Before moving on to the boxes of the second half of 2020, today we take a quick look at the LEGO Marvel Spider-Man set. 76163 Venom Crawler (413 pieces - 29.99 €), a small set which takes the concept of the mechanical spider, except that it is Iron Venom who this time is at the controls of a machine similar to the one piloted by Spider-Man in the set 76114 Spider-Man's Spider Crawler (2019)

The youngest who will have the chance to own both boxes will also be able to stage a beautiful confrontation of mechanical spiders and if you have already had the opportunity to assemble the Spider Crawler from set 76114, you will be in familiar territory. . This new mechanical spider is, with a few details, identical to the one in Spider-Man's colors and it includes all the technical solutions allowing it to move by moving its legs.

The machine is matched to the pilot with a Stud Shooter at the end of the tail, a pad-printed shoulder pad for the head and a handful of stickers which contribute to "venomizevisually the whole thing. Carnage can embark behind Iron Venom, the designers having planned two places on the back of the mechanical spider.

If you stick to this set because you mostly want the exclusive minifig it provides, you'll have to settle for a clash between the Venom Crawler and the Spider Buggy that Spider-Man drives. Nothing crazy, it's not the level of the vehicle available in the set 76151 Venomosaurus Ambush but we still have two Stud Shooters lateral to balance the balance of power between the two machines.

Most buyers of this box will no doubt consider this small vehicle to be of little interest, but the Spider Buggy is a machine that some Spider-Man fans are familiar with and see it appear here in a format that perfectly matches that of the comics is a nice nod. For once a Spider-vehicle is really linked to a machine already seen in different comics, it was important to point out knowing that this new version is much more successful than that of the set 4+ 76133 Spider-Man Car Chase marketed in 2019.

Unsurprisingly, the Spider-Man minifig delivered in this box is the one present in half a dozen boxes released in 2019 (76113 Spider-Man Bike Rescue, 76114 Spider-Man's Spider Crawler et 76115 Spider Mech vs. Venom) and in 2020 (76148 Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock et 76150 Spiderjet vs. Venom Mech).

The Carnage minifigure is less common but it is not exclusive to this box, it is the one delivered in the set 76113 Spider-Man Bike Rescue, here freed from the tentacles present on the 2019 version of the character.

There remains the minifig of Iron Venom, a new character at LEGO who benefits here from a new torso and a helmet, the double-sided head of Tony Stark already seen in many sets and a pair of legs unfortunately neutral. The "venomization"of the torso is interesting is rather well done but LEGO could have pushed to propose a black leg and a leg in Dark Red.

I am much less convinced by the helmet on which the fusion between the two characters is in my opinion less successful. The use of Tony Stark's usual head under the helmet is also disappointing, the character in question here deserved better with for example a face also with a hybrid look.

In short, I think that for 29.99 €, there is still nothing to complain about with a mechanical spider interesting to assemble, a playability guaranteed by the presence of two machines equipped with Stud Shooters, a nod to comic book fans with the Spider Buggy and three minifigs, one of which is exclusive to this set.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at 17th June 2020 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we take a quick look at the contents of the LEGO Harry Potter set 75979 Hedwig (630 pieces - 49.99 €) with, once is not custom in this range, a product that offers something other than a building or a piece of wall accompanied by a few minifigs. The real star of the set here is Hedwig (or Hedwig), the white owl given to Harry by Rubeus Hagrid for his eleventh birthday.

The display unit on which we fix the owl to build is in itself a real success. No black support without details or frills as is often the case in the LEGO Star Wars range, here we assemble a relatively elegant base with a slightly inclined central post that will highlight the main construction of the set. The stability is there even if it is a little difficult to put Hedwig in motion without holding the base of the model, the support is obviously not weighted.

The mechanism that will be used to move the wings of the bird is integral with the central upright of the support and it knows how to be quite discreet, knowing that you can possibly remove the two side cranks if you do not intend to have fun with the integrated functionality.

LEGO could have offered us a simple exhibition product, many would have been satisfied with it. But the manufacturer has made the effort to integrate a rather original functionality into this model, even if most of us will only benefit the time to discover the process used and the result obtained. In my opinion, this is a real plus for those who expected something other than a simple model of the bird.

The setting in motion of the model is astonishing with a rather graceful evolution of the owl, thanks in particular to a decomposition of each of the wings into two sub-assemblies linked together by a few beams and pines. Technic. The beats are a little jerky if you grind too quickly but the effect obtained is in my opinion very credible when you find the right rhythm of rotation.

The head of the bird, connected to the rest of the construction by a simple pine, perhaps slightly oriented on the horizontal axis but not vertically. The two eyes on a black background are dressed in a golden pad-printed circle. The pupil is intentionally eccentric and it will therefore be necessary to install these two elements correctly to obtain a credible look.

The technical detail that is a bit difficult: The background color of the stickers to put on both Tiles of the envelope does not really match that of the parts and the Tile central which accommodates the red seal with its sticker remains blank. It's ugly. The visual effect obtained with the folding claws which are superimposed on the envelope is however very successful.

The minifig delivered in this box, young Harry in Hogwarts uniform with his house Gryffindor scarf, is currently exclusive to this set even if the character's head appears in a good half-dozen sets from the LEGO range. Harry Potter marketed since 2018.

The Hedwig figurine is for its part rather common, it is already found in three other boxes of the range marketed this year, the references 75968 4 Privet Drive, 75969 Hogwarts Astronomy Tower et 75980 Attack on the Burrow and in the polybag 30420 Harry Potter & Hedwig. The two figures are brought together on a small stand that matches the rest of the model which can be integrated into the main model or presented separately.

In short, I find this box very successful: It offers something different within a range accustomed to declining walls and furniture to the limit and LEGO was not content to sell us a simple too static model. so as not to end up forgotten in the dust after a few years of exposure.

I say yes, even at 49.99 €, for the association between a pretty model and an interesting functionality which allows to benefit in a way a little more "active" of the product.

Note: The product shown here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at 14th June 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Without transition, we are interested in the two LEGO magnets 854012 London (27 pieces) and 854030 Empire State Building (26 pieces) which will soon be available for sale on the official online store for the modest sum of € 9.99 per unit.

The principle is the same as for the reference 854011 Eiffel Tower Magnet (29 pieces - 9.99 €) already available: This involves assembling a magnet to stick on your fridge using the parts provided. The magnetic element itself is an independent 4x4 brick like those sold in sets of four for € 7.99 (ref. Lego 853900) which is attached to the back of the blue plate.

There are two different approaches with these new references, on the one hand a micro-skyline of London in the spirit of the Parisian version and on the other an emblematic construction of the city of New York which completes the magnet. 854031 Statue of Liberty already available. If you are the picky type, be careful not to mix them up on the fridge door and to group them well by theme.

The London Skyline is minimalist, it's the format that wants it, but we still manage to distinguish the London Eye, the Ferris wheel sponsored according to the partnerships in progress with different brands (Lastminute.com at the moment), a tree, Big Ben and a piece of the Palace of Westminster.

Everything is dressed in somewhat sloppy stickers whose background is not even the color of the support, contrary to what the official visuals and the packaging had hoped for. No mention "Hello"Or"Good Morning"to be connected with the Parisian version which says"Hello", we must be satisfied with the name of the city on a green background (dark).

The other magnet in question here features the Empire State Building with a cloud passing behind (or in front depending on where you are in relation to the magnet). Small reference to the switch to the LEGO Architecture set 21046 Empire State Building marketed in 2019 with the use of six Tiles openwork beige, 684 of which adorn the Architecture version. Here too, you also need to stick stickers, one of which is not light beige (Tan) and the other which is not the same gray as the Tile on which it takes place.

We can say that when it comes to products for tourists in search of memories, these few faults are acceptable, but I think it's still a shame to have such differences in color on such minimalist products sold for € 10.

One last remark logically identical to the one I made during the Parisian magnet test: Without wanting to make crates on the theme "respect for the environment", I find that the packaging of the product on the other hand makes tons for not much on arrival. I understand that the marketing aces at LEGO want these little products to be clearly visible on the shelves, but there was probably a balance to be found in showing them off without all that cardboard and plastic.

In short, it's minimalist, it's a bit expensive, it doesn't replace a kitschy snow globe, but these two magnets will certainly sell like hot cakes if they are placed prominently in front of the LEGO Store checkout. Leicester Square or Rockefeller Center. It's up to you to see if your fridge really needs these magnets to keep the shopping list or the flyer from the local pizzeria.

Note: The batch of the two products presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at 11th June 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we are talking about the small LEGO set again 40409 Hot Rod currently offered from € 85 purchase on the official online store. Those who follow already know that this small box of 142 pieces is a promotional product inspired by the vehicle marketed in 1995 under the reference Model Team 5541 Blue Fury then reissued in 2004 under the reference 10151 Hot Rod.

This miniature version which will therefore bring back memories to those who have played with the reference model is assembled in a few minutes but the result seems quite acceptable for a promotional product.

I have given you an exploded view of the vehicle, although the assembly process is more linear and does not divide into sub-modules like in the photo below. A few stickers to apply, including a rear license plate that alludes to the reference Model Team 5541 set, and voila. This Hot Rod can easily be circulated in the streets of your LEGO city using Modulars or CITY sets, as long as you agree to spend at least € 85 on the official store.

We can think that with the prices charged by LEGO, this minimum purchase is not that high, but it is up to everyone to assess the interest of the expense with the feeling of "forcing" to to buy something at the public price to be offered an additional product.

The two minifigs provided in this little promotional set are obviously not "rare" or exclusive: the young mechanic's head comes from the LEGO Creator Expert set. 10264 Corner Garage, the cap with integrated hair is the one seen in many CITY sets and the torso is also delivered in the CITY sets 60258 Tuning Workshop et 60232 Garage Center.

The driver's torso is the one seen in the sets 70657 Ninjago City Docks et 60233 Donut Shop Opening, stained legs are in the LEGO Hidden Side set 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000.

As usual, one should not be too demanding on the finish of these two minifigs and the official visuals were once again much more optimistic on this point: the yellow area of ​​the torso turns green or orange depending on the the color of the part that LEGO has pad-printed the graphic details on and the injection point on the side of the cap with integrated hair is really visible.

In short, it's up to you to decide if this small vehicle and the two characters that accompany it deserve to pay for one or more sets at full price on the official store.

For what it's worth, I think this promotional product at least has the merit of being a real set with some original construction techniques and a very decent finish. It is offered, but it is not sloppy.

Note: The product shown here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at 11th June 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we take a quick look at the LEGO DC Comics set 76157 Wonder Woman vs. Cheetah (371 pieces - 39.99 €), a box with content is inspired by the film Wonder Woman 84 whose theatrical release has been rescheduled for next August.

Once is not customary, no vehicle in this box and the set offers us to assemble a small bunker at the top of which is a transmitter. The construction is rather successful with even an original technique to reproduce the loophole placed above the entrance door and a mechanism that allows the set of transmitter panels to be rotated.

The bunker is only closed on one side, undoubtedly to provide a little playability inside the premises, but it remains presentable on the corner of a shelf to stage the three protagonists delivered in this box.

The inventory allows us to obtain a nice lot of pieces in light beige color (Tan) and dark beige (Dark Tan) as well as 26 pad printed panels that we should review in future sets. The fact that these panels are pad printed is also a good surprise, many of us bet on the need to have to stick 26 stickers on these parts with all the problems of centering and alignment that this exercise usually involves.

For those who would ask the question: the transparent rod placed on the side of the bunker and which allows to stage Wonder Woman is not nested in the construction and it can be removed.

Three minifigs come in this box: Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot on screen), Barbara Minerva  aka Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) and Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal).

Maxwell Lord's minifigure just reuses Bruce Wayne's torso (76122 Batcave Clayface Invasion) and Gunnar Eversol (75930 Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate), the face of Peter Parker, Scott Lang or Lucian Bole and the hair is that of a slew of generic characters from the CITY range. It's all a bit shy for a minifigure that in my opinion deserved at least a specific torso with the striped jacket seen in the various teasers of the film.

Barbara Minerva's minifig  aka Cheetah is interesting, with a cute design that runs from head to toe, a back that hasn't been sloppy, and a very successful double-faced head. The white hair can eventually be used by those who want to DIY a Geralt de Riv minifig.

Wonder Woman is provided here with her armor Golden Eagle, an outfit seen for the first time in 1996 in the comic Elseworlds: Kingdom Come when Wonder and Superman face off against a team of young metahumans who are anxious to bring justice but without necessarily considering the collateral damage.

The LEGO version is acceptable if you don't compare it too much to the outfit that will be on screen and accept as usual not to be too staring at the character's neck extension caused by the use Falcon or Vulture wings, here delivered in Pearl Gold. Only the helmet is in Metallic Gold, which contrasts a little with the (too) mat aspect of the rest of the outfit and the hair of the character is integrated at the back with a floating effect which allows to pass over the wings. The result is visually very correct.

But I think it was the occasion to offer us a slightly more ambitious minifigure with real reflections and possibly a pair of retractable wings. LEGO preferred to play it easy and simply "adapt" the outfit seen on the screen.

The fact remains that the pad printing of the torso and legs is nicely executed and that in any case it is the only version of this armor that we will be able to add to our collections. A few lines on the arms would have been welcome for maximum visual consistency, but we will do without.

In short, we get here a nice product derived from a film that will have to be seen to verify that the bunker with its transmitter is more or less compliant, with a very correct assortment of three minifigs which is still missing Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), knowing that this is undoubtedly the only derivative product that LEGO markets (ra) around the film.

This box is sold for 39.99 €, a price that seems reasonable to me considering the effort made to offer us something else to build than a vehicle of little interest and the presence of a large handful of pad-printed parts.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at 8th June 2020 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.