Review: 76195 Spider-Man's Drone Duel
Posted by CapnRex101,
Spider-Man: No Way Home reportedly includes many important potential spoilers, hence LEGO has taken this opportunity to return to previous Spider-Man movies. 76195 Spider-Man's Drone Duel accordingly contains an appealing Vulture minifigure, with dramatic wings!
This imposing character was introduced during Spider-Man: Homecoming, within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 76083 Beware the Vulture therefore includes the same villain, although the revised minifigure represents an enormous improvement. Moreover, this exclusive Spider-Man variant and his vehicle appear interesting.
Minifigures
Spider-Man wears various suits throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, befitting different situations. This example appears particularly intriguing, featuring remarkably complex designs which encompass the head, torso legs and arms. Such comprehensive detail rivals the brilliant Collectable Minifigure and establishes a high standard for future Spider-Man variants!
Furthermore, the colour scheme of black, dark bluish grey and metallic gold looks outstanding, further distinguishing this Spider-Man minifigure. The torso decoration exhibits particular detail, displaying grey patterns that resemble circuitry. Unfortunately, these designs conclude abruptly beneath the knees, which is rather noticeable here.
Following their introduction during 2019, Spider-Man's web accessories have now appeared in five colours. Pearl gold is the latest shade and these vibrant elements are exclusively available here, complementing the golden decoration across Spider-Man's costume.
Reference material is frequently scarce before films are released, hence the Vulture minifigure from 76083 Beware the Vulture differed from the onscreen character. The updated design looks substantially better than its predecessor, integrating parts designed for the Sky Police subtheme and achieving accordant accuracy. The breathing apparatus appears notably impressive.
The character's fur-lined jacket also looks marvellous, closely resembling the source material. Several straps decorate the torso, continuing onto the reverse. However, the legs are plain so seem comparatively bland. Adrian Toomes' double-sided head features excellent detail though, displaying a smile and retracted mask on one side, while the alternative face appears prepared for combat.
Vulture includes a dramatic wing assembly, dwarfing the minifigure at their centre. They reach 22cm across and appear enormous, although these wings are based upon Vulture's enhanced equipment from the conclusion of Spider-Man: Homecoming. On that basis, the proportions are actually surprisingly accurate to this intimidating villain.
Beyond their considerable scale, two articulated turbines differentiate these wings from their smaller equivalent. They are connected using ball joints, permitting extensive movement and offering additional support when displaying this minifigure. Several stickers are applied across both wings to portray mechanical detail.
Of course, printed elements would have been appreciated, especially since these stickers are likely to be handled during play. Nevertheless, the designs look good, complementing the dark green and black colour scheme. I dislike the lower 2x3 pentagonal tile on the back though, that extends beneath the minifigure's feet and causes problems in displaying Vulture.
The Completed Model
The excellent minifigures undoubtedly overshadow Spider-Man's drone, although this model appears impressive too. The continued black and gold colours are appealing and this vehicle feels remarkably tactile for play, despite incorporating relatively narrow supports for the rotors. Fortunately, they are assembled robustly and stretch 16cm across, excluding the rotor blades.
Despite being identified as a drone, the vehicle does include an optional cockpit for the Web Slinger, hidden beneath an exclusive metallic gold canopy. No controls are present and gaps surround the cockpit, but I welcome its inclusion. The body component designed for mechs is also employed to good effect here, creating an attractive shape.
Each rotor can spin easily and the continued integration of pearl gold accents is fantastic. The airfoils which accompany the rotors appear somewhat unusual, but distinguish this drone from previous examples in LEGO City and elsewhere. Moreover, the stickered accents complement decoration across the Spider-Man minifigure, although some could be excluded if you wish.
Two stud shooters are situated behind the cockpit, flanking a spider emblem. The trans-yellow ammunition looks odd since no other external trans-yellow highlights are included, but the stud shooters are integrated neatly. The bodywork shape behind these weapons looks adequate too, interrupted only by two hinges and an associated gap.
These hinges permit access to a storage compartment, containing a robotic spider drone. No functional deployment method is present, which is unfortunate. Nevertheless, I welcome such effective use of space and the golden cable fixed underneath is interesting. Presumably this is intended to represent flexible webbing, trailing behind the drone.
Overall
The unique minifigures are undoubtedly the outstanding feature of 76195 Spider-Man's Drone Duel, displaying excellent detail and closely resembling the onscreen characters. The updated Vulture minifigure achieves particular accuracy and I love the articulated wings, which certainly improve upon the previous design from 76083 Beware the Vulture.
Additionally, the drone looks superb and incorporates various simple, but enjoyable, functions. There is potential for improvement towards the back, where the smaller spider drone is hidden, but the general shaping and colours are splendid. The price of £17.99 or $19.99 represents fair value too, even though another minifigure would inevitably have improved this set further.
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16 comments on this article
“Spider-Man Variant” I see what you did there.
Here’s hoping for an updated Toby McGuire Spider-Man minifig!
Hello, Peter…
I agree, I too want a Tobey Maguire Spider-man.
Needs more Batman.
I'm torn. I like the figures, but I'd just piece out the set. But you can never find the figures for cheap enough with these cheaper sets, so might as well just buy the set and part it out.
Otherwise, thanks for the review. It covers everything it needs to. I am surprised that the wings are that large, but I guess it makes sense. Tiny wings wouldn't give us enough lift and I'm sure the weight of the contraption would require more wingspan.
Excuse my ignorance, but would a ‘drone duel’ not require 2 drones?
@gunther_schnitzel said:
"Excuse my ignorance, but would a ‘drone duel’ not require 2 drones?"
My thoughts exactly
Nice review! I'm actually really digging the drone, not sure why, it just pops and has a neat shape. As for the Vulture ... not sure the wings are an improvement over the previous one but my plan is to combine this one with the figure and wings from the Homecoming truck chase to make an ultimate Vulture HaHa
@Cooliocdawg said:
"“Spider-Man Variant” I see what you did there.
Here’s hoping for an updated Toby McGuire Spider-Man minifig!
Hello, Peter…"
Not just Maguire, I’m holding out for a new Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina
@Mr__Thrawn said:
" @Cooliocdawg said:
"“Spider-Man Variant” I see what you did there.
Here’s hoping for an updated Toby McGuire Spider-Man minifig!
Hello, Peter…"
Not just Maguire, I’m holding out for a new Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina"
Amen to that! I feel like we don’t have to worry about those two getting figs as long as LEGO does another wave of sets for the film. LEGO should definitely do another wave after the film comes out so that they can have characters that were “spoilers” now.
@KungfuKitty06 said:
"I agree, I too want a Tobey Maguire Spider-man."
You mean an UPDATED Tobey Maguire Spider-Man? Besides, we still haven’t got Andrew Garfield yet.
The light nougat face printing on Vulture is also really good, in contrast to recent years of printing light colours on dark plastic (e.g. original Endgame Captain America)
@PurpleDave said:
"Needs more Batman."
Needs more Blacktron.
@AustinPowers:
I actually made a muscle-car Batmobile in original Blacktron color scheme, so I’ll allow that. I’m pretty sure it could take this drone in a fist fight.
@PurpleDave said:
" @AustinPowers:
I actually made a muscle-car Batmobile in original Blacktron color scheme, so I’ll allow that. I’m pretty sure it could take this drone in a fist fight."
Well, neither have fists, so…
@PurpleDave said:
"Needs more Batman.]
I disagree. I think they make to many sets with Batman."
These Vulture wings are incredibly fun to pose