LEGO Minifigures Series 26 Space: M-Tron, Blacktron and Ice Planet comparison

12/04/202415/04/2024 Chris Wharfe 1370 Views 0 Comments

See how the brand new LEGO M-Tron, Blacktron II and Ice Planet 2002 minifigures in 71046 Series 26 Space stack up next to their classic counterparts.

Arriving on shelves in May are 12 brand new LEGO Space-themed Collectible Minifigures, which will again carry the scannable codes used to identify their contents. Brick Search is currently working to add the codes to the app ready for day one, so you’ll be able to use its minifigure scanner to find the ones you want – or perhaps a full set – straight away.

If the characters at the top of your list include the Blacktron Mutant, Ice Planet Explorer and M-Tron Powerlifter, then not only can we probably reasonably estimate your age (but we won’t, which seems like the classier option), but you might also be interested in seeing just how those new takes on retro LEGO Space minifigures look next to the original characters from the 1990s.

We’ve managed to get our hands on a complete dozen LEGO 71046 Series 26 Space minifigures to find out, so dive in as we check them out theme by theme.

LEGO Series 26 Blacktron II comparison

The new Blacktron Mutant minifigure is probably the furthest away from its source material of these three, offering a story-driven spin on the retro black, white and trans-neon green astronauts. This particular explorer of the great unknown has seemingly stumbled on some sinister space goo that’s made them go a bit funny (by which we mean grow an extra limb).

It makes for a minifigure that’s in some ways worlds apart from its ancestors, but in other ways tied very closely to what came before: first in its colour scheme, which successfully skirts around the absence of trans-neon green in the modern LEGO portfolio by directing your attention towards its lime highlights, and second in its smart torso printing, which retains the Blacktron II logo – albeit with a slightly different shade of green – but modernises the armour around it.

If you’re prepared to pop off the mutant arm, that torso is going to be one good reason to stock up on a minifigure that at first glance doesn’t look like an obvious army-builder, if only to upgrade your stock of legacy Blacktron II astronauts…

LEGO Series 26 M-Tron comparison

The classic LEGO magnets that defined M-Tron (even to the point of lending the Space faction its name) are no longer around, but that hasn’t stopped the LEGO Group from returning to this well of inspiration for 71046 Series 26 Space. Nor has the absence of trans-neon green, which served as the colour of the visors for the original astronauts, contrasting their otherwise white, black and red colour scheme.

Rather than plump for a regular trans-green visor, the new minifigure just prints it straight on to the head, which won’t be to everyone’s tastes – but the helmet can still accommodate a visor, so you can always sub in your own trans-green or even trans-neon green version (if you have some handy). What’s really special about this update anyway is, well, everything else.

The torso follows in the footsteps of the Blacktron Mutant by staying faithful to the original M-Tron logo but with updated armour detail, while the dual-moulded legs go above and beyond to answer the question: what if M-Tron was a modern LEGO Space theme (with an unlimited budget)? That answer also comes in the form of the M-Tron Powerlifter’s claw accessory, which simulates the idea of a magnetised claw without any of the real-life functionality. It’s the thought that counts.

LEGO Series 26 Ice Planet 2002 comparison

The most radical update of the bunch (while still staying reasonably generic) is the Ice Planet Explorer, which boasts improved printing, a recoloured and reprinted armour piece originally used in Toy Story and Star Wars, and an all-new helmet. The headgear feels like a sly but smart way to get around the fact that trans-neon orange doesn’t exist anymore (the LEGO Group really did a number on all those retro space colours), printing orange on to white instead.

Otherwise, this minifigure is undeniably Ice Planet: if there’s one thing these three retro redux minifigures get spot on, it’s the aesthetic of each of their original themes, regardless of the details. And while Blacktron II and M-Tron only had generic minifigures to fill out their ranks, Ice Planet 2002 enjoyed the luxury of named characters, one of which seems to have served as direct inspiration for 71046 Series 26 Space’s Ice Planet Explorer.

The red hair and face print feel like a direct call-back to the printed red hair and smile of Doctor Kelvin, one of three classic Ice Planet 2002 characters, even if the LEGO Group has yet to outright confirm it. Another call-back comes in the form of the trans-orange chainsaw, which isn’t quite a one-for-one remake of the iconic Ice Planet accessory – it originally came in trans-neon orange – but there is at least a lore reason for it.

The robo-penguin is an entirely new invention, meanwhile, and the very best kind: it slides seamlessly into the Ice Planet aesthetic (all the right vibes) without feeling clunky. For our money, this is the best of the three LEGO Minifigures 71046 Series 26 Space retro throwbacks, but take a look at our full early review to decide for yourself.

71046 Series 26 Space arrives on store shelves on May 1, 2024. Download Brick Search now to be well-placed to grab your favourites on the day of release (provided the codes are scannable as anticipated).

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Chris Wharfe

I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism does run through my veins, though, like some kind of weird literary blood – the sort that will no doubt one day lead to a stress-induced heart malfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Thankfully, I get to write about LEGO until then.