It’s the beginning of a brand new 12 months, which after all means it’s time for some new Lego units! Each January 1, Lego releases an extended listing of recent builds, and this time Star Wars followers received a beautiful and long-awaited deal with: A brand new TIE bomber set. And it solely took twenty years of ready. Nevertheless it seems to be like a improbable set containing some neat minifigs and particulars.
Whereas fashionable Star Wars ships just like the X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Millenium Falcon typically get new Lego fashions, different ships from the galaxy far, distant aren’t practically as fortunate. Chalk it as much as recognition, an absence of curiosity, or simply that Lego is proscribed in how typically it may possibly create new designs and Star Wars is so massive that it’s going to 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 manner again in 2003. There was a vote in 2020 held by Lego to pick the following high-end UCS (Final Collector Collection) set, and one of many choices was the TIE Bomber. Nevertheless it and the Nuebulon B Escort Frigate misplaced to the Republic Gunship. (I voted for that ship and purchased it when it got here out final 12 months. Sure, I’m a part of the issue. I do know.)
Nevertheless, 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 significantly better in practically each different manner.
First off, this new TIE Bomber isn’t blue and black. Look, I get that some of us have nostalgic emotions for the basic Lego Star Wars designs. And I too have some heat and fuzzy reminiscences linked to the blue and black designs of the previous Imperial vessels. However over the past 20 years, Lego’s shade choice and element work have superior tremendously, and it’s satisfying to lastly have a contemporary, fantastic-looking TIE Bomber, full with all of the little particulars and design touches you anticipate 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.
I’ve additionally seen some complaints surrounding the minifigs included on this new TIE Bomber set, and whereas I do assume it most likely wanted yet one more fig to assist offset the upper worth, I’m 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’ve 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’s 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 long-lasting droid has no actual foundation in canon, however apparently, the designer behind the set was in a position to persuade Disney to let him embrace it as a enjoyable joke character. I’m glad he was in a position to persuade Lucasfilm and Disney to let him embrace this new Imperial bot, and I’ll 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 dissatisfied with the worth, I’m very happy with this new Lego TIE Bomber. I’ve been wanting a contemporary, nice-looking Bomber for a very long time, and also you higher imagine I swooped one up the second it appeared on my native Lego Retailer’s cabinets. Now I simply want to search out extra room in my condo to comprise all my Lego units…