Review: LEGO DC Comics Brick Sketches 40386 Batman

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.