I’ve been talking about the LEGO 2014 sets for so many months now that it feels almost surreal to actually have some of the sets in my possession. The first batches of 2014 LEGO sets have started hitting stores, and I built my first one this week. Though LEGO DC Superheroes isn’t usually among my favorite themes, when I saw the LEGO Batman: Man-Bat Attack 76011 set, I instantly fell in love. Does the set hold up now that I’ve had it in my hands and built it? Read the 2014 LEGO Batman Man-Bat Attack review to find out…

The Right:

The LEGO DC Superheroes Batman: Man-Bat Attack 76011 set includes 184 pieces and has a retail price of $19.99 at most stores. While it doesn’t quite hit my sweet spot of 10 cents per piece, it comes pretty dang close with an average of 10.9 cents per piece. Considering this set includes three minifigures and several large pieces, that works out to be a pretty good deal. So LEGO 76011 earns a thumbs up as far as value goes.

When unboxing the set, I was surprised to see that LEGO went to the trouble of numbering the bags to make the build easier. That’s not really necessary for me (in fact, I poured out both bags together into one big pile immediately), but it’s very kid-friendly and makes the set a good match for young LEGO fans and children who maybe haven’t built a huge number of LEGO sets in their lives. The set also includes a new LEGO DC Superheroes comic book, which is always amusing for a few moments.

The actual build for the Man-Bat Attack LEGO set is very fast and easy. I’m a slow builder, and I built the whole set in about 45 minutes with zero difficulties. There’s a time and a place for long and complicated builds, but I was perfectly satisfied with getting the LEGO Batcopter built quickly so the real fun could begin!

Now, make no mistake: I purchased the LEGO Batman Man-Bat Attack 2014 set for the minifigures. Even so, I love me some Batcopter, as it’s one of my very favorite Batman vehicles–and it does not disappoint me.

While it isn’t a huge departure from the LEGO Batcopter 7786 set that was released in 2007, this new 76011 LEGO Batcopter feels just a little bit sleeker and more stylish to me than its predecessor does.

While it doesn’t immediately look like an “action-packed” vehicle, the 2014 LEGO Batcopter is actually full of fun features and moving parts. The helicopter blades and rear rotor can be spun (obviously), the blades are articulated and can be angled however you like them, the cockpit hatch opens and closes to insert the LEGO Batman minifigure, the spotlight on the front of the Batcopter can be maneuvered up or down, the wheels can be rolled, the turbine engines can be moved, and there’s even a pair of flickfire missiles!

My favorite feature of the new LEGO Batcopter, however, is definitely the extendable tow rope that be lowered from the rear of the helicopter! With the hook at the end of the tow rope, you can lower Nightwing down to perform some acrobatics or try to catch Man-Bat on the hook (though the latter seems like it would be rather difficult). It’s a really simple feature, but when you fly the Batcopter around with a LEGO figure on the rope you’ll end up with a big, dopey smile on your face (at least if you’re as easily amused as me).

The stars of this LEGO Batman 2014 set are, of course, the three included minifigures. The black costume LEGO Batman is nothing special, but he is wearing the same costume he’ll be wearing in the 2014 LEGO Movie, so this will be a good, low-priced set for kids to pick up to get a movie-accurate LEGO Batman minifigure.

The first-ever LEGO Man-Bat minifigure looks absolutely perfect to me–he’s sort of a rehash of the Monster Fighters Manbat figure, but the colors and mold are ideal for the Batman Man-Bat. Finally, this is the debut figure for Nightwing in his New 52 red and black costume. This is my favorite costume for Nightwing ever, and thus my favorite LEGO Nightwing minifigure ever.

We’ve seen this LEGO Batman head plenty of times, so it’s no surprise to see the same expressions repeated again. The other two figures, however, have fantastic alternate head prints! As much as I love the serious Man-Bat minifigure head and the grinning LEGO Nightwing figure heads, I love their other heads even more! The scowling, determined Nightwing is full of adorable righteous anger, while the scared LEGO Manbat face would seem to indicate just how much trouble ol’ Man-Bat is in in this fight!

I also appreciate that LEGO printed on the backs of the minifigures–it makes a big difference in the visual appeal of the figures as a whole.

The LEGO 76011 minifigures come with four handheld accessories: two Batarangs (one for Batman and one for Nightwing, presumably) and two bunches of Dynamite for the Manbat LEGO minifigure to hold. I’m surprised Nightwing doesn’t come with any batons to hold, but all of the accessories that are included are suitable and add to the overall value of the set.

I wasn’t expecting a whole lot from Nightwing’s weird jet pack/glider accessory, but it’s actually a really cool little build. The Nightwing symbol decal that goes on the back of the glider really brings the jet pack to life and makes it impressive to look at from the front or back. I’m a bit older than the intended age group for it, but I have to admit that flying around the Nightwing jetpack is seriously fun.

Everybody reading this blog has probably already seen all of the 2014 LEGO DC Superheroes minifigures, but just in case you haven’t, they’re all pictured in the montage photo on the back of this wave’s LEGO DC Superheroes comic book. I seriously can’t wait for those LEGO Flash and Damian Wayne Robin minifigures!

The Wrong:

Other than the fact that poor LEGO Man-Bat is grossly outmatched against the power of the Batcopter and Nightwing’s Jet Pack Glider, I’ve got no real complaints with this set. I guess Batman just doesn’t believe in sportsmanship when it comes to fighting evil super-powered villains!

“Where Can I Buy It?!”

The LEGO 76011 Batman: Man-Bat Attack set is one of the Winter 2014 LEGO sets. Some stores got the set in early, but if your local stores don’t have it yet and you want it in time for the holidays, a number of sellers have picked up the LEGO Man-Bat Attack set and are selling it online now. The set should be commonly available in most retail stores starting in January 2014.

Overall: The LEGO 76011 Batman: Man-Bat Attack set is a winner all the way around. The three minifigures are all fantastic, and I’m honestly not sure whether I love the New 52 Nightwing or premiere Man-Bat minifigure more. The Batcopter is the definitive version of the LEGO Batcopter and a vehicle that every Batman fan should want, and is loaded with moving parts and fun features. Even Nightwing’s non-canonical jetpack glider is well-designed and great to play with. The LEGO Man-Bat Attack set is all-around excellent, and unquestionably worth a purchase. Outstanding job by LEGO, and a great way to kick off 2014!

GRADE: A+