Today we are quickly interested in the new LEGO range Brick Sketches via one of the four references marketed since July: the set 40386 Batman (115 pieces - 19.99 €).

As you already know, these mini-portraits are directly inspired by the work of Chris McVeigh, a long-time AFOL who this year became a designer at LEGO. The artist is also highlighted from the first pages of the instruction booklet with a large photo and a reminder of the origin of these portraits.

On the other hand, there is not much in the too big box sold for 20 € responsible for impressing us a little and giving volume to this product made up of barely more than a hundred pieces.

We can also divide the content of the set into two distinct parts with on one side the frame which serves as a support for the work and on the other the elements which constitute the creative part of the product. The 12x16 white frame with its foot which allows the portrait to be displayed on the corner of a desk or a shelf is made up of 29 pieces. There are therefore 86 elements left in this box to reproduce the face of Batman by successive superimpositions of blocks of parts which will give it a little relief.

Do not expect to spend more than a few minutes there, it is only a question of stacking plates according to the instructions, without particular techniques which would justify to be more attentive than usual. The interest of the product does not really lie in the construction process, it is the result that has an artistic vocation.

And it must be admitted that the ratio of number of parts used / originality of the result is interesting. We recognize Batman at first glance, the interpretation of the character's face with his mask has a very appreciable little comic side and it works.

It's fine to judge that the concept is almost childishly simple, but you first had to think about it and then know how to demonstrate sufficient creativity so that each portrait is original and creative in addition to being immediately assimilable to the character of reference.

However, it is difficult to conceal the "problem" of this mini range of collectable products which will perhaps one day compete with the other universe intended for inveterate collectors, the one which declines to infinity or almost characters in BrickHeadz format: the public price set at € 19.99.

We will have read and heard everything on the subject, each estimating the fair price at which these boxes should be sold: € 9.99, € 12.99, € 14.99 ... Everything goes with more or less high prices depending on those of the other products sold by LEGO used as a reference to estimate the ideal price positioning of this new range.

If LEGO charges a high price for these products, it is in my opinion mainly because they are creations inspired by the work of Chris McVeigh, a very popular MOCeur among AFOLs who signed with LEGO for a few months. I would not be surprised to see soon arrive in the LEGO catalog the other concept that has contributed to the popularity of this artist: the different collections of Christmas tree ornaments which were brought together in two books published in 2016 and 2018 by publisher No Starch Press.

The manufacturer's marketing department will have judged that the popularity of the gentleman and that of his creations allow these mini-tables to be displayed at the price that we know. Others will think it's art before it's LEGO and that the few plastic pieces assembled here deserve better than the usual average price per kilo. It is undoubtedly true.

It's up to everyone to judge if these mini-paintings are worth their public price, as far as I'm concerned it's far too expensive for an idea, admittedly interesting, recovered by LEGO with the hiring of the one who had it first. However, I never tried to reproduce one of Chris McVeigh's creations before he arrived at LEGO and I was just content, like many of us, to admire the different proposals online. on his flickr gallery. I will continue to do the same with the official version of these Brick Sketches.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at September 24, 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.

The season of exclusive products that unfortunately do not arrive in our regions may not be over: on September 19, we will celebrate the Batman day with a whole series of virtual animations that will punctuate the day.

We are also told that offers will be offered by various partner brands and that several brands among which LEGO will distribute exclusive products:

At this stage, it is difficult to know if this will be a new limited edition set in the spirit of the small box bearing the reference 77906 Wonder Woman sold a few days ago at LEGO in the USA or a confidential minifig like Supergirl's offered during the DC Fandome 2020 virtual convention, we will have to wait patiently for LEGO to announce the color.

The manufacturer could also possibly take advantage of this day entirely dedicated to the vigilante of Gotham City to unveil the set featuring the Batwing from the 1989 film, of which a photo of the instruction booklet and the sheet of stickers has been circulating for a few days on the networks. social ...

Today we are very quickly around the small LEGO DC Comics set 76158 Batboat: The Penguin Pursuit. This box sold for 9.99 € is stamped "4+", we quickly understand why with a very small inventory of 54 pieces which allows to assemble in a few minutes a Batboat and a floating duck for the Penguin.

Despite the constraints of this classification which intends these sets for the youngest fans, I think the designer is doing quite well here with two machines that can easily integrate a collection made up of more detailed vehicles.

The Batboat is based on the gray meta-piece already used for the Snowspeeder from the aptly named set 75268 Snowspeeder marketed at the beginning of the year in the LEGO Star Wars range, for the A-Wing of the set 75247 Rebel A-Wing Starfighter (2019) and even for Benny's starship in The LEGO Movie 2 set 70821 Emmet and Benny's "Buil and Fix" Workshop! (2019)

The element fits here perfectly and gives its almost final shape to the Batboat which then receives a few additional parts for a relatively simplistic but very convincing result.

The Penguin Duck is less ambitious than the Batboat but it is credible enough to offer opposition to Batman. Diorama enthusiasts will eventually be able to reuse several of these machines to install henchmen of the villain who would use a more opulent amphibious Duckmobile like the one seen for example in the sets. 76010 Batman: The Penguin Face-off (2014) or 70909 Batcave Break-in (2017).

As usual in the sets stamped "4+", LEGO does not include any device for launching parts or missiles here to prevent the youngest from injuring themselves while handling the vehicles provided. There are no stickers in this box and the gray piece that forms the nose of the Batboat is therefore pad printed. It could possibly be reused by the most inspired MOCeurs for a more robust creation.

The Penguin minifigure is completely new with a torso and a head that we will certainly see again one day in another set even if this box sold for € 9.99 should undoubtedly remain the best opportunity to add this variant of the character to a collection without breaking the bank. .

The figurine is very successful, we just regret the slight difference in color between the purple tinted in the mass of the legs and the pad-printed lapel of the character's jacket. The "paunchy" effect of the belly is nicely achieved and the face is superb with its transparent effect on the moncole.

No surprise on the side of the vigilante of Gotham City, the torso and the head of Batman are the elements available in many sets and polybags since 2012. LEGO only provides here one cape, the variant with central hole already seen in d 'other sets this year where LEGO sometimes provides an assortment of three different capes. Since the superb minifigure of the set 76139 1989 Batmobile with its rigid cape, I now have a really hard time being satisfied with these bits of rag.

In short, I think that there is no valid reason to ignore this small box for very young fans which for once offers quite acceptable constructions given the simplification linked to the classification of the product and allows you to obtain a pretty new version of the Penguin at a lower cost.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at September 2, 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.

Go ahead for a new competition this time with a copy of the LEGO DC Comics set 76157 Wonder Woman vs. Cheetah to win.

If you want to get a more precise idea of ​​the contents of this box of 371 pieces freely inspired by the film Wonder Woman 84 (theatrical release scheduled for the end of September 2020) and sold for € 39.99, do not hesitate to read or re-read my "Review"published in May.

Below, the latest trailer has just been released:

To validate your participation, simply identify the interface below and follow the instructions provided. At the end of the participation phase, the winner will be chosen by drawing lots from the correct answers to the question asked.

Your contact details (name / nickname, email address, IP) are only used within the framework of this competition and will not be kept beyond the drawing of lots which will designate the winner. As usual, this no-obligation competition is open to all residents of mainland France, DOM & TOM, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

Thank you to LEGO who treats this time via the endowment provided. The prize will be shipped to the winner by me and by Colissimo with insurance and signature on delivery (and suitable packaging).

As usual, I reserve the right to disqualify any participant who has attempted to defraud or hijack the entry system in order to increase their chances of winning.

Good luck to everyone !