Super Heroes
| Super Heroes | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Years: | |
| Subthemes: | |
| Related themes: | |
Super Heroes is a licensed theme introduced in January 2012, although certain promotional sets were available in the Summer and Fall of 2011. It currently features a grand total of over twenty, based on the DC Universe and Marvel comic books and movies.
There were nine DC Universe sets (which focus on the Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern series with a guest appearance by Wonder Woman) released in January 2012, with two promotional ones released in May. Twenty-three new minifigures were introduced in the DC Universe subtheme in January.[1][2]
The Marvel collection focuses on The Avengers, X-Men, and Spider-Man.[3] seven Marvel sets were released in April 2012, with the promised Spider-Man set yet to be released. Nineteen minifigures were also introduced under the Marvel subtheme in April (and February for two of the promotional minifigures).[3]
In addition to regular System models, Super Heroes also features buildable action-figures, known as Ultrabuild sets. These use a building system similar to that used by Hero Factory theme, and feature three characters each from the DC and Marvel universes.
In addition to the DC sets, a video game based on the DC theme was released on June 19, 2012.[4]
The DC subtheme will continue into 2013 with at least one set based on the upcoming Superman film Man of Steel.
Contents
Description
Super Heroes is made up of two separate universes, DC and Marvel. The Marvel Universe can actually be further broken up into three other universes; the comic book one, which includes sets based on the X-Men, the TV-verse, as the Spider-Man set is based off of "Ultimate Spider-Man" TV show and the "movie-verse" which currently revolves around the movie, The Avengers. The Ultrabuild figures depict three DC characters and three Marvel characters as Hero Factory-styled action figures. So far, Marvel Ultrabuilds only focus on the Avengers movie universe.
DC Universe
Sets in the first wave of the DC Universe theme mostly revolve around Batman and his rogues gallery, but other heroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern have appeared, although only Superman actually has a foe from his series (Lex Luthor).
Most of the sets are very similar to sets from the previous Batman theme, but are now fully comic-based and have a more colorful and cartoony approach to the source material, as opposed to the darker colors used in the original theme, which was mostly based on Batman: The Animated Series (a popular Batman cartoon from the nineties). Many of the minifigures from the original theme which were based on their animated series counterparts (such as The Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Two-Face), and have been changed to resemble a comic-inspired iteration. Characters who already were based on the comic books (such as Catwoman, Bane, and The Riddler) have changed the least, only being updated with new prints, and colors (and in Riddler's case, a new mould, the Small Clown's bowler hat).
Most characters color schemes have remained the same, except for Two-Face's, which has drastically changed from white and black to orange and purple. Batman's vehicles frequently use black and yellow where the original ones would use black and gold; he also occasionally uses a light grey and dark blue colored vehicle. While in the original Batman sets, many villains would carry guns, most of the villains in DC Universe don't have guns at all, the exception being The Joker who even then has his false "BANG" gun.
While many of the structures in Batman would use dark colors like grey, black, and brown, the three structures released in DC Universe; Joker, Riddler, and Harley Quinn's funhouse, a bank, and The Batcave, are generally more colourful; The Funhouse mixes the color schemes of all three villains included together (this includes colors such as black, red, white, purple, green, and yellow), and the Batcave uses both of the color schemes Batman has used on his vehicles throughout the first wave (black and yellow and dark blue and grey), and adds transparent light blue lights.
So far, only one System set revolving around a hero other than Batman has been released. 6862 Superman vs. Power Armour Lex depicts Superman fighting a large, purple and green, kryptonite-powered mech piloted by his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor, while trying to rescue Wonder Woman.
Even though the DC sets are mostly comic based, two promotional items given away at the San Diego Comic-Con depict Batman and Green Lantern (who hasn't appeared as a minifigure elsewhere) in costumes based on their appearances in The Dark Knight Rises and Green Lantern movies, respectively.
At least one more set based on the upcoming Superman movie, Man of Steel will be released.
Marvel
Unlike with DC, LEGO did not previously have a license with Marvel, so the sets are mostly unique, and do not currently bear any resemblance to the previous Spider-Man sets (which were licensed to SONY, not Marvel).
Most of the sets in the first wave of the theme are dedicated to the movie The Avengers, which pits a team of six super heroes; Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, against Thor's brother, Loki, and his allies, an army of Aliens. Most of the heroes vehicles, are owned by a branch of the United States military called S.H.I.E.L.D. which is run by Nick Fury, and develops and deploys superhuman operatives for large threats. The vehicles are mostly dark blue with at least one sticker which will say S.H.I.E.L.D. and have the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo, an eagle, but seem to have different colourschemes for different vehicle types.
The jeep driven by Hawkeye in 6867 Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape is dark blue with light grey accents, some black, and a transparent windshield.
An aircraft that appears in 6868 Hulk's Helicarrier Breakout, also driven by Hawkeye, is dark blue with some light grey accents, but also with yellow accents and a transparent brown windshield. The interior of the helicarrier, also included, has a floor that is different shades of grey in different parts, transparent light blue screens, a large, transparent container for holding Loki in the center, and white, black, and different shades of blue at different areas.
Unlike the other vehicles, the Quinjet is dominantly grey with some dark blue and transparent brown windshields.
Captain America's motorcycle doesn't follow the S.H.I.E.L.D. color scheme at all, and is instead dark red with blue and black.
The Aliens' vehicles are more consistent, with a color scheme that always includes dark tan, gold, and purple.
All of the minifigures in the Avengers-themed sets are based on their appearance in the movie.
6866 Wolverine's Chopper Showdown is not movie-based, but instead comic-based like the DC sets and is focused on the X-Men. It pits Wolverine on his grey motorcycle against Deadpool and Magneto in their helicopter, which is dark red, black, and dark grey.
6873 Spider-Man's Doc Ock Ambush has Doc Ock's lab in it, and is based on the Ultimate Spider-Man TV series. The three minifigures from 6873; Spider-Man, Doc Ock, and Iron Fist. Both Spider-Man and Doc Ock previously appeared in the Spider-Man theme, but with their movie based appearances, which the Marvel license does not cover.
Captain America, Iron Man, and The Hulk have also appeared in their comic book costumes in various promotions.
It has been confirmed that LEGO will make sets based off of the 2013 movie of Iron Man 3.
Ultrabuilds
The Ultrabuilds are constructable action figures based on a ball-and-socket building system. All of the figures are made of a black and grey TECHNIC-like skeleton, with armor of varying colors placed upon it, although they all feature unique, semi-realistic head moulds.
The models are based on both DC and Marvel. They are built similarly to recent Hero Factory sets. All of the ultrabuild figures have two friction joints, which do not appear in similarly sized Hero Factory sets, an exclusive head, and all feature either a printed chest or torso piece, except for The Hulk.
- DC
Three DC ultrabuilds have been released to date based on Batman, The Joker, and strangely, Green Lantern who has yet to appear in a system set. The Ultrabuild figures utilize different colourschemes than their respective minifigures, and also have different weapons.
Batman is depicted as wearing blue boots, a blue cowl, blue sleeves, and blue over his chest, while everything else is gunmetal in colour, with the exception of his "cape" which is made of two long, curved pieces on either side of his back. Batman carries a sword, while in the sets he generally carries a batarang.
Green Lantern, who has only been promotionally released in his movie based costume, has bright green boots, shoulder pads, and chest, while his upper legs and lower torso are gunmetal, and his arms are gunmetal and white. Unlike his minifigure, who had no accessories in the promotion, Green Lantern wields a construct which takes the form of a morning-star weapon.
The Joker is the most drastically different from his minifigure, who mostly wears purple. As an Ultrabuild, however, he wears little purple, only having it on his shoulders, coat tails, lower arms, and lower legs. His other parts are a large variety of colors including gunmetal, bright green, and orange. He also carries a ray gun which uses colours such as transparent orange, white, and transparent neon green.
- Marvel
The three Marvel characters who have appeared as Ultrabuilds, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Captain America, have colors closer to their respective minifigures, but still different.
Iron Man is bright red; rather than dark red, and gold, and has a large, shoulder mounted, golden gun.
The Hulk is lime green, rather than bright green. Other differences are that he has gunmetal armor on his shoulders and waist, and that his shorts are blue, rather than purple or tan.
Captain America's blue parts are a brighter shade than the minifigure's, and he has white comic eyes, rather than more realistic ones like the minifigure. He also has a white waist, and silver armor on his shoulders.
Background
DC Universe
The DC Universe subtheme's continuity is based on no particular DC continuity, but instead follows the original one used in the Batman theme, which is based on the comic books and the DC Animated Universe. So far, the story has mostly been told through the comic books included in the DC sets.
In the first comic, The Joker and Harley Quinn team up with The Riddler, and capture Robin. They hang him over a barrel of a green substance until Batman arrives and triggers the traps at their hideout, using them against the villains. Batman then rescues Robin, and the three villains then escape on the roller coaster, leaving the ending open for play opportunities.
In the second, Catwoman steals a diamond and Batman gives chase to her.
The third issue depicts Batman and Robin capturing Poison Ivy, and bringing her back to The Batcave. Bane then enters on his drill to rescue Ivy. Bruce Wayne quickly changes into Batman, and uses the Batcycle to fight Bane's drill, before it is left at a cliff-hanger.
In the fourth, Lex Luthor has captured Wonder Woman and Superman proceeds to save her. Lex's mech is destroyed, but he escapes. Wonder Woman is then shown posed heroically, swinging her lasso, again leaving the end open.
In the next comic, The Joker returns, this time in his helicopter and with a henchman. He tries to drop a laughing gas bomb on Gotham City, but the Batwing almost destroys his helicopter. The Joker and the henchman are shown grasping on to the rotor, once again leaving the end open.
In the final comic, Two-Face is robbing a bank. Batman gives chase to him in the Batmobile, at which point the comic ends openly again.
[[Video:Lego Batman 2 First Look Intro Video|thumb|300px|left|The LEGO Batman Short]] In a three-part story in LEGO Magazine and on LEGO.com, Batcave Break-in, Lex Luthor creates the Injustice Gang, a team composed of himself, The Joker, Catwoman, Bane, Poison Ivy, and Two-Face. They manage to find the Batcave and defeat Batman and Robin, but fail to decide who gets to have their revenge first, which causes them to fight amongst themselves, and allows Batman and Robin to escape and capture them all at once. Strangely, Mr. Freeze and Harley Quinn appear on the cover of the first part of Batcave Break-in, but don't appear in the story. Mr. Freeze doesn't even appear in any of the Super Heroes sets thus far.
In 2013, at least one set will be inspired by Man of Steel.
Marvel
Most of the Marvel sets are based on The Avengers. In The Avengers, Loki and his army of Chitauri threaten Earth. S.H.I.E.L.D. commander Nick Fury puts together a team of six super heroes, Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, to battle Loki and save the Earth.
In the first comic, the Alien General and a The General's Foot Soldier flew over a bridge, and then blasted some cars out of the way. Meanwhile, Captain America put on his suit and ran out of a military base. Then, he rode onto the bridge on his avenging cycle and saw the alien general shooting his gun. Captain America threw his shield and disarmed the general. The alien pilot fired at him, but he used his shield to block it. The ship flew away, and Captain America threw his shield to stop it. Like the DC set comics, it ends in a cliffhanger.
In the second comic, an "Artifact transport" was about to go into a tunnel, but Loki ambushed it. After blowing it up, the cosmic cube flies into his hand. However, Hawkeye comes out of the tunnel in his S.H.I.E.L.D. pickup truck. Loki turned around, noticed this, and hypnotized Hawkeye. Loki used his powers to lift the truck and threw it to the side. Iron Man noticed this and flew to the scene to stop Loki. Loki used the cosmic cube to blast Iron Man out the sky. Loki got away with Hawkeye on the truck, and Iron Man gave chase.
In the third comic, the SHIELD Jet was flying towards the Helicarrier. Inside of the Helicarrier, The Hulk tapped on Loki's prison cell. Thor noticed this. Hulk and Thor looked up to see the SHIELD jet smash through the side of the ship. Hulk charged at the jet and started smashing it, but looks puzzled to see Hawkeye (He is still hypnotized). Then, all four of them see Loki use his powers to summon his staff, smash through his cell, and escape.
In the fourth comic, Black Widow, Iron Man, and Thor noticed a disturbance in the streets. They flew in the Quinjet to check it out. Iron Man flew out of the quinjet and saw Loki and an alien in their chariot-like ship. Iron Man fired a repulsor blast that blew up the first part of the chariot where an alien was driving. The alien and the bricks fell on the roof of a building, but the alien started to rebuild his half of the ship. Loki sent a blast of magic at Iron Man that knocked him out of the sky, but he landed on a rooftop. Loki and Thor stared at each other with hatred in their eyes. Thor jumped and slammed his hammer on the rest of the ship, destroying it. By this time Iron Man and the alien had rejoined the battle. Loki used his magic to retreat with the alien. Thor threw his hammer again at Loki and the alien, and the comic ends.
In the first X-Men comic, Deadpool entered an armoured fortress, but Wolverine attacked him. Deadpool ran away and jumped into a helicopter with Magneto. Wolverine saw a motorcycle, jumped on it, and pursued the helicopter. He used jumped a rock and flipped off the motorcycle. He then used his claws to slice off some of the helicopter. Magneto and Deadpool went flying off. They all fell, Wolverine disarmed Deadpool, and Magneto uses his power to raise both of them, where the comic ended.
The story behind the Spider-Man set is currently unknown , but it appears Doc Ock has Iron Fist hostage in Ock's lab and Spider-Man has come to his rescue. It is known to include the super heroes Spider-Man and Iron Fist, and the super-villain Doc Ock.
Ultrabuilds
The Ultrabuild sets depict the six figures in "Power Armour".
In the DC sets, Batman is attempting to foil The Joker's latest scheme, while Green Lantern protects a planet from meteors. In an issue of LEGO Magazine, the Ultrabuild Joker creates a device that he uses to absorb the forms of Batman and Green Lantern into himself, creating Lantern.
The story for the Marvel Ultrabuilds in the comics is that Captain America, Iron Man, and The Hulk are fighting as The Avengers to stop meteors from hitting Earth.
Sets
Promotional Releases
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Comic-Con Exclusive Batman Giveaway | 7 | Batman | Free | July 2011 | |
|
Comic-Con Exclusive Green Lantern Giveaway | 6 | Green Lantern | Free | July 2011 | |
|
Comic-Con Exclusive Superman Giveaway | 7 | Superman | Free | July 2011 | |
|
New York Toy Fair Exclusive Captain America and Iron Man | 7 | Captain America Iron Man |
Free | February 2012 | |
|
30164 | Lex Luthor | Lex Luthor | Free with preorder of LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes from certain retailers | 2012 | |
|
5000022 | The Hulk | 4 | The Hulk | Free with purchases over US $50/UK £50 at LEGO.com | April 2012 |
|
The Avengers Poster | 1 | Free at select theaters on May 4th | May 2012 |
DC Universe
Marvel
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100px | 6865 | Captain America's Avenging Cycle | 72 | Alien Foot Soldier Alien General Captain America |
 $12.99 €14.99 £11.99 $24.99
|
2012 |
|
6866 | Wolverine's Chopper Showdown | 201 | Deadpool Magneto Wolverine |
$19.99 €26.99 $34.99
|
2012 |
| 100px | 6867 | Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape | 181 | Hawkeye Iron Man Loki |
$19.99 €26.99 £19.99 $34.99
|
2012 |
| 100px | 6868 | Hulk's Helicarrier Breakout | 389 | Hawkeye Loki The Hulk Thor |
$49.99 €59.99 $99.99
|
2012 |
| 100px | 6869 | Quinjet Aerial Battle | 735 | Alien Foot Soldier Black Widow Iron Man Loki Thor |
$69.99 €79.99 £69.99 $129.99
|
2012 |
|
6873 | Spider-Man's Doc Ock Ambush | 295 | Doc Ock Iron Fist Spider-Man |
$29.99 Template:Http://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-Super-Heroes-Spiderman-s-Doc-Ock-Ambush-Play-Set/21095586
|
August 2012 |
|
30162 | Quinjet | 2012 | |||
| 100px | 30163 | Thor and the Cosmic Cube | Thor | 2012 | ||
|
30165 | Hawkeye with Equipment | Hawkeye | 2012 |
Ultrabuild
DC Universe
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4526 | Batman | 40 | $10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
|
4527 | The Joker | 57 | $14.99 €14.99 £10.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
|
4528 | Green Lantern | 38 | $10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
|
5000728 | DC Universe Super Heroes Collection | 135 | Not applicable | £32.97
|
2012 |
- DC Combiner models
- Batman and Green Lantern Combiner Model
- Joker and Green Lantern Combiner Model Two
- Joker and Green Lantern Combiner Model One
- Lantern
Marvel
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4529 | Iron Man | 44 | $10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
|
4530 | The Hulk | 39 | $14.99 €14.99 £10.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
|
4597 | Captain America | 44 | $10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 |
- Marvel Combiner models
Video games
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes | Lex Luthor (with preorder from certain retailers) | June 19, 2012 |
Books
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LEGO Batman: The Visual Dictionary | Batman (Electro Suit) | $21.99 £16.98
|
2012 | ||
|
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes: Prima Official Game Guide | June 19, 2012 | ||||
| LEGO DC: Batman 8x8 1 | $3.99
|
2012 | ||||
| LEGO DC: Batman 8x8 2 | $3.99
|
2012 |
Minifigures
DC Universe
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Bane | Batman (The Dark Knight Rises) | Blue Batman | Black Batman | Black Batman (New mask) | Jet-pack Batman | Electro Suit Batman | Bizarro | Bruce Wayne | Catwoman | Green Lantern | Guard | Harley Quinn | Joker Henchman | Lex Luthor (Suit) | Lex Luthor (Warsuit) | Poison Ivy | Robin | Shazam! | Superman | The Joker | The Riddler | Two-Face | Two-Face Henchman | Two-Face Henchman | Wonder Woman |
- Non-physical minifigures
- Alfred
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Black Adam
- Black Canary
- Black Manta
- Brainiac
- Captain Cold
- Commissioner Gordon
- Cyborg
- Damian Wayne
- Flash
- Fisherman
- Gorilla Grodd
- Hawkgirl
- Hawkman
- Hush
- Katana
- Killer Croc
- Killer Moth
- Lex Luthor's Pilot
- Lois Lane
- Mr. Freeze
- Nightwing
- Riddler Henchman
- Sinestro
- Supergirl
- The Penguin
- The Scarecrow
- Zatanna
- Zod
Marvel
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Alien Foot Soldier | Alien General | Black Widow | Captain America (Avengers) | Captain America (Comic) | Deadpool | Doc Ock | Hawkeye | Iron Fist | Iron Man (Mark 6) | Iron Man (Mark 7) | Iron Man (Comic) | Loki | Magneto | Spider-Man | The Hulk (Avengers) | The Hulk (Comic) | Thor | Wolverine |
- Non-physical minifigures
Gallery
A lineup of all of the first wave of DC System sets, minus 6857
DC Universe LEGO.com logo
Marvel minisite picture
A poster for The Avengers
The front picture when you go to Marvel Universe In the LEGO shop
Videos
- Video:LEGO Super Heroes Batman Stop-Motion Trailer
- Video:2012 LEGO Superheroes Batman
- Video:Marvel ultrabuilds ad
- Video:DC ultrabuilds ad
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes Commercial
