Review: 76023 The Tumbler, part 1
Posted by Huw,This 1869-piece model of The Tumbler, revealed in a press release published a couple of weeks ago, will be available to VIPs next Monday for US$199.99 / £159.99 / 199.99€. We've been sent one to review ahead of its release.
It arrived about an hour ago, so no, I haven't built it yet, but I have taken pictures of the box, parts and minifigures which I'll share with you now ahead of a marathon building session tonight and tomorrow, after which I'll continue the review.
Box and contents
The first thing that struck me is the size of the box, which is huge, the same size at that for the Tower Bridge and Volvo Wheel Loader, approximately 58 x 47 x 12cm.
The front of the box shows the main model, the two minifigs and the The Dark Knight trilogy logo.
The back shows an excellent photo of the vehicle, 'blueprints' and photos of some of the details.
The text by the inset image of the minifigs on the stand states "Minifigures not in scale with vehicle model."
The box size is justified by the contents which comprise of 18 bags numbered 1-11, six tyres and an 8x16 tile. There's so much stuff I didn't have a piece of white card large enough to photograph it on.
There are five instruction manuals with identical cover photos...
...and two sticker sheets. The manuals and stickers are poly wrapped with card so should reach you in perfect condition.
The sticker for the UCS information plate is printed on white; the other, containing control panels and other details, on clear plastic which should avoid 'Sticker Horror' years down the line.
Minifigures
I'll come straight out and say it: The minifigs are superfluous and have been included in the set for marketing purposes only.
That said, they are vey cool and are indeed likely be the impetus needed to encourage sales of the set at such a high price.
Although Batman is superficially the same as every other minifig version of him, he does have a new torso print, front and back. I'm not sure about the head, it looks similar to others but may well have a slightly different smirk.
The Joker however, is all new and is fantastic. It's the late Heath Ledger version, of course, from The Dark Knight movie. It's the first version of The Joker not to have a white head.
Both minifigs have two-sided heads. Batman has a different smirk, The Joker looks more sinister.
They both have printed backs too.
The Joker appears in bags #1; Batman and the stand are constructed right at the end from bags #11.
I hate applying these large UCS stickers, but for the sake of the review, I persevered and just about got it on centered and straight, but it wasn't easy.
There are a few bubbles in it, though, which is pretty much unavoidable. If I had bought the set, I wouldn't have risked applying it.
Stay tuned for part two which I'll try and get published tomorrow morning.
Thanks to Kim from the LEGO CEE team for providing the set for review.
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39 comments on this article
This IS a Must Have!!!!!
wow I really want this badly and can't wait for part two
I am very much looking forward to picking up this set, although I have to point out that Batman's torso hardly resembles the version from the Nolan trilogy. The Batman symbol is more reminiscent of the one from Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.
Still, another Batman for the collection, and a lovely Joker Minifigure, a great addition to a set which will no doubt be even better!
Wow Huw, the struggles and hardships you must endure on a day-to-day basis! :-p
Very interessting, but I won't buy it, it's too expansive, I have other things to purchase.
I thought the Joker had a white face just like in the movie no?
A great model but too expensive for my purse...
As thehornedrat asked, are you to give back the set after your review ?
If not, you're a lucky guy Huw !!
Actually @capnrex101 if you look at images of Batman's suit from Batman Begins I'd say it's pretty darn close to it!
@Niels92: It looks like the head is light flesh with a white print.
@CapnRex101 and @kempo81: I originally thought the Bat logo on Batman's torso here was based on the 75th Anniversary logo:
http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/imce/2014/03-MAR/Batman75_logo_1COLOR_blk_580_53337eb4cb4440.11378405.jpg
On further examination, it does look like the symbol on the Batman Begins batsuit; I guess it became more angular like the batarangs' shape in The Dark Knight.
@Niels92: The joker does in fact have a white face, just like in The Dark Knight. This is the first Joker minifigure that doesn't have a white head though; it's a printed white face that looks like makeup/paint on a flesh head. The effect looks just like the Joker from the movie.
@kempo81 - Good point, I had not taken that film into consideration. Nevertheless, I am surprised that they did not go for the more famous TDK version.
No, we don't send the sets we are sent back after review. What would LEGO do with them? They can't re-use or resell them.
Providing sets to fan sites is an excellent way for LEGO to advertise and encourage sales. In fact, it's probably the most cost-effective form of marketing available, particularly compared to an online banner ad campaign or similar. $200 to reach tens of thousands of known LEGO buyers -- bargain!
The European CEE team provide review sets to a number of sites and I believe anyone can apply to be receive them. But, of course, you'll need to have a well-read and well-known website or similar before you'd be considered.
It's pretty epic in size if also price, however the Joker fig is good, probably something to get in the future if money is a bit more flush.
I like the Gothic look on the box it just spells Batman to me (considering the city he lives in is called Gotham)
Totally agree with them including the minifigures to get more purchases. I honestly would only get it for them.
@capnrex101 I think it's nice to see a different one and an exclusive for this set. Although they were "very dark grey" we have seen 2 of the more well known version, and 3 if you count the 2011 Com con variant...
They can't even stretch to printed control panels on a £160 UCS set? Seriously reconsidering if it's worth saving up for...
Lego has released a lot of nice sets, but this is the first no-brainer Lego purchase for me in awhile. In fact, I'm considering taking a drive into the city to get it at a B&M store. Well done, Lego, well done!
@ huw. Can you let us know how many pages are in each manual. I'm surprised by so many instruction booklets. Thanks
Nice model, but I am glad that I am not into DC Comics enough to warrant buying this. I can see Lego Builders getting it for the parts, collectors looking to make a packet it on as Sealed, MIB, and fans will buy it, just because.......
For me there is too much other stuff out there to warrant me getting this one. But it is impressive nevertheless.
REALLY annoyed that LEGO can't spring for printed pieces on a UCS set, when printed pieces appear randomly in other sets, including $20 offerings from the Juniors line... I get why they do that for kids but what about for the adults dropping a couple hundred dollars?
Huw, you have a rough life getting these sets sent to you early by LEGO. You do have to work hard building these sets and then taking pictures while we're all jealous. Keep up the good work!
Those large stickers I just put on card, snip to size, laminate and then blue tack them to the frame.
Five instruction books. Just wow there. Will buy at some point. Wonder if I can make a "The Bat" out of some of it...
Very impressive set so far. Five instruction books is just ridiculous-- doesn't the Mobile Crane Mk 2 have just one huge tome? 2 would be better, seeing as it only has 200 more pieces than Arkham Asylum, which had 3. There are some aspects of TLG we will never understand.
Batman does, in fact, have a new face. I won't get this set or figs- for one thing, I don't have room in my budget, for another, I have no place to put this thing. The huge amount of control panel stickers is very upsetting.
The first thought? "I only work in Black... and sometimes really dark grey". Apparently is true.
Does this set have black friction axle pins in it..?
2,5 tons? Seems to be perrty light-weight for a tank-car!
For example, new armoured Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman weighs more than 5 tons...
But surely Batman has access to the most advanced alloys! :)
There are two reasons for me not buying this set: 1) no steering and 2) stickers
^^^ Not yet, they are blue in bags 1 and 2.
The pic on the back of the box looks totally bad ass.
@Huw : thank you for your answer regarding the sets provided to you by LEGO.
I am wondering when you get to this part if they will be black... They look black in this picture here...
http://s24.postimg.org/l3fmselmt/Tumbler.jpg
They are standard friction pins that connect to http://brickset.com/parts/4560174.
There are also 4 of the single pin version in the set.
I can't see myself getting this set - love the front tyres but thats all.
My friend Tristan and I have just built this and uploaded a time lapse of the build here.
http://youtu.be/jbgrEiMyKDg
Anyone know why this set disappeared from shop.lego.com yesterday?
I thought it was going on pre-sale tomorrow, but now it's not even listed?
To bad it's €220 in Europa. I was considering €200 (as it says on top) but 220 is to much. I'll wait for it. With pain in my heart.
But your review is great. Thanks
Brill good build but did anyone find that you could see the holes coming through the plates when I would of thought it should be a jet black made it look cheap plastic