6th Anniversary REVIEW: Batman of Zur-En-Arrh

[Oky]

This year is not only the 6th anniversary of the Eurobricks Reviewers Academy, but also Batman's 75th Anniversary! Therefore, it only makes sense that TLG chose to give out a version of Batman from the Dark Knight's long and rich history as one of their exclusives at the San Diego Comic Con this year, and I was lucky enough to get one. But is it a good minifig? Is it worth buying for ridiculous prices on the aftermarket? And what the heck is Zur-En-Arrh? Let's find out! To the Bat-review!

Set Number: SDCC036 (on Brickset)

Name: Batman of Zur-En-Arrh

Theme: DC Comics Super Heroes

Subtheme: Batman

Pieces: 6

Year of Release: 2014

Availability: Given away at SDCC 2014 on Saturday, July 26 at 12:30 pm.

The Package

The package is the same clear plastic clam shell with a bubble for the minifig as all the other exclusive minifigs from this and last year. It features a nice stylized picture of the minifig in the background and the "San Diego Comic Con International 2014 Exclusive" logo in the lower left corner.

The back features the address of the Super Heroes product page on Lego.com and the usual small print.

Like last year, the card board insert is folded and includes a picture on the inside. However, this year the picture is not a backdrop to display the minifig on, but instead it's a mini-poster of the minifig. While it may not be as useful, the stylized illustration of Batman of Zur-En-Arrh does look pretty cool. I just wish it would have depicted him in a more interesting pose than just angrily standing in the rain. The fact that it looks like he's wearing purple diapers doesn't really help.

The Minifigure

And here is the minifig itself. He is quite a friendly-looking fellow, isn't he? His costume is bright and colorful. Why?

. It's great to get Batman's cowl in a new color, and this is the only Batman aside from the Electro Suit one to receive leg printing. I still don't understand why TLG is being so stingy with those. It's disappointing, though, that they changed the cape from a purple Batman cape (as seen in the official image above) to a regular one.

What you may not know is that there are actually two different versions of Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. The first one appeared in a comic in 1958 titled "Batman - The Superman of Planet X!" in which Earth's Batman is transported to a planet called Zur-En-Arrh where he gets Superman-like powers. Yup, that happened. This sort of what-if story was actually quite common for comics in the '50s. This story was later adapted into an episode of Batman: The Brave And The Bold. Anyhoo, once Batman arrives on Zur-En-Arrh, he meets that planet's version of Batman, a scientist named Tlano, which is who this minifig is based on.

Image courtesy of the DC Comics Database

The second version appeared in Grant Morrison's "Batman R.I.P." storyline in 2008, after the DC Multiverse got rebooted. This was a much more gritty take on Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. I didn't read the comic myself, so all my knowledge of it is based on what I read about it on wikis and reviews of it, so don't quote me on this, but basically, this is a version of Batman who has gone off the deep end. He got druged and brainwashed by an evil organization so that his mind shuts down when he hears the trigger phrase "Zur-En-Arrh". In order to protect himself from this, he creates an alter ego called the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh by removing the Bruce Wayne part of his mind, leaving only a crazed Batman who runs around the city violently hunting down the criminals that tried to destroy him. So yeah, perfect material to base a Lego figure on.

Image courtesy of DCU Comic Book Reviews

In order to represent both versions, TLG was generous enough to give this minifig a double-sided head, one side with the Tlano face, and the other with the crazy Bruce Wayne face. Also, this is the first SDCC exclusive minifig to get an accessory, not counting Bard the Bowman since he's not really exclusive. The Bat comes with, well, a bat ironically, which is one of the weapons that he used to torture and defeat the villains with.

The fig also has some nice back printing. You can clearly see that in one of the pockets in his utility belt, Batman of Zur-En-Arrh is carrying the Bat-Radia, which is a nice touch. The Bat-Radia is a device that can issue electronic molecules that cause controlled disturbances in the atmosphere - or just an old radio that can override Arkham's security system - depending on which version you're talking about.

Here is a look at the head without the cowl. Tlano's face is pretty much the usual Batman head, except with a big happy smile, which fits the campy tone of the comic that he is from.

Bruce Wayne's face on the other hand is very different. This one features a stubble and a maniacal snarling mouth. What I especially like is that his headband is tattered, which fits the grittier look of this version of Batman of Zur-En-Arrh and is a nice touch.

Final Thoughts:

I think this is a perfect Comic Con exclusive. It's a fairly obscure variation of a popular character that only true comic fans will know. And it's a character that we have gotten more than plenty of in normal sets, so unless you really want this particular version of Batman, there are many other ways you can get the Dark Knight. Plus it's a great way to celebrate the Caped Crusader's 75th anniversary. It is a very nice and detailed fig, and the fact that you can switch between two versions of the character with the flick of a wrist makes it especially awesome. My only gripe is that they used the wrong kind of cape, but it doesn't detract from the fig too much and the fact that they included an accessory kinda makes up for that. The packaging is nice too, although the mini-poster is kind of pointless. The only ones who would actually use that poster are little kids, and only about 1% of these sets will probably land in the hands of kids unfortunately. Still, it's better than nothing I suppose.

This was a great souvenir to take home from SDCC, but if you didn't get it at the convention, I would only recommend buying it if you are a hardcore completist or a huge fan of Batman who actually knows what Zur-En-Arrh is. And no, you can't have mine, sorry.

That's all there is to say about it. To conclude this review, since bashing in bad guy heads is too violent for Lego's usual standard, here is a more kid-friendly scenario to play out with Batman and his Bat-bat:

Batterman by Oky - Space Ranger, on Flickr

I hope you enjoyed this special review, and tune in for my next review - same Oky-time, same Oky-channel!

[Sir Brickalot]

A very entertaining review Oky! You are very lucky to have been able to get this. Hope you enjoy this minifig!

[Steph 104th]

This is awesome! Anyone got $400 to buy this off Ebay?

[TheLegoDr]

I don't know much about this figure, until I read things online. But I love Batman so I definitely want to pick this up. But those prices are ridiculous.

Thanks for the review. Someone in my LUG got all 4 exclusives and the exclusive sets at SDCC...I always thought they were one per customer, but I guess not.

[MandaloretheLesser]

I am very lucky to have mine arive yesterday! And paid no where near $400. I was lucky to get it for about $170US. Then have it shipped to Australia. Its a great fig and will have pride of place in my collection. All so great review Oky thanks very much! :)

[TheBatstan]

Awesome review! Zur En Arrh Bats is probably the most underrated character, and I thought he was always badass after reading RIP. I just wish that Lego gave him that one smiley face and give us the stubble face in a widely available set as that face is quintessential for a Batman minifig IMO.

[Jared]

Yuck, stinks of Comic Con!

Great review though!

[The Indecisive Clutch]

That smile on the face never ceases put a smile on my face.

[ChubbyMcPorkins]

Absolutely Fabulous minifigure! If I had £500 lying around, I would definitely get one!