LEGO Batman What Happened?

zombymobster

What happened to Lego Batman sets that have made them so coveted and expensive? I purchased everything up until they released the Harley Quinn set. It seemed like TRU always had them on their shelves and then one day, POOF....nothing! Did the liscense expire without notice? Was there a problem that anyone ever heard of? It's just strange that these sets, being as recent as they are, are at such inflated prices from what they were originally sold for.

smokebelch

I don't think it was ever officially stated, but I heard that when the Dark Knight came out, as it was a more 'adult' Batman film i.e. a bit more violent than previous films, that was a deciding factor in Lego stopping the theme.
They also massivly underestimated the demand for the sets AFTER the Lego Batman game came out- which meant that all the people that bought the game and then wanted the sets featured could only get them on the aftermarket. I dont think they were massive sellers when they were availible, but demand shot up when people couldn't get them, thus inflated prices to what they are now.

thesinisterpenguin

It is a shame, some of those minifigs are great translations of the characters!

kor

I heard different reasons and I've also heard rumors that it might come back. One thing I've found a bit odd that could possibly lend some validity to that rumor is this:

http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/

At the very bottom of the page where Lego has all the license info theres this paragraph...

"BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. WB Shield: TM and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s08)"

Seems strange that this is in the shopping section of the website but there are no Batman related items in the store....

zombymobster

I don't think it was ever officially stated, but I heard that when the Dark Knight came out, as it was a more 'adult' Batman film i.e. a bit more violent than previous films, that was a deciding factor in Lego stopping the theme.
They also massivly underestimated the demand for the sets AFTER the Lego Batman game came out- which meant that all the people that bought the game and then wanted the sets featured could only get them on the aftermarket. I dont think they were massive sellers when they were availible, but demand shot up when people couldn't get them, thus inflated prices to what they are now.

Now that you mention it, I do remember the Dark Knight movie possibly having something to do with it. Thanks!

Post edited by @Matthew 03/04/11 14:50 GMT
Reason For Edit: Spelling: Night - Knight

SapmiSatan

the Dark Night movie

How hard is it to add that K? I'm getting fed up with people all over the internet omitting the K, and I have had enough. The forum is very specific about watching your grammar and, guess what, that applies to film titles as well. "The Dark Knight", is it really that hard?

"The Dark Knight" is the seventh highest grossing film of all time, I think that had a bit more to do with second-hand Batman LEGO becoming so incredibly over-priced than "LEGO Batman: The Video Game".

zombymobster

the Dark Night movie

How hard is it to add that K? I'm getting fed up with people all over the internet omitting the K, and I have had enough. The forum is very specific about watching your grammar and, guess what, that applies to film titles as well. "The Dark Knight", is it really that hard?

"The Dark Knight" is the seventh highest grossing film of all time, I think that had a bit more to do with second-hand Batman LEGO becoming so incredibly over-priced than "LEGO Batman: The Video Game".

Sorry about that, I was talking on the fone while I wuz tiping.

rocao

@SapmiSatan: please watch the combative tone of your post. I am meticulous about my spelling and grammar, but one thing I learned early on is that it's quite rude to correct others in an informal discourse.

rocao

Please consider this thread for some theories on why the value of Batman Lego has skyrocketed:

http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/60/the-magic-ingredient/#Item_9

SapmiSatan

I apologize for the "combative tone" of my post, Zomby was just the unfortunate victim of an angry rant that has been building up lately. Apparently people no longer remember the K, which is rather frustrating. It's like calling "Star Wars", "Tar Wars", which completely alters the meaning of it. With "The Dark Knight" it mainly takes away the double meaning of it, which is a shame.

legowomen1980p

I have almost every set MISB of the Batman line... I bought them right when they discontinued the cat women set that sold for at the time for $9.99 and now retails on Amazon for $130..

Lego sets are like any other FAD out there.. they carry a licensed theme for a while.. not many people buy them... and then when they discontinue them because of low sales.. years later people complain they didn't make them long enough..
What you people don't remember is that back in the summer of 2007 you could get all the batman sets for almost half price.. at that time no one seemed to want them on Ebay.. Now since you can't get them anywhere.. everyone wants them that missed out..
Right now would be a great time to get Prince of Persia sets before they are gone.. I stocked out last year when they were marked down at Walmart..

Every themed licensed sets goes dramatically up in value once they discontinue them..
It's basic supply and demand.. Economics. we all had that in high school..

If you want my advice.. from a collector.. I would buy as many POP (Pirates of the Caribbean) sets. they will be worth their weight in gold one day,,

Even if you do remake the Batman line.. the old sets will be worth even more than the new sets..

drdavewatford

Right now would be a great time to get Prince of Persia sets before they are gone..
If you want my advice.. from a collector..

I would buy as many POP (Pirates of the Caribbean) sets. they will be worth their weight in gold one day

Time will tell. I personally doubt that PoP (Prince of Persia) sets will ever get anywhere near the value of Batman, which is an enduring I.P. with legions of fans worldwide. I suspect PoP sets will go the same way as Speed Racer sets...

PoTC (Pirates of the Caribbean) is a more established franchise and thus there's maybe a greater chance that they'll become collectors' items. I'm not convinced, however. I'll probably get them anyway.

If you want sets with a higher likelihood of increasing in value, you probably don't need to look too much further than Star Wars; when the Death Star is discontinued it'll probably go the same way as the Falcon with respect to value I think. Other minifigure heavy sets like the Endor playset are also probably a good bet.

50missioncap

Speaking of Batman, just took some cool pics of my custom tumbler for my blog:

http://mybigbrickyard.blogspot.com/

Matthew

I apologize for the "combative tone" of my post, Zomby was just the unfortunate victim of an angry rant that has been building up lately. Apparently people no longer remember the K, which is rather frustrating. It's like calling "Star Wars", "Tar Wars", which completely alters the meaning of it. With "The Dark Knight" it mainly takes away the double meaning of it, which is a shame.

That does annoy me too, especially with the Knight/Night Bus in Harry Potter.
I've sorted it now.