As LEGO® Marvel Superheroes week draws to a close, I have one last review to share. In this case, I saved my favorite set from the upcoming wave for last. Today, we take a closer look at Spider-Man and Ghost Rider VS Carnage (76173). Growing up, I loved the ‘90s Spider-Man animated series. Additionally, the Maximum Carnage storyline from the comic books was high on my reading list. Therefore, Carnage as a Minifigure has always been on my wish list. The character has been available in several past sets, I just never picked one up. However, this is a great set because it also comes with Ghost Rider.
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. I will use my usual rating system (click here to learn more) and provide my honest opinion.
SPIDER-MAN & GHOST RIDER SUMMARY
- NAME: Spider-Man and Ghost Rider VS Carnage
- SET #: 76173
- THEME: Marvel Superheroes
- COST: $24.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 212
- MINIFIGURES: 3
- RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2021
SPIDER-MAN & GHOST RIDER QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 92% (Great cost-per-brick and you get a lot of build time for the price.)
- BUILD: 85% (Some minor detail issues, some of which are preference related.)
- MINIFIGURES: 96% (Great character selection, number, details, and accessories.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 85% (Niche interest set for both AFOLs and KFOLs.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 90%
SPIDER-MAN & GHOST RIDER REVIEW
VALUE: 92%
The Spider-Man and Ghost Rider set costs $24.99 in Canada. Additionally, it comes with 212 pieces. The resulting cost-per-brick is $0.118. Comparatively, my average cost-per-brick is $0.14 across all themes. Therefore, this set comes at a good value-per-brick. It earns 87% in this category. On top of that, this set provided 48 minutes of build time. Therefore, at full price, each minute of build time costs $0.52. For sake of comparison, my average cost-per-minute is $0.83. The build time value earns a score of 96% in this case. Averaging these scores gives an overall value grade of 92%.
BUILD: 85%
The only build included in this set is Ghost Rider’s car. Interestingly, the set superficially resembles the Speed Champions 1970 Dodge Challenger set. I have not built that set, but the pictures look similar. The design is a little boxy for my liking. However, it remains true to the style of muscle car and the comic book adaptation. Like Speed Champions sets, the car has no doors for Minifigures to use though. Additionally, the interior lacks any detail other than a steering wheel. Otherwise, it is a fun car that employs interesting build techniques to achieve the front and rear looks. Given that the issues I mentioned are small, I will only remove half a mark for each. I rate this build at 8.5/10 (85%).
MINIFIGURES: 96%
This set comes with three Minifigures: Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Carnage. Ghost Rider is based on the Robbie Reyes iteration. Personally, I prefer the classic skull over metallic look of this character. However, he does have the neat flames molded onto the top of the head. Otherwise, all the characters have print or molding on both sides of head. Additionally, all of them have front and back torso printing. However, only Carnage features leg printing. In terms of accessories, Spider-Man has two flick-firing webs and Ghost Rider comes with 10 flame pieces to deck out his car. I rate the design and accessories for these characters at 44/45 (98%).
In addition to great designs and accessories, this set also has a particularly good brick-to fig ratio. Three characters in a 212-piece kit means you get one Minifigure for every 71 bricks. Comparatively, my average ratio is currently 144:1. Consequently, this set earns a ratio score of 93%. For a kit this size, you get a good number of characters. Averaging this score with the design score gives an overall Minifigure grade of 96%.
ENTERTAINMENT: 85%
This is a nice set with a car build that will appeal to more than just superheroes fans. Additionally, the character selection will help comic book fans round out their Minifigure collections. Even though this is not my favorite Ghost Rider design, this is only the second time that we have seen this character in Minifigure form. Despite all that, the set does not blow me away. I might have bought this set myself for the Minifigures, but I would have waited for a sale. I rate the AFOL entertainment value at 85%.
For kids, again the character selection is great. I knew all these characters growing up and would have wanted them for sure. Additionally, the car has wider interest beyond superhero fans to help stock city streets. It is a niche interest though. While Spider-Man is popular, I do not know how many people are familiar with Carnage beyond comic book fans. I rate the KFOL score at 85% in this case as well.
OVERALL SCORE: 90%
Of all the sets in the January 2021 wave of Marvel Superhero sets, this one is my favorite. The car is like something you see in Speed Champions and the Minifigures are excellent. Additionally, you get a lot of bricks and build time for the price point. I do wish Ghost Rider had a regular skull for a face. I am not 100% keen on this metallic look. However, I love Carnage. Superheroes fans will get a nice set here, and others will get a car reminiscent of the Speed Champions Dodge Charger. This is solid buy, even at full price. What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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