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Set name: The Batcave
Set Number: 6860
Pieces: 690
Ages: 7-14 (you can fudge those numbers
)price: $89.99 CDN
VIP Points:89
Link: Lego S@H
Alright now that we've got that out of the way, lets start with the Box
Fist Impressions
Right off the bat (
), I was overwhelmed by the box art. It presents a scenario where Bane, the ruthless tacticin has planned to but his floral cohort out of bat-jail. But Batman plans to break-up the reunion on his Bat-cycle while Robin jumps to his aid. There are some logistical problems I have with the box though. If Bane has found out where the Batcave is, shouldn't a brilliant mind such as his be able to determine Batmans secret identity according to the building that resides several feet above him? Also another thing I don't like is that even when it comes to the villans, they still follow the same damsel in distress scenario that was seen on the Superman vs. Power Armour Lex box art, I know this is a boys toy, but you can't help wonder what it would have been like if Bane was in Bat-jail, and Ivy came to the rescue with a giant plant 
Also Included on the Box is a pop-up of the characters included, as well as a message about the Comic Book inside. I know that TLC uses the minifigures on the box as selling-points for their products so it's nice to have a spot showing their alternate expressions and such. We also see Bruce Wayne for the first time on the box, which makes more sense compared to the old Batcave box art; Batman and Bruce Wayne were running in opposite directions while someone piloted the bat-ski
. I wonder if TLC also thinks the Comic Book is a selling point for these sets? 
Theres also a cool graphic on the top of the box. A cartoon version of Batman is marked on the top right corner as well as the Bat-logo on the bottom right to distinguish sets as bat-centric as opposed to Superman-centric. Another thing I like about the box is the blue cape pattern used on the top of the box which reminds me of Batman's cape flowing in the wind!
Going to the side of the box, we see a nice 1:1 scale of Batman. Not much to say about it though as it has become the standard on all sets.
Also on the side of the box, there is a nice graphic of all the superhero graphics together. We've seen Batman and Superman sets, but it leaves Joker themed sets to be desired. A shame really because I think that the Funhouse set should have been Joker-centric.
Going to the back of the box, we see a breakdown of all the cool functions of the set. I really like the comic panel setup that they use. The center pannel is filled with a continuation of the story started on the front of the box. I guess what happens next is up to you!
Opening up the box, this is what we find. A nice plethora of bags to drool over. I was dissapointed though that my instruction booklets didn't come in a cardboad backing though
Everything was more or less folded. My sticker sheet was left crumpled and my comic book was creased completely in half
. My comic book isn't in mint condition! someone will have to pay for this. Unfortunatley, since my stickers were crumpled, I had tostick them under a stack of dictionarys during the duration of this review. So no stickers 
. There are three instruction booklets, and they all have the same design as the box art.
moving on, the 5 bags cheered me up a bit. Each bag is filled nicley except maybe 3 and 5. But other then that no problems here, pretty standard for lego to release sets with numbered bags, it's nice for doing reviews.
And now were ready to start the build!
Bag 1
Bag 1 has us building Batman and his Bat-cycle as well as Bane and his Drill-dozer
Pretty interesting parts collection here. Mostly red and black pieces. You also get the box for both capes.
Lots of interesting pieces. The red truck top is new in that colour I assume, It looks really good. You also recieve a metallic coloured exahust piece which is new in that colour as well. The exhaust colour is the same as the drill which is awesome to say the least, this piece has been M.I.A. since power miners was last released. The tread is really cool too and definitely worth mentioning. You also get the awesome new brick seperator.
A nice little bunch of extra pieces. Lights and chesse is always nice and you also get another gauge piece.
The completed vehicles are awesome! Drill machines are a staple in comics, and this one looks really good with it's red colour scheme. I also think that the flick-fire missiles are incorportaed nicely into the vehicle. The Batcycle is also really cool, I love the stream-lined look of it! There has been some hate towards it, but I think if you can remember that this is not Nolan's Batpod, you'll see it for what it is. An awesome Batcycle!
Heres a quick comparison between the Batcave Batcycle and the horrid Funhouse Batcycle. This one is clearly superior in every single way! More stream-lined and compact. The Funhouse one looks really akward when looked in comparison.
I'm really loving the look of this thing! It looks so fast and agile. Criminals are gonna have a hard time getting away from this beauty!
Bag 2
Bag 2 has us building the holding cell and beginning work on the transformation function. Looks promising!
Looks like a pretty good parts pack! Nothing really stands out at first glance, but getting a better looks sheds some light on what this bag holds.
Some new awesome trans-light blue wall pieces!
These give the cave a great high-tech feel. I'm really interested to see what use I will have for them down the road! Other pieces worth noteing are the newly designed structure pieces in Dark Blue! I love Dark Blue, and these new pieces are awesome, you also get a whole whack of them. Other interesting pieces are the railing piece in black, and a vine piece in dark green for Poison Ivy.
Just three extra pieces here. Some cheese, a trans-light blue stud. And a technic pin.
The first module is the Holding Cell for Poison Ivy. It's a simple build that uses a cool snot technique for the gate. The inclusion of trans-light blue wall pieces is also a real bug plus as well. I also really like the turret on top.
The next part of the same bag requires you to build an elevated platform. I really think the elevation plays to the appeal of the Batcave, the supports are really cool in dark blue and they give the cave a sort of "bare-bones" appeal. It's not there to look pretty but rather get the job done. One thing I forgot to mention earlier is the triangular plate used as a platform, the middle is smooth rather then studded which is interesting. Overall it's a pretty simple section of the build.
The two modules connect to give the cave a cool overlap feeling. They kind of morph into one another to really get a sense of level and compactness which is pretty cool.
Contents of bag three! Some really cool pieces here.
Pieces of interest include a lot of cool Trans-light blue pieces as well as a red phone and some handcuffs.
The assembly requires you to spruce up the platform built in the previous bag. I like this because It allows you to build it in the way Bruce would build the Batcave, start with the platforms then add in all the fancy doo-dads.
Some really cool stuff going on here! The transformation chamber is complete and looks rather cool, and the Bat-gear wall is awesomely done, the vibrant yellow really helps it stand out. The trans blue lights also add a nice touch to the platform.
Bag 4 allows us to build the secret garage doors as well as the platform for the main computer.
Not a lot of interesting pieces here, but these are the few that caught my eye. The new Hinge pieces were unnecessary but a nice addition to the set.
Assembled it looks pretty good! The BURPs hiding behind the support beams add a nice touch and the doors look clean and clear and under control (
) There is no cool function to open them though, only to little handles for you to grab and pull while making cool electronic noises with your mouth. The cross hatched wall pieces look really nice though.
The final bag has us finishing the details on the Main section.
There is a very good spread of detailed pieces here and there that will be very useful in mocs.
Pieces of interest include the printed Bat-logo dish
! the trans clear wall piece? And assorted pieces in a lovely shade of dark blue.
The final looks really good altogether!
Finally the set comes together perfectly! It looks really good altogether as one! So much action going on
Robin is overlooking the battle next to the bat computer, apparently it is in stand-by mode. The grapple gun is pretty cool but not very functional.
Bruce Wayne is ready to fly down to the cave while changing into the Bat-suit! How exciting! I don't really understand while the emergency phone is already in the cave though
Tah-Dah! Batman is ready for action.. well, at least after he walks all the way back upstairs to the armoury.
Strictly Business!
Bruce Wayne is a very lovely figure, he has back printing that is a nice attention to detail. Some may say he looks a bit to much like Clark Kent though. Bruce and Clark look very similar in the comics though so It's no big deal. Lex and Bruce are the two "suits" to come out of the theme. I think they work well together (the suits I mean)
Batman and Robin are pretty standard, they both have back printing and double sided faces. I really like both of them! They're ready to take on crime!
Harley and Ivy!
Poison Ivy is an all new beautiful figure! Front and back printing, as well as leg printing and hair printing! Shes truly a great fig that is much better then her older counter-part. Her angry expression is also perfect!
The Dark Knight Rises! 2012
The last figure is Bane! He looks great, I'm not sure if which version I like better, the newer one or the older one. They both have strengths and weaknesses. Either way he is a great figure. Front and back muscle printing. You can even see scars on his skin in the back printing which is great attention to detail. The last picture is of him and his counterpart in the upcoming Batman movie.
Thats it for the review, now for my final thoughts.
Price 8/10 Although the price is a bit steep, most things in this set are completely new. So it balances quite nicely
Parts 10/10 Lots of new and interesting parts in cool colours. I can see a lot of future use.
Minifigures 9/10 So excited to use these guys in upcoming mocs. Everything is just perfect. Only thing missing was Alfred
Playabilty 10/10 Lots of action going on, and lots of different functions to playaround with. There is also a lot you can do to expand the modules.
Overall 9.7/10 I'm very happy with this purchase. I think that this is a must-have for any Bat-fans collection!
"I've got you now Batman!!"
Cheers, Sok117
The Bat-Cycle is ok, I would prefer a Bat-pod rendition. 
However I think he is still a nice fig to get. The rest are very nice. However the lack of Alfred is disappointing. 
