30 years ago, I was seven years old. The year was 1989. As an avid DC Comics superheroes fan, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that there was a Batman movie in theaters. I was a little young to be seeing a PG-13 film, but my mother took me anyway. That was the moment that Batman became my favorite comic book character. Additionally, the movie introduced me to what became my ultimate version of the Batmobile. No version of the car since then has matched this one. Now, the LEGO® Group produced that very car in brick-built form. This week, I get to share my 1989 Batmobile (76139) review!
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1989 Batmobile (76139) Summary
- NAME: 1989 Batmobile
- SET #: 76139
- THEME: DC Comics Superheroes
- COST: $299.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 3306
- MINIFIGURES: 3
- RELEASE DATE: November 29, 2019
1989 Batmobile (76139) Quick Review
- VALUE: 97% (Excellent overall value.)
- BUILD: 100% (There is nothing that I don’t like about this kit.)
- MINIFIGURES: 93% (Amazing, unique characters.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 100% (AFOL Batman fan’s dream come true.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 98%
1989 Batmobile (76139) Review
VALUE: 97%
The 1989 Batmobile costs $299.99 in Canada, which seems like a lot. With 3306 bricks, the cost-per-brick breaks down to $0.09. My current average is $0.14/brick, making this kit an excellent value. As with most large sets, you get a bulk deal for bricks. I rate the cost-per-brick at 97%.
I spent nine hours and 50 minutes building the Batmobile (590 minutes). At $299.99, each minute of build time equates to $0.51. By way of contrast, my current average cost-per-minute is $0.82. Once again, you get an excellent value with this set. That earns a score of 96%. Averaging this with the cost-per-brick gives an overall value score of 97% in this 1989 Batmobile (76139) review.
BUILD: 100%
There is so much detail in this set. Looking at the finished kit, it is hard to remember that it is composed of LEGO® bricks. The curves of the car are amazing. It really is true to the source material. Additionally, it has a lot of functionality. The steering wheel turns the front tires. Also, turning the exhaust pipe on the back causes machine guns to pop out of the hood.
One of the more interesting functional aspects of the Batmobile is the entry port. True to the movie, the roof and windshield of the car slide forward to reveal an intricately detailed interior. Granted, most of the details inside are stickers. However, the seats look great, the levers in the middle are a nice touch, and the dashboard is set up in a cool arc. This mode of entry into the car is one of the iconic features of the vehicle, and the set would not have been authentic without it. I am so happy designers came up with a way to reproduce that feature.
I will not go into huge detail about all the design features here. Suffice to say, there are a lot of them. I have included some of my favorites in the photos. However, the vents and pipework gave me a lot of inspiration for my own MOCs, and I am not just talking about cars. I love the Tim Burton vision of Gotham City, and I have started to incorporate that inspiration into my own LEGO® city. This set gave me a lot of ideas. Additionally, producing all the curves and angles teaches you a lot of neat build techniques. There is nothing that I do not love about the 1989 Batmobile. This a solid 100%.
MINIFIGURES: 93%
Next up in the 1989 Batmobile (76139) review are the Minifigures. While they are not the focus of this set, you do get some awesome ones. Batman is really the prize piece in the selection. Once again, true to the movie, Batman has a one-piece molded cape and cowl. He can’t turn his head with it on, just like Michael Keaton in the movie. This Minifigure looks great and has become my favorite Batman Minifigure.
This is my favorite Batman Minifigure.
Otherwise, all these Minifigures come with the standard parts. However, they all feature brand new prints that are unique to this set, which earns them some bonus points in my book. Additionally, each one features front and back torso printing. Batman and Vicki Vale come with double-sided faces, and Vicki and Joker have leg printing. Each one also has at least one accessory. Batman has a Batarang and grappling gun, Vicki has a camera, and Joker comes with a revolver. On a side note, I do question the choice of alternate face for Vicki Vale. I remember her screaming a lot more in the movie than looking angry. All the same, I rate the design of these Minifigures at 42/45 (93%)
Three figurines in a kit containing 3306 pieces translates into a brick-to-fig ratio of 1102-to-1. “Ouch” is all I can say to that. My current average ratio is 152:1, so this set does not even chart on my scale. My inclination is to give the 1989 Batmobile a pass in this category though. As previously mentioned, the focus of the set is not the Minifigures. The focus is the awesome Batmobile. The Minifigures are just an amazing bonus. I would have bought this kit regardless. Therefore, I will not count the ratio score in this case.
ENTERTAINMENT: 100%
The 1989 Batmobile is an adult collector’s set. As a display piece, it is stunning. I think fans of DC Comics, Batman, and the Burton films will love this set. Mine will remain forever on display, earning it an easy 100% as an AFOL score.
From a kid’s perspective, there is actually some play value to this. Don’t get me wrong, I cringe at the thought of this being anything but a display piece. However, my action figures from childhood would have fit inside this car. I cannot speak for the toys of today, and it is certainly too big for a Minifigure. But, my Batman action figure from 1989 could have done some serious cruising in this beast. I never would have gotten a toy this expensive, but a younger version of myself would have drooled over this Batmobile. I think this set is KFOL play approved too (they’ll need a lot of help building it though), and I give it 100%.
Overall Score: 98%
What is there not to like about the 1989 Batmobile? Nothing much. However, if I go looking for problems, a price drop of $30-$40 would have made the value perfect. Additionally, side printing, or a couple of accessories more for the Minifigures would have boosted their design. However, these are all minute concerns compared to the majesty of this build. I am so impressed with how well LEGO® designers have recreated my favorite Batmobile. Do I recommend this set? Very enthusiastically yes. Hopefully you enjoyed this 1989 Batmobile (76139) review. Be sure to leave your comments below, or shout out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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