What does it take to do a LEGO bust well?
A new LEGO bust collection is coming later this year, and we’re starting to get an idea of what it takes to make a great LEGO bust.
The reveal of 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust and 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust earlier this week demonstrated a new commitment from the LEGO Group in making brick-built busts, but they’re far from the first in the portfolio.
From Star Wars to superheroes and even (to an extent) Shadow the Hedgehog, the LEGO Group’s history is surprisingly extensive, and each step in their journey to the Marvel Mini Bust collection reveals a lesson that has been learnt.
The new busts have 379 and 434 pieces respectively, which are far fewer than 76215 Black Panther at 2,961 pieces and even 10018 Darth Maul at 1,868 pieces. Comments on the Black Panther bust included complaints regarding the unnecessary size, and the same can be said of the older Star Wars bust, as much as nostalgia increases its appeal.
The LEGO Group has learned its lesson from both busts, as future sculptures have been much smaller and less expensive. The LEGO Group has, in fac,t been experimenting with much smaller busts as far back as 2018.
The exclusive 75997 Ant-Man and the Wasp, 77901 Sith Trooper Bust and 75227 Darth Vader Bust are comparable in size to the new busts, but the level of detail on 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust and 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust is much greater, with complex angles and clever part usage. The integration of a stand and minifigure also makes them displayable and collectable.
While 75997 Ant-Man and the Wasp includes a minifigure, it’s only because the set is intended to depict Ant-Man walking chest-deep in water while in his giant form. This is an interesting twist on the usual LEGO bust formula that also makes them playable. Admittedly, it’s a concept more limited to Ant-Man and other giant characters, but it hugely increases the versatility of brick-built busts.
While it’s not a lesson the LEGO Group has integrated into 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust and 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust, it’s certainly something to keep in mind for further improvements with characters from Ant-Man to Galactus lending themselves well to playable LEGO busts.
Most importantly, LEGO busts need to be an actual bust, recreating the head and shoulders. 77000 Shadow the Hedgehog was described as a bust upon its reveal, but only covers the head of the animated hedgehog. It’s currently not referred to as a bust any longer, and instead sits in a strange place within the LEGO Helmet Collection.
Thankfully, it’s been the only LEGO head recreation since, and the focus seems to have shifted towards proper busts instead. Aside from the pricing, the LEGO Group is getting closer to finding the balance needed to make the perfect brick-built bust with the new 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust and 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust.
It’s all about balancing size, detail and value alongside collectible value where minifigures are involved. A new revelation regarding the minifigures in the Mini Busts from earlier today proves that the LEGO Group is keeping collectible value in mind with these and likely future busts. Versatility may be something to consider moving forward, too, but the target audience for these busts almost certainly skews older anyway.
Both 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust and 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust launch on August 1 and June 1, respectively, ushering in a new era of LEGO busts, whether you’re convinced by this direction or not.
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links.
