LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight – Designing the Perfect Minifigure Series
With the new LEGO Batman game selling over a million copies in a week, you would assume LEGO have the shelves lined with sets based off the game, ready to lure unsuspecting gamers into the dangerous world of “oh maybe I’ll just get this one LEGO set, just one”. You would be wrong. It’s just Batmobiles. It’s always just Batmobiles. Since 2020, half of all LEGO DC sets have involved a Batmobile. And that’s not including Bat-bikes or Bat-wings. I’m not innocent, I’ve bought a lot of Batmobiles. They always find a way to lure you in, a new Two-Face based on the Dark Knight, a slightly better version of Robert Pattinson or a slightly worse version of the BTAS Batman figure they put in a £300 city skyline. But I’m here to imagine a better world. One in which some of your favourite figures and costumes from Legacy of the Dark Knight are available in an affordable little cardboard box that you can look like an idiot when you, a grown man in a toy store, are sitting scanning those boxes with your phone to try and get that one you are missing.
Dreams have to be realistic, so we’ll be sticking to the same size limit of the recent LEGO collectible minifigure series, 12, and I’ll be trying to determine which 12 LEGO would pick, not just the ones I personally want the most. I’m going to split this into 3 uneven sections: Batmen, Batfam, and Batfoes.
The Batmen
Because you know LEGO would include at least 3 Batsuits. They historically love a Batman, it’s just a fact. But which 3? Some are easy to rule out, because they already exist, but if there’s one thing this game gives us it’s plenty of Bat-suits to choose from.
A Movie one
I mean obviously you gotta have a movie one, but with some recent editions that really only leaves one option – Batman & Robin. Sure, not the most popular Bat-movie out there but it could pair pretty well with some others in this hypothetical series.
A Classic
You need a suit that quintessentially IS Batman, one of those figures that every kid, and grown adult since that’s LEGOs main audience now, will want. And what better than the “Bronze Age” suit? Similar to ones LEGO have made before but on a whole new level of detail.
A wild-card
Something weirder, something more modern, something ABSOLUTEly different. That’s right it’s “Bat-fam”, based off of the Amazon Prime original series when Luke Wilson voices Batman, and he’s a dad! No it’s Absolute Batman. A recent addition to comics canon from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, but an instant hit and one of the best designs in the game. Once I unlocked it, it took me through about half the game.
Some close misses:
All-In
Honestly if the colours where slightly more accurate I probably would’ve picked this even though LEGO probably wouldn’t. It’s just such a cool costume from such a great run by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiminez.
Zero Year
A really underrated “starter” Batman suit from a really underrated modern take on Batman’s origin by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo!
Zur-En-Arh
LEGO made this once as an SDCC exclusive, and have shown reluctance to remake SDCC exclusives again. Still waiting on that Symbiote Spider-man…
The Bat-Fam!
The game has 6 other playable characters, so it seems fair each of them get at least one, but life and LEGO aren’t fair so sacrifices are going to have to be made.
Nightwing
Maybe the easiest choice on this list, the modern blue/red suits are so similar to what we have, they’d be a waste and while I LOVE Agent 37, it has to be a classic Nightwing. “Silver Age”, or “Discowing”, is really the only way to go. And frankly, should come back to DC Comics too. Give Nightwing some yellow again!
Batgirl
A little harder, Batgirl has some classic costumes, but ultimately I think the clear choice is “New Batman Adventures”. It’s a classic, and although a little similar to the New 52 costume that LEGO have made, that’s a problem all the classics face. BTAS and 66 are close runners though, to complete those sets!
Robin
He’s one of the weaker entries here, but ultimatly you just can’t not have Robin. A lot of his costumes either exist or look silly with the small legs, so BTAS seems the best choice as something technically new, but also classic.
Catwoman
One of Batman’s greatest foes, allies and everything in-between and more, LEGO have made a shocking lack of Catwomen, but there’s still only one clear choice: Knightfall. I love a purple Catwoman, and although I’d love an Absolute, Knightfall is much more classic. Another close pick would be Dark Knight Rises, but the skin tone used in the game is a lot more Kravitz than Hathaway, which would keep it from fitting in a Nolanverse display.
Talia
Again, another constant in the Batman mythos yet LEGO have made her once. Even with one of the weaker costume selections, there’s a few that tempt me here but the ever classic Bronze Age look I think stands out the most, although TDKR and her modern look are both tempting.
Some close misses:
Alfred
Did you know Lego haven’t made a comic based Alfred since 2006? It’s just movie versions. This wouldn’t fix that, as LotDK’s version is Michael Caine, but I just think it’s messed up.
Lucius Fox
I want a little lego Morgan Freeman, what can I say?
Jim Gordon
My heart belongs to his Batsuit, from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullos “Endgame”, but his more classic looks are just a little plain.
The Bat-Foes!
Where I can include the figure on this list I hate the most, but one thing is for certain, LEGO will include a Joker. LEGO have made a lot of Batman villains, so while there are some new variations there are very few “new” options here.
Red Hood
Not even that different to the one from the LEGO Batman Movie, but LEGO has to make a Joker, even if the two proper Joker designs already exist in several sets! Maybe the upcoming “mayhem collection” DLC will include a better one, I’d love to see one based off the mismatching eyes Tynion design personally.
Poison Ivy
Maybe my most wanted on the list, who doesn’t want a Uma Thurman based Poison Ivy from Batman and Robin? Frankly her boss fight could be it’s own set, but that’s not the point of this article.
Mr Freeze
ICE to see a minifigure based off of Arnie’s Mr Freeze at last, I’d love for him to CHILL OUT on my shelf. The LEGO ice man cometh! What killed the dinosaurs? THE ICE AGE!
Two-Face
Another cinematic entry, it’s just a really fun design and a lot more unique than the other designs lego have made.
Some close misses:
Firefly
A great design, and really original, but just too obscure compared to the competition.
Ra’s Al Ghul
Pretty similar to the existing one, but it’s old enough that doesn’t matter. Ultimately he’s just not as visually interesting.
Cluemaster
He sucks so much, and I love him dearly, but even saying C-list seems a little generous despite his recurring appearances throughout the game. He would be the only unique character in the entire wave though!
So that’s our line-up! Feel free to steal it, LEGO, I don’t mind. Which costumes would you like to see? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
Rise as the Dark Knight and experience the essential Batman story in a bold, action-packed adventure with hard-hitting combat, an open-world Gotham City, and the signature LEGO charm that fans know and love.
