Picture: Lego / Lucasfilm / Kotaku
It is the beginning of a brand new yr, which after all means it is time for some new Lego units! Each January 1, Lego releases an extended checklist of recent builds, and this time Star Wars followers bought a beautiful and long-awaited deal with: A brand new TIE bomber set. And it solely took 20 years of ready. But it surely seems like a implausible set containing some neat minifigs and particulars.
Whereas widespread Star Wars ships just like the X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Millenium Falcon typically get new Lego fashions, different ships from the galaxy far, far-off aren’t almost as fortunate. Chalk it as much as reputation, a scarcity of curiosity, or simply that Lego is proscribed in how typically it could create new designs and Star Wars is so large that it’ll at all times be enjoying catch up. Regardless of the motive, the TIE Bomber was one of many extra well-known and beloved Star Wars ships to be placed on the again burner by Lego after getting just one set method again in 2003. There was a vote in 2020 held by Lego to pick out the following high-end UCS (Final Collector Collection) set, and one of many choices was the TIE Bomber. But it surely and the Nuebulon B Escort Frigate misplaced to the Republic Gunship. (I voted for that ship and acquired it when it got here out final yr. Sure, I am a part of the issue. I do know.
Nonetheless, it appears Lego has lastly remembered the ol’ Bomber exists and launched a brand new model of the ship on January 1. This new TIE Bomber (753470) is comparable in dimension to the unique 2003 model, however oh so a lot better in almost each different method.
First off, this new TIE Bomber is not blue and black. Look, I get that some people have nostalgic emotions for the basic Lego Star Wars designs. And I too have some heat and fuzzy reminiscences related to the blue and black designs of the outdated Imperial vessels. However during the last 20 years, Lego’s shade choice and element work have superior tremendously, and it is satisfying to lastly have a contemporary, fantastic-looking TIE Bomber, full with all of the little particulars and design touches you count on from a set nowadays. On the draw back, this new TIE Bomber prices over twice as a lot ($65) as the unique $30 set from 2003, with out inflation factored in.
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I’ve additionally seen some complaints surrounding the minifigs included on this new TIE Bomber set, and whereas I do assume it in all probability wanted another fig to assist offset the upper value, I am very proud of the figures included.
Within the set, we get a barely new Darth Vader determine, a decent-looking TIE pilot, Vice Adrimal Rae Sloane, and final however not least an Imperial Gonk Droid. The final two characters are essentially the most thrilling inclusions. That is the primary time we have gotten Sloane in a Lego set. The character is from the books and comics and has by no means appeared in a live-action present or film. (But.) So it is superior to see a barely extra obscure character get a minifig. Even higher, Sloane has a brand new torso print, too!
Lastly, we get our first Imperial Gonk Droid determine. Technically, this model of the enduring droid has no actual foundation in canon, however apparently, the designer behind the set was capable of persuade Disney to let him embody it as a enjoyable joke character. I am pleased he was capable of persuade Lucasfilm and Disney to let him embody this new Imperial bot, and I am going to gladly be including it to my rising assortment of Lego Gonk Droid variants.
Total, whereas I do know some diehard Lego Star Wars collectors are disenchanted with the worth, I am very happy with this new Lego TIE Bomber. I have been wanting a contemporary, nice-looking Bomber for a very long time, and also you higher consider I swooped one up the second it appeared on my native Lego Retailer’s cabinets. Now I simply want to seek out extra room in my condominium to comprise all my Lego units…