Lego Batman (also called LEGO Batman) is a building toy theme created by Lego in 2006. It is based on the superhero Batman, with permission from DC Comics. The sets include vehicles, characters, and scenes from Batman comics and movies. The designs of these items are inspired by different sources. For example, the Batmobile keeps its basic smooth shape and large fins from the Tim Burton films, while the "Bat-Tank" is modeled after the tank-like Batmobile in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.

In 2012, the theme was relaunched as part of the Lego DC Universe Superheroes line, which is a part of the Lego Super Heroes line.

The Lego Batman theme has led to the creation of several TV shows, video games, and movies.

Overview

The product line is about the superhero Batman, who appears in different types of media, such as movies, radio shows, television programs, video games, and many merchandise items. Lego Batman tries to make the main characters using Lego pieces, including Batman, Robin, the Joker, Bane, and Harley Quinn.

Development

Lego Batman was created based on the Batman movie and TV series. The toy sets were made in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. These sets were designed to show the stories and characters from the movie and TV series using Lego bricks.

Construction sets

BrickLink reports that The Lego Group released 15 Lego sets as part of the Lego Batman theme. Batman is shown with many vehicles that look like their real versions. Some vehicles include the "Batman Dragster," "Batman's Buggy," and "Bat-Tank." The Batmobile looks like it does in the 1989 film, and the Batboat has a hovercraft-like design. Each set box includes a comic strip by artist Greg Hyland, showing stylized versions of the sets in action.

The first seven sets were released in 2006: The Batman Dragster: Catwoman Pursuit (set number: 7779), The Batboat: Hunt for Killer Croc (set number: 7780), The Batmobile: Two-Face's Escape (set number: 7781), The Batwing: The Joker's Aerial Assault (set number: 7782), The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion (set number: 7783), The Batmobile: Ultimate Collector's Edition (set number: 7784), and Arkham Asylum (set number: 7785).

The next two sets were released in 2007: The Batcopter: The Chase for Scarecrow (set number: 7786) and The Bat-Tank: The Riddler and Bane's Hideout (set number: 7787).

The last four sets were released in 2008: Batman's Buggy: The Escape of Mr. Freeze (set number: 7884), Robin's Scuba Jet: Attack of The Penguin (set number: 7885), The Batcycle: Harley Quinn's Hammer Truck (set number: 7886), and The Tumbler: Joker's Ice-Cream Surprise (set number: 7888).

Lego Batman returned in 2012 as part of the Lego Super Heroes theme. Five sets were released on January 1, 2012: The Dynamic Duo Funhouse Escape (set number: 6857), Catwoman Catcycle City Chase (set number: 6858), The Batcave (set number: 6860), Batwing Battle Over Gotham City (set number: 6863), and Batmobile and the Two-Face Chase (set number: 6864). Later, on December 28, 2012, Arkham Asylum (set number: 10937) and Batman vs. Mr. Freeze: Aquaman on Ice (set number: 76000) were released.

In 2013, a Robin and Redbird Cycle (set number: 30166) polybag was released as a promotion.

Three sets were released on January 4, 2014: Batman: The Penguin Face Off (set number: 76010), Batman: Man-Bat Attack (set number: 76011), and Batman: The Riddler Chase (set number: 76012). Later, on February 18, 2014, Batman: The Joker Steam Roller (set number: 76013) was released. A Joker Bumper Car (set number: 30303) polybag was also released as a promotion.

Two sets were released on August 2, 2015: The Batboat Harbor Pursuit (set number: 76034) and Jokerland (set number: 76035).

On March 1, 2016, Gotham City Cycle Chase (set number: 76053) was released. Later, on August 1, 2016, Batman: Scarecrow Harvest of Fear (set number: 76054), Batman: Killer Croc Sewer Smash (set number: 76055), and Batman: Rescue from Ra's al Ghul (set number: 76056) were released.

Three sets were released on August 1, 2018: Batman: The Attack of the Talons (set number: 76110), Batman: Brother Eye Takedown (set number: 76111), and App-Controlled Batmobile (set number: 76112).

Two sets were released on January 2, 2019: Batman Batsub and the Underwater Clash (set number: 76116) and Batman Mech vs. Poison Ivy Mech (set number: 76117). Later, on July 1, 2019, Mr. Freeze Batcycle Battle (set number: 76118) was released. Five sets were released on August 2, 2019: Batmobile: Pursuit of The Joker (set number: 76119), Batwing and The Riddler Heist (set number: 76120), Batcave Clayface Invasion (set number: 76122), Batman vs. The Riddler Robbery (set number: 76137), and Batman and The Joker Escape (set number: 76138).

Three sets were released on August 24, 2020: Batboat The Penguin Pursuit! (set number: 76158), Joker's Trike Chase (set number: 76159), and Mobile Bat Base (set number: 76160).

The Bat vs. Bane: Tumbler Chase (set number: 76001), based on The Dark Knight Rises film, was released on December 29, 2012. The Tumbler (set number: 76023), based on The Dark Knight film, was released on December 24, 2014. A Batman Tumbler (set number: 30300) polybag was also released as a promotion.

In 2021, a remake of the 2014 Tumbler (set number: 76240) was released. The Batman Classic TV Series – Batcave (set number: 76052), based on the 1960s Batman TV series, was released on March 1, 2016. A Batman Classic TV Series – Mr. Freeze (set number: 30603) polybag was also released as a promotion.

From 2017 to 20

Film and television

An official animated short film titled "Lego Batman: Bricks, Bats & Bad Guys" was created with Cartoon Network to promote the Lego product line. It was made in 2006. The film includes three stories where Batman tries to stop villains like The Joker, The Penguin, Two-Face, and Mr. Freeze by using his Bat-vehicles. All the villains are sent to Arkham Asylum at the end of each story.

During the premiere of Green Lantern: The Animated Series, clips from Lego Batman were shown as part of a preview for the DC Nation programming block, which started on Cartoon Network in 2012.

Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite is an animated superhero comedy film based on the video game Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes. It includes most scenes from the game, but the gameplay was replaced with new scenes. The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 21, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews for its animation and action, though some critics said the marketing focus was too strong.

The Lego Batman character appeared in The Lego Movie (2014), where he was voiced by Will Arnett.

Cartoon Network aired a television special called Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered on October 27, 2014. The story follows Superman trying to recruit Batman into the Justice League while Batman fights Penguin and other villains over a gem. When Superman disappears, Batman teams up with Flash to find him. They later face Captain Cold, who is trying to steal an Atlantean pillar. After a fight that destroys the Batwing and causes Flash to disappear, Batman defeats Cold, but Cold and the pillar vanish. Batman then seeks help from Aquaman, who fights Black Manta for a trident. Aquaman also disappears, and Batman defeats Manta before both he and the trident vanish. Batman later confronts Luthor, who is trying to steal the Daily Planet globe. After defeating Luthor, Batman realizes the plan was created by Bat-Mite, who wanted to abduct the Justice League so Batman could be the top superhero. The special was released on DVD with Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League in 2015.

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League is an animated comedy film based on Lego and DC Comics. It was released on February 10, 2015, on Blu-ray and DVD. This is the third Lego DC Comics film after Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite and Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered. Some actors from DC properties, like Nolan North as Superman and Tom Kenny as The Penguin, reprise their roles. The film received mixed reviews, with some critics saying the tone was too silly and promotional, though the animation was praised.

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom is an animated comedy film based on Lego and DC Comics. It was released on August 25, 2015, on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD. This is the fourth Lego DC Comics film after Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite, Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered, and Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League. Actors like Mark Hamill as The Trickster and John DiMaggio as The Joker reprise their roles. The film received mostly positive reviews for its animation, action, and humor, though some critics criticized the consumerism in the film.

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Cosmic Clash is an animated action comedy film based on Lego and DC Comics. It was released on February 9, 2016, on Digital HD, and on March 1, 2016, on Blu-ray and DVD. This is the fifth Lego DC Comics film after Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite, Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League, and Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom. Actors like Nolan North as Superman and Khary Payton as Cyborg reprise their roles. The film received positive reviews, with critics saying it was better than earlier films in the series.

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout is an animated superhero action comedy film based on Lego and DC Comics. It was released on June 21, 2016, on Digital HD, and on July 12, 2016, on Blu-ray and DVD. This is the sixth Lego DC Comics film after Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite, Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom, and Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Cosmic Clash. Actors like Nolan North as Superman and Troy Baker as Batman reprise their roles. The film received positive reviews for its action, though some critics criticized the consumerism in the film.

The Batman from The Lego Movie received his own spin-off film. Will Arnett reprise his role as Batman, and Chris McKay directed the film. It was released on February 10, 2017.

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash is an animated film based on DC Comics and Lego. It was produced by DC Entertainment, The Lego Group, and Warner Bros. Animation, and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It was released digitally on February 13, 2018, and on DVD and Blu-ray on March 13, 2018. This is the seventh Lego DC Comics film. It was the first film released after the death of longtime DC producer Benjamin Melniker, who passed away a month before the film’s release. The film received positive reviews for its action, humor, and animation.

Batman also appears in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019).

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis is an animated film based on DC Comics and Lego. It was produced by DC Entertainment, The Lego Group, and Warner Bros. Animation, and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It premiered at San Diego Comic-Con on July 22, 2018, and was released digitally, on DVD, and Blu-ray on July 31, 2018. This is the eighth Lego DC Comics film. The film received mixed reviews, with praise for the animation but criticism for the consumerism in the film.

Lego DC Batman: Family Matters is an animated film based on DC Comics and Lego. It was produced by

Awards and nominations

In 2012, the Batwing Battle Over Gotham City received the "DreamToys" award in the Construction category from the Toy Retailers Association. In 2014, the Batman Man-Bat attack received the "DreamToys" award in the Build The World category from the Toy Retailers Association.