Review: 76172 Spider-Man and Sandman Showdown
Posted by CapnRex101,
Three different minifigures depicting Sandman have appeared in previous Marvel sets and this version combines various designs. The detailed torso and lower body elements resemble those available during 2015 and 2019.
This exclusive minifigure is seemingly the most appealing aspect of the new 76172 Spider-Man and Sandman Showdown, although the Web-Slinger's vehicle certainly appears unusual and incorporates some interesting elements, including new yellow Technic pins with low friction!
Minifigures
Spider-Man has appeared in more LEGO sets than any other Marvel characters, featuring various suits. This minifigure sports the hero's traditional red and blue attire with an excellent web pattern covering the head, torso and arms. I much prefer the updated figure to the design from 2019, especially because the web pattern is now more prominent and the spider emblem appears less cartoonish.
However, the previous minifigure did include dual-moulded legs and I am disappointed that those have been omitted on this occasion. Of course, Spider-Man does not always sport contrasting red boots but I would have preferred dual-moulded legs to this plain blue component. The bright red gloves and simple head design both look perfect though.
Moreover, this minifigure includes printed arms which represents an improvement upon the previous version. Such details have sometimes been missing from 4+ sets in the past, even when they appeared in sets for older builders, so I am pleased that they are included. A web accessory is also provided, although it appears awkward in Spider-Man's hand.
Despite the Web-Slinger's enormous rogues gallery, Sandman minifigures are comparatively prevalent within the Marvel theme. This rendition of the character resembles past minifigures, albeit combining the existing sand component with a green torso on this occasion. That torso differs from past designs, featuring slightly more sand than the variant from 76037 Rhino and Sandman: Super Villain Team-Up.
The printing quality has not improved since 2015, unfortunately, as the tan decoration hardly matches the surrounding tan plastic. The base component looks excellent though. This was originally created for the NEXO Knights range but appears ideal for Sandman, as though the villain is manifesting from the ground. I am also entertained by the Clone Trooper head which continues to appear, even after being replaced in Star Wars sets!
The Completed Model
Sandman requires an appropriate base to emerge from the ground and a dark tan platform is provided. This evidently looks extraordinarily basic and the black catapult is poorly integrated, despite providing some play value. Nevertheless, there is ample space for Sandman to stand beside the catapult, even though his 4x4 round base is relatively large.
Spider-Man's buggy is equally simple, as one would expect within the 4+ range. The model measures 10cm in length, excluding the trans-orange flame, so feels reasonably substantial which is beneficial for play. Two chassis elements form its core and these appear interesting because they would accommodate wheels between the front and rear forks, suggesting they were designed for motorcycles.
The large tyres are instead connected outside each fork on this occasion. These seem rather exposed but this design does provide excellent ground clearance. Moreover, the printed part which forms the forward bodywork features satisfying detail. I particularly appreciate how the headlights are shaped like Spider-Man's distinctive eyes. The aforementioned yellow Technic pins are visible here as well, seven of which are included in this unique colour.
Unfortunately, I think the model looks less appealing when viewed from the back. The blue highlights are great but the engine looks awkward, hanging from the rear using a light bluish grey bracket. Another piece to secure the flame would also have been appreciated. However, there is ample space for a minifigure to sit behind the steering wheel, as normal.
Overall
76172 Spider-Man and Sandman Showdown is an adequate 4+ set in my opinion, providing superb play value and including some interesting elements. The yellow Technic pins with low friction seem notably intriguing, especially given their present exclusivity. I imagine light bluish grey would be a more suitable colour in most situations though and I hope those are not being replaced altogether.
Sandman is certainly the most significant attraction for older Marvel fans and I am impressed with the base element, although the torso decoration is somewhat disappointing. The price of £8.99 or $9.99 feels reasonable given the content of this set but I would only recommend it for those keen to acquire Sandman, who has not been available since 76114 Spider-Man's Spider Crawler was retired.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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24 comments on this article
Angry clone too angry to die
Spiderman for me is more attractive than Sandman bc I have the 2019 Sandman already which I consider to be far superior than this version
The high clearance at the front and back of the buggy makes me suspect it was originally intended to be a two-wheeled vehicle. Cap seems to suggest as much.
"A web accessory is also provided, although it appears awkward in Spider-Man's hand." ... I'm guessing that the standard web-parts pack were deemed inappropriate/unsafe for a 4+ set, hence the inclusion of only this large web piece.
I might get this - I'm only mildly interested in the Marvel line, and in addition to the Sandman figure, I wouldn't mind picking up a Spider-Man with those nice, printed arms. This seems like an inexpensive way to do that (...although what I'll do with that buggy, I do not know...!).
A cheap way to get Spidey's new torso with arm printing... and that's it. Sandman is a downgrade from the 2019 "full sand" version.
Lego once again makes a set to show off Spider-Man’s most iconic super power.
Vehicular Assault.
I don't understand why they made that new bike piece.
Is lego gonna start using yellow instead of grey for low friction pins? Jeez, they really want you to see those weird colors, don't they?
Shame that poor printing is still letting down good minifigure designs. I think Spider-Man's arms look even worse than Sandman's torso.
I think those yellow pins will be available in both colors, like Cross Axle 3m.
This looks like Junior set, 4+
@gsom7 said:
"This looks like Junior set, 4+"
That is handy, as it is a 4+ set ;)
I could see sandman join the bad batch for his “desirable mutations”.
"Despite the Web-Slinger's enormous rogues gallery, Sandman minifigures are comparatively prevalent within the Marvel theme."
Aren't there really only five or six of Spidey's villains they just keep reusing?
@Brickalili said:
""Despite the Web-Slinger's enormous rogues gallery, Sandman minifigures are comparatively prevalent within the Marvel theme."
Aren't there really only five or six of Spidey's villains they just keep reusing?"
Absolutely. LEGO has returned to Green Goblin, Venom, Carnage, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Mysterio and Vulture on at least three occasions each. Scorpion, Kraven the Hunter, Shocker, Hobgoblin and Rhino have each appeared once.
Meanwhile, the likes of Chameleon, Lizard, Kingpin and Mister Negative remain missing, not to mention various less prominent villains. Hopefully some of them will appear soon!
@jalc_45 said:
"So. I have an unreleated question for the general public. In the "my collection" section of Brickset, I currently have all my built sets, and very few dissasembled sets. I am wondering if I should include all sets I have ever recieved, or just sets currently built. I have a tag in my collection that discerns the built sets from the broken ones. Thanks in advance."
That is up to. You mentioned maintaining a tag to track which sets are assembled and which are disassembled so I would be inclined to record everything, assembled or otherwise.
Why did they add that stupid bar to the web piece? It looks bad (and you always have to struggle to hide it) and it reduces the versatility of the piece compared to the older version with clips (which especially worked better when combining multiple webs).
Are those yellow technic pins?
@CapnRex101 said:
" Absolutely. LEGO has returned to Green Goblin, Venom, Carnage, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Mysterio and Vulture on at least three occasions each. Scorpion, Kraven the Hunter, Shocker, Hobgoblin and Rhino have each appeared once."
Only one Rhino? I thought there was two; a version based directly on Amazing Spider-Man 2 and a version merely inspired by the mech suit version?
I have the feeling that Lego really sees Sandman as Spider-Man's archenemy
I don't like sand. It's coarse, rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere.
@Darth_Mule said:
"Are those yellow technic pins?"
Indeed they are. Of the (up to now light bluish grey) frictionless variety.
Seem to be exclusive to this set at the moment.
Last year, there were some really great 4+ sets (particularly in the Jurassic World and Ninjago lines). This year, not so much, no.
Me: sees Angry Clone face
Also Me: Hello There
I like the printing on the arms might get it for that and scrap the rest.