LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary review

DK’s LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary is finally here, offering an in-depth guide to the brick-based comic book universe along with an exclusive minifigure.

Publisher DK has created a number of impressive and officially-licensed LEGO Visual Dictionary titles over the years, covering such themes as Star Wars, Harry Potter, DC and NINJAGO. Now joining that line-up is the LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary, a mighty 160-page hardcover that takes a deep dive into the comic book universe and also offers fans the chance to add an all-new exclusive Iron Man minifigure to their collections.

Written by Simon Hugo and Amy Richau, the LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary aims to deliver the kind of lavish high-quality images and rich background details we’ve come to expect from DK, taking readers on a whirlwind trip through the theme’s numerous sets and minifigure releases to date.

— LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary details —

Theme: LEGO Marvel Publisher: DK RRP: £19.99 Release Date: October 2, 2023 Minifigures: 1

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— LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary contents —

The LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary is split into five distinct chapters, specifically focusing on Spider-Man, The Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and other teams, Special Sets and a Behind the Scenes section. The book kicks things off with a four-page year-by-year timeline of the LEGO Marvel universe, highlighting key dates and products released from 2008 to 2023.

Each of the four main chapters in the LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary covers core characters and key sets in varying degrees of detail, shining a spotlight on certain unique elements, printed parts or minifigure variants. More knowledgeable fans will probably already be aware of a lot of this content, but newcomers to the LEGO Marvel universe will likely discover something new on almost every page.

Of particular note is the Special Sets section, which features multiple promotional models and minifigures that have been released over the years, many of which now command a very high price on the secondary market.

The LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary’s Behind the Scenes section includes a new interview with the design team responsible for creating the theme, providing insight into the development of sets and minifigures. Readers will discover how ideas go from initial concepts and prototypes to finished products, revealing what kind of challenges the team faces along the production path.

— LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary minifigure —

For many fans, the main draw of the LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary will be the inclusion of the book’s exclusive Iron Man minifigure. This iteration is based on Tony Stark’s Mark 64 armoured suit and has yet to appear in any LEGO Marvel set to date. Constructed from just five pieces (and no accessories), the minifigure can be found behind a sealed flap on the inside front cover and is easy to remove without damaging the book.

The Iron Man minifigure boasts a new printed faceplate, torso and legs, reusing its helmet and double-sided printed head from previous sets. The 80429 helmet last appeared in 76267 Advent Calendar, while Tony Stark’s head piece has been included in a staggering 29 LEGO Marvel sets to date.

— LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary pros and cons —

Although some fans may have preferred to see a more obscure Marvel character included with the LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary instead of yet another Iron Man, the minifigure should still make a welcome addition to most collectors’ armouries. It’s possible the various exclusive elements from the Iron Man minifigure may well pop up in other sets at a later date, but for now the DK title is the only place you’ll be able to get hold of them.

The LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary provides a satisfying snapshot of the LEGO Marvel theme to date, even if a lot of the information provided within its pages merely skims the surface of sets and minifigures. Some may wish to wait until the book is reduced in price, but it’s still possible to pick up the title from various retailers right now for less than the RRP.

LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary pros	LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary cons
160 pages packed with images and information	Yet another Iron Man minifigure variant
Exclusive Iron Man Mark 64 minifigure	Information could have been more in-depth
Interview with the LEGO Marvel design team	RRP is high, wait until it’s reduced in price

The LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary was provided for review by DK.

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— LEGO Marvel Visual Dictionary FAQs —