LEGO The X-Files isn't just another case of a repeated face

Another case of a repeated LEGO face has struck, this time in 21369 The X-Files, but it's not just another copy this time around.

LEGO Ideas 21369 The X-Files has been officially revealed, featuring eight new minifigures based on the popular show. Those minifigures include Alex Krycek. Just like how DREAMZzz lives on in Pokémon, Krycek reuses a popular minifigure head that has been used for everyone from Shang-Chi to Bruce Wayne.

While the re-used DREAMZzz design has a modified design, so too does this standard minifigure head in 21369 The X-Files. Krycek's alternate face print has an angry expression and dark spots around the eyes. This is to replicate the look of black oil infection from the series.

A black oil infection causes the user's eyes to go black at times, but since minifigure eyes are black as standard, it's a challenge to replicate this effect precisely in a minifigure. The LEGO designers' solution to this was to make the area around the eyes darker, too.

"It seemed like it would be simple for any other toy that doesn't have a figure that already has a black eye, with just a highlight," said Senior Graphic Designer Matt.

"So how would you make it look different when he's been infected? I think we came up with quite a good idea, and I was very happy that people I spoke to here were really jumping to the challenge; they really wanted to make it happen instead of just saying we can't do that."

It's a clever approach to what would have been a huge obstacle for including this reference, but rest assured there's a bit of black oil in 21369 The X-Files.

The new LEGO Ideas set will launch on August 1 for LEGO Insiders or August 4 widely for £179.99 / $199.99 / €199.99 with 1,478 pieces. All purchases of the set will come with a free 40896 The X-Files: Scully’s Lab until August 10, or while stocks last.