Lego Review: Monster Fighters- The Swamp Creature (9461)

Posted by plannedbanter on May 22, 2012 · 1 Comment 

Lego’s newest in-house theme for summer 2012: Monster Fighters. Typically, I prefer the Lego owned themes as they skirt VERY close to other major franchises (Pharaoh’s Quest= The Mummy, Dino= Jurassic Park) without having to pay for those licenses and bringing the savings to the Lego consumer! Plus, they can so much more fun and involve unique story lines. 2010-2012 themes were all brought under a storyline involving the Alien Commander from Alien Conquest (seriously, read that entry). I can only hope the Monster Fighters line combines under the same story umbrella. When it came time to make a line involving “Universal Monsters,” Lego could easily have had scenes that did not connect. But that’s not what makes them one of my favorite toy companies. Each set ties into each other, containing a different piece of the “Moon Stones” that Lord Vampyre needs to open the portal to the Monster Realms. Rodney Rathbone is the protagonist of the theme, and brings together a powerful task force stop the evil Lord Vampyre from conquering. The first set I’ve purchased is the small, introductory set. It’s called “The Swamp Creature,” and is number 9461. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Packaging

As you can see from the packaging picture above, this set features a very attractive logo. It simulates a glow in the dark paint, against a black and blue color scheme (to represent the DARK AND SCARY NIGHT). The green Moon Stone is featured prominently in the middle. I love this packaging, it (much like Pharaoh’s Quest) immediately sets a mood for the theme. Which is, of course, the goal of great packaging.

The back showcases the action feature of the set, the two characters and the fantastic promo art for the entire theme at the bottom. It has the typical comic book style Lego typically employs. But, curiously, it does not show the other Moon Stones to encourage further purchase.

4/5

Minifigures

This set features two of the coolest mini figures of 2012: Frank Rock and The (eponymous) Swamp Creature.

Frank Rock

Wielding dual pistols, Frank Rock is looking to regain his dog from the clutches of the evil Monsters. There is no greater reason for blasting Monsters to oblivion than getting back your best canine pal. I hope he finds it, and that we get a polybag featuring Frank and his dog. Mr. Rock also features a second face.

He means business. I’ll be keeping the shades on for this set (he is featured in the Ghost Train, so I’ll have him bare eyed there.) So far, he has quickly become a fan favorite, this is in no small part to his awesome pompadour. He also features a painted vest and wallet-chain. This way, the Swamp Creature can’t take his Orange Leaf rewards card. This is very important to good ol’ Frank. 

Lego also included detail on the back, which means the fully expect this line to be posed differently than just sitting on shelves. Or they just like making consistent costumes (which is true). The added detail is appreciated.

The Swamp Creature

I do wish he had a better name than the simple “Swamp Creature.” He features an excellent green scheme used, and it detailed very well. The scales definitely give the “fish” vibe. The abs painted on here resemble gills, so it is a double use! He looks great and is basically just a painted figure. The mask used also looks great, it sits tight to the body and doesn’t look like a monstrosity compared to the basic body but is easily removed from the head.

There is even detailing under the mask. This is just a benefit for the consumer to make their own version of the Swamp Creature. OR, you can have the fish face version as the leader of a Swamp Creature army, and the rest have the base head. Which means you would have a ton of Frank Rock’s, but I doubt anyone would complain about that. He also comes with a generic spear. I do wish they would have re-used some trident’s from the Atlantis sets, as this spear is simply too plain to use for this great theme. I will just be using one myself. Want to see how Lego went the extra mile?

Awesome spine detailing on the back and extra scales on the back of the head! For a figure  with the intention of masked display, they threw in some excellent detailing just because they love us.

These figures are worth the entire set (which Lego was aware) and are some of the best they’ve produced.

5/5

Contstructions

Frank Rock has a vehicle and the Creature has a base for the Moon Stone he protects.

These sets are very simple, and definitely great for young children just starting to build quality sets. Adults will find value in their fun aesthetic. Frank’s swamp boat has a propeller, holsters for his pistols and flick missiles (also “flashlights” that don’t light up). The bottom also uses blue, rounded pieces that help it slide on any surface (to look like water, this has been the obvious aside of the post, thanks).

The Creature’s Moon Stone base is extremely simple and has simulated sea weed, which apparently is thick enough to stand out of the water. Also, there is a frog (pet?) and a dead fish next to some green crystals. This creature is a carnivore, which makes sense given his monster status. Poor fishy guy. It stands on a 4×4 brown base.

The constructs aren’t some of the most inspiring work Lego has done, but the swamp boat is a lot of fun and features the flick missile action feature. The aid of the rounded bottoms to encourage play is fantastic. This is definitely a theme meant to play and inspire creativity. I wish the base would have been just a hair bigger and featured more foliage, to give off the swampy atmosphere they hoped to offer. The random green clear pieces confused me, so maybe someone has a better idea on what they are? This is a set to introduce people to the theme and give us some amazing minifigs, so the building quality doesn’t NEED greatness but it would have been nice considering the reuse of so many parts.

3/5

Value

To bring a view on what I consider a good Lego value, I consider the amount of minifigs and somewhere along the lines of $0.10 per piece.

The cost for the set at Toys R’ Us was $7.99. The piece count is 70, which gets us at around $0.11 per piece. This is around where I prefer my value. This theme is very little new pieces or design elements, which is what I like so much about it. I think the moon stones are new, but I could be very wrong about that. The fun of this theme is how clever they re-use previously made minifigs and pieces combined with how well they add in the Monster Fighters themselves fighting th Monsters. This set pits two new characters in a very even match.

There are 2 minifigs (which sell in the Minifig line at $2.99 each), which provide a fantastic value considering the non generic detailing of each character. You feel like you’re getting specific characters and not just extra guys to add to a city scape. Frank Rock is the standout here, given his fun face combined with his “bad-ass” alternate side. The people in charge of this set should feel proud for making the “cheapest” set a must own, rare for most themes.

So considering the per piece price is very near what I like, plus the greatness of the minifigs I will still give this set the highest mark, even if I think the Creature’s base is a bit uninspired.

5/5

Fun

This is an all ages set. Everyone can find the fun, playing with the boat and shooting missiles at the dog-napping, Orange Leaf-loving Swamp Creature. The comic panels on the back of the packing are only the beginning for multiple display options and customizing possibilities with the alternate faces for each mini figure.

I would say this is definitely one of the best small sets Lego has ever produced.

5/5

Overall

Now, for the overall score, I have a reviewer tilt. Meaning, if I have complaints and still highly recommend someone to purchase this set, I will compensate for that.

This has been my most anticipated theme for the year, by far. And the first set does not disappoint. Even if Monster Fighters is not a theme for you, this set definitely is. I believe this will be one of the most popular of the year and Frank will have his own spin-off theme. Well, that’s hoping for more than we’ll get, but I would love it.

This set is a MUST OWN. And would be even at retail price.

5/5

I hope I’ll have the rest of this theme to review soon enough, and cannot wait to build them all.

If you have any suggestions of how I can improve these Lego reviews, I’d love to hear it. That way I can more accurately recommend sets for everyone to buy. Comment at the bottom!

Filed under Action Figures, Fantasy, Jaysun, Lego, Reviews, Toys · Tagged with Frank Rock, Lego, Monster Fighters, Review, Toys, Vampire