8BrickMario

Jang's review of the Ultimate Batmobile made me want it even more. I didn't notice the dots that wrap around Polka-Dot Man's legs or the Satyr legs on the Flying Monkeys! And the separated models are surprisingly attractive for what they are.

The bears didn't, either, and the reason for that is probably that such animals are almost never ridden by humans. They're meant to be wild, so I suppose that's being reinforced by the mold.

Ooh, those harpies look great, and the Skyra hair really suits them. I find it fitting that the knight who apparently turns to stone has a mineral name.

That Ultimate Batmobile looks like a great set! I'm a sucker for combo vehicles, and the flying monkey and Polka-Dot Man are fantastic minifigures. The Batwing mechanism is a surprise, but Harley is still the only thing I really want from it.

I don't think it means anything- it's just the way that builder oriented them. Those half-closed eyes could also be rotated to look happy or angry.

People can like or dislike what they want, so assuming you know what they should think is a mistake (and one I'm guilty of.) Personally, I think the arm is an interesting idea, but based on how different it looks on him from different angles, I'd have to see it in person to decide whether it's too bulky or not. Is the barrel actually a pin-stud piece inserted in the end, so it can accommodate bar attachments like the old one? Because if so, then it's almost exactly like the older robot arm mold.

Oh, so Scarecrow's straw is Cool Yellow, not brick yellow.

I don't think the giant slime has any mechanics to it- its hopping doesn't separate it like a magma cube, so there's no need to add an action within the model, and it doesn't seem to have anything inside it, either.

Yeah, I imagine a whole series of tacky huge suit pieces is very unlikely. I expect a couple "tail/wings-and/or-mask" versions, and if they can manage it, perhaps some with no special costume parts at all, but clearly costumey printing

Oh, boy. Look, I get the appeal for a themed series and all, but I'm really beginning to wish this one wasn't, because Series 17 was boring to me, and I don't know if I'm going to want any of these. I guess this is my payback for my fanaticism about Series 14. Please, just introduce some new parts and full-costume minifigures I can pretend are real... I imagine this would be billed as a "Costume Party" series rather than just "Costumes".

The bios are working now. Rocket Boy's is very cute.

These are really nice! These are my ideas, but I'm sure someone else could do these characters better than I, so feel free. Statue: "Don't...move..." The regal carved figure you see before you may look like a block of marble, but he's actually an entertainer, aiming to amaze passerby by pretending to be a sculpture. The only problem is...he's too good. He never breaks his cover to move, and so the passing Minifigures aren't even aware there's an act! The Statue is perfectly happy with his success, but he sometimes feels the urge to reveal his secret, but the Roman Emperor has signed a decree to preserve "that beautiful sculpture in the Forum"...so maybe not! Clock Tower Guy: "No, my name is NOT Benjamin." The Clock Tower Guy is...conflicted. He sometimes wonders if this whole tourism-mascot-suit gig is really worth the stature of the famous tower he's promoting. While he loves introducing the sights of his city to foreigners, he sometimes wishes he could dress up a bit more classy. The tower suit isn't great for mobility, either, and the only advantage he's noticed is that it's gotten the Royal Guard to smile a few times. Perhaps one day he'll be promoted. But for now, he's content to know that he's in the selfies on millions of LEGO tourists' phones. That's an accomplishment, right? Beauty Spa Girl Spas love the Beauty Spa Girl, who seems to think that every single treatment available to her is a miracle and a must-have. She's worn more cucumbers, towels, and face masks than most of the clientele, and her masseuse knows her by name. She always gets "the works", and visits, at minimum, once a week, so her local spa always has a space for her. Does the Beauty Spa Girl really feel better about her treatments? "Of course I do!" she says. "It feels so good to support all of these people here with my business. I don't know what they'd do without me!" Alchemist: "Just add a bit of powdered Moonstone, and a bit of pollutonium, and we should have the secret to turning bricks into chrome!" The wizened old Alchemist is an expert in the strange art of mystical chemistry. He knows the magic of the four elements, and the periodic ones as well, and with the proper mixtures and chemicals, he can create elixirs and minerals capable of just about anything. He's made a hair tonic to tame Medusa's snakes, a stronger material for the Hazmat Guy's visor, and even a mirror that reflects the Vampire! Any request can be fulfilled by his creations, but at the end of the day? The Alchemist has one thing he still hasn't solved- a potion that will allow him to rest at the end of a busy day! Monster Boy "I'm so scary, I get TWO treats, right?" The Monster Boy is in love with all sorts of mythical beasts, and loves dressing up as monsters, with his goal to be the scariest one on the block. What he doesn't understand is that his monster costume isn't really that scary, despite his efforts. His energy is enough, though, and his charm always wins him that extra treat. Now if they only screamed a little and ran. Maybe next year, when he perfects his roar!

For what it's worth, the Retro Space Hero is easy once you identify the crest of his helmet. And the Corn Cob Guy is easy to distinguish from the Rocket Boy if you feel the bumpy texture. And the Dance Instructor can't be mistaken with her huge frizzy hairpiece. I don't recall identifying any others, because I wasn't aiming to get any.

I spotted Series 17 yesterday at my Walmart, but I didn't have any burning must-haves with this group, so I passed for now. Maybe next time I find some.

I don't expect a spider costume to be very scary, though. Probably a fully-exposed face and a goofy mask or something.

I really like the look of this set. And it's nice to see more new City torsos.

But no matter what the costume is, the point of a costumed series is that they're costumes- so I wouldn't expect convincing guises I could pretend were real characters. Unless they get really creative and find a way to tickle me, I'm not a fan of a parts series.

I really hope this isn't a costume series. It would be my "skater series". The costumed characters are a fun recurrence, but not deserving of a whole series. I want some more fantasy/supernatural/sci-fi characters!

Raven doesn't look great- I hate the shadows around her mouth, but the eyes don't bother me. It looks like big eye holes, not huge eyes, and she should do well with her companions. Starfire wasn't nearly as stylized, either.

Well, at least it's nothing special, but hiding random figures isn't my favorite idea. I sorta like the idea of knowing the identity but not appearance of a figure that I'm buying, but at the same, I hate the mystery and obsessive hiding that LEGO is doing. I'm surprised the Vet's hair is new, because it looks so much like the Trendsetter's from the front.

I like the happy face much better.

I'm surprised the Highwayman or whoever it is is still a secret. Why not hide a less recognizable figure? Why hide one at all?

Moth in the movie doesn't have that helmet.

I didn't realize the sharks were gunmetal grey...that's a bit odd, but maybe it's to make them look slick and wet from the water?

New head prints aren't that scarce. Her torso's new, too, so a new head isn't that much of a surprise. If she had been given a new mold, that would be an indication of future use.