Review: 76142 Avengers Speeder Bike Attack
Posted by CapnRex101,
Motorcycles have appeared in numerous Super Heroes sets, varying impressively in design and size. 76142 Avengers Speeder Bike Attack looks accordingly familiar in some respects, although its distinct forward rake and streamlined shape appear quite unusual.
Furthermore, an excellent selection of minifigures are provided. Black Panther and Thor are both exclusively available here, differing from earlier depictions of these notable characters, while the A.I.M. Agent only otherwise appears in the new 76143 Avengers Truck Take-Down.
Minifigures
Black Panther has appeared in four previous sets based upon the Marvel Cinematic Universe but this minifigure seems more reminiscent of the comics. The fabric component around its neck resembles the short cape which Black Panther sometimes wears and distinguishes this minifigure from its predecessors, especially since the metallic silver designs are comparatively familiar.
Nevertheless, I like this decoration and the torso printing appears particularly intricate. The distinctive panther charm around the hero's neck looks magnificent and the contrasting white eyes seem similarly attractive. Unfortunately, these details do not continue onto the legs, thereby detracting from the entire minifigure in my opinion.
This depiction of Thor is also unique, taking primary inspiration from the upcoming Avengers video game. The tan hair colour looks perfect in my opinion, corresponding with the game and matching Thor's facial hair more closely than the bright light yellow element that has appeared previously. A brand new head would have been welcome but this double-sided design is adequate in my opinion.
Pearl dark grey and pearl silver are combined to excellent effect across the torso and legs, creating metallic armour. The round designs which decorate many depictions of Thor are also present here alongside red highlights that complement the fabric cape. This detail is particularly reminiscent of the Avengers video game which is pleasing. Mjolnir accompanies the hero, as usual.
Foot soldiers affiliated with Advanced Idea Mechanics traditionally wear yellow hazard uniforms. However, this mechanised A.I.M. Agent seems more faithful to the Avengers video game, wearing pearl dark grey armour which covers almost the entire minifigure. Screenshots from the game have exhibited robotic henchmen but this character could also represent an armoured human if you wish.
The colour combination of pearl dark grey and flame yellowish orange is attractive and I like the detailed pouches which decorate this agent's belt. The containment unit on the reverse of the torso looks splendid too. I would have preferred an A.I.M. Agent inspired by the comics but this minifigure appears suitably threatening and matches the aesthetic of the robots shown in trailers for the game.
A.I.M. regularly deploys experimental weaponry and these guns certainly seem interesting. Both accessories incorporate pieces from the recent accessory pack which is only otherwise available in 76122 Batcave Clayface Invasion. These elements could prove exceptionally versatile and they look marvellous beside trans-neon green highlights.
The Completed Model
Further to weapons in each hand, the A.I.M. Agent sports an enormous jetpack which is generously equipped with saw blades and stud shooters. This assembly measures 12cm across when the wings are fully extended and connects to the minifigure using a black neck bracket and two Technic pins with ball joints. These joints enable impressive motion.
The saw blades which are positioned towards the front of each engine pod are adjustable and have proven remarkably useful for balancing this heavy jetpack. I love the decorative A.I.M. stickers and a couple of pearl silver rotor elements are perfectly integrated here. The stud shooters are appropriately situated too, including the distinctive warhead pieces that were introduced during 2019.
Two trans-neon green cylinders, presumably containing dangerous chemicals, have been targeted by the A.I.M Agent. These appear simple but make great use of stickers and I appreciate the grapnel gun accessory that can retrieve the canisters, as demonstrated above. Both canisters can fit onto the pearl silver hook together and they feel quite secure.
Fortunately, the Avengers have dispatched a sleek motorcycle to confront this villainous operative. Many different motorcycles are available across the Super Heroes themes and this model certainly shares design features with earlier vehicles, including its broad tyres, curved armour and large size. However, the forward rake is interesting and I like the dark blue and light bluish grey colour scheme.
Moreover, this motorcycle includes new wheel hubs. The same textured components appear in other 2020 sets and they look superb, featuring angular spokes. The smooth tyre pattern is wonderful and I like the armour which surrounds the front tyre, although this would provide relatively little protection. A pair of rotating stud shooters are fixed on either side, forming warhead launchers.
Dark blue 4x4 wedge slopes form layered armour around the cockpit. This area of the vehicle looks somewhat unusual, lacking a standard seat or the handlebars that have appeared on many previous motorcycles. Instead, the driver must lie across the black 2x3 slope and their legs slot underneath the rearmost curved slope. The resultant design appears fairly realistic and is reminiscent of the Batcycle from 76053 Gotham City Cycle Chase.
Unfortunately, the minifigure cannot grip the twin control levers. This streamlined design seems quite effective though and the trans-light blue highlights are appealing. Ideally, the basic Technic frame that supports the rear wheel would have been concealed more tidily and I believe the armour should have extended further towards the back. Nevertheless, this structure feels extremely robust.
Overall
Marvel and DC Super Heroes sets have already provided an excessive assortment of motorcycles, hence 76142 Avengers Speeder Bike Attack would not typically attract attention. However, the new minifigures are appealing. I am particularly pleased with Thor, whose tan hair component looks nice, while this version of Black Panther could have been improved significantly with printed legs.
The accompanying vehicles are both executed well. This motorcycle looks familiar in certain respects but features an impressive aerodynamic profile and the jetpack includes marvellous mechanical detail. Furthermore, the price of £19.99 or $19.99 is reasonable in my view, following the example of multiple past sets which contained three minifigures with a motorcycle and another small model.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments.
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28 comments on this article
I collected every single Marvel set and minifgure through 2018 with the exception of the Helicarrier (I still bought those minifigures from 76042 though).
I bought all sets from 2019 save the Stark Jet and the Avengers Compound.
There is not a single set on shelves this year that looks interesting or good to me. The specialized, flat silver pieces in this set are appalling and don’t make it feel like a LEGO product to me at all, including those accessory pieces introduced in last year’s Batman summer wave.
I just don’t think I’m going to buy any more Marvel sets. I may continue to collect the minifgures, as I feel I have an obligation since I’ve come this far already. But they need to step up their game in my opinion (and it is just that, an opinion). These seem more and more geared towards children, and less and less creative. Let the “Spider-Crawler,” 3-time MVP of 2019 and 2020, speak for that point.
Is that 2x2 round fan piece new?
Well, it's a universal improvement on last year's Endgame bike set, for the same price. I'm fine with the reused parts on Thor as well, since the game borrows heavily from the films for it's style to begin with.
It's not something I'll buy for sure, but I think that a decent reduction on the right day would get me, and I wouldn't be unsatisfied. Another big bike is the definition of unnecessary, but this is done better than a lot of the other tickbox Marvel builds. Like the AvenVan, or basically all the spiderman vehicles this year.
The silver accessories look like Mega Bloks.
The minifigures are nice (will probably bricklink BP and/or aim soldiers if the price is ok), but it's a run of the mill BigBike set otherwise.
This looks interesting to say the least but I am more interested in the Truck (could have been a Rebellion APCif it was a bit longer although that can be fixed).
I don't understand the dislike so many people have for visible Technic parts in System sets. They usually represent mechanical features, so I feel they're perfectly appropriate. All LEGO parts are LEGO parts, so use whatever gets the job done.
It's not that bad
Want a fat Thor.
My only interest is in the minifigs well Thor & black panther the motorcycle is mega mediocre spiderman one is better..
I don't know why Lego insists on giving Thor sleeves when most outfits that the figures represent don't have them. Only Ragnarok and Infinity War have bare arms but both previous Avengers film variants and this game variant should as well. It's a little annoying to have them inaccurate
This was one of the first sets I bought this year precisely because I wanted the accessory parts that seem to be dismissed by so many commenters. Perhaps reading the various New Elementary posts covering their use during the parts festival at the end of last year made me appreciate them that much more. Meanwhile, the motorcycle build appealed to me more than last year's more bulky Captain America set, although I wanted the dark blue parts more than the actual vehicle, to be honest.
Edit to add: @DarthNorman: yes, the 2x2 round fan blade is part of one of the accessory parts, https://brickset.com/parts/design-40598
@Aegis2000 said:
"These seem more and more geared towards children."
That’s exactly who they’re for. These are toys.
@paulmison I'm with you there, this is a cheaper way to get those interesting looking accessories than the bat sets. Chuck in a couple of tidy figs and some dark blue bits and this looks alright!
I'll grant that some of the new pieces are interesting, and the colours aren't bad, I still find this year's line of superheroes sets to be, frankly, terrible. Not only does this one have yet another over-sized motorcycle (and the figure can't even hold the handlebars? Really?) but the villain minifigure (one of the more collectable parts of these lines) is just a random AIM guy with a weirdly-giant backpack?
Hard pass.
Do I really need a 5th Thor and a 2nd Black Panther? Not this time
@Aegis2000 said:
"I collected every single Marvel set and minifgure through 2018 with the exception of the Helicarrier (I still bought those minifigures from 76042 though).
I bought all sets from 2019 save the Stark Jet and the Avengers Compound.
There is not a single set on shelves this year that looks interesting or good to me. The specialized, flat silver pieces in this set are appalling and don’t make it feel like a LEGO product to me at all, including those accessory pieces introduced in last year’s Batman summer wave.
I just don’t think I’m going to buy any more Marvel sets. I may continue to collect the minifgures, as I feel I have an obligation since I’ve come this far already. But they need to step up their game in my opinion (and it is just that, an opinion). These seem more and more geared towards children, and less and less creative. Let the “Spider-Crawler,” 3-time MVP of 2019 and 2020, speak for that point. "
Do you hear yourself? Lego IS geared for kids. Period.
As a big marvel fan I’m sad the quality of builds hasn’t continue to improve... I was hoping they had realised giving us better more interesting builds was a good idea but they seemed to have peaked with Spider-Man bridge battle and sanctum sanctorum... since then it’s all been down hill... all other themes I buy (creator, ninjago, hidden side, Star Wars, friends) have much better more interesting builds...
Why not revisit the older Marvel movies like they keep doing for SW? More accurate cinematic minifigs and scenes.. These new sets are nothing compared to the earlier ones.
@johnnie_tee said:
"Why not revisit the older Marvel movies like they keep doing for SW? More accurate cinematic minifigs and scenes.. These new sets are nothing compared to the earlier ones. "
Probably because if we're being perfectly blunt, the older Marvel movies don't have anywhere near the level of popularity or cultural kudos that Star Wars does. Plus, the nature of comics means that you can create more generic versions of these characters without it being a big deal.
@Emilyjl said:
"Do you hear yourself? Lego IS geared for kids. Period."
Wow if you think that clearly you know nothing. With the UCS Builds, Technic, Creator Expert sets, Architecture, various education sets that are used in colleges to teach engineering etc... LEgo has made tons of sets aimed at adults over the years.
And do you hear yourself? Saying older people can't enjoy Lego too as its 'just for kids'.
May get this just for Black Panther and the AIM Agent/flyer, but the bike is a surprisingly nice build compared to the Endgame bike which is a nice upgrade.
@GrizBe said:
" @Emilyjl said:
"Do you hear yourself? Lego IS geared for kids. Period."
Wow if you think that clearly you know nothing. With the UCS Builds, Technic, Creator Expert sets, Architecture, various education sets that are used in colleges to teach engineering etc... LEgo has made tons of sets aimed at adults over the years.
And do you hear yourself? Saying older people can't enjoy Lego too as its 'just for kids'. "
Nobody on this site would seriously claim that adults can't enjoy Lego. But let's face it; Lego's default target audience always has been—and always will be—children. The odd UCS set or Stranger Things tie-in doesn't change that.
I think Emilyjl was making the point that it's unfair to criticise these new Marvel sets for failing to do something they never set out to do in the first place. If adults like them, great. But their primary aim is to cater to the interests of younger Marvel fans, including those who probably haven't enjoyed older Marvel sets before now. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Why have they given up on leg printing for so many Superheroes minifigures? It's really noticeable
Sweet motorcycle!
Guys. This set is age 6+. Of course this set is geared at children. Don't be surprised if it doesn't appeal to you as an adult. Let the kids have their sets and you can have the UCS sets.
Looks interesting!
@Hushed said:
"Guys. This set is age 6+. Of course this set is geared at children. Don't be surprised if it doesn't appeal to you as an adult. Let the kids have their sets and you can have the UCS sets."
I'm in total agreement. I love the Superheroes sets, but this one does nothing for me. And that's fine. Not all sets need to meet my tastes or preferences. In fact, if a lot of sets don't, I can save for the ones that do.
And the sets that appeal to others help fund the ones that speak to me.