Review: 76265 Batwing: Batman vs. The Joker
Posted by CapnRex101,
Batman has piloted countless aircraft across the character's history, although the Batwing from Tim Burton's 1989 movie is probably the most celebrated design. 76265 Batwing: Batman vs. The Joker faithfully recreates the vessel's iconic silhouette.
The presence of only two minifigures is slightly disappointing and the Joker's repetition between three new sets is strange, although he is an appropriate addition here. Fortunately, the Batwing is the focus here and certainly impresses.
Summary
76265 Batwing: Batman vs. The Joker, 357 pieces.
£31.99 / $37.99 / €37.99 | 9.0p/10.6c/10.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While the minifigures are merely adequate, the classic 1989 Batwing looks fantastic
- Accurate silhouette, overall
- Comprehensive detail
- Unexpected features
- Some compromises in shape
- Only two minifigures
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Excellent though the Batman minifigure introduced in 76139 1989 Batmobile is, its single-piece cape and cowl is impractical for use with minifigure-scale vehicles. A new cowl has therefore been created this year, first appearing in 76252 Batcave - Shadow Box. This dual-moulded element is not particularly accurate to the cowl featured in Tim Burton's Batman films, but is adaptable for various iterations of the Dark Knight.
The white lenses look splendid and are part of the cowl, thus negating the need for a printed white band on the head underneath. The serious facial expressions on both sides are perfect, but no hair element is provided, sadly. However, the torso is unique, taking inspiration from the beloved 1989 Batman movie.
Batman's stylised symbol is the most recognisable feature from the 1989 Batsuit, although the sculpted muscle definition and golden belt are accurate too. I like the metallic lines around the edges of the belt in particular, showing great attention to detail. As usual, the minifigure comes equipped with a batarang and wears a fabric cape, which fits easily inside the Batwing.
An exclusive Joker minifigure opposes Batman, clearly based upon Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the character, but lacking some desirable features. The head could certainly be improved, as this grin hardly resembles the Joker's rigid smile from the 1989 film, although it looks delightfully wicked and would suit a more generic comic book design.
This minifigure also lacks tartan trousers and an acid-spitting flower, unlike the equivalent from 76139 1989 Batmobile. Otherwise, the torso is nicely decorated and includes a spotted bow tie, alongside a teal waistcoat and bright orange shirt. Moreover, the purple fedora looks nice, even though a slightly simpler shape would be preferable. No accessories are supplied for the Joker.
The Completed Model
LEGO has produced various iterations of the Batwing, several of which have seemingly taken inspiration from the 1989 design. The model from 76120 Batwing and The Riddler Heist was a close facsimile, but this is even more accurate. In fact, the most notable inaccuracy is probably the size, as the wingspan of 23cm appears considerably bigger than minifigure scale.
However, such compromises are often necessary to accommodate minifigures and include a higher level of detail. 76265 Batwing: Batman vs. The Joker succeeds in both regards, as the shape of the fuselage looks impressive and Batman fits neatly inside the cockpit, between two stud shooters. These are situated similarly to the miniguns deployed at the climax of the film.
Three stickers are applied inside the cockpit and these are the only stickers provided. I like the gauges and the blue screens introduce some colour, although differ from those shown briefly in the film. Despite the small scale, I think there was an opportunity to adhere more faithfully to the source material here.
Unsurprisingly, the wings are constructed using a variety of wedge plates. The general shape looks good, but the smooth curvature of the original vehicle's wings is inevitably lost because these wedge plates are quite angular. However, the texture across the top of the wings looks superb, including accurate radiator grilles and dark bluish grey flaps, as well as occasional light bluish grey accents.
Turning the model upside down reveals a Technic hanger element underneath, so the Batwing can hang on the wall, like 76161 1989 Batwing. This is a satisfying feature, cleverly integrated immediately below the cockpit. Additionally, a pair of dark bluish grey bars are visible towards the front, representing the pincers Batman uses to catch the Joker's balloons onscreen. Maybe a small balloon could have been included as a reference to the parade balloons.
Amazing detail continues towards the rear, where a series of wedge plates are arranged to form cooling fins behind the cockpit. The angled stabilisers on either side look excellent too, flanking a smaller central fin. For the utmost accuracy, I think the central fin should probably have been omitted altogether because it should be much smaller.
However, the fin serves an essential secondary purpose, becoming a handle to remove the top of the fuselage and access the storage space underneath. A second Batarang and a black pair of handcuffs are found inside. Features like this one are always appreciated, making maximum use of potentially empty areas of the fuselage.
Overall
While perhaps overshadowed by the iconic Batmobile from 1989, this Batwing is also popular and undoubtedly deserves a minifigure-scale rendition. 76265 Batwing: Batman vs. The Joker captures many important details from the onscreen vehicle, even including the pincers towards the front, which were a pleasant surprise.
However, I do think there were a couple of opportunities missed. A balloon for the Joker would have been perfect, decorated like the enormous parade balloons from the film. In addition, Bob could have appeared alongside his villainous employer, since two minifigures is relatively few for a set costing £31.99, $37.99 or €37.99. Overall though, I am pleased with this set and the price feels fair, despite the mediocre minifigure selection.
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29 comments on this article
That is quite cool! The figures are pretty good (even though there aren’t a lot of them).
I don’t think I’ve seen the new Batman cowl before this- It looks excellent!
Reasonable price, I might pick this one up!
I like this,but PLEASE Lego,give us DC sets that aren't all batman! I would kill for more justice league stuff.
What the Dickinson is this? I like the Buffer Batman, but it's a Dern shame the Joker doesn't have accessories, or the right clothes, or the right face...
This might be one I get from eBay on the cheap with no figures. The Batwing looks great but I have plenty of Bruces already.
The model looks nice on top, but underneath ... Ugh. I can't understand why Lego always cheaps out on the undersides of flying machines and leaves them unfinished, ugly, with different colors than the primary color scheme all over. I found that aspect of the 2019 Batwing model disappointing, but this one is a lot worse.
Day one purchase for me. I can’t wait till Aug 1st to get this and the Batmobile.
Yeah, good call to have a Bob henchman figure and also Joker needs his long barrelled gun too.
How are they gonna fight the Batwing?
Yet another easy skip from DC
Not 1966....
Next.
I’ll pick this up to go alongside the small 1989 Batmobile I got as a GWP with the excellent UCS Batmobile. It looks really good.
Pretty hilarious that we’re getting sets from a 30+ year old film and NOT the *new* movie featuring the exact same character. Says quite a bit about how well anything Batman-related performs vs. other DC characters.
Anyways, the set looks really solid! A bit spare, and I agree the inclusion of Bob and the Joker’s long-barreled gun would be preferable. I would have even been happy with a Batwing vs. Joker’s helicopter from the end of the film.
I’m a huge fan of the Burton BATMAN films so I’m totally in favor of more merch, and especially more AFFORDABLE merch. I just can’t bring myself spend as much money as Lego wants for their UCS models.
@ComfySofa said:
"What the Dickinson is this? I like the Buffer Batman, but it's a Dern shame the Joker doesn't have accessories, or the right clothes, or the right face...
This might be one I get from eBay on the cheap with no figures. The Batwing looks great but I have plenty of Bruces already."
I feel the same. Figs aren't a draw at all.
I read "Batman has pointless countless aircraft" and loled, thought "how true." Then I realized I misread :-(.
@WemWem said:
"Pretty hilarious that we’re getting sets from a 30+ year old film and NOT the *new* movie featuring the exact same character. Says quite a bit about how well anything Batman-related performs vs. other DC characters.
Anyways, the set looks really solid! A bit spare, and I agree the inclusion of Bob and the Joker’s long-barreled gun would be preferable. I would have even been happy with a Batwing vs. Joker’s helicopter from the end of the film.
I’m a huge fan of the Burton BATMAN films so I’m totally in favor of more merch, and especially more AFFORDABLE merch. I just can’t bring myself spend as much money as Lego wants for their UCS models."
I wouldn't be shocked if they retooled these sets to be about Batman once LEGO saw the controversy and potential financial failings of the new film. Seeing how well The Flash did at the box office, LEGO probably made the right call.
@iwybs said:
"The model looks nice on top, but underneath ... Ugh. I can't understand why Lego always cheaps out on the undersides of flying machines and leaves them unfinished, ugly, with different colors than the primary color scheme all over. I found that aspect of the 2019 Batwing model disappointing, but this one is a lot worse."
Couldn't agree more! The sparse underside really doesn't take into account the "swooshability" of this set. I'm also wondering if Lego could have designed the large Batcave/Shadowbox set, so that this could hang inside somewhere. Hoping to see some MOCs of that soon.
Lordy, never look at the underside of that Batwing again. Never.
I miss what Lego DC used to be. It’s been so sad since the Lego Batman Movie. At least my wallets happy.
It’s quite a cool set. I don’t like Batman (or superheroes in general) but for some reasons I started collecting play set batmobiles a few years ago (they are nice play sets after all, especially the Tumbler!). I think I’ll add that one to the collection.
"Lego didn't bother to include you here?!" Bob? Gun." "Sorry boss, they didn't include that either." Joking references aside, I like this one, and am planning on getting it. I do agree that Bob, the long gun, and/or a balloon would have been a nice inclusion, though.
Winged bat flies through the night and finds me ready.
Don't expect alot of if any sets soon, WB is hurting money. Doubt Lego has any say in it.
He only works in black. And sometimes... very, very dark grey...
Not a bad set and it's cheap enough but I think I'll be waiting for 76224 instead
"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"...TLG apparently, and it's the ONLY thing DC they seem to know HOW TO DO (*facepalms*)...
In fairness: It's not bad, I do have a Batwing from 76120 (have a Shazam too...), and a...pseudo one in 76111, but this look "proper". And yes, Joker should have THAT accessory, but get why TLG didn't make it...
I keep making this/the point: BOTH Todd McFarlane Toys AND Spin Master Toys have DC licensees; and both make stuff BEYOND BATAMN...there a 'joke' in there, isn't there; but none the less: TLG really needs a re-think on this...
Still no Bob the Goon!
Comparing to Batwing form 76120?
@ozbrickcreator said:
"He only works in black. And sometimes... very, very dark grey..."
No, there's light gray in this one, too. I guess the set designer never saw TLM...
@sjr60 said:
"
Not 1966....
Next."
I concur! We need more Not-1966 Batman, STAT!
@PurpleDave said:
"We need more Not-1966 Batman, STAT!"
I personally need a 1966 Robin, preferably in a Batcopter to go with 76188.
Another review complaining about the number of minifigures. I really don't know what kind of expectations some people have with sets. Batman works alone (most of the time). You're lucky to get a Joker in this. What other minifigures would you really expect to see here? Are you expecting every expensive set to come with 10-20 figures just because? Daily Bugle seems to have set unreasonably high expectations with its ridiculous number of minifigs.
Having Batman and Joker ONLY seems more than reasonable to me. It's not like they're going to throw in Robin (not in the movie), Viki Vale, Commissioner Gordon, or a bunch of randos nobody cares about. This is FINE as it is.