Review: 76331 Batman v Superman Batmobile
Posted by CapnRex101,
The much-anticipated LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight game involves various familiar Batmobile designs and three will be available in physical LEGO form, including 76331 Batman v Superman Batmobile. Although always divisive, this unusual Batmobile is memorable.
The previous version of this particular Batmobile, without the extra weapons from Justice League, was excellent. This edition looks even better though, including details missing from the earlier model launched in 2016, despite lacking its specialised canopy elements.
Summary
76331 Batman v Superman Batmobile, 220 pieces.
£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 | 11.4p / 13.6c / 13.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This version of the Batmobile has never looked better, but feels pretty overpriced
- Far more accurate than previous designs
- Clever armour shaping
- Outstanding minifigure
- Only one minifigure
- Quite expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
Only one minifigure is provided, which is a shame because Superman should have been here too. Batman looks superb though, heavily armoured and ready to battle the Man of Steel. The shoulder armour gives the minifigure some necessary bulk, while this dual-moulded cowl looks substantially better than the equivalent minifigure in 76044 Clash of the Heroes.
Furthermore, the details on the torso look splendid, including a golden utility belt and the strap worn on Batman's chest. The reverse is equally detailed, despite normally being hidden under the fabric cape. The legs also look great, with metallic highlights to complement the pearl dark grey plastic.
The double-sided head was introduced in Marvel sets last year, but I think it suits Batman fairly well. The angry expression in particular is ideal, definitely more so than the smile! There are no accessories, which surprises me because the Kryptonite spear seems like an easy option.
The Completed Model
The Batmobile featured in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is extremely militaristic in its design, with visible weaponry, angular armour and a low profile comparable to a modern tank. This model certainly captures the desired aesthetic, although there are compromises to many finer details, which is understandable for such a complex vehicle.
Clearly, the most obvious change between the Batmobile in 76045 Kryptonite Interception and the modern version is the colour. Black was an understandable choice in 2016, but dark bluish grey is more faithful to the movie and highlights the armour's sharp edges. However, I think the armour around the front wheels is a more pivotal upgrade, greatly improving the overall shape.
The armour is cleverly constructed, using the motorcycle fork element that debuted with 76179 Batman & Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit a few years ago. Unusually, these parts are only held in position because they are sandwiched between plates in the middle, or else they could rotate loosely with the wheels.
Stickers form the orange headlights and these are the only stickers applied externally, with two more inside. The armour between the wheels looks impressive, with the machine gun mounted centrally and able to move in any direction. The panels behind the wheels are moveable as well, which is useful because I think their default position, shown below, looks awkward.
I am a bit disappointed with the armour on the sides as well. The mechanical detail is effective, but the exposed studs in front appear out of place because the armour should be fairly smooth here, only interrupted where two panels meet in the middle. On the other hand, I like the wedge slopes comprising the layered armour, even though the studs should be covered.
Unique windscreen pieces were developed for 76045 Kryptonite Interception, but I am satisfied with the printed 3x6x1 windscreen as an alternative. It is a shame to lose the canopy accurately opening in two halves, which was an advantage of the specialised parts used before, but access is the priority and this hatch suffices.
The interior is fairly simple, incorporating a bucket handle as the steering wheel and stickers for consoles beside Batman. There is ample space for the minifigure inside and the seat includes a printed 2x2 round tile, marking the 20th anniversary of LEGO Batman. These pearl gold tiles are found in all the new Batman sets.
There should be a second seat included and perhaps the cockpit walls could have been thinner to accommodate both. On the other hand, I can see how that would be difficult because there is no traditional chassis, so Technic bricks inside the walls are essential for strength instead.
The armour behind the cockpit is constructed similarly to the Batmobile from 76087 Flying Fox: Batmobile Airlift Attack, forming an appropriate shape. The back wheels are partly shrouded as well, although they should be more heavily armoured. I am not sure how that could be achieved though, without developing unique elements for the purpose.
Ideally, there would be more mechanical detail on the back, but the curved bodywork between the rear wheels is accurate. The absence of the afterburner is disappointing though, especially because this was also missing from the two previous versions of the DCEU Batmobile.
Overall
Though it will never be my favourite Batmobile design, 76331 Batman v Superman Batmobile greatly improves on previous renditions of the vehicle. The armour protecting the front wheels looks fantastic and I like the revised colour scheme, not least because it makes a change from the standard black, so this Batmobile stands out when displayed with others.
I wish Superman had been included too, but the Batman minifigure is appealing, at least. I am more concerned by the price of £24.99, $29.99 or €29.99, particularly since the vehicle's scale really invites comparison with the Speed Champions range. Unfortunately, the Batmobile is less detailed and more expensive than many Speed Champions cars, so a discount is needed.
56 likes
22 comments on this article
Tell me, do you bleed?
Very good model overall, much-welcomed update/remake after ten years, but awkward side panels and a fiver too much.
I guess the Superman-minifigure will be made available as DLC later on?
What happened to “battle in a box”. This is just boring.
I kinda want to blend this design, black parts, and the spare canopy I have from a second copy of the first version. And then do it again with the one from the Flying Fox.
As someone who didn’t get the 2016 one, this is a day one buy for me (it’s the last Batmobile I need to complete my collection). I think the Superman figure (or, heaven forbid, Jared Leto’s Joker) would have rounded this out to feel like a solid value for $30.
That looks pretty decent, and I can easily see discounts of £5 coming.
Thanks for the review. I missed out on the previous version and hope to acquire this Batmobile! As for the minifig, I absolutely love Bats from set 76044 and prefer that one over the minifig in the new set.
This "Speed Champions" Battle Royale version of the Batmobile is not my cup of tea. It just has so many pieces that seem to be haphazardly attached at all kinds of different angles. I realize that is done to try and emulate the source material. But I think this was a poor choice of trying to replicate something that isn't suited well at all for a LEGO model. Credit for attempting to make it work, but I think this misses the mark.
>Batman vs Superman
>looks inside
>no Superman
I only work in black. And sometimes very, very dark grey.
@Troncity1 said:
"Tell me, do you bleed?"
No, but your parents did, Mr. Wayne. ;-P
I really wish DC would return to its peak days of 2015-2017
The lack of Superman, the spear and the afterburner are the biggest misses. The front wheel armor looks fantastic though.
Are the two center armor panels (attached to clips) able to be bent backward in a similar manner to the 2016 version? That would make them look a lot more accurate.
Looks much better this time around. Completely lame these don't come with a villain character.
One of my favourite live action batmobile designs, along with the '89 batmobile of course, so I'm glad they remade it. It's such a vast improvement over the first version too. My only nitpick is that I wish they kept the specific windshield pieces instead so the cockpit could open like it does in the movie. A second minifig would have been great too but it's still a good set as is. Looking forward to getting it.
super weird that this isn't a speed champions set
The name of this set is very misleading without a Superman minifig (and yes, I know it's the name of the movie).
Despite that drawback, it's a pretty good rendition of this version of the Batmobile, although it's neither black nor very, very dark gray.
I think I prefer that Black Version from a few years ago however I do like the Minifig
But if I have to choose between the 3 that are being released
The Clooney Batmobile Wins everytime. Might pick up kilmers too.
I really want the Batman Forever one in this speed champions scale, and then the collection would be complete for me.
i quite liked the split windshield from the previous sets.
I found the right side one in a Bricks and Minifigs parts bin and so built the Justice League one mirrored so I didnt have to cough up the funds for the left.
@Troncity1 said:
"Tell me, do you bleed?"
No but my wallet certainly is.