Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown (76239) Review

Today, we take a look at the Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown. However, I have a rather unpopular opinion. The Tumbler is my least favorite Batmobile. It’s like Lamborghini tried to make a tank. I never liked it as a Batmobile. My favorite will always be the 1989 Batmobile. Put simply, the Tumbler never looked like any version of the Batmobile I knew growing up. I also did not like the exposed wheels in front. Taking Lucius Fox’s camo version and painting it black does not make it a Batmobile. With that said, I did not hate the car either. Over the years, my opinion of it as a Batmobile has softened a little as well since I do rather like the Nolan Dark Knight trilogy.

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I did not buy earlier LEGO® versions of the Tumbler for the aforementioned reasons. However, I ended up regretting it. This year, we get two Tumblers. In November, the 18+ Batmobile Tumbler (76240) comes out. Just recently, the LEGO® Group also treated us to a Minifigure scale version with Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown. To complete my minifig sized Batmobiles-from-film collection, I went out on day one to pick one up.

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BATMOBILE TUMBER SUMMARY

• NAME: Batmobile Tumbler – Scarecrow Showdown
• SET #: 76239
• THEME: DC Comics Superheroes
• COST: $49.99 CAD
• BRICK COUNT: 422
• MINIFIGURES: 2
• RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2021

BATMOBILE TUMBLER QUICK REVIEW

• VALUE: 91% (Good cost-per-brick and excellent amount of build time.)
• BUILD: 99% (Great looking set with interesting build techniques, true to the movie.)
• MINIFIGURES: 82% (Amazing, unique character designs, but the set needs a third minifig.)
• ENTERTAINMENT: 99% (I really like this set, just wish it had a display stand.)
• OVERALL SCORE: 93% (Excellent set.)

BATMOBILE TUMBLER: SCARECROW SHOWDOWN REVIEW

VALUE: 91%

The Tumbler costs $49.99 in Canada and consists of 422 pieces. Consequently, the cost-per-brick is $0.118. For a Superheroes set, that is a good value. Comparatively, our average for the theme is currently $0.133/brick. Similarly, compared to LEGO® sets in general, the kit also fares well. Across all LEGO® themes, our average cost-per-brick is $0.139 at the moment. No matter how you look at it, the Tumbler is a good value, even at full price. I rate that at 87%.

From start to finish, the Tumbler took me one hour and 33 minutes to assemble. At full price, the resulting cost-per-minute was $0.54. Again, that is a great value. By comparison, our average for the Superheroes theme is $0.76/minute, while for LEGO® sets in general it sits at $0.85/minute. The Tumbler provides a good amount of build time for the price. I rate that at 95%. Averaging this with the cost-per-brick score gives an overall value rating of 91%.

BUILD: 99%

The Tumbler is a really fun build. The product looks great and remains true to the movie original. Perhaps what impressed me the most was the cockpit design. The roof hinges open to allow Minifigure placement inside. However, it is the walls of the compartment that really impress. Three windshields make up most of the walls. What interests me is the build technique used to angle the side windshields inwards. The Tumbler is a great looking build. I cannot find anything that I do not like about the design. If I was to nitpick, there is an angled plate over each of the rear wheels. A 1×2 plate with vertical grip holds each angled plate in position. This connection is functional for display but will not hold up to much rough play. I rate the design at 99%.

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MINIFIGURES: 82%

The Tumbler comes with two unique Minifigures. Yes, we have seen Nolan Trilogy Batman minifigs before. However, this set features a new design and coloring. While similar to past iterations, it is new. My only complaint is that I wish Batman came with the newer cowl design. I feel that looks more like Christian Bale’s cowl than the older style of LEGO® Batman mask. Additionally, this version of Scarecrow is completely unique. The LEGO® Group has never treated us to this version of the character before. I certainly hope they have more Nolan-verse sets planned. Perhaps one with Catwoman?

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In any case, both Minifigures feature all of the standard parts. Each one also has printing on both sides of the head and torso. Sadly, neither one has leg printing. I suppose we can’t have it all, even in an otherwise amazing set. As accessories, Batman comes with two Batarangs and a grappling gun, while Scarecrow has a stud-shooting gun. Interestingly, Batman also comes with an alternate head. Placing that under his cowl creates the nightmare version of Batman seen in Batman Begins. While leg printing would make these characters better, they still earn an excellent 90% in terms of design.

Where the Tumbler suffers a little is in character count. Two Minifigures in a 422-piece kit is not terrible, but it is not great either. Across all LEGO® themes, our average brick-to-fig ratio is 165:1. For the Superheroes sets specifically, it is 172:1. Comparatively, the Tumbler is 211:1. That is still a satisfactory number of Minifigures for a set of this size, but I would not call it good. This set needs another Minifigure. I rate the number of characters included in this kit at 73%. Averaging that with the design score gives an overall Minifigure rating of 82%.

ENTERTAINMENT: 99%

I like this set a lot. I have the Classic TV Batmobile, limited edition 1989 Batmobile, and Batman V Superman Batmobile. The camo-colored version of the Tumbler came out in 2013. I did not buy one, and now I am not so upset about that. This one is black and more detailed. The only downside to missing the 2013 version is not getting the Dark Knight Rises Bane minifig. For those on the fence about the upcoming 18+ version and its price tag, this is a more affordable yet stunning display piece. I will keep mine built alongside the others. The set functions just as well as a playset. Apart from the angled plates mentioned earlier, the build is sturdy and features stud shooters. From a display perspective, the only missing aspect is a stand like the Classic and ’89 Batmobiles. I rate the entertainment score at 99%.

OVERALL SCORE: 93%

The Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown is an excellent set. It is well worth the purchase price. The bricks and build time come at a good value, and you get amazing, unique Minifigures. Additionally, the Tumbler itself looks great as a display piece. My complaints about the set are very minor. My biggest issue is that set only has two Minifigures, it really should have at least three. The LEGO® Group could have thrown in Rachel Dawes using more generic civilian pieces for a cost-effective, true-to-the-movie character. However, it is a great set and Batman fans will surely enjoy it. What do you think of the new Tumbler? Feel free to comment below or reach out on social media.

Until next time,

-Tom

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