it. If it were a legal thing, which I am sure does gum up the works, I'd be less critical. It isn't that, however...it is TLG just not getting it.

Super heros are iconic, have huge audiences from many age groups and ethnic backgrounds and DC and Marvel have more source material than SW and LotR combined...Yet, for some reason, LotR/Hobbit has had four $100+ sets (which are all awesome), the smaller sets actually have scenery to let you know which universe you are in and there are just more sets to choose from a variety of prices. Heck, even the Lone Ranger had more sets in their initial wave and featured really great builds. What is TLG's problem here?

I could go on and on...but I will spare you all the diatribe. Sorry, I've just really been bothered the more I think about it.

I will just conclude that it is my opinion that someone, whoever is running the super hero theme for TLG, has no clue how to maximize this property into great sales for them and good toys for us.

I couldn't agree more.

IIRC the original Batman theme was not very popular at the time it was for sale on shelves. Consequently I always believed that was one of the reasons why the discontinued set prices went astronomical. I also remember the perception of the sets back then was never very high, hard to say though, since it was such a long time ago. I believe even the original Spider-man theme had that problem. I do remember seeing Batman sets at steep discounts all the time on shelves. (Should have bought them all ).

So possibly TLG could be playing it safe for now, only releasing smaller size sets with cool figs as a precautionary strategy. When LOTR is mentioned as a comparison, there is one difference, although licensed, it still is a castle type theme at its roots. Castle sets have always sold well, so maybe TLG feels more comfortable making larger and more detailed sets for that theme as a safer investment.

Of course this is probably just my rambling on.

[Zzz]

I couldn't agree more.

I am with you guys here, for some part. They're still too shy trying out more. But something tells me, they don't want the sets to become too expensive. For example the Malibu Mansion, which I like to be as it is. Not everything has to be 250€ in my opinion. On the other hand you could call it a missed opportunity. I believe it's difficult to sell bigger playsets or vehicles, cause the line is more focused on the heroes, not how they get around or where they live. Another problem is creating and selling something, that doesn't exist in any movie or comic. The Xmen set or the Arctic Batman set for example. I think those are pretty great sets, but I can see they're careful not going out more (more sets, bigger sets) on something that is only partially known. They like to stick to the movies coming out. Every toy sells better when there is something telling the story, like TV series, movie, etc.

On the other hand, we got the exclusive Arkham, which even lures me, who doesn't like DC stuff too much. This is a prime example of how all my points above, in explaining why they could be shy, are invalid. If it sells. And that is something we can only guess. Was the X-men set only a test ballon? If it didn't sell too well, are we not gonna see another X-men set? I totally agree here with others, the more you think of it, the more your head starts spinning. We will know more in July, I believe. And I would already be happy with one small X-men set with 3 new figures.

[Sam892]

On top of that with the Original Batman Theme, it was already decided that the theme would be cancelled before the Game was finished. That meant that once the Game came out and generated interest in the sets, most of it had already gone.

[Jargo]

I'm disappointed that we aren't getting characters from the new game. So many great looking minifig designs. Lego need to do a collectible Superhero theme. It's the only way we'd ever get some of these characters we crave.

[iamste]

I'd be quite happy paying £5 for a polybag Super hero collection. Hell, even something like the Iron Man mini fig I got for buying other stuff. It'd just encourage me to buy more at once, haha.

[strangely]

I'm disappointed that we aren't getting characters from the new game. So many great looking minifig designs. Lego need to do a collectible Superhero theme. It's the only way we'd ever get some of these characters we crave.

I'm sure in time we'll get those minifigures. We did after all get the Aquaman from the DC game, so I would assume they'd use the same designs from the game whenever they introduce a non-movie version of a character into the theme. And its probable that if the theme goes on long enough they'll probably end up making most of those figures. It will just take time.

[Vindicare]

Um... The X-wing, plus Ewok Village, makes two.

Do we even know if the Ewok Village is a UCS though? Just because it's going to be a big set doesn't put it into UCS category. Look at 10195 Dropship with AT-OT Walker, big price tag and piece count. There still may be hope for a Marvel exclusive, assuming its not UCS.

[Clone OPatra]

Please don't start the 'UCS' debate here too. It never gets anywhere. What's important is S@H Exclusive. UCS, big playset, large architectural model, etc. doesn't matter. They're all S@H Exclusives. So, yes, X-Wing and Ewok Village make two Star Wars S@H Exclusives.

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

On top of that with the Original Batman Theme, it was already decided that the theme would be cancelled before the Game was finished. That meant that once the Game came out and generated interest in the sets, most of it had already gone.

The game was announced for a 2006 release and took several years to finally come out which makes this the game makers fault. Or do we finally know what was the cause?

I'm sure in time we'll get those minifigures. We did after all get the Aquaman from the DC game, so I would assume they'd use the same designs from the game whenever they introduce a non-movie version of a character into the theme. And its probable that if the theme goes on long enough they'll probably end up making most of those figures. It will just take time.

Aquamans design was probably included because it was an already finished design. At least I find it strange that they go with the ball haircut when every incarnation that I know of has either short hair pointing upwards or a Thor-like mane. Normally they don´t include designs from future products.

The way Wonder Woman and Aquaman were included as damsels in distress I don´t think their main goal was to have someone for the real heroes to save and not to give us the whole Justice League. But then again, they could also have used Nightwing and Batgirl if they had wanted to. But then those aren´t as popular as the League characters, I guess.

Do we even know if the Ewok Village is a UCS though? Just because it's going to be a big set doesn't put it into UCS category. Look at 10195 Dropship with AT-OT Walker, big price tag and piece count. There still may be hope for a Marvel exclusive, assuming its not UCS.

UCS sets are models of starships that don´t fit into the minifig scale. What would you think how they do a 250€ Ewok village? A baseplate with a bunch of those trees?

And even then, a set with a 10XXX setnumber is a S@H exclusive regardless of any undercategory they make up for it, and with the sets that were released already and the new announcements we already got 8 for this year. There was never a year with more.

The rest of the post was interesting, there was just no need for that one comment which didn't fit with the rest of the post anyway.

The post was about the themes set line-up and release schedule.

Honestly I think the problem with the superhero sets is quite simply that there's no definite direction for them to go. With movie sets like LOTR and Lone Ranger you have the entire universe summed up within a few movies. Ultimately Lego just picks different scenes to bring to life with very specific details and features. With the superheroes theme on the other hand they have a billion sources; comic books, movies, tv shows. So creating a definite detail oriented design can be hard to do when there are so many design choices possible.

Also themes like Lotr and Lone Ranger have an advantage in that they have a very defined scope. With superhero based stories you have battles that take place across entire cities, mansions falling off cliffs, ships the size of cities. Which from a design standpoint are hard to cram into a certain price point. Ultimately the sheer size of some things hurts the design of sets.

For Marvel at least you have the universe summed up in movies with identifiable setpieces, too. But they seem to have to design the sets too far in advance that they can´t include any of the actual vehicles or buildings.

If they had more planning time and bigger pricepoints the could base some great sets around every movie. Like the Chitauri Space Dragon ships, some houses like the café of Caps waitress or the diner and shop from Iron Man 3 (with some cars to throw around for the villains), the Shield helicarrier in a similar design to the big 100€+ Star Wars cruisers, the harbor from Iron Man 3 with the crane, little house, containers and some rubble or the Air Force One plane which I could accept in the same size as the Indiana Jones 4 plane.

It´s not really that hard. For the comic based sets I would also prefer more setpieces like they do in the shows and films. Just take some real life location randomly like a construction site, a park, a school, a bank, your neighborhood, throw some action feature like collapsing walls and huge things for the characters to grab and use as weapons and you have it.

But I agree, DC and Marvel are probably the idiots who came up with all those weird rules. It feels like they told LEGO to make the sets mainly like their actionfigure merchandise in both size and price points which obviously isn´t fitting for a building toy that has far greater possibilities than cars, planes and bikes.

I couldn't agree more.

IIRC the original Batman theme was not very popular at the time it was for sale on shelves. Consequently I always believed that was one of the reasons why the discontinued set prices went astronomical. I also remember the perception of the sets back then was never very high, hard to say though, since it was such a long time ago. I believe even the original Spider-man theme had that problem. I do remember seeing Batman sets at steep discounts all the time on shelves. (Should have bought them all ).

So possibly TLG could be playing it safe for now, only releasing smaller size sets with cool figs as a precautionary strategy. When LOTR is mentioned as a comparison, there is one difference, although licensed, it still is a castle type theme at its roots. Castle sets have always sold well, so maybe TLG feels more comfortable making larger and more detailed sets for that theme as a safer investment.

Of course this is probably just my rambling on.

That can be true but Superhero films just began getting popular in 2008, the time when LEGO was acting out their planned out cancelation of the line. The 2008 sets were disappearing from the shelves four months after their release at best and at worst earlier. LEGO should have gotten a better look at the situation if this is really the reason they lay the line safe.

[Zzz]

I'd be quite happy paying £5 for a polybag Super hero collection. Hell, even something like the Iron Man mini fig I got for buying other stuff. It'd just encourage me to buy more at once, haha.

Remember the SW problem with the small minifigure sets? It might just be the same here, that they have a license for 'building toys including figures' or whatever it's called. So it might just be impossible. Writing this, I remember Megabloks did this with the Marvel figures...

And about the Lego Batman I video game, I am not sure if the games raise a lot of interest in the sets. Perhaps it was the movies that started people going after them.

[Zilcho]

Does anyone know how long the Jor-El promotion will last? And is it for all orders over £50 or just superheroes?

[BrickG]

It's until like the 25th so you have plenty of time.

[Hellbelly]

Does anyone know how long the Jor-El promotion will last? And is it for all orders over £50 or just superheroes?

30th of June according to the leaflet I've got and anything, not just Superheroes.

[N7LEGO]

Got Jor-El this afternoon. I love it

[BlueberryWaffles]

Got Jor-El too. Nice figure. They were passing out free IM3 posters in my store. The one where Tony is standing in front of his suits.

[CommishGordon]

I made my order from LEGO today and can't wait to get Jor-El. The great thing about my order is the giveaway Iron Man polybag was included, too. Loving the super hero line!

[Super Goblin]

Yep got Jor El and Iron Man with my order. Also free shipping!

[8BrickMario]

I got the Iron Man polybag as well. I like Tony's face(s) a lot, and the minifigure overall is great. However, due to the slightly monochromatic look of the armor, I threw canon out the window and changed the hands to gold to make it more interesting. I wonder if the "fighting drone" is supposed to be a counterpart to the Avengers' drone in the Quinjet?

[Darth Caedus]

Gonna wait for Orthanc to hit in order to get the Jor-El polybag, since Orthanc is an exclusive. There's no point in buying anything else from Lego.com when Amazon marks down almost everything by 10-30% very shortly after release.