Is This Batman Set LEGO’s Best Small Set?

This review needs to start with a story. Way back in September, The LEGO Group sent over one of their highlighted Batman sets for 2022, the very fun and great build of the batmobile. Unfortunately, that set ended up at a neighbors house who was vacationing in Florida for…months. After being picked up by a relative of the neighbor, it took the very long journey all the way to Arizona and back, before finally landing on my door a few days ago. Almost two months later. So, the hype for the LEGO DC Batman Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown which is only 400 pieces! Let’s take a look.

Whenever I build a set under 500 pieces, I’m generally not expecting much. LEGO has always done a great job maximizing pieces and still making detailed and fun LEGO sets. But most sets under 500 pieces, while priced properly, are generally a bit of a let down. The exact opposite is true of the LEGO DC Batman Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown. This set is absolutely unbelievable, and is as fun to play with as it is to put on display. The set was really fun to put together, mixing the best parts of standard LEGO vehicle builds with just the right amount of Technic pieces.

The thing is, this is not a Technic set by definition, but one that hides a decent amount of Technic pieces deep within the bowels of the build. And that’s actually why I think this build is so great.The set also uses unique building methods to create sleek and angled sides, giving the car a sharp look as opposed to a bulky vehicle look.  When it comes to smaller sets, this is easily one that showcases what LEGO can do when they are at their best.

Once complete, though, this set is fantastic on multiple levels. My kids are really getting into super heroes, so they picked all the other DC sets we had lying around out of their boxes and begin playing quickly, always with the Tumbler as the centre of attention. Although their knowledge of DC superheroes and villains is limited, it was a great addition to have Scarecrow included in this set. It would have been so easy for LEGO to just include Batman, but the addition of Scarecrow just adds to the play options here.