Buying guide for Best LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes sets
For the young as well as the young at heart, LEGO sets provide an entertaining and educational diversion, one full of creativity and collaboration. Over the last two decades, LEGO’s line of products has greatly expanded, with various sets that cater to different ages, building styles, and pop culture interests. Among LEGO’s most popular products are the Super Heroes sets, which feature Batman, Superman, and others.
The LEGO Super Heroes sets have been available for over a decade and amassed over 100 unique builds. The sets draw inspiration from comic books and the films and shows that have been released over the last 30 years or more. You can find simple DC Comics sets that cater to young LEGO newcomers and more advanced sets that involve dedicated builders for hours and even days.
Our buying guide details what’s available and how to find the best set for your or your child’s interests and abilities. We’ve included some of our favorites too.
Key considerations
Themes
Most DC Comics Super Heroes sets depict scenes or vehicles inspired by the comics, films, and TV series. Batman is the most popular and ubiquitous figure in this line. Most sets include a version of Batman along with a villain, such as the Joker, Scarecrow, or Mr. Freeze, or an ally like Robin or Superman.
However, with the success of the films, the DC Comics characters have become more mainstream and well known, so there are sets featuring Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg too. Some sets are directly inspired by recent films, including Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman: 1984, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Dark Knight trilogy, Aquaman, and Justice League.
Types
Under the general umbrella of DC Comics are a few different types of sets that feature a certain style or cater to specific users.
Mighty Micros: These DC sets are smaller and feature a pair of characters and two corresponding vehicles, catering to those who are more interested in playing than building.
Power-Up: These sets feature larger, moveable characters with Power-Up suits. They include around 50 pieces and stand around 7 inches tall. There are three sets in this line featuring Batman, the Joker, and Green Lantern.
4+: The 4+ line (formerly Juniors) includes sets geared toward kids ages four to seven. A handful of LEGO DC Comics sets were released for this age range, including a Bat Cave set featuring Robin and the Joker.
Age range
Most LEGO DC Comics sets cater to kids ages six and up, with a fair share serving older kids from nine and up. The largest sets have a suggested age range in the teens, though parents are the best able to determine which sets their children will enjoy.
While some of the inspiration for certain sets, particularly those released at the same time as recent films, involves violence and intense themes, LEGO sets are meant to be colorful and kid-friendly. However, some characters do come with weapons (albeit cartoonish ones).
Number of pieces: Typically, the number of pieces included in a set corresponds with the age range. Most sets have between 100 and 500 pieces. More complex sets involving elaborate interactive parts and vehicles for older kids can have over 1,000 pieces.
Did You Know?
The success of LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes sets spawned several films, including The LEGO Batman Movie in 2017, with a star-studded cast. Related video games and TV series have also been released.
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Features
Minifigures
Minifigures (LEGO people or minifigs), are LEGO’s small characters made of interchangeable pieces and movable joints. LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes sets feature at least one minifig, with some larger sets including four or five. Moreover, some minifigs are exclusive to the set; there are multiple Batman minifigs across the DC line, for example, with different attire and inspiration that make each one unique. You can only buy these minifigs with that specific set.
LEGO does sell minifig collections without any sets. These include anywhere from 12 to 24 minifigs from the DC Comics universe, though these are highly sought after and limited in production, so they might be hard to find.
Portraits
Some LEGO sets include portraits of popular characters like Batman or the Joker. These are mostly two-dimensional, with a little bit of depth, and intended to be hung on a wall or placed on a shelf. These are not interactive, but they offer a chance to add some fun, creative décor to any space.
DC Super Hero Girls
This related sub-theme features the women of the DC Comics world, with about a dozen sets geared toward younger users. Most sets include fewer than 500 pieces. These sets don’t include minifigs but instead have mini-dolls, which are slightly larger, rounder characters. Mini-dolls in the Super Hero theme include Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy, Supergirl, and Eclipso, among other characters.
Every LEGO set has a unique identification number. This is helpful in case you need to look for missing pieces or instructions or catalog your collection.
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Accessories
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes set: LEGO Marvel Avengers Thanos: Ultimate Battle
Kids and adults who are also interested in the Marvel world of superheroes will be happy to know LEGO has a line for them as well. We love this set that features Iron Man facing off against a larger-than-life Thanos.
LEGO Friends set: LEGO Friends Heartlake City Amusement Pier
For those LEGO fans who are partial to mini-dolls as well as extended universes, check out the world of LEGO Friends. This interactive amusement park set features some favorite amusement park rides and games and five mini-dolls.
LEGO Juniors set: Juniors/4+ Jurassic World Pteranodon Escape
The Juniors/4+ line of LEGO sets caters to younger users who are not quite ready for larger, more complex sets. We recommend this exciting set inspired by Jurassic World to foster building skills and pique curiosity.
Did You Know?
LEGO encourages users to capture moments with their creations and share them online. The company’s kids’ section allows younger users to browse minifigs, watch short videos, and find inspiration.
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LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes set prices
Inexpensive
You can find simple DC Comics sets, particularly those geared toward younger kids, for $30 or less. These likely feature just one or two minifigs.
Mid-range
Most LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes sets cost between $30 and $75, with a wide range of options in terms of involvement and content. These likely include two or three minifigs.
Expensive
The most elaborate LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes sets cost over $75, with the largest options running in excess of $100 for those looking for a more challenging set.
Tips
- Plan ahead. Consider your space and time available before you set out to build a LEGO set. Be sure to have a clear area where pieces can be contained.
- Check out the online instructions. Most users prefer the convenience of digital instructions over paper ones. In some cases, you can view sets in progress, with the option to zoom in and rotate to better understand how the pieces go together.
- Store the set carefully. When you take apart a set, store and label the pieces and keep them separate from other sets. It’s also useful to keep a separate storage container of miscellaneous and spare parts.
- Encourage imaginative play. LEGO DC Comics sets depict specific characters and scenes, but kids are encouraged to use their imagination to create unique stories and builds, which includes incorporating pieces and minifigs from other sets.
FAQ
Q. Why are some older sets unavailable from LEGO’s website?
A. LEGO regularly ends the production of sets after a year or two. Once it halts manufacturing, LEGO sells the remaining sets they have online and the set is retired. In a few select cases, LEGO has rereleased retired sets for a limited time due to the sets’ popularity.
However, you can still buy these sets from other retailers at reasonable prices. These stocks will dwindle over time, though. Secondhand sellers may have sets, though verifying their quality and authenticity might be difficult. What’s more, prices can rise for popular sets.
Q. What’s the largest LEGO DC Comics set available?
A. The Batmobile 1989 set is one of the largest superhero options available and among the biggest LEGO sets ever manufactured. Inspired by the 1989 Batman film, this set includes over 3,300 pieces, including moveable ones such as a sliding cockpit, pop-up machine guns, and a rotating display stand. The set also includes three minifigs inspired by the film: Batman, the Joker, and Vicki Vale. The LEGO Batwing set was also inspired by the same film, with over 2,300 pieces and three minifigs, including two exclusive to the set.
The largest LEGO DC Comics set is The Joker Manor, a retired set including over 3,400 pieces and ten minifigs, including disco versions of the Caped Crusader and his archrival.
Q. How can I replace missing pieces?
A. LEGO can send you a replacement if your new purchase arrives with some pieces missing, which can happen once in a while. If you lose pieces over time, you can look for specific replacements online. You can use the set number to search the database or browse collections by theme. If you’re not missing a unique piece, you can substitute extras from other sets because LEGO bricks are standard and compatible across all themes, series, and sets.
