I have always loved LEGO sets, but I recently got back into brick-building in a BIG way. It all started when I was gifted the Keith Haring – Dancing Figures LEGO set by my husband back in August, and since then, I literally cannot stop buying new sets. It is a legitimate problem! Luckily for me, Warner Bros. was kind enough to send me the epic new Arkham Asylum modular building LEGO set for review, and boy oh boy did I have a blast putting it together.
There is a lot of talk in the LEGO community about how pricey larger sets are becoming, and this is undoubtedly true – LEGO sets are not cheap, and it is NOT an inexpensive hobby. However, after building the Arkham Asylum set – priced at a solid $299 – I can confidently say that I would have spent my own money on this set, especially because it is modular. If you don’t know (I didn’t before getting this set), LEGO’s modular set series is an ever-expanding collection of complex LEGO building sets that can all connect to each other. The Arkham Asylum set is LEGO’s first modular DC Comics building, so it is an exciting next step in the modular collection. Of course, I wish the set was even bigger, but the final product is still incredibly bold and impressive as a statement piece.
It really is a bold statement piece once completed
My girl Jasper impressed with my building skills
Batwoman is coming for Croc and Bane!
The Arkham Security Office is pretty much useless at this point
Not only can modular sets connect to each other, but they are also all layered within themselves, and easily taken apart. The Arkham set is made up of three layers, and there are truly so many Easter eggs hidden throughout each layer, a perfect experience for builders who enjoy high levels of detail. One interesting complaint I saw people have is that this set comes with two pages of stickers, instead of all the pieces having graphics printed on them. Personally, I loved the extra step in the build process of needing to add the stickers, and it didn’t take away from the experience at ALL, or make the set feel cheaper.
One of the best parts of the Arkham set is the number of mini-figures it comes with. The build comes with a whopping 16 figures, including some of Batman’s most infamous villains like Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Bane. Alongside heroes Damian Wayne, Batwoman, and Batwing, Batman must defend Gotham City from a major breakout at the Asylum! I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the minifigs, particularly the capes of the heroes, which are thick and sturdy, nothing like the thin, wispy capes I got in sets as a kid.
Not only is the set fun to build, but it also tells a story as it comes together, including exciting scenes like Harley Quinn’s ironic psychiatry office and Poison Ivy’s impressive plant powers. As a ’90s kid who grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series, I have always had an appreciation for classic Batman tales, and this LEGO Arkham Asylum set blends the old and new incredibly well. With villainous designs that echo more classic costumes, stickers that honor decades of Batman lore, and the addition of newer heroes like Damian Wayne and Lucas Fox, this LEGO set seems to have something for everyone.
It took me around four days of building to complete this large set, which comes in at 2,953 pieces with over 60 stickers. My only real complaint is that I wanted even more, so that it could have taken me longer to finish. The set comes with incredibly detailed and readable directions and 24 clearly marked and divided bags, with LEGO even touting that this set could be used as the Ultimate Nerd Fantasy Christmas Advent Calendar. I loved making this build because, like many of LEGO’s more complex adult-oriented sets, Arkham Asylum included so many pieces that weren’t inherently necessary for the stability of looks of the build, but instead offered extra detail and pieces to make building longer and more exciting.
I highly recommend getting the new Arkham Asylum set for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one. I am not a pro LEGO builder, so I can’t compare this to other modular sets, but I feel like Arkham’s creative design, attention to detail, and impressive Easter eggs make this a worthwhile investment. With a pretty hefty price tag, I could see this set being better suited for diehard Batman fans. However, I firmly believe any LEGO lover would enjoy making this build. I can’t wait to get more modular sets, like the X-Mansion build, so I can cover my entire living room table with LEGO sets, which will inevitably lead to a LEGO-intervention from my loving husband. Worth it!
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Discovery sent me this Arkham Asylum LEGO set in exchange for my honest review.