Lego Batman (stylized as LEGO Batman) is a theme and product range of the Lego building toy, introduced in 2006, based on the superhero character Batman, under license from DC Comics.[2] The sets feature vehicles, characters and scenes from the comics and films. The inspirations for the design of these vary widely. For example, the Batmobile retains its basic sleek shape and prominent fins from the Tim Burton films, whereas the "Bat-Tank" seems to be based on the tank-like Batmobile in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.
The theme was relaunched in early 2012 as part of the Lego DC Universe Superheroes line, which is a sub-theme of the Lego Super Heroes line.
The theme has spawned multiple TV series, video games and films.
Overview
The product line focuses on the superhero character Batman has been adapted into various media including film, radio, television, and video games, as well as numerous merchandising items. Lego Batman aimed to recreate the main characters in Lego form, including Batman, Robin, the Joker, Bane and Harley Quinn.
Development
Lego Batman was inspired by the Batman franchise. The construction toy range was based on the media franchise and developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. The construction sets were designed to recreate the story and characters of the media franchise in Lego form.[3][4]
Construction sets
According to BrickLink, The Lego Group released a total of 15 Lego sets as part of Lego Batman theme.[1]
Non-Batman film sets
Batman is given a wide range of vehicles, their appearances resembling their accepted forms. Several vehicles, including the "Batman Dragster", "Batman's Buggy", and "Bat-Tank", have also been introduced. The Batmobile appears similar to the way it does in the 1989 film, while the Batboat takes on a hovercraft-like form. All the set-boxes feature a comic strip by artist Greg Hyland at the back, featuring stylized versions of the set in action.
The first seven sets were released in 2006: The Batman Dragster: Catwoman Pursuit (set number: 7779), The Batboat: Hunt for Killer Croc (set number: 7780), The Batmobile: Two-Face's Escape (set number: 7781), The Batwing: The Joker's Aerial Assault (set number: 7782), The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion (set number: 7783), The Batmobile: Ultimate Collector's Edition (set number: 7784) and Arkham Asylum (set number: 7785).
The next two sets were released in 2007: The Batcopter: The Chase for Scarecrow (set number: 7786) and The Bat-Tank: The Riddler and Bane's Hideout (set number: 7787).
The last four sets were released in 2008: Batman's Buggy: The Escape of Mr. Freeze (set number: 7884), Robin's Scuba Jet: Attack of The Penguin (set number: 7885), The Batcycle: Harley Quinn's Hammer Truck (set number: 7886) and The Tumbler: Joker's Ice-Cream Surprise (set number: 7888).
Film and television
Animated short film
An official animated short film called "Lego Batman: Bricks, Bats & Bad Guys" was produced with Cartoon Network to promote the product line. It was made in 2006.[21] It contains three adventures where Batman tries to stop The Joker, The Penguin, Two-Face and Mr. Freeze to their getaway vehicles by his Bat-vehicles and were all sent to Arkham Asylum.
DC Nation
During the premiere of Green Lantern: The Animated Series, animation from Lego Batman was part of the preview for the DC Nation block of programming coming in 2012 to Cartoon Network.
Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite
Video games
- Lego Batman: The Videogame
- A video game based on the theme called Lego Batman: The Videogame was released in 2008. Produced by TT Games, the game followed similar titles based upon Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones.[49]
- Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
- A sequel to the first Lego Batman called Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was released in 2012 and included other DC Comics characters like Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash, most of them appearing towards the end of the story.[50][51][52][53]
Awards and nominations
In 2012, Batwing Battle Over Gotham City was awarded "DreamToys" in the Construction category by the Toy Retailers Association.[72]
In 2014, Batman Man-Bat attack was awarded "DreamToys" in the Build The World category by the Toy Retailers Association.[73]
See also
- The Lego Batman Movie
- The Lego Batman Movie (Lego theme)
- Lego DC Super Hero Girls
- Lego Super Heroes
External links
References
- BrickLink Reference Catalog - Sets - Category Lego Batman www.bricklink.com, retrieved 2021-04-08^
- Lego Batman Theme at Lego.com^
- LEGO Group Builds Licensed Portfolio Success with New Deals; Bloomberg News, retrieved October 26, 2005