REVIEW: 5900/1094 Adventurer - Johnny Thunder

[K@czor]

Welcome to my first review. Today I present you Adventurer - Johnny Thunder. So, let's begin

Set #: 5900/1094 (Re-release for supermarket impulse sets I suppose)

Name: Adventurer - Johnny Thunder

Theme/Subtheme: Adventurers/Desert

Year: 1998/1999 (Re-release)

Piece Count: 8 (BrickLink), 12 (Peeron), 9 (my own opinion )

Minifigures: 1 (Johnny Thunder - Desert)

Price: MSRP $2.50 US

Brickset: 5900, 1094

BrickLink: 5900, 1094

Peeron: 5900, 1094

BOX

The box has the standard impulse set size (7 x 7 cm = 2.75 x 2.75 inch) which is not a surprise, since it contains only the minifigure and few other small pieces. Box art presents the set (or more accurately Johnny Thunder with all his equipment ) on the standard Desert Adventurers backdrop: desert with pyramids and almost-covered-by-sand temple in the back. As on all sets from this theme, also here we can see the column-with-hieroglyphs thingy on the right of the box.

On the back of the box we can see another variation of the set. No alternative models but you can't really build much from these pieces

CONTENTS OF THE BOX

Box contains only bricks and the Adventurers advertisement (Not present on the photo, because I got this set almost 12 years ago but I'm pretty sure it was in the box ). The lack of instructions is not a surprise.

INSTRUCTIONS

Sorry, as I said - no instructions, but everyone knows how to assemble a minifig, right?

PARTS

Set contains only 8 pieces (or 9 including the backpack) and the Johnny minifig. That makes a total of 13 parts if we break the minifig. It's an impulse set after all so we couldn't expect much more ). However - there are two unique pieces and I mean unique not by their availability (which is not a problem) but by their unique features.

The Magnifying Glass

The real surprise is that this little thing actually does magnify things! The lens is made from plastic, not from glass but still it works almost like a real counterpart - truly amazing Here you can see an example:

Once again - amazing

The Backpack

Backpack is unique because it's the first (and only) LEGO backpack that can ACTUALLY CARRY SOMETHING! Although rather big it can carry two 1 x 2 tiles (like dynamites, letters, banknotes) or even up to three revolvers. It also has two pins for standard LEGO bars so we can stick the magnifying glass right in it and the supplied shovel can go to the other one. However, since those are not clips, weapons cannot be plugged into them (because of the iron sights), only clear bars like Harry Potter's magic wand for example

Loaded backpack:

Other pieces:

Here we can see:

- Standard LEGO Revolver

- Standard LEGO Shotgun

- Shovel

- Tile 1 x 2 with Dynamite Pattern

- Scorpion

- 3 x 4 Container

- Mysterious 2 x 6 green plate

The reason of giving us the green plate is a mystery to me, since the set belongs to a desert theme but whatever. The only logical reason I could find is to give us the possibility to attach the container and the minifig to it so that we wouldn't lost them but still the green color seems a strange choice. Tan color would be much better I think.

The last interesting piece is the 1 x 2 tile with dynamite printing. Long time ago, ya'know, drawings were actually PRINTED onto the pieces :tongue:

Throw it away, Johnny! It's gonna blow in any moment!

MINIFIG

As the name of the set suggests, we get Johnny Thunder minifig. Since the set is from desert theme, Johnny has no jacket, only the shirt.

No printing on the back, but hey, this set is 12 years old!

Here we can see Johnny with guns and his backpack on:

Side view:

Backpack is so heavy that even Johnny has problems with standing still. This is the only way to make him stand still without falling on the back.

THE BUILD

Well - not much to say in here. Simply assemble the minifig and that's it Lack of small (1 x 1) parts results in not giving any extra parts actually. (Sorry, there were no extra revolvers back then ). Here's the photo of complete assembly:

Scorpion fits right into the container so there is no loose stuff thankfully

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Johnny Thunder seems to be an obvious rip-off of the Indiana Jones - Their appearance is almost the same. Both are adventurers, both love to play with danger and both seems to be fascinated with ancient secrets and treasure. My guess is that 12 years ago, when TLG didn't think about licensing yet, they wanted to create something similar to Indy franchise

Johnny Thunder vs. Indiana Jones comparison:

Although I do not own Indiana Jones without jacket (or Johnny with jacket on, isn't that strange that both version exist? ) similarities can be found without a problem. The hat is most obvious element. Both even carry revolvers for self-defense. I wonder if TLG knew they're gonna license Indiana Jones franchise in the future

Here's the proper comparison using BrickLink images:

No jacket:

With jacket on:

Similarities are quite obvious

FINAL WORDS:

Design:

Well, we can talk only about the design of the minifig which is great, but suspiciously similar to Indiana Jones.

Rating:

Parts:

Not many of them, but by giving the magnifying glass and the backpack in such cheap set LEGO made a great gift to all of us

Rating:

Minifig:

The easiest way to get Johnny Thunder and his adventurer stuff is this set.

Rating:

Build:

Nothing to build actually.

Rating:

Playability:

Johnny Thunder and all his equipment will make an excellent addition to many scenarios. And don't we forget! The backpack! The magnifying glass!

Rating:

Remember! No one can match Johnny Thunder! Not an Imperial Snowtrooper...

Not even Agent Chase with his dual pistols akimbo!

But what about his competitor, Indiana Jones? Will there be an ultimate duel which only one can survive...?

Nah, they'll just have a cup of tea like good old friends

Additional links:

Johnny Thunder on Brickipedia

Set #5900 on Brickipedia

Set #1094 on Brickipedia

More photos of the set on my BrickShelf

Thanks for watching!

Edited April 9, 2010 by WhiteFang
Indexed and poll added

[Big Cam]

What a great first post!!!!

Lovely little review, you turned a tiny set into a fun reviewing experience. I really love your comparisions and your pictures are pretty good. A little lighting difference here and there, but clear and very nicely done.

Thanks for the great review!

[ZO6]

Thanks for this great little review!

Though the inclusion of yet another Johnny Thunder minifigure in a set was a bit of an overkill, I do appreciate that TLC did make the character available at so many different price points The supply crate and accessories are always handy to have, but the green plate is definitely a bizarre thing to have thrown in - I always tried to write it off as him having found a small oasis.

[funkybrick]

I kind of like this small set.

Excellent review!

Considering that the set you're reviewing is of such a small size AND that this is your first post, your review is even better!

Great job!

funkybrick

[K@czor]

Thanks for the replies everyone I hope you've enjoyed the review

A little lighting difference here and there, but clear and very nicely done.

I was taking pictures during different times of day, that's the reason

[lightningtiger]

I too say - what a great first post - COOL review and the most detailed one for an impulse set ever I think !

That would be a handy set to have - even just for parts only - weapons, magnifying glass and that backpack - oh so nice !

Thanks for that review 'K@czor' and I'm a conformist! !

[not-in-use-anymore]

Nice little inmpulse set, but how could they not include instructions?! How are I/we supposed to know that JT's head goes on his body and not in the crate? Seriously, I spent almost an hour on that. .....

[Fires-storm]

Wow, a really cool review, excellent job mate! the Thunder sets are still some of my absolute favorites

[squidman85]

This is my first set! But i have lost many of the pieces

[Algernon]

Johnny Thunder was here before Indiana Jones and in my opinion he still did it better. The classic appeal of his minifigure can't be denied. I never bought many of his sets, but I loved the ones I had and I always looked forward to the newest wave of Adventurers.

Good review!

[WesternOutlaw]

Nice review of a neat little set. I don't even remember this one. One can always use another crate, dynamite stick, and scorpion in the theme, and the backpack; while rather large, was always a neat piece.

Great photo-edited introductory image!

[Way_Moby]

Ahh, I miss the Adventurer's... Those were fun, and really were a catalyst for my interest in History. This was the smallest set (minus the Shell promotionals, etc.) and I never got it...

Fun review!