REVIEW: 71007 LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 12

[fred67]

In my viewpoint, I think LEGO would keep future series consisted of remakes/counterparts and new ideas. The reasons for remakes could be:

1) Just lacking ideas, the most negative answer.

2) Saving money. (in this case, Joker)

3) Fulfilling the needs of counterparts, and some of them turn out really well.

4) Giving new collectors the parts they couldn't collect at first.

In the cases of 1 and 2, I don't hold it against TLG - they went through a great deal of effort trying to cut down on the parts/color combinations when they reorganized and became profitable again. These CMFs introduce some new parts, and at least a lot of new prints and colors. They need to restrain themselves to some extent, I think.

I do not believe they care a whole lot about 4... at least they never have in the past. You snooze, you lose.

Point 3 is what I believe really motivates the designers, though. What's a baseball hitter with a bat without a baseball fielder with a glove? What's a red cheerleader without an opposing blue cheerleader? And you can make a whole band from the music ones. The counterparts make the previous ones that much more useful, in most cases, to a large extent even simply giving us "evil" versions of "good" figures (or vice-versa).

I don't think this series was meant to cater to kids more (IMO series 8 was the most childish one). Kids may not understand the definition of "Spooky" and othe cultural knowledge. I'm not surprised with the Princess (despite not my favorite) since she was already labelled "Fairytale"

I actually find the princess the least objectionable of the "kiddie" ones. I also don't get your assertion that series 8 was the most childish one... I think Santa is pretty universal, which really only leaves the Fairy, IMO, as a "kiddie" figure, and even then it didn't have to be (but I didn't like that one, either... it's another one, like the current genie, I think they could have done much better). I suppose you could be referring to the man-bat, maybe the stereotypical pegleg pirate... but the manbat was just another counterpoint in the long running monsters theme, and pirate is more useful, IMO, as a pirate than the upcoming swashbuckler.

[Robert8]

I guess... I think this series is too "kiddy,"

I agree about this. Series 12 has a pretty childish take on some minifigures, like the Wizard, the Farirytale Princess and even the Prospector (plus the Piggy Guy). That has happened before with the S4 Evil Scientist, the S3 Space alien, and all the animal costumed minifigures are pretty childish as well, but all of them are in different series

I do not believe they care a whole lot about 4... at least they never have in the past. You snooze, you lose.

I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that the Evil Robot and the Red Cheerleader were included in Series 8 for those who didn't get the S1 Robot and the S1 Cheerleader

[Blakstone]

I think LEGO is trying to service different lines in each series. They like to give City and Castle minifigs as well as created an entire Historical / Mythology line that did not exist.

CMF also serves to create new molds and prints that a line cannot otherwise afford. Look at how poorly LEGO represented Santa before Series 8. Since then, the CMF has been the standard version for the advent calendar. The holiday elf hair piece is now used for Santa's elves in two Winter Village sets this year. The series 9 police officer's cap became the new standard in this year's City line and Advent calendar. It appears that the Forest Maiden's reason for being was to provide hair for Leia in the Ewok Village set.

I agree that the biggest driver behind CMF selection is to build upon the characters already made. After all counterparts to an existing figure make both the older one and the newer one better in my opinion. But LEGO appears to consider many factors when making these decisions.

I am already awaiting word on a Series 13. Has that been confirmed yet?

[Robert8]

I am already awaiting word on a Series 13. Has that been confirmed yet?

It appears here

https://www.spielwar...059279&dmid=144

but I don't know if we can call it "a confirmation"

Series 13 is also in the rumored list of 2015 sets leaked last week

Edited September 4, 2014 by Robert8

[Blakstone]

That is good enough for me. I shall start dreaming of what the new CMF will be... even before I can buy this great series.

[just2good]

It appears here

https://www.spielwar...059279&dmid=144

but I don't know if we can call it "a confirmation"

Series 13 is also in the rumored list of 2015 sets leaked last week

Actually, that Werst listing isn't the set. While Werst does have a few 2015 sets listed (no new ones), that particular listing is of The Simpsons series. You can see that by its six digit number, and the fact that it's available but out of stock at the moment (the yellow circle). This was a listing from late 2013, when the series was still called Series 13.

Series 13, however, is confirmed. It was with the listing from the Swiss site.

[Robert8]

Oh really? Thanks for the clarification!

when the series was still called Series 13.

I hate when that happens

Series 13, however, is confirmed. It was with the listing from the Swiss site.

It was deleted from that site

Edited September 4, 2014 by Robert8

[8BrickMario]

I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that the Evil Robot and the Red Cheerleader were included in Series 8 for those who didn't get the S1 Robot and the S1 Cheerleader

That's correct. The character encyclopedia (which I hope gets a Book 2 in the future) said that they were included so people who missed S1 could get those as a substitute, and as a bonus counterpart for those with the S1 figs.

Yeah I like the Genie Girl just the way she is. and for those who really don`t like her head just replace it with the head of the Intergalactic Girl form S6. :)

That head's a bit too wicked for her...there's no perfect substitute, unfortunately.

Edited September 4, 2014 by 8BrickMario

[CM4Sci]

It appears here

https://www.spielwar...059279&dmid=144

but I don't know if we can call it "a confirmation"

Series 13 is also in the rumored list of 2015 sets leaked last week

I was told not to create a thread when I found that link a few weeks back, because it was just a placeholder.

-Sci

[Robert8]

Funny, I disagree about the cloth skirts. I find the block slope 'dress' completely worthless and ruinous on 'action' oriented figures, like the battle goddess, or the previous Viking lady. I think they are okay for lady-statues who aren't meant to be played with beyond standing in the corner looking pretty, but really these are toys meant to be played with, and you imagination is limited if a female figure can't perform all the 'actions' of the male figures. Bring on more cloth skirts, Lego!

I think the Battle Goddess would look much better with a printed skirt, just like Artemis in the MMO:

The character encyclopedia

Oh yeah... I remember now

[fred67]

My problem with the skirts is they don't close... it always looks like the figure is showing some leg, like she's trying to look sexy. If they just made it one segment longer, it would overlap and not be a problem.

[WhiteFang]

Thank you very much for your support and kind words in this review! I enjoyed reading your thoughts and comments with regards to the new Series 12. I find it enjoyable to do this review and I am really very pleased by your overwhelming welcome which will certainly encourage me to keep on doing this tradition.

Did anyone else think "Lara Croft" when they saw the Dino Tracker? Maybe it's the bow, but the torso could fit for Lara really well.

I agree with you that the Dino Tracker can be designed as Lara Croft equivalent, more importantly she can be used as the main female action star.

Just a heads up, these minifigures could start showing up in stores soon. I just picked up 8 packs yesterday.

Great find! I hope you are also enjoying your new found minifigures!

Also, is there ever going to be another CMFs contest again? I miss them as they were always a lot of fun.

Not at the moment though. I will keep you guys informed if there is such a plan.

So, do these launch October or November 1st in Canada?

It's probably going to launch on 1st October. Do be patient with it.

I could have sworn the two toned arms were revealed to be molded pieces back when the Simpsons figures came out, but this review insists on calling them "printed". Have I been wrong all along?

Nope you are not wrong. Just that it is a practice to use it to illustrate in a simplistic manner.

The package colours make it seem like there's a new cycle starting with this new 12th series. The Doctor from Doctor Who has started a new regeneration cycle after 12 incarnations. 12 is '1' and '2', and 1+2=3.

Half Life 3 Confirmed.

Illuminati.

Nice way of describing it!

WhiteFang, thank you so very much for this spectacular review. I know how much time and effort you put into making these, and it shows every time. You are the CMF reviewing maestro!

This series is much more interesting to me than some of the previous series. I really like the Spooky Girl and Battle Goddess figures, and the torso for the Fairytale Princess is very nice too, but I also like some of the accessories like the pizza and pizza box and Joker with his cards. It's also great that we've seen the 7th mascot in the 12th series of CMFs (and only one of the previous ones was female) as I really like this mini-theme and hope they continue them, but I'd like to see more female versions too (it's only the head, after all!)

Once again, thanks for the superb review Fangy!

Thank you Pandy! This defintiely take lots of time and sleepless nights to make this review possible. All in all, I agree that the whole load of LEGO CMFs (mini themes) is expanding faster and even more interesting as well. We could even possible design a set theme for it.

Thanks for the great review. I just noticed though that the swashbuckler has an orange chest instead of a yellow one. Ick.

The Swashbuckler has a yellow chest. Pardon of my lighting.

A few small points if you'll forgive the pedantry:

• In your picture of the Wizard, his collar is back-to-front. The starry side should be facing backwards.
  

• The first wizard minifigure appeared in 1993, not 1995. I remember getting him. You're right that his name, Majisto, may not have been revealed by TLC until '95. I'm not sure about that.
  
• The conical hat worn by the Princess is called a hennin.
  

Noted with thanks! I didn't know I place his robe in an inverted manner. I indicate it as 1995 is because I gotten him back in that year. Either way, Majisto is indeed the first Wizard!

[jonwil]

Lets hope these start showing up here in Oz soon, I have a use for some of the parts in some projects I am working on :)

[Eric The Hand]

Awesome review! Would love to get my hands on these once its released. Love the design for the Battle Goddess.

[TheLegoDr]

I agree about the skirt pieces. The cloth needs to be longer, or they need to rework the pattern because I hate that it flies open like that. It is odd they have dress prints on slopes and sometimes printed skirts, then they throw in cloth skirts. Doesn't make much sense. I like consistency.

Either way, I like the Battle Goddess to an extent. I mostly would want her shield. I'd like her helmet more if it didn't have hair attached to it. BUT I understand why the hair is attached and it fits for the character.

[BricksMcgee]

Thanks for taking the time to review, as always, Whitefang. After reading your review there are more minifgures in this series I want than I initially thought!

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thank you very much for this great review, WhiteFang!

Of course it was very helpful. I personally don't care about the allocation number. But for sure I'm glad that the regular (meaning non-licensed) CMFs return since the non-licensed are the best ones!

Series 12 is above average! :wub:

For outstanding it doesn't last since there are only very few new and unique accessory and minifig parts and some small details disturb. Esp. the lifeguard's pants which show the red-white "hoop" and in this way disqualify this leg part for regular bathers - which is really a shame! (Two lifeguards in all series til now but only two surfers and no single bather!)

My top four minfigs of this series are:

1st: princess - stunning "hat" and torso printing

2nd: hun warrior - amazing helmet and coat

3rd: jester - nice cards plus someone making jokes is always good

4th: computer guy - good chance to get some more hair pieces with headphones

@ WhiteFang: Sorry if I oversighted it - but does the computer guy have a back printing on his torso?

Klaus-Dieter

[WhiteFang]

Looks like many of us including myself are very much looking forward to the official release.

@ WhiteFang: Sorry if I oversighted it - but does the computer guy have a back printing on his torso?

HI K.D! It has been a long time since I last saw you around. Great to see you. Nope, the Video Game Guy does not have back printing. I will highlight it if it is there.

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thanks for this information, WhiteFang!

It's really a pity that there is no back printing on the gamer - he would look much cooler if he had a hoodie at the back (like the common torso from the driver in the Small Car set back in 2010)!

Nevertheless I'm really looking forward to get some of these minifigs (the gamer including).

Klaus-Dieter

[Aredhel]

Thank you for a very nice review again. Though I do not have all the minifig series, I am afraid, I will get some of those. Really cool figs in this series.

[wlderdude]

Thank you White Fang for this, and all your other Minifgure reviews.

When I first saw the list it wasn't looking like there would be any "must gets," at least since the price went up here in the US. There are at least 4 I will probably end up hunting down, but I may need to wait for a sale. I used to buy bunches of these in previous series, but they are just too expensive now.

[VSefrem]

Thanks for this amazing work! It is always a great pleasure to read your reviews!

[AmperZand]

I'm not into western fantasies, but in Google most wizard pics have those stars in their blue hats. Maybe Yen Sid has successfully influenced people's stereotypes.

Yes, I reckon you're right about it having become archetypal to some extent. As I've mentioned before on EB, Disney's Merlin in The Sword in the Stone is dressed in a blue wizard's hat and gown (http://img2.wikia.no...ps_com-1183.jpg) as is Merlin in John Howe's cover illustration of The Once and Future King (http://www.john-howe...p?image_id=1720). Howe's Merlin even has a star-spangled hat.

What I didn't point out last time is that if you go back before Yen Sid in Fantasia, Gandalf is described as having a blue hat in The Hobbit. In the last few weeks, the latest edition (5th) of the D&D Player's Handbook has been released and on pages 112 and 205 there are pictures of wizards with white hair and beards wearing blue gowns (the one on page 205 has stars on his). So the trope has endured in one form or another for more than 75 years. It wouldn't surprise me if it were even older than that.

I suspect it's pretty entrenched now and while wizards have been depicted in many colours in western popular culture, blue is probably the one most people in TLC's major markets associate with benevolent spell-casters (malevolent ones typically wear black). I don't see that changing.

Edited September 16, 2014 by AmperZand

[Blue_Bird]

Amazing review! Love the Pizza Delivery guy

[benzene]

We all knows there is no possible to make any fixed pentagon. Till now I thought this limitation comes from math but now since TLG release Series 12 I am not so sure. Maybe they put in contracts of employments point like this: if you design anything looking like pentagon you will be fired immediately? How to explain hexagon stars on wizard when most wizards stars capes on Google graphics shows pentagons? My personal imagination of stars always was pentagon.