Super Heroes is a licensed theme introduced in January 2012, although certian promotional sets were available in the Summer and Fall of 2011. It currently features a grand total of twenty-seven sets, based on the DC Universe and Marvel comic-book universes.
There were nine DC Universe sets (which focus on the Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman series) released in January 2012, with two further promotional ones yet to be released. Twenty-two 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 seen. 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, 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 will be released on June 1, 2012. [4]
Description
Super Heroes is made up of two seperate comic book universes, DC and Marvel. The Marvel Universe can actually be further broken up into two other universes; the comic book one, which includes sets based on Spider-Man and the X-Men, 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.
DC Universe
Sets in the DC Universe theme mostly revolve around Batman and his rogues gallery, but other heroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern, as well as one Superman villain, Lex Luthor, have appeared.
Most of the sets are very similar to sets from the previous Batman theme, but are now comic-based and have a more colourful and cartoony approach, as opposed to the darker colours used in the original theme which was mostly based on Batman: The Animated Series, a popular Batman cartoon from the ninties. 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) have been changed the most 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 colours (and in Riddler's case, a new mould, the Small Clown's bowler hat).
The sole Superman set
Most characters colourschemes have remained the same, except for Two-Face's which has drastically changed from white and black to orange and purple. Batman's vehicles also often use black and yellow where the original ones would use black and gold; he also occasionally uses a light grey and dark blue coloured vehicle. While in the original Batman sets, many villains would carry guns, many of the villains in DC Universe don't have guns, the exception being The Joker who even then has his false "BANG" gun.
While many of the structures in Batman would use dark colours 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 generaly more colourful; The Funhouse mixes the colourschemes of all three villains included together (this includes colours such as black, red, white, purple, green, and yellow) and the Batcave uses both of the colourschemes 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 promotionals 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, respectivley.
Marvel
Unlike with DC, LEGO did not previously have a license with Marvel, so the sets are mostly a first and do not currently bear reseblence to any previous Spider-Man sets (which were licensed to SONY, not Marvel).
Most of the sets are dedicated to the upcoming 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 enemey, Loki, and his allies, an army of aliens. Most of the heroes vehicles, 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, and are mostly dark blue with at least one sticker which will say S.H.I.E.L.D., 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 vehciles, the Quinjet is dominatly grey with some dark blue and transparent brown windshields.
Captain America's motorcycle doesn't follow the S.H.I.E.L.D. colourscheme at all, and is instead dark red with blue and black.
The aliens' vehicles are more consistant with a colourscheme 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. It pits Wolverine on his grey motorcycle against Deadpool and Magneto in their helicopter which is dark red, black, and dark grey.
Pictures of 6873 Spider-Man's Doc Ock Ambush have yet to be seen, but according to the press release which announced the Marvel subtheme says that it is to be comic-based. Pictures from the comic books included with The Avengers and X-men sets have revealed pictures of 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 different promotions.
Ultrabuilds
The Ultrabuilds are constructable action figures based on both DC and Marvel. They are build similarly to recent Hero Factory sets. All of the ultrabuild figures have two friction cups, which do not appear in similarly sized Hero Factory sets, an exclusive head, and all have 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 repective 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 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 a movie based suit, has bright green boots, shoulder pads, and a 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 has a construct which takes the shape 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 colours 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 colours 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 armour on his shoulders and waist, and that his shorts are blue.
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 armour 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 oppertunities.
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 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. 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 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.
A sequel to LEGO Batman: The Videogame has been announced. It revolves around The Joker teaming up with Lex Luthor to get his revenge on Batman, but Superman arrives and teams up with the Dynamic Duo. Other super heroes and villains, such as Wonder Woman, Flash, Two-Face, and The Riddler are also involved, but their roles in the story are currently unknown.
A LEGO Batman Short aired on DC Nation in March 2012. In it, Batman and Robin are chasing The Joker who has stolen the Man of the Year award, which was supposed to be awarded to Bruce Wayne. The Joker is caught and sent to Arkham Asylum, a defeat which Lois Lane is shown reporting on. Lex Luthor then arrives and frees Joker (and The Penguin when he was demonstrating his gun) from his cell, and they form a partnership. It is possible that this short is directly related to LEGO Batman 2, as it is confirmed that in the beginning of the game Joker and Harley Quinn steal the Man of the Year award from Bruce Wayne.
Marvel
A "LEGO-fied" The Avengers poster
Most of the Marvel sets are based on The Avengers. In The Avengers, Loki and his army of aliens threatens 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.
The X-men set is more comic-book based, but still isn't based on any particular moment from the X-men franchise. According to its set description, Magneto teams up with Deadpool to attack Wolverine.
The story behind the Spider-man set is currently unknown, but according to the press release, it is comic-based. 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 is not currently known, but the packaging for all three sets has the The Avengers logo, suggesting that they follow the movie's continuity, even though they don't entirely resemble their movie counterparts.
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 | October 2011 | |
| New York Toy Fair Exclusive Captain America and Iron Man | 7 | Captain America Iron Man |
Free | February 2012 | ||
  |
Power Armor Lex Luthor Promotional Set | Lex Luthor | Free with preorder of LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes from certain retailers | 2012 | ||
| Promotional Hulk | 4 | The Hulk | Free with purchase over US $50 at LEGO.com | April 2012 |
DC Universe
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
6857 | The Dynamic Duo Funhouse Escape | 380 | Batman Harley Quinn Robin The Joker The Riddler |
 $39.99 £39.99 €49.99 $89.99
|
2012 |
| 6858 | Catwoman Catcycle City Chase | 89 | Batman Catwoman |
$12.99 £11.99 €14.99 $24.99
|
2012 | |
  |
6860 | The Batcave | 690 | Bane Batman Bruce Wayne Poison Ivy Robin |
$69.99 £69.99 €79.99 $129.99
|
2012 |
 |
6862 | Superman vs. Power Armour Lex | 207 | Lex Luthor Superman Wonder Woman |
$19.99 £19.99 €26.99 $39.99
|
2012 |
  |
6863 | Batwing Battle Over Gotham City | 278 | Batman Joker Henchman The Joker |
$34.99 £34.99 €49.99 $59.99
|
2012 |
  |
6864 | Batmobile and the Two-Face Chase | 531 | Batman Guard Two-Face Two-Face Henchman Two-Face Henchman |
$49.99 £49.99 €59.99 $99.99
|
2012 |
  |
30160 | Bat Jetski | Batman | 2012 | ||
  |
301601 | Batmobile | 2012 | |||
  |
853431 | Batman, Robin, The Joker Magnet Set | Batman Robin The Joker (As magnets) |
$14.99 £9.99 €9.99 $N/A in this country
|
2012 | |
| TBA | 2012 |
Marvel
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
6865 | Captain America's Avenging Cycle | 72 | Alien Foot Soldier Alien General Captain America |
$12.99 £11.99 €14.99 $24.99
|
2012 |
  |
6866 | Wolverine's Chopper Showdown | 201 | Deadpool Magneto Wolverine |
$19.99 £19.99 €26.99 $34.99
|
2012 |
 |
6867 | Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape | 181 | Hawkeye Iron Man Loki |
$19.99 £19.99 €26.99 $34.99
|
2012 |
  |
6868 | Hulk's Helicarrier Breakout | 389 | Hawkeye Loki The Hulk Thor |
$49.99 £49.99 €59.99 $99.99
|
2012 |
  |
6869 | Quinjet Aerial Battle | 735 | Alien Foot Soldier Black Widow Iron Man Loki Thor |
$69.99 £69.99 €79.99 $129.99
|
2012 |
| 6873 | Spider-Man's Doc Ock Ambush | Doc Ock Iron Fist Spider-man |
2012 |
Ultrabuild
DC Universe
| Image | # | Set | Pieces | Minifigure(s) | Price | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |
4526 | Batman | 40 | $14.99 £10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
  |
4527 | The Joker | 57 | $14.99 £10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
  |
4528 | Green Lantern | 38 | $14.99 £10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
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 | $14.99 £10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
  |
4530 | The Hulk | 39 | $14.99 £10.99 €14.99 $22.99
|
2012 | |
  |
4597 | Captain America | 44 | $14.99 £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 1, 2012 |
Minifigures
DC Universe
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Bane | Batman (The Dark Knight Rises) | Blue Batman | Black Batman | Jet-pack Batman | Bruce Wayne | Catwoman | Green Lantern | Guard | Harley Quinn | Joker Henchman | Lex Luthor (Suit) | Lex Luthor (Power Armour) | Poison Ivy | Robin | Superman | The Joker | The Riddler | Two-Face | Two-Face Henchman | Two-Face Henchman | Wonder Woman |
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 |
Gallery
Videos
<videogallery> Video:LEGO_Super_Heroes_Batman_Stop-Motion_Trailer Video:2012 LEGO Superheroes Batman </videogallery>
