Review: LEGO DC Comics 76182 Batman Cowl

We continue to tour the helmets / heads marketed by LEGO this year with the reference DC Comics 76182 Batman Cowl, a box of 450 pieces which allows, in principle, to assemble a reproduction of the mask of the vigilante of Gotham.

I add the mention "in principle" because I still wonder what were really the intentions of the designer of this product. Is it a mask placed on a transparent display or a mask with the head that goes with it and which would therefore be represented here by the transparent pieces? According to the official product description, it is a priori a complete head: "... With transparent bricks to represent the face ...", and this is not an approximation of the French version of the description judging by the English version:"... With transparent bricks to represent the face ...".

Once again, the product frankly relies on shadow play and angles to try and be believable. Its appearance is based a little too much for my taste on these lighting effects, the official visuals on the product packaging being cleverly reworked to try to get the best out of this model. In bright light, from the front or in profile, it is immediately much less flattering and one will perhaps feel a little cheated by the very artificial "enhancement" of the product.

The imposed scale of this range of helmets / heads does not help the designers in charge of the different products and depending on the subject dealt with the challenge is undoubtedly very high. Here, we recognize Batman because the construction displays some of the usual features of the mask like the ears, the pointed nose or the white gaze which brings a little contrast but it is better not to get too close to the model.

The sides and the back of the mask are very correct, the shapes and textures are there with an alternation of smooth surfaces and tenons, that's already it. On the other hand, the ears are a little strange and ma seem a little too long, something in their shape is wrong and they look like the ears of a dog or a rabbit especially when the mask is presented from the front. All the aggressiveness conveyed by the front of the mask is slightly reduced by these cartoon-style ears.

At the front, it is even more complicated with very prominent eyebrows and the lower face covered with a transparent piece that does not embody much. If it's the lower part of Batman's face, it's missed. If it is the bottom of a transparent display on which the mask is stored, it is a little less missed. I prefer to imagine the second option, the transparent part being connected with the uprights of the foot inserted in the support. This element moreover protrudes from the mask and partially covers the foot of the presentation base. The chin bar does not add anything special to the model, it is in my opinion too bulky, badly positioned and it could have been absent without unduly affecting the general appearance of the product.

The build experience barely catches up with the slightly sloppy side of the product. We are a bit in the BrickHeadz universe with the added bonus of a few window frames to give volume without leaving too many rooms and Batman's skull remains almost empty. We also build some subsets whose relief is created via a stack of plates, there are several slightly more complex steps for the nose and chin and voila.

Everything is assembled in half an hour, put on gloves if you want to avoid fingerprints. No stickers in this box. As often, many smooth parts are a little scratched and the black color does not forgive these defects, do not hesitate to contact customer service if you feel that the condition of these elements is not acceptable on a product from exhibition like this. Same advice for the few smoked parts that come with this model.

The foot is not weighted and it will be difficult to use this product as a bookend on a shelf, for example, filled with comics. Over the helmets / heads that pass through my hands, I doubt more and more the interest of the small presentation plate which is satisfied with a large logo and a white inscription. The universe or license logo would have been more than enough for each model, there is no need to tell us who it is and even the less successful products are immediately recognizable.

During the tests of the first models of this new range, I mentioned my fear of seeing LEGO locked in a format that would have a little trouble allowing the adaptation of certain masks or helmets, this one confirms to me that the limits of this format are achieved. Fortunately, the public prices of these boxes are relatively contained and there is always a sign to sell them at a significant reduction which makes it easier to pass the pill.

After thinking about it, I tell myself that the transparent foot is not such a bad idea, it brings a little lightness to the construction and highlights the mask. Having now been able to observe this variant of the foot from every angle, I would have preferred that the other products in the same range use the same process. We can see the Technic beams through the transparent parts, which may annoy some fans, but I find that ultimately rather original.

For those who are wondering about the rendering of this model without the large transparent piece placed at the front, I have put a photo without this element (see above). The product is doing pretty well, it's up to you to see if you prefer to display this mask with or without this piece. You can also remove the two transparent side elements to refine the impression that the mask is empty and simply placed on its support.

In short, this product will undoubtedly find its audience among the most indulgent Batman and LEGO fans or among collectors who absolutely want to align all the masks / helmets marketed by LEGO on their shelves. This Batman mask isn't a complete failure, there are some great ideas, but the finish is far from convincing to me.

Reproducing objects or characters with LEGO bricks usually involves making concessions, we all have a habit of more or less accepting them if we feel the designer had no choice. Here, the result does not seem to me worthy of a collection of high-end products for adults.
This set will be available from April 26th on the official online store at the public price of 59.99 €. It's up to you.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at April 30th 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.