LEGO 76252 Batcave Shadow Box celebrates Batman Returns with a unique display box concept

May 16, 2023 | 15

DC and LEGO Batman fans can finally rejoice, as the long drought of Batman sets finally ends in June 2023, with LEGO officially unveiling 76252 Batcave Shadow Box, based on Tim Burton’s Batman Returns!

This 3,981-piece set features a fully kitted out Batcave, contained within a really interesting “shadow box” design featuring a cutout of Batman’s iconic emblem.

Diehard LEGO Batman fans looking for a large, and very monochromatic display models can look forward to 76252 Batcave Shadow Box, releasing on 5 June 2023 for LEGO VIPs, ahead of an 8 June general release date.

See below for regional pricing and product pages:

• 76252 Batcave Shadow Box [US] – US$399.99
• 76252 Batcave Shadow Box [AUS] – AU$599.99
• 76252 Batcave Shadow Box [UK] – £344.99
• 76252 Batcave Shadow Box [EU] – €399.99
• 76252 Batcave Shadow Box [CA] – CAD$519.99

True to LEGO Batman’s words – Batman really does really only work in black, and sometimes very, very dark grey.

The Batcave Shadow Box has a dual function of existing as a standalone shadow box, with Batman’s cleverly cutout and framed using negative space, OR it can fold open to reveal Michael Keaton’s Batman Batcave.

It’s quite a large display piece, measuring 51.2cm (20.16 in.) wide, 14.8cm (5.86 in.) deep, and 29.1cm (11.46 in.) tall.

At the heart of the set is the Caped Crusader’s Batmobile and, just like Batman’s Batcave, the set features clever functions and gadgets including the ability to move furniture, change images on the big screen, open a vault and open a door, and several light bricks.

The Batcave Shadow Box set comes with 7 minifigures – Max Shreck, Catwoman, two Batman suits, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, and The Penguin.

Interestingly, in addition to the Tim Burton cowl previously seen on 76161 1989 Batwing, and the 1989 Batmobile, we also get a brand new cowl which has larger, and more prominent white eyes.

I really like that we FINALLY get both Danny Devito’s Penguin, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, as well as Christopher Walken’s Max Shreck included which complete any fan’s Tim Burton Batman minifigure collection.

FIrstly, I think this concept is really quite clever, and makes for a really large, and striking display piece, especially when enclosed. It’s also begging to be lit up with 3rd party LEGO lighting for maximum effect, if you can bathe it in yellow LED lights.

It then of course opens up, to reveal the Batcave inside, which is really well-designed, despite the limited colour palette.

There are plenty of neat details like the armoury, and play features aplenty, and you can tell that the graphic designers had fun working on this set based on the many screens.

I’d say that this set is a nice mashup of art, as it functions really well as a display piece, but what really causes it to stumble is the pricetag.

At US$400 / AU$600 / £345, this is an immensely expensive set, and I’m just not sure if DC and Batman fans will stump up this much for a large Batman Returns Batcave.

Comparisons will inevitably be made to sets like 10316 Rivendell, which is only US$100 more, but boasts almost 2000 more pieces, and way more minifigures or the other big June release – 71799 Ninjago City Markets which only comes in at US$369.99 / AU$549.99.

It’s a big ask, and I feel like LEGO has not really set 76252 Batcave Shadow Box up for success with this pricetag.

What do you think of 76252 Batcave Shadow Box? Will you be putting this on your June 2023 wishlist?

76252 Batcave Shadow Box will be released on 5 June 2023 for LEGO VIPs, and will be available exclusively from LEGO.com or your local LEGO store.

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