WesternOutlaw

I was just looking at the box to this set and noticed something odd. Pictured on the box are two bats, one on the Poison Ivy/Scarecrow tower (the tallest tower pictured on the right of the box), and the other on the small tower structure with open cell (far left). But yet I know I only counted one bat when building this set. I thought I had maybe lost a bat or left one in the package. X-O After spending some time going "batty" *wacko* , I looked at the piece inventory in the instructions to discover that the Asylum only includes one bat. Definately a discrepancy in the picture (or) the piece selection. >:-(

If the movie does get produced, my prediction is that Lego will NOT make another adventure theme. I would love to see them do so, I just don't think they will based on populatrity of the Orient Expedition theme.

Would be awesome if they jumped on this license. But Orient Expedition was not a good theme for Lego. At least that's what I heard from a Lego rep. several months ago. Orient Expedition Discussion

I didn't even notice. But it probably is cheaper. Lego quality is really slipping!

And here's a link to a thread relating to the inspiration for the Asylum. Gotham or Lovecraft, Arkham Asylum Discussion

That's an awesome MOC. I love the Green Goblin mask in red and the polearm and morning star. Very nice weaponry.

Nice review Phes (although the images take a long time to load using dial-up). This is why I usually post smaller images when I do a pic review. I've wanted to see detailed images of this set for a long time. Thanks for sharing. I like your background in the first image as well. As someone else mentioned, this set should be a Legend. It's time Lego takes another vote for Legends like they did once before. The existing castle Legend does not appear to be a classic set (but that's another discussion). Great set! I just wish I purchased it the year it was released.

My votes were as follows: Most Creative: Khorne. For his use of torso, viking shield, and great face. Optimus's knight was very original as well. Mose Fearsome: Sir Dillion. I love the mystery that surounds a black knight on a black steed. I esp. like the German "pig helmet" which is probably my favorite of the helmets depicted. The katana adds a nice touch as well. Looks very fearce. Most Magnificent: This was a toss up for me between Xwingyoda and Berry's classic knight. I really like the classic look of Berry's knight and the use of the piece that covers the horse. If there was a category for most traditional, Berry's would have taken it. But the use of the gold helmet and sword by Yoda's knight combined with the red mini-fig exhibits a regal knight deserving of magnificence. My vote goes to Yoda for most magnificent. Honorable mentions: 007 (for all black armor and the three-headed canine) and Starwars4J (for a nice axe and use of the grey pig helmet. If you think your knight is the best in a particular category. Very impressive and unique. It does look like it has a few custom pieces though.

Here Ye, Here Ye! The following nine knights have joined the contest to see who is the most magnificent knight in the Eurobricks Kingdom. These mighty warriors protect their orders with bravery, valiance, and skill in protecting the orders that they represent. Let no man, woman, or beast say that these knights lack courage or confidence in that they are all triumphant as they stand before you today. Today's contest will be unique in that all citizens of the Kingdom of Eurobricks may vote for their most favorite knight in three categories of skill. These three categories include: Most Creative Design: creative knights do not resemble minifigs of traditional Classic Lego or Knights Kingdom designs. These knights exhibit new weapons, torsos from different themes, and pieces much different from traditional Lego models. They are original. Most Fearsome Appearance: fearsome knights have a strong and menacing appearance. They appear strong, scary, and/or intimidating. Most Magnificent Knight: the top honor among the Eurobricks Knight Contest. A magnificent knight is of original design, looks fierce and brave, and is your favorite of all knights. Careful consideration should be placed when voting for Most Magnificent Knight. Entries and discussion can be found here: Contest Entries NOTE: Winners will be announced July 19

OK, we have a total of nine entries. Further submissions will not be included in the contest. Vote for your favorite knight here: Most Magnificent Knight

I was thinking the same thing. It makes a good city set.

Very nice entries Berry and Yoda. Strong colors and nice armor selections. I'll close the contest this afternoon if anyone has an additional entry (next 8 hours).

There are numerous Gothic authors. I think it's neat to be able to link one aspect of the Batman stories to a particular author; one who had experiences with such an institution (esp. if you've read some of Lovecraft's books). Further, adding more interest to the Lego Arkham Asylum, is the fact that it may have been based on a "real-life" place (Danvers pictured above). I find these facts very interesting adding curiosity to the story and Lego creation.

OK Yoda. Extended for you.

Well, in doing some further reading about the Asylum, I stumbled upon this. I suppose my hunch was correct, but not as original as I thought: "In reality, Arkham Asylum is named in honour of the fictional city of Arkham, Massachusetts, one of the settings of H. P. Lovecraft's horror stories. In fact, when the asylum first appeared, it was actually in the city of Arkham; its Gotham location, and the consequent alternative explanation of the name, were later retcons. H.P. Lovecraft's Arkham Sanitarium may have been inspired by the Danvers State Insane Asylum (aka the Danvers State Hospital) in Danvers, Massachusetts" - Arkham Asylum, Wikipedia Further information on Arkham and Lovecraft can be found in a web article entitled: Spirit of Lovecraft Haunts Cambridge, New England, 10/20/05, at Lovecraft and Arkham And an actual picture of the real Danvers State Hospital:

Makes me want to read more about Batman.

When I think of Arkham Asylum, I think of Arkham, Massachusetts, the fictional city that appears in HP Lovecraft's horror stories. Is there a link? Perhaps. HP Lovecraft, for the non-horror fans, was an American author who wrote horror and sci-fi stories during the 1920s and 1930s. He was most popular for his Cthulhu Mythos relating to a series of ancient and powerful deities and the cults that worshipped them. Arkham is mentioned in some of Lovecraft's stories as well as Arkham Sanitarium, institution for the insane. Batman stories call the institution Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, and it first appeared in 1974 (Batman comic 258-October). The asylum was named after the mother of Amadeus Arkham, founder of Arkham, who suffered mental illness most of her life before committing suicide. Ironically, Lovecraft's actual mother was committed to the Butler Hospital for the Insane (real institition), where her husband had died, after suffering from hysteria and depression for a long period of time. I was unable to find any mention of Lovecraft in the history of Batman but I think that Lovecraft's Arkham provided early inspiration, esp. for Arkham Asylum. Share your thoughts.

I could see a barrel and the hay, but the scythe is a bit much.

I'm not familiar with the Nightwing character (in fact, I never heard of him). All this time I thought he was Robin in another costume. I guess I need to do some Batman reading.

I received the Arkham Asylum from Lego SAH today and couldn't wait to build it and provide the following image review. Arkham Asylum (7785) is 860 pieces at $79.99 (US Dollars). As early images show, the set includes three building structures, a guard tower, gate, ambulance, batcycle, batwing, and seven mini-figs. The first image of the box: And to just get it over with right away, the sticker sheet: The main prison structure (largest of the three) and definately the most detailed: A closer shot of the front: Hidden in the center of the roof is a small compartment to hide a rope for escapes: A side shot of the main building: The first floor has a chair and control panel: A lever pulls a gate over the inside of the door for "lockdowns": A shot of the lever outside the building: The second floor includes three cells with a very clever mechanism that allows all to close at the same time. A shot with the cells open: And partially closed: The third floor contains the instruments for the mentally ill. Very nice detail. Let's have a look at the Batwing. It's the most useless part of the set. It can attach to the roof of the main building. The front gate. It's a nice gate but really needs the sticker: The second building structure, cells for Ivy and Scarecrow: Ivy's cell. Not much detail here: Scarecrow is kept in the tower. A door can be opened or separated as one piece for "break-outs": Scarecrow's cell: The third structure serves as another cell (this one with bars), and the second floor a place for guards to store their weapons: The backside: The guard tower is simple, but works: It would have been great if Lego included a light that really works: The ambulance. It's a very nice vehicle: The backside opens and includes a gurney: And lastly, the mini figs: Starting with Batman and Robin. This is the new (cool hair) Robin: The guards: Riddler and Poison Ivy: And the Scrarecrow. I like. Oh, I almost forgot the Batcycle: Summary Arkham Asylum is the best of the Batman sets in my opinion. The set does have a Harry Potter castle feel to it with multiple buildings. I would have loved to see Lego place all of the various cells and rooms in one larger single building. The main structure is definately the most detailed with three floors and two mechanism that allow "lock-down". I esp. like the detail of the third floor. The other two buildings/towers are just OK. But the colors used work very well (black, dark grey, and brown). The set does contain a number of standard black bricks (1x1s, 1x2s, 1x3s, 1x4s, 1x6-8s). I like to see sets using regular pieces. I love the use of numerous brown framed cell windows. The set contains at least 12. I also like the sloped walls used for the roofs. They make good roof pieces although large. I like the ambulance and the cycle but the night/batwing is useless in my opinion. I suppose for children though, it probably adds to the playability factor. As always, the figs are super. I esp. like the Riddler and Scarecrow. Overall, this is my favorite of the Batman sets. It's definately worth the money! Hope you find this review useful.

Some very original entries. Any more out there?

I would consider hosting a short game of simplified Advanced D&D if some members are interested in participating. I never did this before (using Lego figs) and over the web, but it might be fun. Players could choose their characters and submit pictures, buy weapons, etc. I think it would be fun if the interest exists.

Starwars4J's picture is definately too large. Mine is just a little larger due to the frame added to the original picture (can be portrait or landscape). The 1st picture on this post is just an advertisement announcing the contest. 007 is smaller than the limit. I'll shrink the images that are larger. Share you knight Sir Dillon. We need more entries.

Do you have any pictures of your figs Dr. Lucky?

It's funny, I never bought a set just for the figs. But I do like the Batcave. It's a neat set. See my review for details.