Lego Batcave Shadow Box 76252 [Set Review] - Set Up Batman's Lair

Numerous LEGO sets have featured the iconic Batcave, but not as detailed as this Batcave Shadowbox Lego 76252. With approximately four thousand pieces and a design inspired by Tim Burton's Batman Returns, there's no doubting that this Batcave is the largest Batcave set to date, but its nature may prove to be as contentious as the 1992 sequel.

It comes with 3,981 pieces, and the LEGO DC 76252 Batcave Shadowbox is now on sale.

The Batcave has traditionally been depicted as a somewhat open space, typically comprising a number of interconnected decks. Since this one is contained, it comes together more cohesively than open sets. You'll notice this is the best-exhibited batcave ever with its vast size and novel shadow box shape.

Package

The package comes in a large black themed box with black seal. In the bottom right corner, you'll see the logos for the Batman film and for DC Comics. The box comes with minifigures, and the Batmobile is visible through the iconic Batman emblem printed on the front, serving as the only visual representation of the set.

The reverse of the box features an open model set of the Batcave and Batmobile, revealing the inside. There is a size diagram of the set (20" x 11") in the bottom right corner, with five sets of insets illustrating the "play" elements that can be triggered by turning the yellow knobs on the rear of the structure.

You can do things like raise and lower the vault door to access the weapons storage, expose one of the Batman costumes, and open and close the Batcave garage door for the Batmobile. Whenever Alfred brings some tea to his master Wayne, the butler needs to descend the ladder with one hand on it and the other on the tea tray.

The display box set itself is wonderfully detailed, with the Caped Crusader's Batmobile serving as the centerpiece. The playset, like the Batcave, includes several interactive elements. These include movable furniture, a screen that can display different images, a vault, a door, and various light blocks.

Inside the box, there are 29 different sections represented by 35 numbered bags and 3 unnumbered bags. You'll see a smaller white box containing half of the bags, while the other half are free-floating in the larger box. It comes with a small sticker sheet for use on the Batcave monitors and control panels and also comes with an envelope that contains four manuals.

Minifigures

Batcave Shadowbox 76252 comes with seven minifigures. It includes two Batman versions along with five other characters that can only be seen in this set:
Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Catwoman, The Penguin, and Max Shreck

The first Batman minifigure for this set shows Batman's new batsuit from Batman Returns, featuring a modified version of the combined cape and cowl, which was first seen on the 76139 Batmobile model. You'll see the emblem on his chest is now rounder, with long ears and angular features around the eyes, which were carried over from the previous version.

The utility belt and torso are new additions, yet the distinctively chiseled abs from the Batman Returns outfit remain, which goes well with the cowl and cape.

You should like how the cape transitions from slick plastic to a rougher surface, creating that unique look and feel. While the cape is perfect for solo minifigure displays, this can be a problem in tighter quarters like the one from the Batmobile set.

The second Batman minifigure is more conventional, as he sports a cloth cape that can be stored away easily. There's the dark blue-grey batarang attached to the utility belt, which makes the torso interchangeable with the one above. You'll notice the new cowl as the most striking deviation from previous designs.

This cowl is different from others since it is dual-molded, with the eyes having white lenses, and you can only see its mouth. The ears are quite short and stand out. This looks like a generic representation of Batman, though the shape works fine, and when compared to the other design, this appears different from Batman's 1992 cinematic attire.

Build Process

For the batcave, stack black bricks and then create dark gray slopes for its lengthy base at the back of the box. There are angled plates and a couple of stalagmites that come with unicorn horns on the cave floor. When Batman wants to do some maintenance on his gorgeous vehicle, he can use the tools he keeps in the three light gray areas of wall space.

The Batmobile parking area occupies the entire right side of the basement. LEGO sets come with a variety of tan, white, yellow, and green pieces that provide structural support that is totally covered by the finished build, while Batman solely builds in black and dark gray.

Use brick stacks and hinges to make sure pieces attached to the main box stay securely attached. The top is completed with two enormous black tiles and a collection of yellow floor lamps, while the sides are covered in plates and tiles.

The Batmobile has its signature two big fins, a jet engine-sized intake, a long front, and a flame-spewing rear engine. The two halves of the chassis are assembled first. A simple mechanism is used to raise the vehicle's twin machine guns, positioned on either side of the car. An entertainingly absurd addition is the Batmobile's flame on its back. To make the jet flame spin when the wheels roll, a small gearbox links it to the axles in the back.

The Batmobile swiftly takes on its distinctive look with its long, curved front and low-arched wheel. Batman's seat is aesthetically pleasing, while the low windscreen and shaded side windows accurately reflect its cinematic inspiration. You can complete the vehicle's construction after installing the low canopy, two enormous back fins, and flame-throwing back engine.

After you've finished with the Batmobile parking place, you should proceed to the Batcave's aft portion and to its computer station. There, you'll find a simple gearbox in the floor that, when turned, will rotate Batman's chair. Along the top of the tool wall, you need to construct more slopes, stalagmites, and several safety railings.

Next to the right, you need to install the base part of the vault housing the Batsuit and the bottom half of the stairway that goes to Bruce Wayne's Mansion.

For the batcave's third room, the grapple gun and the batarangs are hidden away behind heavy doors. There are also stalactites that dangle from the underside of the slopes.

Going back to the Batcave computer, this has three main screens and secondary screens covered in stickers. Two ladder pieces connect the three segments.

There are three monitors that can be switched out with the turn of a knob, and they are all located in a long tiled portion at the back of the computer station. To make switching between displays possible, install the screen assembly and secure the gears.

After a little diversion from the Batcave, move on to the front's lower half, where you'll see the giant bat logo chiseled out, leaving behind glimpses of gray rock at its margins.

The garage door may be swiftly closed by pressing a button in the back of the garage. You can do this after you have finished constructing the middle section above the Batmobile parking area.

There's a smaller Batman sign made of arches and curving slopes on a black backdrop, which you can see above the garage door. A nice touch to the Batcave showcase, it makes Batman's garage feel more homey than just being an enormous box window.

Return to the back wall of the batcave to construct the weapons rack, Batsuit's secure compartment, and vault doors.

More slopes and stalagmites are added to the cave wall above the workspace to the far left. With the last turn of a knob in the back of the case, it completes the drawbridge and the mechanism for the weapons rack's doors, which glide open and close with ease. The mechanisms should have been fully completed.

Unlike nearly every other LEGO Batcave kit, this one does not include a Batman transformation function. However, there are aspects that work for aesthetic purposes for the actual play, like the diorama set's moving doors and rolling boulder that you can activate by turning knobs.

Large grilled plates and black tiles line the back of the box as a finishing touch. Scaffolding planks, additional stalactites, and bats dangling from the ceiling decorate the underbelly.

Finishing the front of the box involves adding more gray slopes of varying sizes and shapes, as well as more stalagmites and stalactites to the floor and wall. The Batman cutout from the base is carried over.

The final flap completes the Batman symbol cutout on the front of the box, and it also features additional scaffolding components, lights for the Batcave's inside, and additional bats. The piece is assembled backwards, then turned so that it may be securely fastened to the box's two front walls. The two walls are high and need to be supported to keep the box's structure light.

Now that the box is finished, it is held together by a few basic clips, a number of tab and slot connections along the bottom and sides, and a set of three axles that slide into Technic holes without friction. Cautious pressure is required to make sure all of the studs join securely.

Complete Set

The shadow box works well with this model because of the dim lighting in the batcave. The overall measurement of the structure is 51 centimeters in diameter, yet just 15 centimeters deep. However, this may be seen as an advantage because the batcave could then be stored on a shelf rather than taking up a lot of floor space or needing a table.

The front is complete with its distinct black exterior and muted gray interior. The model's depth was minimized by having the majority of the back made of a layer of gray bricks. Although this side won't be seen.

The bat symbol frame is large and allows for sufficient entry into the cave. The lid of the box opens in three parts and closes with a hinge at the back, just like a book. While this configuration looks nice in a display case, it obviously takes up more room than the previous one and is therefore less practical.

The iconic bat logo is built with slopes and integrated with the cave's interior, with the black panels giving way to dark bluish rocks, with some upside-down bats adding a great touch. The ingenious combination of slopes gives a sense of natural texture. Building the set piece by piece allows you to recreate the mood of the Batcave by using a combination of subdued colors and brighter accents of bluish gray and yellow.

A noticeable difference that you'll see is the Batmobile parking platform, which is round in the movies but square on the set. It's evident that a circular platform wouldn't fit inside the shadow box. Though it's good that there's enough room for the Batmobile,

For the Batmobile, it has a new windscreen in its cockpit and redesigned sleek tail fins, capturing the original's stealthy menace and lightning-quick speed. Furthermore, the central turbine's well-shaped cylinder makes efficient use of a wheel hub on the circular opening. The overall form is vastly enhanced, and you can have Batman ride comfortably inside, completing the appearance with the included decals. This vehicle has clipped-in fins that give it a more polished appearance and a removable flame that can be left outside the batcave when not in use.

The Batmobile's maintenance equipment is conveniently fastened to the wall behind the parking platform. These light blue-gray panels look fantastic, and their incorporation of masonry bricks makes for a fascinating texture. Lights are represented by trans-yellow plates, which look great when used repeatedly around the batcave.

A ladder leads up from the basement of the Batcave to several platforms, notably the one that houses Batman's computer rig. The platform is roomy enough for Bruce Wayne and Alfred, while the pearl-dark gray lattice column anchored underneath gives it a sleek, modern aspect.

Multiple screens and buttons call to mind Tim Burton's Batcave computer from his Batman movies. You can capture this look using the stickers provided. In addition, Batman has a brick-built chair that can be adjusted and rotated by turning a yellow dial at the Batcave's rear.

The screens on the left and right show different maps of Gotham City, while the ones in the middle show the Penguin and Catwoman. The screens must be aligned precisely with their frames; therefore, careful application of the stickers is required.

There's a stairway that links Batman's computer platform to his Batsuit vault. The bolts on either side are formed by pearl silver circular plates, and a round window allows a glimpse of the Batsuit on exhibit inside. There's a light brick installed above the batsuit chamber, providing illumination when turned on.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Challenging, immersive, and rewarding build
• Will take you through many different areas of the Batcave, from the Batcomputer to the Batmobile garage.
• The finished model is highly detailed
• Plenty of features to admire, such as the Batcomputer, the Batmobile garage, and the Batwing.
• Stunning display piece that will look great on any shelf or desk.
• Limited-edition set, so you won't want to miss out on it.
• A great way to show your love for Batman and LEGO
• A great conversation starter and will be sure to impress your friends and family.
• A great way to get creative and display your own Batman collection

Cons

• It's a bit expensive, but it's a high-quality set that is sure to last for years to come.
• This is not very large, so it may not be suitable for those who expect a large model set.
• The minifigures in the set have limited articulation, which may be a disappointment for some collectors.

Our Take

The layout for 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box is outstanding as a whole, depicting various parts of the batcave with attention to detail and an engaging style for some imaginative play. However, in essence, you'll find the model somewhat limiting. The Batcave Shadowbox compared to Batman Returns has been altered from the original, which some may find almost unrecognizable.

However, for a huge Batman fan and a purist for Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns, building the LEGO Batcave Shadow Box would be a blast. As with most LEGO kits, there is genuine pleasure in witnessing the finished product take shape throughout the build, and the actual build itself is full of fun and interesting sub-assemblies.

Overall, the LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box is an excellent set for fans of Batman and LEGO. It is a challenging and rewarding build, with a detailed and stunning finished model. If you are looking for a great display piece, the Batcave Shadow Box is a must-have.

The LeLightGo Light Kit for LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box

The LeLightGo Lightkit for LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box is the perfect way to take your Batcave display to the next level. This kit includes individual LEDs that are pre-wired and easy to install. With the LeLightGo kit, you can illuminate all of the most iconic features of the Batcave, including the Batcomputer, the Batmobile, and the Batwing.

The LeLightGo kit is easy to use and comes with a detailed instruction manual. Simply follow the steps in the manual to connect the LEDs to the included control box. Once the LEDs are connected, you can choose from different lighting modes, including steady on, pulsing, and breathing.

The LeLightGo Lightkit for LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box is a must-have for any Batman fan. This kit will transform your batcave display into a work of art that will look amazing day or night.

Features

• Includes individual LED light kits
• Pre-wired for easy installation
• Different lighting modes
• Easy-to-follow instruction 
• Made from high-quality materials

Adding a Light Kit to the LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box

The LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box is a beautiful and impressive display piece, but it can be even more amazing with the addition of a Lightkit. A Lightkit is a set of LED lights that can be installed in your LEGO model to create a realistic and dynamic lighting effect.

To add a lightkit to your Batcave Shadow Box, you need the following:

• Lightkit for the LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box
• Power source (Battery pack or USB power bank)

Summary

Follow the instructions that come with your Lightkit to connect the LEDs to the power source. Be sure to carefully disassemble your Batcave Shadow Box to access the areas where you want to install the LEDs.

There are helpful instructions that come with your Lightkit to install the LEDs in your Batcave Shadow Box. After installing the lights, carefully reassemble your Batcave Shadow Box.

You can now plug in the power source and enjoy your illuminated Batcave Shadow Box!

Take your time when installing the LEDs. It is important to make sure that they are connected properly to avoid any damage to your LEGO model.

Our Rating

Recommendation

If you are looking for a way to take your LEGO Batcave display to the next level, then the LeLightGo Lightkit is the perfect solution for you. This kit is easy to use and comes with everything you need to create a stunning illuminated display.

With a Lightkit, your LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box will become a truly stunning display piece that will amaze everyone who sees it.

➡️ Click Here for Light Kit for LEGO 76252 Batcave: Shadow Box