I am obviously at my expense on the principle of the official packaging, which on the LEGO Super Heroes Marvel range does not include the visual codes of other derivative products on the same theme as is the case for example on the Star Wars range . Instead, LEGO simply changed DC blue to Marvel red.

Regarding these Hero Factory type figures, not much to say. We like it or we hate it, and only Iron Man (4529 September) finds favor in my eyes. The character being in armor, this representation remains in the mind with a justified robotic aspect. It still lacks a few additional parts around the axes to flesh out the armor a little and give it a more massive appearance.

Hulk (4530 September) is definitely way too cartoonish and reminds me of a character from the Ben10 universe with his very / too stylized face ... In this set the Hulk is dressed in his tattered pants / blue shorts unlike the figurine of the set 6868 Hulk's Helicarrier Breakout shown wearing beige pants.

Captain America (4597 September) might have been successful if it weren't for those useless armored epaulettes that have nothing to do with it. The shield is pretty and will undoubtedly be used by a few MOCeurs inspired to reproduce Cape Town at the scale of the shield, but with parts System.

 Note that these three sets were briefly put online on Amazon a few weeks ago at a price of € 14.50 before being withdrawn (see this article).

/a

As you probably know, each range of derivative products for a film or a cartoon uses well-defined codes in terms of packaging imposed by the holder of the license concerned.

Thus for products derived from the Star Wars universe, a character from the saga is highlighted each year (Darth Maul in 2012) and is therefore found on all the boxes sold, regardless of the brand.

We still haven't seen a single image of a Marvel set, so I offer you two examples above of derivative products that will be marketed when the film is released in April 2012. Boxes of LEGO sets should use these codes. visuals with the Avengers logo in silver color and probably a montage of the troop of super heroes responsible for saving the world and filling Disney's coffers.

FBTB was at the London Toy Fair and delivers some information on Marvel novelties, for lack of photos:

6865 Captain America's Avenging Cycle : As said before, the set was partially presented with Captain America and his motorcycle. A character is missing (Red Skull?) So as not to reveal the scenario of the film. 

6866 Wolverine's Chopper Showdown : The minifigs provided are therefore Wolverine, Magneto & Deadpool as announced a few days ago via the official description of the set. Wolverine's claws are removable and are not integrated into the minifig's hands.

6867 Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape : Set delivered with Loki, Hawkeye & Iron Man, it's no longer a surprise since the official set description was published. Hawkeye is behind the wheel of a pickup truck with Loki standing behind it. Loki is equipped with a helmet and holds the Cosmic Cube represented by a transparent 1x1 brick. Iron Man is equipped with a helmet with a movable visor which reveals a screen printed face on both sides. This minifigure appears to have favorably impressed visitors.

6868 Hulk's Hellcarrier Breakout : This set comes with the Hulk, Hawkeye, Loki & Thor minifigs. Hawkeye would appear to be equipped with a new bow model. Loki would be imprisoned.

6869 Quinjet Aerial Battle : The minifigs delivered are Black Widow, Ironman, Thor & Loki. The Quinjet appears solid, bulky, and packed with features.

Photo credit blogomatic3000

A first description of the set 6866 Wolverine's Chopper Showdown is available in English, here it is:

Oh no, Magneto and Deadpool are attacking Wolverine with their helicopter. Help him to escape! Dodge the missiles and make a quick getaway on Wolverine's Chopper before Magneto traps Wolverine with his magnetic powers. Includes 3 minifigures: Wolverine, Magneto and Deadpool.

So we learn that Magneto and Deadpool are attacking Wolverine with their helicopter. Missiles are obviously in the game and Wolverine escapes with his motorcycle. Three minifigs in this set: Wolverine, Magneto and Deadpool.

We also learn a little more about the set 6867 Loki's Cosmic Cube Escape :

Loki is escaping from SHIELD headquarters with the powerful cosmic cube. If he succeeds, he could use it to wreak havoc on the world! Can Iron Man take to the skies in his amazing armored suit and chase down the speeding off-roader or will Loki escape with the cosmic cube? You decide! Includes 3 minifigures: Iron Man, Loki and Hawkeye.

Which gives us the bottom line: Loki escapes from SHIELD headquarters with the Cosmic Cube. Can Iron Man track the all-terrain vehicle by Loki? Three minifigs in this set: Iron Man, Loki and Hawkeye.

To begin with, let's use the terms of press release dating from San Diego Comic Con in July 2011 and endorsing the partnership between LEGO and Disney / Marvel:

"... The LEGO SUPER HEROES Marvel collection will spotlight three Marvel franchises - Marvel's The Avengers movie, and X-Men and Spider-Man classic characters ..."

"… Marvel characters as Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Loki and Black Widow to LEGO minifigure form ... Wolverine, Magneto, Nick Fury and Deadpool… Spider-Man, and Doctor Octopus…"

But this partnership is only valid for the comic versions of Spiderman and the X-Men, while it takes into account the film The Avengers which will be released in May 2012. Indeed, the film versions of Spiderman belong to Sony Pictures Entertainment which manages the license for derivative products.

But that is no longer true since Disney which now owns Marvel (are you following?) Acquired the rights to the next movie The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). Sony will continue to produce and distribute the films in the franchise, but Disney will now have the right to market derivative products based on these films.
In my opinion, the second film in this new saga will likely be produced by Disney / Marvel, Sony having been ousted from the equation by then ... 

We therefore learn that:

1. The sets will be based on the so-called characters conventional from the Spiderman universe.

2. We will undoubtedly find Doctor Octopus alongside Peter Parker.

3. Disney has the rights for the next Spider-Man in theaters. Disney has an agreement with LEGO on the characters and their universe.

And that's all...

What we know elsewhere:

The film The Amazing Spider-Man, reboot of the series which will therefore not be linked to the films released previously in 2002, 2004 and 2007, will be released in France on July 4, 2012. Andrew Garfield (seen in not much significant so far) will don the spider-man costume alongsideEmma Stone.

The scenario of the film revolves around the youth of Peter Parker and the discovery and mastery of his powers.

LEGO will obviously take advantage of the buzz around the film to promote its sets.

What do I think of it :

If we refer to the terms used in the press release [... Spiderman classic characters ...], I can't help but think of the range of toys marketed in the early 2000s by Toy Biz under the name Spiderman classics. It was a series of collectible figurines sold in blister packs and accompanied by a comic book.
This range began in 2001 to be modified in 2003 (with the deletion of the comic book) and was taken over by Hasbro in 2009 under the name Spider-Man Classics (note the dash).

I'm more and more inclined to think that we're going to be entitled to union minimums for the Spider-Man and X-Men-based portion of the LEGO Marvel lineup. For lack of anything better, we should be able to get some mini-sets containing a hero and a villain, with a vehicle and / or a piece of wall, a lamppost and a trash can. A bit in the spirit of the set 6858 Catwoman Catcycle City Chase from the LEGO DC Universe range which is coming out in a few weeks.

On the side of the bad guys, we should find the most charismatic of the spider-man universe. We will probably be entitled to a new version of the characters of the range under license Sony Pictures Entertainment released in 2003 and 2004 with Doc Ock (aka Doctor Octopus), Green Goblin and some emblematic enemies of Spiderman such as Venom, Carnage, or even Mysterio. All with very cartoonish and up to date minifigs (or younger ones).

 Personally, whatever the result, I would be satisfied with these new figurines. Even if those of 2003 and 2004 are already exceptionally successful.
The photo at the top of this article brings together in the background the 4 versions of Spiderman released to date and in the foreground a custom that I love and that I got from Christo after a hard battle on eBay ....