It's a small disappointment, but we suspect that the minifigs presented at Comic Con are preliminary versions or even prototypes: Iron Man has a big head.

Tony Stark's minifigure in his high-tech armor has a problem with proportions, that's undeniable. But you will have to make a choice: Have a minifigure with a head and a helmet whose visor opens, or a minifigure with a classic screen-printed head but without the possibility of discovering the face of Robert Downey Jr.

In the photo opposite, we can clearly see the LEGO bias: To offer a minifigure with a face rather resembling that of the actor (or Jack Sparrow, if you want to be a bad tongue ...).

Personally, I would prefer an Iron Man with classic well screen printed head and a spare head with Tony Starck's face.

There is no doubt that things will evolve further in terms of design between now and the actual release of the Super Heroes range, and we can hope that LEGO will take into account the reactions generated by this presentation at the Comic Con in San Diego.

For comparison, I put below an image from the film in which we see Tony Starck with his helmet open, a custom minfiig quite close to the one offered by LEGO, and an example of a custom minifig made by miniBIGS which demonstrates that it is possible to have a resembling Iron Man without oversizing the character's proportions.

It was officially announced today during the now traditional "Lego star wars panel" : A new Tie Fighter will be offered in early 2012 in the set 9492.
A revised and corrected version that we needed from the sets versions 7146 TIE Fighter (2001) 7152 TIE Fighter & Y-wing (2002) et 7263 Tie Fighter (2005). This Tie Fighter will be accompanied by the following minifigs: a Tie Fighter Pilot, a Death Star Trooper, an R5-J2 (with a new dome) and an Imperial Officer.

We also learn that an Amidala minifig is planned for 2012 in the set 9499. I offer below the first photos that have been published from this event.

Click on the photos for large format versions. (Rebelscum photo credits)

Another LEGO exclusive at Comic Con in San Diego with this poster offered by LEGO on its stand which is none other than the poster already seen in May presenting the minifigs of this year's sets, with exclusive information: L 'TV episode LEGO Star Wars The Padawan Menace will be released on Blu-ray on September 16th and will be accompanied by an exclusive minifigure.

We do not yet know who it is, we will have to wait for the release of this cartoon to find out more. No doubt he is a young Jedi apprentice trained by Yoda.

The release of The Padawan Menace has not yet been announced in France, it will undoubtedly be necessary to obtain this collector Blu-ray via a US brand.

Click on the images to view large format versions.

After the excitement, it's time to come to your senses and try to see things more clearly in this strategic business alliance between LEGO, Warner Bros (DC Universe) and Disney (Marvel).

So I give you my thoughts: What can we expect from these licenses for sets, minifigs or derivative products?

It is obvious that the current period is favorable for products derived from these two licenses: Warner Bros. surfs on the success of the saga Batman the dark knight with Christian Bale.

The first two films, Batman Begins et The Dark Knight have been successful. The third part of the saga,  The Dark Knight Rises, still directed by Christopher Nolan is already announced for July 2012 and it should close a coherent cycle.

Zack Snyder is in charge of the next one Superman: The Man of Steel, with Henry Cavill in the title role and two heavyweights in the cast: Kevin Costner and Russel Crowe. Another strong media support for the commercial launch of the Super Heroes range.

There is little doubt that a LEGO Batman video game featuring the events of the Nolan / Bale trilogy will be released. A clue, which might not be one, TT Games, official developer of LEGO video game licenses, is currently recruiting hard.

Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern could also appear in this game, which leads me to believe that Warner will push his franchise. Justice League (Justice League), already available in cartoons, video games (Justice League Heroes) on PSP, XBOX and Nintendo DS, etc ....

Video games make it possible to gain the loyalty of a young audience who will not necessarily have access to films because of parental censorship due to the violence of certain scenes. (The Dark Knight is a good example).

Regarding the Marvel license, it is clear that the Avengers will be at the center of the LEGO strategy.

Here too, I think a video game will be offered in the wake of the film's release. The Avengers scheduled for April 2012 bringing together Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, Hulk, Nick Fury, Hawkeye .... which will be directed by Joss Whedon and which already promises to be the Blockbuster of next year.

Until then, Captain America: First Avenger will have already experienced commercial exploitation since August 2011. Iron Man 3, it is not expected until 2013, and it should be part of LEGO's strategy to maintain customer interest in the Marvel license.

Green Lantern scheduled for 2011 with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Thor released this year with Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman and X-Men: First Class with James McAvoy round out this media coverage.

In addition to video games, the question arises about the possible sets that LEGO could offer. Super Heroes are often self-sufficient.

Few iconic vehicles (A motorcycle for Captain America or the new batmobile?), Few places known and identified by the fans (Tony Starck's garage / lab?), It will be difficult to put parts around the minifigs. However, we already know that a set "DC Universe Batcave"is planned and will also be offered as an endowment to the competition I was talking about here.

LEGO could offer the minifigs alone in packs of 3, 5 or more as was the case at the start of the Star Wars range (with sets 3340, 3341, 3342 and 3343 in 2000)?

I don't really believe it, although this possibility should not be ruled out. In my opinion, playsets with good guys and bad guys will be there, probably based on scenes seen in the movies.

On the other hand, I think that we will undoubtedly be entitled to packs of magnets and other key chains, which I do not particularly appreciate: They relegate the minifig to the rank of simple decoration. (Image of a BaronSat MOC)

Some people talk about the possibility of selling these minifigs in bags, as is the case for the series of collectible minifigs.

I don't believe it either. LEGO will want to make the most of these licenses which are excessively expensive in royalties and will sell part around these coveted minifigs, already evidenced exorbitant prices reached on eBay by the two exclusive Comic Con minifigs, Batman and Green Lantern ....

This is the key day for the launch of the new range Lego super heroes and we can say that the media stunt is successful.

The forums are teeming with pictures taken by visitors to Comic Con, and I offer you a new series of photos of the minifigs in the range below.

You'll notice the sticker on Captain America's shield, which is arguably a preview version of the minifigure that will be marketed with a screen-printed shield.

Unless we were entitled to a nice sticker, which, let's face it, would not be very serious.

These new views confirm that the Iron Man minifig's helmet is out of proportion, that the Hulk doesn't really look like a minifigure, and that the Joker looks like an old shrew.

I really like Wolverine's claws and Wonder Woman's lasso, though.

Click on the image to enlarge.