Blacktron

Set Review: #71046 - Series 26 - Collectible Minifigures

SPACE!!!!!!!!! May 1, 2024 saw the release of Series 26 of the Collectible Minifigure series. Much like the previous sets, these minifigures are $4.99 each. There are 12 minifigures in this series and unlike some of the random minifigures in previous series sets, this one is all space themed. Some are original designs, but others are related to retro space themes which is awesome to see their return to the LEGO world.

In the past, I’ve purchased the boxes of six. Series 26 is no different with #66764 containing the boxes of six. I had a 10% off deal at Target so I picked up some of the individual minifigures in the store. I used the Figure Finder web based tool from falconbricks.com to scan the individual boxes to find each one of the 12. Thankfully it worked and the store I went to had enough in stock so I was able to get all 12. The site isn’t instantaneous so you have to give it a few minutes to find what you’re looking for. One fellow shopper noticed what I was doing and joined in as he was looking for a specific minifigure. He ended up finding what he was looking for too. While I understand the concept of the random bags and that LEGO likes to keep us guessing (and purchasing), I’m glad they’ve allowed the creation of these apps to find what we’re looking for. So thank you to LEGO and the fan community for making this happen.

Onto the review of the minifigures…

Spacewalking Astronaut: This one is in line with the new Space subtheme tied to the CITY theme with similar logos. This minifigure has the most gear to include a space jet pack with controls and a printed tile on the back. You’ll also note that the black base plates are printed with a star pattern which is a nice touch.

Imposter: The head on this one is dual printed with the print in this picture and then a standard minifigure face on the other side. Besides the antenna on its head, it also comes with three small alien microfigures.

Alien Tourist: This one is a fun one with a cool looking hat to go with the alien face. The Hawaiian shirt he has on covers up a white shirt underneath with a red heart and then a picture of Earth. He also has a back pack along with the camera he’s holding.

Retro Space Heroine: This one seems to resemble the Retro Space Guy from Series 17. The difference on this one comes with a dog to go with it.

M-Tron Powerlifter: I was a big fan of the M-Tron theme as a kid and was excited to see this one come back. The torso is the same, but that’s about it. The legs are cool with printing on the front and the sides. The claw is a cool touch. The helmet is different and doesn’t have a visor like back in the day, but it’s good to see the sub-theme return

Nurse Android: Let’s be honest here. No one cares about this minifigure. It’s all about the pink space baby to go with the other ones. We couldn’t get enough of the different colored Classic Space minifigures and now we can collect different colored space babies.

Flying Saucer Costume Fan: I don’t think we’ve ever seen one like this before. The legs and torso have the star pattern and blend in with the base plate quite nicely. Then it looks like it’s just a head in a flying saucer flying through space which is fun.

Ice Planet Explorer: I had a few of these sets as a kid too. The minifigure is similar to the originals, but with a few differences. No translucent orange skis and the helmet doesn’t have the translucent orange visor. The translucent orange chain saw is in line though. Also, the robotic penguin is a nice touch.

Robot Butler: I don’t know where they got the idea for this one, but I think it’s fun. This one has a different base instead of legs, but the torso and head are similar. The translucent green head covering is interesting.

Alien Bettlezoid: The head on this one is interesting. It’s nothing like the normal head. Also, the legs are molded differently from regular minifigure legs so they have a different form.

Orion: Have they made one with translucent parts like this one? I like the references to the constellation and how this one has silver and then the sparkling purple.

Blacktron Mutant: Last one is this Blacktron minifigure. I was excited to hear there would be a return of this sub-theme, but I’m not a big fan of the minifigure. It has the second generation Blacktron logo, but I’m not excited about the mutant aspects. It’s creative, but I was hoping for a minifigure that would go with my old collection of minifigures. I can’t complain too much I guess.

Rumored Space Collectible Minifigure Series

Okay so everything you read on the internet isn’t 100% true, but recently the rumor going around is that LEGO will release a space themed collectible minifigure series soon. After the Disney 100 series retires, we’ll have Marvel Studios series 2, then Series 25, and then a supposed space series in 2024. No one knows that that means yet. Will it be a CITY space themed series? Or Classic Space? Or a mixture of multiple space themes? Or a bunch of alien minifigures?

If I had to guess, based on the recent success of the Classic Space minifigures showing up in #10497-1: Galaxy Explorer, #40580-1: Blacktron Cruiser, and the brown Classic Space minifigure with space baby showing up in #71037: Series 24, I would think LEGO will cater to the fans with more of the same.

So what does that mean? Let’s take a trip down LEGO Space memory lane to discuss what we might see in this release…

Classic Space

We have seen a lot of Classic Space minifigures return in different colors and sizes. I suspect that we would see at least one new Classic Space minifigure and hopefully it will be in a color that we don’t have. What’s left anyways?

Side note… I forgot I even had this one. Other than the dust, it looks pretty good. The helmet doesn’t have a crack and the logo is still there. Nice!

Space Police

The first version of space police looks similar to Futuron, but has a red face shield on the helmet. The re-boot a few years later added some different colors and printing on the faces. We already saw a Space police minifigure in #71029: Series 21 Collectible Minifigures, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them appear again.

Blacktron

Blacktron I and II have reappeared with the Blacktron Cruiser GWP recently. Maybe we’ll get a new Blacktron II minifigure? I like the jet pack suit. Maybe another one will show up?

Futuron

Futuron is kind of an upgraded Classic Space series. I enjoyed some of the tools they came with and it would be fun to see a new one, but I’m not sure we’ll be getting another one considering the popularity of Classic Space and how similar these look.

M-Tron

Please bring M-Tron back in the CMF series!!!!! I was a huge fan as a kid and still am. The magnets in the sets were fun to play with and I wouldn’t mind adding to my M-Tron stash.

Ice Planet 2002

Ice Planet brought a new theme with new helmet visors, printed faces, and lots of translucent orange pieces. It would be awesome to see these guys re-appear. Maybe some girl space figures?

Spyrius, Unitron

I forgot I had these guys. I picked them up right before I entered my “Dark Age.” They had some printing on their faces and different looks, but the theme wasn’t really a standout. I doubt we’ll see either of these guys make a return.

Set Review - #40580-1: Blacktron Cruiser

Well, the LEGO Company got me again. I grew up as a space theme fan (M-Tron rocks!!!!) and was thrilled to see this set come back. I made sure I was right in line to pick up this January 2023 Gift with Purchase (GWP). This one contains 356 pieces and is no longer available from LEGO. At the time of this post, I do have one set available in the Bricks for Bricks Bricklink store if you are looking for one.

The packaging is similar to #21322-1 Pirates of Barracuda Bay and #10305-1: Lion Knights’ Castle. The throwback to the classic yellow packaging is fun to see. The front of the box shows the set with a space like print that we used to see in the old sets. The back gives some of the play functions of the set.

The set comes with six parts bags numbered one through three with two bags for each number. The instructions come in a lighter colored booklet which helps to see the dark pieces, and you get a small sticker sheet. While I’d prefer to have no stickers on any sets, I guess I can’t complain too much about the small sheet included here. Note, the picture has a brick separator from my collection. The set doesn’t come with one.

Here is the sticker sheet. Number two seems to show #10497-1: Galaxy Explorer on the display screen. If you don’t have the Galaxy Explorer, I will tell you that the Cruiser is not on the Galaxy Explorer screens.

The first bag builds the front crew compartment of the cruiser. There is a space for the minifigure and then a space to store a metal detector. The wings fold in and out for atmospheric travel I guess and there are two lasers/blasters on either side of the front of the cruiser.

The minifigure looks exactly like the Blacktron ones from back in the day. It’s cool to get another one in 2023 after not being able to get them since the 1990s. It comes with a metal detector that looks similar to the ones from the 90s, but it doesn’t have the open stud on the detector part.

Bag two builds another section of the cruiser that attaches to the first section with clips. This section is storage and comes with a container with a door and has space for the droid to hang out. On one of the doors is a camera/light or maybe a laser. The doors are held on with clips. They can open, but are a little fragile when you move them.

The third bag builds the back section of the cruiser with the solar panels on wings and a rocket motor. Similar to the last section, this section clips on the to the previous section. The wings are on clips so you can angle them as desired.

Here’s the final build. As a fan of the space themes in the 90s, I am glad I got this one. What a great modern day version. I never had any of the original Blacktron sets, but I did have a few of the minifigures from some of the minifigure packs. If you’re interested and didn’t get one as a GWP, definitely look around on Bricklink or eBay or other secondary marketplace sites.

And I almost forgot the droid. I’m not sure if it’s the same design as one from back in the day, but it fits right in.

As mentioned, I didn’t have any of the original Blacktron sets, but I did have Blacktron 2 or whatever the updated Blacktron theme was known as. So here’s the latest Blacktron Cruiser next to #6832: Super Nova II. It’s a smaller version of the Cruiser with the similar rear wings, engine in the back, a storage compartment, and crew compartment. The wings were a bit dusty so I tried to wash them off. They’re still a bit wet in the picture… sorry. I have a few more of the Blacktron 2 sets. At some point, I’ll pull them out, rebuild, and post about them.

Did anyone else have the Blacktron sets? Do you still have them?

Happy building!