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Following the lives of mutants with a genetic trait known as the X-gene that grants them superpowers, the X-Men have featured in comics, movies, animated series and more.
Now, they’re appearing in a new LEGO® set based on the X-Mansion, the headquarters that houses the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
As we welcome this super new set, here is everything you need to know about the LEGO Marvel X-Men: The X-Mansion.
LEGO designers Justin Ramsden and Mark Tranter were part of the team who created this set, and for both of them it was a dream come true.
“I've been a fan of Marvel comics most of my life,” says Mark, and Justin nods along.
“X-Men: The Animated Series was a super-huge part of my Saturday morning routine as a child,” he adds. “I'd watch cartoons and just became obsessed with this universe.”
“It's mainly based on the animated series, which is paid homage in X-Men ‘97,” says Justin, referencing the set’s bright color palette that will instantly transport nostalgic fans back to the 90s.
“We worked closely with the team at Marvel to include references to the whole X-Men universe, both the comics and the movies,” he continues.
Choosing which rooms to include in a set like this isn’t easy, and the designers admit that there are tough choices to be made.
“Unfortunately, we can't get them all in, but we do get a lot,” laughs Mark.
The upper-level houses Professor X's laboratory, a dorm-room that contains Wolverine’s bed and a medical lab, while on the ground floor is a lobby, classroom and a library, and the Danger Room training facility.
Ready for hours of role-playing, the set’s interactive features include sliding walls and doors, and a rooftop that can be destroyed by activating a switch.
“We've had a lot of fun with it and tried to make it playful,” says Justin.
And for superfans, it’s full of references.
“We have 46 stickers,” says Mark. “So that is a minimum of 46 references to various X-Men universes.”
It would take too long to list them all, but favorites include a beach calendar, some hidden bubble-gum and a certain character lying on a bed looking at a photograph.
“We worked really closely with Marvel to decide what the set would look like,” says Justin. “They sent us a lot of references because obviously there's so many different ways that the mansion is depicted. That means there are multiple design directions that we could have gone in.”
Characters are integral to the X-Men universe and this set comes with plenty of them, including Professor X, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Storm, Gambit, Rogue, Iceman, Bishop and Magneto. The first time several of these have appeared in minifigure form.
Just like with rooms, with so many historic costumes and outfits to choose from, it wasn’t easy to choose the final looks.
“Wolverine is in yellow and black,” says Mark. “It's his most iconic look. But then when I was looking at, say Bishop or Iceman, I looked at comic references, while still wanting it to be recognizable. It's just about finding a balance really because you don't want it to be too obscure.”
At a whopping 3,093-pieces, this set is our biggest X-Men set yet. It’s perfect for play or for display, measuring over 10.5 in. (27 cm) high, 16 in. (40 cm) wide and 10 in. (25 cm) deep when fully built.
“We wanted to tie it into our Super Hero modular street,” says Justin. “Like the Sanctum Sanctorum, The Daily Bugle and The Avengers Tower.”
Whether you already own these sets or are looking to start off your collection, LEGO® Marvel X-Men: The X-Mansion will be a perfect fit.
X-Men are hugely popular around the world, and we had to ask Justin and Mark why they thought that was.
“It appeals to a different type of audience,” says Justin. “They’re kind of outside of society, but they come together to form an awesome team.”
Mark agrees, even believing that the LEGO® Design Team shares some of those traits, “The collaboration and the teamwork between the heroes makes them one big family and they always work together to get things done. Just like we do!”
© 2024 MARVEL
