LEGO has announced three new DC Batman-themed sets launching January 1, ranging from two buildable Batmobiles to a wall-mounted artwork that recreates the chilling cover of Detective Comics #880. The lineup ties into the video game LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight through in-game unlock codes, and collectors will get an early look at all three pieces when they go on display this week at DC’s booth during New York Comic-Con.
The most striking of the new releases is LEGO DC Batman: The Joker Wall Art, a decorative set that turns one of comics’ most unsettling covers into a framed piece you can hang on your wall. Alongside it come two Batmobile builds inspired by different eras of the Caped Crusader’s screen history, each offering its own nod to fans through bonus in-game content.
An Iconic Cover Reimagined in Bricks
The Joker Wall Art recreates Jock’s iconic cover of Detective Comics #880, which originally appeared in 2011. The image depicts a nightmarish close-up of the villain’s face, complete with a giant red-ringed smile, red Batman symbols standing in for eyes, and the entire top of his head erupting into a flurry of flying bats.
In LEGO’s interpretation, those bats actually fly out from behind the frame of the “painting,” creating a striking three-dimensional effect. The studio says it has layered “hidden details” beneath the surface of the artwork that builders will discover as they work through the build. It follows in the footsteps of LEGO Art sets, which have earned praise for looking great and functioning as genuine wall decorations.
Two Batmobiles for Two Generations of Fans
The second set leans into nostalgia, letting fans rebuild both the sleek Batmobile from Tim Burton’s 1991 classic Batman Returns and Penguin’s giant duck vehicle. For those who found the recent, pricier version of the movie Batmobile out of budget, this smaller offering provides a more affordable way to own a piece of that film’s design.
The third build is aimed at fans of the now-classic Batman Arkham video games, delivering a 317-piece recreation of the series’ chunky Batmobile. Characterized by sharp edges and thick tires, it ships with a Batman minifigure to accompany the vehicle.
“Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a lovingly made, often hilarious take on both Batman’s movie and video game history alike. It remixes classic moments from almost every film, with deeper cuts from the Caped Crusader’s comic book beginnings, too.”
Simon Cardy, IGN
Each Batmobile set comes bundled with a code to unlock content in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The Batman Returns build grants access to the Golden Red Brick, adding a gold theme for characters and vehicles, along with a gold Batman Returns Batmobile Batcave prop in-game. The Arkham version unlocks gold skins and/or vehicles as well.
A Comic-Con Preview
Collectors attending New York Comic-Con, which runs October 8 through 11, will be able to see all three sets up close at the DC Booth (#4365). The display also features a nine-foot brick replica of the Joker cover.
LEGO has added an exclusive incentive for those who pre-order the Joker Wall Art on-site. Such fans will receive a reprint of the original issue featuring a LEGO-brick-inspired cover, and the artwork’s original artist, Jock, will be signing at the booth on Thursday, October 8 at 11:00am ET.
The three sets arrive just as LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight continues to draw praise from critics. With their combination of display-worthy design, nostalgic builds, and in-game bonuses, they offer plenty of reasons for both young builders and adult collectors to dig in when they hit shelves on January 1.
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