Review: 76034 Batboat Harbour Pursuit
Posted by CapnRex101,The two DC Super Heroes sets being released this Summer have provoked a lot of excitement, so much so that Brickset members requested reviews of these sets above all others. We are therefore taking a look today at 76034 Batboat Harbour Pursuit which is the smaller of the two sets, containing 264-pieces.
The Deathstroke minifigure is probably the most anticipated element of the set as this is the first time this wildly popular mercenary has been recreated in LEGO form. The Batboat is also very appealing, improving on the design in 76000 Arctic Batman vs. Mr Freeze: Aquaman on Ice, in my opinion.
Box and Contents
The box is an unusual shape, being rather deep in comparison with its height, but features some fairly typical Batman artwork showing The Caped Crusader in battle with Deathstroke in Gotham Bay. The packaging notes that the boats do not float, although the four dinghies used to form the hull of the Batboat do. Unfortunately the structure on top is too heavy for them to support, but I don't think that impacts upon the playability too much.
There are plenty of play features in this set, lots of which are shown on the back. Inside is one instruction manual, three numbered bags and a comic book which features both this model and 76035 Jokerland.
Minifigures
I think the three minifigures included in this set are superb. Batman is by far the least interesting as the same figure appeared earlier this year in 76026 Gorilla Grodd Goes Bananas, although it is nevertheless excellent. The updated cowl design is my favourite yet, with shorter ears than usual and no chin strap. The head is double sided while the torso is printed with lots of detail including the Bat symbol and muscle definition on the front and back.
This version of Robin, based on Dick Grayson's New 52 outfit, is exclusive to this set. The tousled hair piece matches the comics quite well and the head is printed with a green domino mask. The torso features new printing which is very accurate, as are his dark green legs. Both he and Batman wear soft fabric capes, although Robin's lacks the bat shaping along the bottom edge.
Deathstroke is one of my favourite DC villains and to see him in minifigure form is a real treat. The head is printed with his famous dual-coloured mask and tassels on the back while the torso is predominantly dark blue and features a bandoleer along with an orange utility belt.
This design continues onto the back and the minifigure is nicely completed with orange and dark blue legs. These are moulded in the two colours rather than being printed, a new design process which has yielded several updated designs this Summer and looks marvelous. I was originally disappointed that Deathstroke did not come with a separate helmet piece when images were first released, but the design has certainly grown on me since then and now that I actually have the minifigure, I love it.
The Completed Model
While the Batboat is rather an unusual craft, Deathstroke's jetski is typical fare and could be criticised for being a bit dull. However the orange and dark blue colour scheme looks great and there is plenty of space at the back to store the stolen safe, which contains two diamonds.
The two flick-fire missiles are well disguised as flotation devices and fire effectively, although the weight of the tips keeps them from launching very far. You can store Deathstroke's katana and pistol using clips on the sides and the mercenary can stand behind the controls even with the safe occupying the area behind him. For the price I think this model could have been a bit bulkier, but it does serve its purpose of providing a target for Batman.
The Batboat reminds me very much of the earlier design from 7780 The Batboat: Hunt for Killer Croc but improves upon that model as this one is more detailed.
I like the inclusion of twin cockpits, each of which can be launched from the main vessel as escape craft or to increase the speed of the pursuit. There are stud shooters attached to these which can be angled to fire in various directions just like the flick-fire rockets towards the back of the vehicle.
A surveillance station can be folded out on top of the model which is equipped with computer monitors showing Deathstroke's jetski and a seat for the operator. This entire assembly is mounted on a hinged trapdoor plate but I don't know what this is for as it is not involved in the folding of the surveillance tower. When hinged open, you can see right through the craft, so perhaps this could be used for dropping mines into the water, although no such weapons are included.
The back of the model is completed with a pair of bat fins which look very sleek. I was not sure how keen I would be on the four dinghies used to form the hull but I think they do a fine job.
This is the first time the rubber raft piece has appeared in black since 2003, making this a potentially desirable set if you want some in that colour.
Overall
The Deathstroke minifigure sold this set to me alone, but I think the rest of the model is also quite impressive. The play value is high and the two watercraft look quite impressive for display as well, particularly with the Batboat's sensor dish extended.
For £29.99 there are more interesting sets on offer but for Batman fans I think this is a good one. I would have liked to see a few more parts used on Deathstroke's jetski but it's not a bad model despite the slight lack of detail. The Batboat is better than I had anticipated with lots of play features packed into a relatively small vehicle.
The DC Super Heroes sets should be available on the 1st of June for Europe while the North American release date is reportedly in August.
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17 comments on this article
interesting to see the two colour moulding on the long legs now, it's not massively surprising but good to see.
I considered purchasing this in Smyths on saturday, just for deathstroke, but managed to resist!
This set looks pretty good. Deathstroke came out really well and the boat has grown on me. Because I'm an obsessive collector, this set is a must-buy, but looks good anyway.
Completely amazed by the double-coloured moulding for Deathstroke's legs, I had no idea that LEGO had achieved the means to do this. Wanted to see it happen for so long, and especially after they implemented it with Simpsons figures last year in heads arms and short legs, but thought it'd be difficult to do with long legs due to the gaps at the bag (and hence making them brittle or prone to breakage if made with two different plastics). Had this accomplishment been previously reported or discussed in a past article?
Can't wait to see it featuring in other superhero figures, especially ones needing high boots like Spider-man and Superman.
Deathstroke came out pretty good. My only complaint is that they didn't use the cool armor-looking versions from Arkham Origins or Arrow.
This is the only website that I know of where people marvel at a little plastic figure's feet.
The Star Wars Episode VII set post didn't stay up for very long!
Not bad value-for-money actually, especially if you can use four assault dinghies!
I wish they used the old hull, but with all the detailing of this set. I just don't like the quad dinghies (while excellent for parts) just doesn't look very good in my opinion.
But wow, Deathstokes legs! 3 years ago that would have been impossible. Marvelous!
Just wondering, does the Batboat float at all? I've found when building LEGO boats that, while they do fill with water to a certain point, it is actually almost impossible for a LEGO boat NOT to float. How has LEGO done it? :P
Can anyone tell me why TLG decided to release the Super Heroes line 2-3 months earlier in Europe than here in the States?? Since Lego is a European company, I would think that logic would have them release all of the lines in Europe first EXCEPT for Super Heroes, since the latter is such an American-born concept. Seems a bit odd to me...
^ Rumour has it that Ultra Agents won't be in the UK until August while it is already available in the US, so it goes both ways I think. Only LEGO know exactly why they stagger releases depending on the country.
This set + Jokerland + Darkseid Invasion gets you 'Slade' and 4/5 of the Teen Titans from the cartoon. A hella lotta cash to fork out and you'd still be missing Raven. But such is the strategy of staggering characters across multiple sets. Not a fan, to be honest.
@CapnRex101 thanks for the response and the great review! Yes, it definitely seems to go both ways. I'd find it more logical if Ultra Agents (and all of the original brands like Ninjago and Chima) would show up in Europe before they show up here, and vice versa regarding Super Heroes.
yet I find myself currently owning all the new UA sets and waiting for Super Heroes! Weird...another Lego mystery!
@CapnRex101 where in the New52 does Dick Grayson where this Robin costume? I'm going through my collection trying to work it out.
Really I'm just gonna get this for the figs, considering that the Batboat looks like a floating batcave ( seriously, did TLG not know that the center looked like a mess of lights and large antennas, expescially since Batman is STEALTHY) . As awesome as Slade is, I think I'll color the rest of the missing-eye side black.
Batman characters TLG should make/remake: Black and blue Nightwing, Firefly, Deadshot, Non-bigfig Killer croc, Hush, Black Mask, Non-Walmart-employee-skill-level security/bank guards, Red hood (Jason todd), and rerelease 2006 Alfred the butler.