Review: 76095 Aquaman: Black Manta Strike

Today we are quickly interested in the LEGO DC Super Heroes set 76095 Aquaman: Black Manta Strike (235 pieces - 39.99 €) which will probably remain the only derivative of the film expected in theaters on December 19.

It's hard to give an opinion on the contents of the box without having seen the film, even if it is obvious that LEGO is not taking reckless risks here by contenting itself with providing three of the main characters and a small device.

Black Manta's submarine, obviously in the shape of a ray, is quite nice. It is quickly assembled but we have two spring shooters on the sides and a rotating coin launcher at the front. What a little fun with the bonus of a large cockpit in which the minifigure is not cramped.

Whether it was absolutely necessary to put a steering wheel in the cockpit of the machine, I am not sure. There are also some stickers to stick to refine the general look of the thing a bit, but the submarine can easily do without them without being disfigured.

We know from the director of the film, James Wan, that the depiction of the Black Manta submarine in the LEGO set is directly based on the model from the film. It remains to be seen now what is the level of fidelity of the thing to be certain to obtain a product really derived from the film ...

Anyway, the youngest will find here a compact vehicle, easy to handle without destroying everything and sufficiently armed to knock out sharks or minifig at all times. Note that the two round pieces placed at the front of the engines are pad printed.

As a bonus, LEGO includes an aquatic decorative element on which the supplied shark is plugged. It is a good idea which allows to stage the shark with a suspension effect. However, it is a bit stingy in terms of the situation of the content of the set but we will do with it and it's always better than putting the shark on the ground.

The minifigs seem at first glance rather successful but there are still some annoying details that are worth highlighting. It's hard to fault LEGO for taking a few shortcuts when it comes to reproducing different characters, but Jason Momoa who plays Aquaman on the screen in my opinion deserved a darker head.

The Aquaman minifigure delivered here is different from the one seen in the set 76085 Battle of Atlantis. The content of this set released in 2017 and still available in the LEGO catalog can also be combined with that of this new box, to reinforce the aquatic context. The pad printing is very correct with a nice effect of continuity of the green part on the lower torso without big difference in shade.

Black Manta uses the same piece that combines helmet and aquatic gear seen in the set. 76027 Black Manta Deep Sea Strike (2015), but in black. I think this piece doesn't pay homage to the character's costume from the movie. It's too squashed and the eyes are too squinted. A new piece would have been welcome as would a little pad printing on the character's arms and legs to reproduce the details of his equipment.

No head under the character's mask which is plugged directly into the torso of the minifigure. It's a shame, LEGO could have made the effort to produce a new part to allow the head of actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who plays David Kane / Black Manta to slide under the mask.

Mera (Amber Heard) is quite successful, I would have preferred really red hair, but I'll do with it. The flesh-colored neckline is perfect, it is perfectly coordinated with the head of the minifigure.

LEGO chose the color Teal for the body of the minifigure. Mera's costume oscillating between green and blue on the screen, this choice seems to me to be a good compromise.

Three characters for 40 €, it's not much and I really regret the absence in this box of Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson), the other villain of the film seen in the trailer. I doubt that LEGO will ever release other sets based on the film, so we'll have to be content with what we get here.

In short, this is a pure derivative product like LEGO in fact regularly for one license or another and if the original concept of the brand around creativity and imagination is once again a little overused, this there are always a few more pretty new minifigs to add to our collections.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before November 24 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.