Comparing 15 years of LEGO Batman Batmobiles and more sets

Batman is celebrating another year of storytelling so we’re comparing the Caped Crusader’s current sets to the first wave available 15 years ago.

LEGO Batman is just one part of the DC superhero’s ever-expanding influence on culture, cinema and fans alike. With the hero celebrating one more chapter in his saga, we thought it best to look back on what the LEGO Group was offering for the very first range of LEGO Batman models.

15 years ago in 2006, a dedicated theme for the Caped crusader was launched with seven sets big and small depicting some of the most iconic villains from DC’s past. these included the likes of Two-Face, the Joker, Mr Freeze, Catwoman and more.

Six of the builds featured minifigures and vehicles at the appropriate scale, with locations such as the Batcave and Arkham Asylum as well as a varied garage of bat-themed transportation.

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However, also joining these minifigure-sized builds was 7784 The Batmobile: Ultimate Collectors’ Edition, a larger LEGO version of the iconic vehicle. This was an idea that the LEGO Group would eventually revisit more than a few times.

Moving forward 15 years brings us to 2021, the current range of LEGO Batman models happens to be the same size as the initial wave and is even more varied in terms of concepts and ideas. No longer is Batman forced to fight the villains on his own with Batgirl joining the fight for justice in 76180 Batman vs. The Joker: Batmobile Chase.

In total there are only four minifigure-scale sets, less of what was initially offered in 2006. However, the LEGO Group has also experimented with new ideas including a range of LEGO Helmets, of which Batman has not one but two inclusions with the now-available 76182 Batman Cowl and the upcoming 76238 Classic TV Series Batman Cowl.

The new LEGO Batman sets are also exploring different eras of the Caped Crusader with one minifigure scale set revisiting the classic TV series of Batman in 76188 Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile (review). Another model depicts a more modern take on the superhero with 76239 Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown based on The Dark Knight movies.

Similarly, the LEGO Group has continued to transform the Batmobiles from various DC media into bricks with this year’s entry being 76240 Batmobile Tumbler, releasing on November 1.

Compared to the original 7784 The Batmobile: Ultimate Collectors’ Edition, it’s clear to see how the company and its designers have grown over the past 15 years with evolved building techniques and new elements capturing the likeness of the source material more than ever before.

LEGO Batman has become a regular character in the LEGO Group’s continuing range of superhero sets, and 2022 is rumoured to be introducing a new range themed to the latest reboot of the Caped Crusader.

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