Super Heroes 2014 Rumors & Discussion

[B-Lister]

Only a Sith deals in absolutes ;)

[korpen4444]

Only a Sith deals in absolutes ;)

Said the Jedi who stated an absolute about not stating absolutes! ;)

[Faefrost]

The one thing I am liking with most of these new Marvel and Batman sets. I think the characters come off much much better as minifigs in their more traditional and colorful comic book stylings, than they do as conversions from the live action movies. There are a few exceptions (Iron Man being the big one), but otherwise the more colorful ones are generally more visually appealing and seem to have cleaner designs and artwork. Granted I am not crazy about some of the animated series designs, especially the Ultimate Spiderman ones or DC's new 52 designs (Hate red Nightwing), but still preferable to some of the more drab movie figs. (Bane, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Movie Cap). and I think the kids might actually prefer that too. I think most will be thrilled to be playing with the Falcon, and not really care that he isn't yet another guy in black tactical gear.

Still, you may be right. The lightning bolt 'belt' is the New 52 style. Barry's costume remained unchanged from 1985-2011.

It actually predates the new 52. The lightning bolt belt was the major difference between Barry's costume and Wally Wests version of it starting somewhere around 2000 or so. The Wally version had the tapered lightning design around the waist.

[eldiano]

Yesterday I bought one of the auction photo sets that has a tent with two lights and this is the end results! Now I can review Lego with style!!! What do you guys think, is it too brite or is the black or white background work for either?

[B-Lister]

It actually predates the new 52. The lightning bolt belt was the major difference between Barry's costume and Wally Wests version of it starting somewhere around 2000 or so. The Wally version had the tapered lightning design around the waist.

Are you suggesting this minifigure is Wally? Because that's even less likely.

Said the Jedi who stated an absolute about not stating absolutes! ;)

Interesting point!

Edited February 27, 2014 by Mister Blisterfists

[strangely]

But the lines on the new 52 outfit aren't present.

Still, you may be right. The lightning bolt 'belt' is the New 52 style. Barry's costume remained unchanged from 1985-2011.

I feel like that's a detail that either wouldn't have looked good or would have looked confusing (I'm always unsure what the excessive lines in the new 52 designs are really supposed to represent). I feel like there's always a few details that ultimately don't make the cut simply because it becomes too much. What defines it as new 52 to me is the head and mask. The lightning bolts on the mask are noticeably different than classic Flash (Particularly the shape of the lightning bolts is the giveaway here) and the printing around the chin is more similar to the new 52 version with part of the mask overlapping onto the chin (Which it did not with classic Flash). The details are small, but they seem very new 52 to me. And the Flash variant in Lego Batman 2 looks much more like classic Flash than this minifigure did.

It's also possible that Lego drew from several sources for their design, as it seems sometimes they do.

[Catanas]

Just to clear this up once and for all, it's New 52 Flash based on Jim Lee's designs from 'Justice League' (Though I should add that it's Francis Manapuls adaptation for 'The Flash' comics, which I've actually enjoyed! New 52 isn't all bad!). The seams only tend to glow when he's running or another artist fancies lighting them up anyway, so it's not a big thing they're not there.

Belt, Logo and Chin guard are all clear indicators! :D

I'm working on some bits for a review of the set at the moment.

Sorry for being a smart Alec by the way but I figure only specifics are safe around here!

Edited February 27, 2014 by Catanas

[B-Lister]

There are Batman figures with excessive detail lines.but I'm not arguing the point.

The Man Bat set features a current Nightwing, and a Classic Batman, so there's no real consistency even in the same set.

Still, it's not a deal killer. I certainly have my preference, but it's a Flash Minifigure, which never existed before.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Mister Blisterfists

[strangely]

The seams only tend to glow when he's running or another artist fancies lighting them up anyway.

Thank you for the explanation. I was a bit confused on that because it seemed like every time I saw a new 52 Flash the lines were different or not there at all. It is too bad Lego didn't opt for arm and leg printing here, they could have balanced the red and yellow better.

[Darth Caedus]

Hydra Tank wowed me by being only $20. It's my most wanted Superheroes set right now, gotta get me some of that Red Skull (also skipped the Cap set back in 2012 so I need him).

Spider Copter pisses me off because I *need* Luke Cage but don't give a crap about the rest.

Guardians sets are irritating because I know I'm gonna need to probably get them all, or at least the biggest two, and that's a solid wallet dent. Dammit Marvel, why you make so good movies.

[Catanas]

Thank you for the explanation. I was a bit confused on that because it seemed like every time I saw a new 52 Flash the lines were different or not there at all. It is too bad Lego didn't opt for arm and leg printing here, they could have balanced the red and yellow better.

Totally, even just the boot printing would have blown it out of the water for me. But I guess the trouble is decent boot printing has to be done on 3 sides which is a bigger expense than most other leg printing, and anything else will most of the time just look odd.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Catanas

[B-Lister]

Any Justice Leaguer that isn't Batman is good news, so yeah.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Mister Blisterfists

[Faefrost]

Are you suggesting this minifigure is Wally? Because that's even less likely.

I'm saying the minifigures is "the Flash" nothing more nothing less. It uses markings and designs common to most versions of the Flash and easily recognizable for almost the past 15 years. We nerd types argue about which Flash it is or which Robin or is Cyclops the Astonishing one or a classic one etc. Honestly Lego really does not care for such specifics nor should they. Their goal is to create an easily recognizable version of the base super hero character. This will often be a bit of blending between various artists comic interpretations or animated versions or even a touch of live action. The Minifigs that we have gotten that precisely line up with a specific version and medium of a given character are few and far between. We tend to miss the point when we read too much into it all or get too detail focused on minutae.

[B-Lister]

Not to dispute you, but do you have anything by TLG that confirms that claim? Because what I'm seeing is DC directing Lego to bring the look of the characters in line with what's on comic shelves. Which is evident in Nightwing, Martian Manhunter, and yes, The Flash.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Mister Blisterfists

[Numbuh1Nerd]

If you don't have to read them on their day of release, and just want to pick and choose stories and such, the digital versions of the comics can be much cheaper. Like $1-2 per. Steep but still a lot better than $4. Most of the publishers use Comixology.com

I used to do that, but I had to get an iTunes card every week for that. It didn't work out.

I think it would've been nice if they had added some purple accents to his costume to pay homage to his comic book appearance.

I think the yellow/black combo worked well from what I saw, and doesn't the more recent versions of that suit replace the purples and blues with black?

Missed that part. But the toon is closer in look to the comics, so it's all cool!

I don't have many Marvel sets yet. It offers two heavy hitters in Thor and Hulk.

I think Falcon adds some extra value as well.

Then we have the Villains. No hero is worth his salt unless he has good villains. At this point, anything that isn't Loki, is a breath of fresh air.

MODOK wouldn't be my first choice, but the figure is sweet. Taskmaster is another very solid choice (though Zemo would have been sweeter).

For me, its five figures I didn't have. I like the X-Men set but I already have a Magneto and Wolverine.

I would go with the steamroller, but the only figure I want there is Damian/Robin.

Falcon is a really cool fig I'll have to get two of. I've already got some purist custom ideas with some of his parts involved.

MODOK could've been done better, though I'm certainly not against a MODOK fig. I've never really gotten to know Taskmaster well enough to be interested in him.

The X-Men set is a definite buy thanks to Storm and Wolvie's cowl.

The Steamroller set is at the very top of my list, because Damian and Batgirl are two figs that I refuse to live without.

Nope. It was a mistake to ruin Oracle.

My Batgirl is blonde.

I also want Flash, but, just like Robin, I'll just buy the figure. I have no need for another Batman, or Riddler.

As for creepy villains, I find the mark of a good villain is badassery or how scary they look. Both Taskmaster and MODOK pass the test.

Well, that Batgirl is the most well-known. Stephanie Brown isn't nearly as famous, and with the pieces in production, we'll always have that as an option down the line. And, since LEGO recognizes literally NO timeline at all, Oracle is still an option, just like how Tim Drake and Damian Wayne are both Robin, as well as Dick Grayson existing as both Nightwing and the Juniors Robin.

I have to say, that new Batman, Batmobile, and Riddler are the best ones yet. Of course the Batmobile isn't as iconic in design as the old one...

Um, the real Batgirl is Barbara Gordon. She's useless as Oracle(and booorrring). Who wants a figure that JUST sits in a wheelchair? Xavier can pass because he's Leader of the X-men(technically).

Also, if I want Stephanie Brown, I'll just ask for Spoiler, thank you.

Okay, um no. Oracle kicks so much megablocks that the stock in butt casts increased tenfold immediately after she was shot in the spine. She's like Batman mixed with Black Widow, and does it all without ever standing up. Also, there is no "real" Batgirl. We've had 5 different Batgirls each of which equally as deserving of the name. Barbara may be the most well known, but she's certainly not the only one or necessarily the best one.

I do have to agree with you on one thing, though: I do really want a Spoiler fig.

and here's a Bruce Campbell (Modok)

Mad respect for the Megas XLR reference. Fun fact: once you see MODOK for the first time, thousands of references from cartoons all make sense at once.

I agree. I think another reason is because of her reboot for the New 52 series. I think we're going to see a lot of New 52 minifigs in the future. We've seen New 52 Nightwing and Martian Manhunter, and you could say that the Aquaman minifig was based off of the New 52 design because of the long swoopy hair piece. The new costume for the LEGO Green Lantern LED flashlight also looks like the New 52 Green Lantern's. Perhaps we'll see a New 52 Cyborg in the future (fingers crossed). I would like to see a New 52 Wonder Woman and Batman too. Superman's Man of Steel costume looks fine to me.

I don't see why people consider the Flash minifig to be based off of the New 52 Flash though. The New 52 Flash has lightning all over his costume. Maybe somebody can help me understand this...

The Flash suit's New 52 connection is very small, but it's supposedly to do with how his lightning bolt symbol blends with the ring around it or something. I don't really like the Man of Steel suit for one reason: that weird belt thing. I'm hoping they change to something more like the belt he wears in the New 52 when Batman/Superman comes around. I'd really like a New 52 variant for Superman and Wonder Woman, and to a lesser extent Batman. The Riddler Chase suit is already similar enough for me to be happy, plus I'm going to get a classic Batman torso from Bricklink sometime.

I think GL is classic-comic-based. And BTB makes a good New 52 Batman.

GL could go either way, really. His new costume is so similar to his old one, the only difference I can figure out on the top of my head being the shoulderpads and weird EL-wire lines all over it. (What's with the New 52 and those costume seams, guys? I think they overdid it a bit.)

To all that discussion about the various Batgirls: I remind you of Barbara Wilson, niece of Alfred Pennyworth, in the Batman & Robin movie. Big departure from the DC universe, but she is one to consider.

Hey! We do NOT talk about that filth in my house!!!

I bought the Batcopter/Nightwing/Man Bat set.

I would rather have a Blue Nightwing, but a Red Nightwing is better than No Nightwing.

Man Bat is a great figure, and the Copter is a great build.

Yeah, I'm hoping it doesn't take as long as it took to get this Nightwing to get a blue Nightwing. At least the red one is practically a pre-made purist custom of the Regime Injustice Nightwing, just swap the hair for Ultimate Doc Ock's.

The one thing I am liking with most of these new Marvel and Batman sets. I think the characters come off much much better as minifigs in their more traditional and colorful comic book stylings, than they do as conversions from the live action movies. There are a few exceptions (Iron Man being the big one), but otherwise the more colorful ones are generally more visually appealing and seem to have cleaner designs and artwork. Granted I am not crazy about some of the animated series designs, especially the Ultimate Spiderman ones or DC's new 52 designs (Hate red Nightwing), but still preferable to some of the more drab movie figs. (Bane, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Movie Cap). and I think the kids might actually prefer that too. I think most will be thrilled to be playing with the Falcon, and not really care that he isn't yet another guy in black tactical gear.

I agree with you for the most part. I'm pretty fond of the New 52 designs (they just really seem to pop and they've got a nice modern look to them) and the Ultimate Spider-Man Electro is looking pretty awesome in my opinion, but the figures I use least often are the DC movie based ones.

[B-Lister]

The Nightwing series, post reboot was great. Definitely one of the best Bat Books.

I don't hate the costume, I just prefer the blue one.

[strangely]

Not to dispute you, but do you have anything by TLG that confirms that claim? Because what I'm seeing is DC directing Lego to bring the look of the characters in line with what's on comic shelves. Which is evident in Nightwing, Martian Manhunter, and yes, The Flash.

You're right about that. I recall back when the theme started that it was revealed that DC gives Lego a set of characters and specific art that they can base them off of. So Lego can't just pick and choose what they like (If they could I'm willing to bet this theme would look considerably different). In fact almost all the DC minifigures seem to come from a specific version of the character (With a few exceptions).

[B-Lister]

Though it's not a consistent rollout at the moment, as you can see with that selfsame nightwing set, which features a New 52 Nightwing, but an oval logo Batman.

[strangely]

Though it's not a consistent rollout at the moment, as you can see with that selfsame nightwing set, which features a New 52 Nightwing, but an oval logo Batman.

They space them out on purpose. I'm sure each year DC has one particular version they want to push (Like the BTB version, however they miscalculated how popular that show would be) and that's why the others are either recolors or one shot variations that serve no point (scuba and white Batman are interesting, but outside of a few situations they're pretty pointless). I'm sure with the movie pushed back they'll use the New 52 version to headline the theme for next year.

[B-Lister]

Wish they'd tied in with Young Justice.

And Thor:The Dark World.

Are there any Winter Soldier sets, or is GotG the only thing getting a push?

[The Brigante]

Wish they'd tied in with Young Justice.

And Thor:The Dark World.

Are there any Winter Soldier sets, or is GotG the only thing getting a push?

Literally just finished Thor:TDW and while I feel a full wave like IM 3 would be too much IMHO, a D2C or store exclusive as Asgard would have been awesome. Seems like a MASSIVELY missed opportunity.

I doubt The Winter Soldier will get any sets, something is bound to have leaked by now, what with film coming out within the month. Still a chance The Winter Soldier could turn up as an exclusive, although with MM already being one this year, it seems unlikely, unless Lego are doing a Marvel and a DC exclusive minifigure,

Edited February 27, 2014 by The Brigante

[B-Lister]

I was hoping for a movie Falcon more than Bucky. As well as Steve's blue uniform.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Mister Blisterfists

[Faefrost]

You're right about that. I recall back when the theme started that it was revealed that DC gives Lego a set of characters and specific art that they can base them off of. So Lego can't just pick and choose what they like (If they could I'm willing to bet this theme would look considerably different). In fact almost all the DC minifigures seem to come from a specific version of the character (With a few exceptions).

Yes DC and Marvel both select or at the least approve the art versions used. But they are not simply pulling from the new 52 or matching everything to it. Some characters yes. Some no. Some a sort of hybrid blending. Flash is close to his new 52 design, but it is also a very clearly recognizable flash design. Wonder Woman us classic. As is Harley Quinn. Because the general public does not recognize the new designs as the expected character. The key is how familiar is the design used. Not necessarily whether it is new 52. Marvel actually seems a little tighter in this regard with the focus on some Ultimate Spider-Man designs used.

[B-Lister]

Good point. They can do it with Nightwing because not many moms and pops know who he is. But they have to take baby steps with a more recognizable face like Green Lantern, for instance.

[strangely]

Yes DC and Marvel both select or at the least approve the art versions used. But they are not simply pulling from the new 52 or matching everything to it. Some characters yes. Some no. Some a sort of hybrid blending. Flash is close to his new 52 design, but it is also a very clearly recognizable flash design. Wonder Woman us classic. As is Harley Quinn. Because the general public does not recognize the new designs as the expected character. The key is how familiar is the design used. Not necessarily whether it is new 52. Marvel actually seems a little tighter in this regard with the focus on some Ultimate Spider-Man designs used.

I didn't say they were only pulling from the New 52 designs. All I said is that DC picks how they want characters portrayed for the year.

Each year the designs change, DC draws from different sources, mostly drawing from what's popular or what they expect to be popular. For instance the first year was almost solely classic comic designs (Nostalgia based characters essentially). The second year drew heavily upon movies and games (Catering heavily to the Arkham fans). And this year they're giving us mostly New 52 stuff (Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, Flash) and of course the BTB version of Batman. And the New 52 version of Flash is only slightly different from classic Flash to begin with, really it was only a tweak from his normal design (Reshaping of the lightning bolts essentially). So recognition wasn't a factor either way for him. DC changes they're approach each year.

Truthfully Marvel has the advantage because they've built a more consistent line. Most of their line is either movie or TV based (And the TV shows draw heavy inspiration from the movies to begin with). Even the couple of comic sets they've given us are loosely inspired by movies. It comes down to their focus remains the same because they're always pumping out the same style of stuff. This is part of the reason why DC has a problem going beyond Batman. They don't have a solid media portrayal currently, they're movies and TV shows are all in different universes and vary greatly in style. I'm sure when they've firmly established the movie universe we'll see more consistency in their designs, until then I predict they'll keep jumping between whatever is popular. The New 52 has managed to gain some steam since its start, so it's not surprising that they've tailored it to those versions this year.

Edited February 28, 2014 by strangely