Toy Fair report, part 4: Monster Fighters

 

  • Toy Fair report, part 4: Monster Fighters

    Posted by Huw, 24 Jan 2012 14:25. Filed under Brickset.

    LEGO stand decoration at the London Toy FairThis theme caught us a bit by surprise when pictures were leaked a few months ago, we didn't know what to make of them. Having now seen them in the flesh, I'm still not sure what to make of them!

    They are being released to 'cash in' on Halloween, apparently. I got to hear the back-story of the theme: each set comes with a monster and a good guy. The monsters are after six crystals, one of which appears in each set. When they have them all, they take them to the vampire castle and unleash evil (or something like that... :-) )

    There's no doubting the monsters looked great, although many of them use parts from the collectable minifigs and some appear to have been copied almost exactly (the Mummy and Dracula, for example). However they did appear to be proper figs, as opposed to Chinese ones. The glow-in-the-dark ghost is back, but a new design featuring 'a piece of sheet' trailing in the wind behind its head. The Werewolf head is superb as are the vampire-bat-minifig-thingys in the castle. Other monsters include a swamp creature, 'Dracula's' bride and glow-in-the-dark skeleton horses.

    The good guys resemble characters from the Adventurers series and the vehicles are similar, too: sort of 1930s style.

    With so many other good themes coming out, I can't see this one being particularly popular, and I don't think I'll be buying it.


    36 comments, latest one posted 16 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by DocDanCan in United States, 24 Jan 2012 14:49

I love the look of the good guys from your flickr! I think they, at the least, would be a great addition! And I agree, they are definitely cashing in on the popularity of holiday-themed Lego releases. (I bought almost every holiday set last year, except the winter buildings.) I am on the fence on these sets until they come out, we will see what the bank account looks like at that point! I am not enthusiastic about them recycling the collectible minifigs, but I was realizing the other day that some of the collectibles are recycled from other sets, or at least the themes. (Dwarf, Viking, Alien, etc.) I'm not a fan of spending money for something I already have.

Posted by ncbarrett in United States, 24 Jan 2012 14:51

The vampire has a different face and torso than CMF. not a copy.

Posted by Zackula in United States, 24 Jan 2012 14:51

This is going to be the first theme where I will actually try to get all the sets. Huw, did you see prices for them?

Posted by Ypres in Canada, 24 Jan 2012 14:51

I'm just wondering, if these sets were meant to "cash in on Halloween", whether they'll be gone soon after Halloween, or going to clearance in Nov/Dec!? When I see a theme with unique elements I want to be the "collector" but with everything else I'm expecting to buy this summer I'll have to spend what's left in my change-purse on these.

Posted by BothSidesOfTheBrick in United States, 24 Jan 2012 14:51

Was there a zombie?!

We are so excited about this series. The classic monsters are cool! We're loving the return of the glow-in-the-dark ghost and can't wait to see the skeleton horse. And the "heroes" I've seen so far have a cool steampunk feel to them. This will be a great series, though probably more for using to build MOCs. lol.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Jan 2012 14:52

^^^ Yes, but I can't remember them!

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 24 Jan 2012 14:56

What is the idea with these sets are they simply Halloween themed minifig packs? or is it some weird game like the Spinners of Ninjago? The "Fighters" title makes me think of the spinners or some other mechanism for battle.

Posted by brankell5566 in Canada, 24 Jan 2012 14:58

Meh, lame theme in my opinion. But I can't be the judge until official pictures are released.

Posted by Zackula in United States, 24 Jan 2012 15:02

^^I don't think a whole castle would really count as a minifig pack.

Posted by pstrickler27 in United States, 24 Jan 2012 15:09

I'm actually really excited about these sets!! I love the old monster movies of the '30s and '40s. The minifigs are different enough from the CMFs to warrant collecting them IMO. A zombie would have been nice, but here's hoping that one will appear later on.

Posted by BrickBob09 in United Kingdom, 24 Jan 2012 15:23

Sleleton horses? I'm intrigued. Can you explain a bit more what it is ;)
Are there any 'play-sets' with these or is it just mini-figs and vehicles. And what kind of vehicles?

Posted by slave2leia in United States, 24 Jan 2012 15:28

BrickBob09, do a Google search for "Lego Monster Fighters" and you'll find some early leaked photos. Not super clear but it gives you an idea. There are 2 big sets it looks like Dracula's Castle with a female vampire and Dr. Frankenstain's Lab.

Posted by KillDeer in Canada, 24 Jan 2012 15:33

@Zackula to be fair I wasnt sure if "take the crystals to Dracula's Castle" was just part of the lore/backstory of a real thing.

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 24 Jan 2012 15:37

> are they simply Halloween themed minifig packs?

No, prices range from £5 to >£60, it's a fully-fledged theme in its own right.

Posted by BrickBob09 in United Kingdom, 24 Jan 2012 15:39

@slave2leia; I was pointing out Huw's typo, unless of course it really is a 'sleleton' horse. But thanks, I'll have a look into this now.

EDIT: I've had a look, but not sure what to think of them. I'll probably have a better idea when I see the actual sets or clearer set images.

Posted by AETerry in United States, 24 Jan 2012 15:56

With the pictures I was able to look at over on Youtube, there are certain ones I plan to pick up and others like the Ghost Train I plan to skip.

I do want the werewolf set. A part of me has me comparing this to the Studios theme which had several monster movie sets "being filmed."

the use of crystals is a bit like in Atlantis with all the portal keys having to be collected up.

Posted by Zackula in United States, 24 Jan 2012 16:03

@KillDeer
Have you seen the leaked pics yet?

Posted by QwertyLEGO in United States, 24 Jan 2012 16:12

I actually want to get these sets

Posted by bricksan in United Kingdom, 24 Jan 2012 17:19

If I was to start collecting a new theme this year, this is the theme that tickles my taste buds the most and I think compare to LOTR you will get more for your money.

Posted by yys4u in United States, 24 Jan 2012 17:31

Did someone say Dracula's Castle? If that's turns out to really be a set how can you NOT be excited about it??

Posted by Gregorovich in United Kingdom, 24 Jan 2012 17:42

Was there any female fighters? I know there was 2 in the prelims, but things can change in the finL product. Also, is there a decent interior in Dracula's castle?

Posted by schvatts in United States, 24 Jan 2012 18:30

I just really love the new robot leg the good guys have. I kind of wish Lego did a little planning ahead and gave that leg to the series 3 cybor. Oh, well I think this theme will offer a lot of stuff I will like to pull out of it. As a whole the theme is rather weak thus far and that is because we just got most of the figures in the collectible series. Most looking forward to the lake monster and the new ghosts :)

Posted by legomaniac in United States, 24 Jan 2012 19:05

Monster fighters sounds like a good theme. Im not much into that kind of stuff, but I wonder what the sets look like.

Posted by yys4u in United States, 24 Jan 2012 19:30

I'm gonna be buying these just to provide support for the Non-Licensed themes. If LEGO sees all their non-licensed stuff selling horribly, I fear the day will come where they replace all their themes with Licensed ones. Can't let that happen!

Posted by voypro in United States, 24 Jan 2012 19:51

I disagree with the concept that these will not sell well. The "Universal Monsters" fan base is massive. I have A LOT of experience in collectible toys and can't emphasize more how faithful that fan base is regarding collectible items, this could be a huge cross over hit.

TLG must be aware of this, and have tipped their hat a bit by doing 1930's design looks. Further, real "Universal Monsters" license cost are high. TLG uses some of the same characters like "bride of frankenstein" and pay them nothing... Brilliance.

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 24 Jan 2012 21:43

Now THIS is something to get excited about! It'll be just like LEGO Studios, one of my favorite themes of all time! :D

Posted by el_rey95 in United States, 24 Jan 2012 21:47

I really want "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" minifigure!

Posted by brickmonkey13 in Canada, 24 Jan 2012 22:11

After seeing the leaked images on Youtube, this is the LEGO series I'm most excited about this year.

Posted by dragon_teenager in United States, 24 Jan 2012 23:51

Frankly, I don't see how this could NOT be popular. It has mass appeal and recognition, even beyond LotR and SW. Everybody knows Frankenstein. I for one am very excited for this theme.

Posted by erbse2000 in Germany, 25 Jan 2012 04:31

Well, with LoTR my wallet will cry this year, so basically there is no need for this theme for me. But Dracula's castle sound promising. At least I'll have a look at the sets...

Posted by legobuilderstudios in United Kingdom, 25 Jan 2012 14:28

Tell me Huw, is the actual ghost glow-in-the-dark, or is it just an modified piece made in white plastic?

Posted by brixton in Canada, 25 Jan 2012 14:39

The only Monster Fighter set I'm interested in is the Swamp Monster set because I do not have a swamp monster. I would love a glow in the dark ghost but I'm not going to purchase the sets that have them because I do not like those particular sets. While the monsters look great the sets themselves look fairly mediocre.

Posted by The Reviewer in United States, 25 Jan 2012 23:32

not a particulary popular theme? this is one of the themes I am really looking forward to the most.

Posted by vynsane in United Kingdom, 26 Jan 2012 11:43

I think this theme looks like a lot of fun. Very steampunk and wacky - a great follow-up to Pharaoh's Quest. The leaked pics of Dracula's Castle look amazing, and the figures are fantastic. I don't care that some of the monsters are, to a certain extent, rehashes of CMFs - having the originals just adds to your monster armies!

That said, if this theme is any indication on how CMF can influence theme development, I don't look forward to the "people dressed up in odd costumes" theme that must be in the works.

Posted by vamproe in United States, 28 Jan 2012 12:27

Personally.......I'm skipping LOTR and being very picky about what super hero sets I get.

This theme on the over hand.....I will have them all. Loved the old Lego "studios" and this will just add to that display.

add in a few wictches, maybe a hunchback character,

Posted by AVenkman in United States, 28 Jan 2012 20:20

I am new to the site, but just wanted to say that I am really excited for these! I'm hoping that with the crystals similar to the Atlantis series that maybe there will be a second wave where they go through a portal and are in monster world or something. It would be great if they then incorporated the some of those custom Ghostbuster parts.

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