Guide SP-2: Space Police 1 (1989)

-Space Police 1 (1989)-

1989 saw a major change in the LEGO Space universe, Conflict! The previously neutral Blacktron was recast as the villains, with the civilians of Futuron as their targets. As a mediator between these warring factions, and to protect the peaceful members of Futuron from the evils of the Blacktron scourge, the Space Police were introduced. The first generation of Space Police in 1989 saw a military-like law enforcement faction. They wore standardized black-and-white uniforms identical to the more brightly colored Futuron faction. Even with their monochrome uniforms, however, they still looked like bright stars compared to the then ominous black of the Blacktron flight suits.

Another innovation brought to the LEGO Space-verse by the introduction of the Space Police faction was an interchangeable modular design to their ships. Colored black and blue with translucent-red elements, most of the ships in the Space Police line came with universally-designed and fully interchangeable jail cell pods. These pods could easily be deposited or retrieved by any Space Police vehicle for quick and easy prisoner transfers. And speaking of prisoners, a captured Blacktron astronaut was often included to occupy said jail pod.

Though it only lasted for a year, the “Space Police I” subtheme changed the face of the LEGO Space theme forever. It officially introduced the concept of a “Good” space faction in opposition to a “Bad” space faction with a civilian faction caught in between. And the modular ship design was replicated in following space themes to varying levels of success. And to this day, after the original “Classic Space” theme, Space Police I has some of the highest reselling LEGO Space sets on the resale market.

The “Space Police” theme was revisited in 1992 as “Space Police II” and again in 2009 as “Space Police III”, but none with the same success as the original theme. The theme was echoed as well in the 2021 Series 21 Collectible Minifigure Series figure; “Space Police Guy.”

Comments

Guide SP-5: Ice Planet 2002 (1994)

-Guide 3: Ice Planet 2002 (1993)- In 1993 LEGO Space introduced us to the frozen surface of the planet Krysto. The mustached Captain Cold led the inhabitants of this “Ice Planet” in their advancements in the study of rockets and rocket fuel. Alongside him, the first female Space character, Doctor Kelvin, worked to keep their satellite and rocket technology out of the hands of the villainous “Blacktron” agents. The “Ice Planet” faction took the place of M:Tron as the resident civilian faction in LEGO Space lore, working alongside the officers of the second “Space Police” generation to foil the plans of the “Blacktron Future Generation”. The theme was released just after the discontinuation of “Space Police 2” and “Blacktron Future Generation”, and just before the outbreak of the “Spyrius” and “Unitron” conflict. This put them in the position to be featured alongside both sets of warring factions, and though a small force and civilian-based, the “Ice Planet” astronauts proved to be...

Guide SP-6: Roboforce (1997)

-Guide 4: Roboforce (1997)- 1997 saw what may very well be the smallest of the LEGO Space themes to be released. With a grand total of 4 sets to its name, Roboforce was a small, but impressive, theme. Roboforce was set up as a kind of municipal group, taking the roles of both Space Police and M:Tron. Their robots were powered with “Robo Disks”, which were also highly desired by both the Zotaxiansof the UFO faction, as well as the devious era-hopping Time Twisters. The Roboforce faction utilized large Zoid-like robots. These robots were grouped into two classes, Orange Class and Green Class. The Green Class robots were militant and served to maintain justice. Meanwhile the Orange Class was more geared towards “search and rescue” than combat. Of the sets that were released, there were two of each of these robots. Interestingly enough, while the Orange Class were made in humanoid form, the Green Class had more animalistic appearances. Also, with the exception of all but the Green Cl...

Minifigure Spotlight 23.3: Elmo

Minifigure Spotlight 23.3 Name: Elmo Figure ID#: IDEA074 Year: 2020 Theme: LEGO IDEAS Info: Debuting in 1980 on the already popular “Sesame Street”, Elmo is the little red monster with a desire to learn and explore. So popular was the brightly-fured monster tike, that he was given his own segment on the show in 1998, and has become one of the most recognized Sesame Street characters and has a fanbase that rivals some of the Muppets themselves. So it was no wonder that when LEGO decided to release the “123 Sesame Street” set under the “LEGO ICONS” theme, they would include Elmo and even feature his bedroom in the build. Elmo’s minifigure is exclusively found in the ICONS set, though you can also find his figure on a LEGO keychain as well. (Originally Posted on Facebook, Jan. 31st, 2023)

The LEGO Maniac

Search This Blog