Minifigure Review: Blacktron Pilot

[Zarkan]

Hello again, space fans, and welcome to another review of a minfigure from one of TLC's most popular and long lasting lines. Today, I'll be overviewing one of the most iconic and popular space figures next to the original spaceman. Yes, I'm talking about the original "bad guy" of lego space, the Blacktron pilot:

First year of release: 1987

Last year of release: 1991

The Space theme began fairly simple when it came to factions or sides, as it had none to speak of.!The original space sets and the first subtheme Futron contained only simple, peaceful explorers, clad in bright colors and having no printing or acessories that set them apart as "good" or "evil." This all changes, however, when TLC released the Blacktron line, which traded the light, friendly colors of the first space sets for a dark, contrasting look that seemed to infer that Blacktron was not just another average exploration organization. The Blacktron minifigs were no exception - covered in black space suits with a sleek, menacing torso print, they definitely looked the part of an "evil" space espionage faction, which was what they were subtley marketed as by TLC.

The Blacktron figure came in six parts, which include the following:

.

Besides the awesome torso, the most interesting piece in this figure is the black visor, which had not been seen in the space line until the Blacktron subtheme appeared.

Despite being the stars of one of the most popular subthemes, the Blacktron pilot only appeared in 13 sets. Interestingly enough, the Blacktron figure was unique in that it also appeared frequently in another subtheme: Space Police, which was created to counterpart the Blacktron theme and provide an opposing faction. Anyway, some of the sets that the Blacktron pilot appeared in included the following:

6894 Invader -

6941 Battrax -

6987 Message Intercept Base -

6986 Mission Commander -

6955 Space Lock-Up Isolation Base -

A full list of the sets it appeared in can be found

HERE.

In conclusion, the Blacktron pilot was a great step up in style from the original spacemen, and it still holds the position of being one of the most iconic "bad guys" of the space line. In fact, many fans consider the original figure to be better than the version found in Blacktron II, proving that sometimes "newer" doesn't necessarily mean "better."

Resources:

Bricklink entry for this minifig

Minifigs.net reference for this minifig (scroll down)

[Algernon]

Ahh, the original Blacktron had some of the coolest Space minifigs ever. You should take a picture with the helmet down, though, to get the full effect.

[Dannylonglegs]

thanks for the minifig review Grevious, I realy want one of those figs!

[Hewman]

Thanks for the review and history of the fig.

The first blacktron fig was certainly better than the second with its bright green B on the torso, who could be scared of that. I love how the Blacktron 1 fig looks so menacing with th evisor down but as soon as you lift it up he has the super happy smiley face, is this meant to be some deep philosophical meaning that inside every baddie there is at least a touch of goodness... probably not, it's just that lego had very little (if any) variety in heads then.

[CP5670]

Nice overview. I have plenty of these guys since most of the SP1 sets include them too.

Notice how there is a small notch at the top of the helmet in that picture, giving him a subtly different appearance. I think the original 1987 versions were like that, but not the later ones. I have a few of that variety in my collection.

Interestingly, Blacktron didn't become overtly evil until SP1 came out. They are actually cooperating with Futuron in the 1987 and 1988 catalogs. I think TLG themselves wasn't sure whether they should be the bad guys or not. That all changed in 1989 though.

Edited July 10, 2009 by CP5670

[General Armendariz]

I got to admit this is the BEST space fig ever released. (Besides the original) I only have three but still, im happy to have them sense

they have the "Bad guy" look.

[Mirandir]

I must admit that the BT I fig is my favourite of all minifigs, even over the Classic-Space figs. I try to buy figs/torsos in every bricklink-store I order from that has them.

I so wish that LEGO had revived Blacktron together with Space Police instead of that "Black hole gang". :(

[Cavannus]

The whole black suit looks "dangerous"; it's a great pattern because it's simple but powerful, it looks very "technological".

However IMHO it's just "above average" because there's something missing in my opinion. Maybe a logo, maybe two red dots to figure led controls, maybe something else to make it more "space" are missing.

P.S. - I voted "average" by mistake; could a moderator change it to "above average"? thanks :)

EDIT: Thanks moderator :)

Edited July 10, 2009 by Cavannus

[Shadows]

A fine tribute to a classic figure that has so much potential for other uses.

Since I don't expect him reissued, I saw a good candidate for decal creation and colour variations, which went something like this:

Blacktron: Original and Recolours (Black, Blue, Light Bley, Light Grey, Green, Red)

Blacktron: Recolours (White, Dark Blue, Dark Bley, Dark Grey, Dark Green, Orange)

(click image for full size 600dpi decal)

Thanks for a great figure review, Grevious.

[PocasNuckie]

I voted for "Above Average".

Why you ask?

Well it is definetly a cool minifig (i'd be sick if I didn't consider a space related thing as "cool"), but it's too simple for my taste.

It's not a LEGO problem. It's just my own. I have grown used to more "modern" LEGO and more "modern" space stuff in general, and so this looks quite simple to me (I've been trying to get my hands on some old Space sets to some sucess, and it has been helping me change that idea).

Anyways, great review. I find it funny that you took all this work just to review a simple minifig.

Pocas

[paintballman413]

ahh..I love Blacktron. It was so cool. I remember when I got my first Blacktron minifig. that was about 4 weeks ago. but I've been really interested in Blacktron. gotta love it

[Joebot]

I have a very distinct memory of seeing the Blacktron Invader on the shelves at a KB Toys, and thinking "Whoa! What's THAT??" This must have been about '87 or '88 I guess. It felt game-changing. The whole concept of "factions" had never really been done before, at least not in the Space theme.

And of course now, 20 years later, factions and sub-themes are a fixture across most of TLC's product lines. I have to wonder if the initial success of Blacktron isn't the reason for that. The Blacktron sets were so different, with the asymetrical ships and the badass mini-figs. That was groundbreaking stuff back then.

Thanks for the fun review!!!

[Commodore Hornbricker]

ahh..I love Blacktron. It was so cool. I remember when I got my first Blacktron minifig. that was about 4 weeks ago. but I've been really interested in Blacktron. gotta love it

That's funny. I am glad you can remember back that far.

Great review for a real classic mini!

[The Cobra]

I voted excellent. This is just one of che coolest minifigs ever.

[RangerBob]

Definitely one of the best Mini figs ever!

I remember in my childhood days, I used this mini fig for a substitute Darth Vader.

[Perterz]

Ok, this brings up memories.. Now where did my old Blactron stuff go?! Perfect, I'm home for 2 weeks ( ) and have the time to clean up the attick, might find some more of my old Lego!

Anyway, as a kid I mostly got space Lego (but loved Western more), I liked these figs. I voted Average. The robo aliens (red with black faces and transculent helmets) where excellent tho.

Edited July 12, 2009 by Perterz

[Dannylonglegs]

Yeah!!! I just got two and they're as good as I thought they would be(they ddn't come with the visors, but the new SP3 sets always have 1 left over.) They are definately great figs, and they are more modern than many space factions succeeding them. (Blactron2, and M:tron for excample) my only problem is the smily face heads...yuh just can't take them seriously. I understand that there were only smilies back then, but now that there are new ones, why not guild the rose. I'll probably change them with some cool new heads.

Edited July 18, 2009 by dannylonglegs