LEGO Theme Review: DC Superheroes

OK, I know I haven't done a LEGO set review in a while and while I've done many video game and film series reviews, I decided to do the same for LEGO themes (seeing as I have had bought many sets since my last review). Now the DC Superheroes theme makes up one half of the LEGO Superheroes theme (the other being Marvel) and the majority of sets so far have been based on Batman with just one of them being based on Superman (with a guest appearance by Wonder Woman) and another set based on Green Lantern (although that was an Ultrabuild set which I will not be covering). Are they better than the LEGO Batman theme from a few years ago? Let's find out:

6858: Catwoman Catcycle City Chase

This so far, has been the smallest, non promotional set from the theme. It's the only one to feature a Catwoman minifigure so far. This Catwoman doesn't look that much different from her 2006 appearance. She has a re done face with goggles on and off on both sides of her face. Other than that, only slight revamps of her outfit which include a more detailed zipper and belt and slight adjustments to her curve. Her legs are still black as they were in her 2006 variation and she now has back printing which wasn't seen in her 2006 look (mostly continuing her belt and also showing off her shoulder blades. As for Batman, this Batman is blue and is based on his appearance in the comic books with only a few minor differences. This is the only set to feature Batman with a jetpack and a bat wings like cape. With Catwoman's purple bike (which can be used to rest her whip on) and Batman and his Jetpack, there is also a New York styled hanging traffic light with a bin and news stand below with 2 newspapers. In addition to those, there is also about 4-5 boxes. Might not be the best set out there, but still has some playability and imagination of some sort. 7/10

6860: The Batcave (2012 version)

This is the second set based on the Batcave (the first being made in 2006). It features the blue Batman from the set above (only difference being that he has a regular blue bat cape), Robin who comes with a full red suit with his signature R logo on his torso, a bat cape that's similar to Batman's (only black instead of blue) and a grapple hook. Bruce Wayne's minifigure returns which has had a complete revamp that resembles his appearance in some Batman comics (wearing a blue smart suit and a hairpiece that was first used on Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter reboot, only in black than blond). Unlike the last version of this set, which had Penguin and Mr. Freeze, this one has a prison for Poison Ivy (her look being based on some of the Batman comics and having a light green look instead of dark green from her 2006 form. She also has a headpiece that's red with flowers on it and she also has a cunning grin and an angry face on her head. She uses a vine of some sort as her weapon), a vehicle for Bane (Bane is not much different to his 2006 appearance, other than a tighter face, a black instead of blue suit, uses his bare hands, instead of gloves, and has a pipe on the back of his head, for venom to go in) and the Bat Bike (which very much, resembles his Dark Knight version of it). The Batcave itself, features a elevator which if used with the Batman figure below and Bruce Wayne above, can be a minifigure transformer. There's also an armoury area, a massive(ish) Bat Computer and a door which can be used to send the Bat bike out. A vastly detailed set with everything that the Bat cave has (except for the other Bat vechiles and Alfred Pennysworth). 8/10

6862: Superman vs. Power Armoured Lex Luthor

Serving as the only system set in the theme to be based on Superman, this is a very standard set. The robot looks very much like an EXO-Force robot, but has many differences. It features Lex Luthor's signature purple, black and green colours from his power armoured appearance, and has a kriptonite gun to go with it. The looks of Lex Luthor, Superman and Wonder Woman look like their more recent appearances in comic books (however, I do find that Superman's look, is very much like his Classic Superman film look). Wonder Woman also has her signature cape too. Like I said, a standard set with a little bit more imagination and playability than Catwoman's set. 8/10

6863: Batwing Battle Over Gotham City (2012 version of an old LEGO Batman set)

Having been the second set based on a scene from the classic films, this one is the only set to feature the Batwing. Batman is here in his black suit (which resembles his appearance in the classic films) along with the Joker (who despite being very similar to his 2006 appearance, has an updated, two sided face and a slight update to his torso with a green instead of orange shirt and a more visible flower. back printing is also seen) and one of Joker's henchmen (basically, just your regular henchmen with visible showings that tell you that he works for Joker). The Bat wing resembles the Batman logo, but has very straight curves and is mostly black with some yellow parts. The Joker's helicopter has green, white and purple colours which more or less, resembles the Joker. Both vehicles have a special bomb with a bat bomb at the bottom of the Batwing, and a laughing gas bomb under Joker's helicopter. Lots of playability and imagination can be used with this set. 9/10

6864: Batmobile and the Two Face Chase

Now this set basically shows your classic "villain robs bank" scenario. Batman's classic film look is here along with Two-Face (who has a combination of his comic book and animated TV show looks along with his signature coin), 2 of his henchmen (both have different faces and show that they work for Two-Face) and a guard (the only character not based on any DC character and as a reference to the 2006 sets, has Bruce Wayne's 2006 head). The Batmobile is big and has a cockpit for Batman, missile launchers and a mix of black and yellow colours all over (mostly being black). Two-Face's car has purple and orange colours (based on his look) and has a crane at the back to pick up the money safe, a machine gun and 2 missile launchers. The bank is just your average bank with a tan(ish) colour, money safe and cashier desk. Overall, a fun set to play with. 9/10

Apart from the sets that I couldn't do in this theme (due to the fact that I haven't got them and probably never will) and the video game based on this part of the theme (a review of that can be found here), this theme is overall something that all fans of DC should be wanting to buy and display in their homes so well done LEGO for that. 9/10