With phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe only just kicking with Black Widow. Many of the recent LEGO® Marvel sets have sought inspiration from elsewhere. As well as the new Infinity Saga sets, next month will see another sub-theme launched based on the very first MCU animated series What If…? This will see what the MCU could have been if timelines diverged onto a different path. One of the first sets to be officially revealed comes from the world of Captain America. The origin story of Steve Rogers is well known in both comics and films. An average young man was chosen to receive the Super Soldier Serum, which transforms him into the heroic Captain America. Aided by Peggy Carter and the Howling Commandos, they take on the threat of Red Skull. But What If Steve didn’t receive the serum and Peggy did instead? This set ponders that one question, which changes everything. So here’s my review of set 76201: Captain Carter & The Hydra Stomper.
Product Description
LEGO® Marvel Captain Carter & The Hydra Stomper (76201) lets young Super Heroes aged 8+ recreate adventures from Marvel Studios’ What If…?, an original series on Disney+, taking the imaginative play to a whole new dimension.
New stories with iconic Super Hero characters
When iconic Marvel villain Red Skull steals the Tesseract, one of the most powerful objects in the universe, kids put Steve Rogers into The Hydra Stomper mech to get it back. The movable mech is highly posable, allowing kids to twist and turn the mechanical giant as it advances into battle, firing its 2 stud-shooters at Red Skull. This exciting expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe provides kids with endless, imaginative, Super Hero play possibilities.
- Set Name: Captain Carter & The Hydra Stomper
- Set Number: 76201
- Theme: Marvel Super Heroes/What If…?
- Pieces: 343
- Minifigures: Captain Carter, Steve Rogers & Red Skull
- RRP: £27.99/$29.99/29.99€
- Measurements: stands over 5 in. (15 cm) tall
- Availability: LEGO.com, LEGO Stores & LEGO Retailers
Many LEGO sets have already pondered what if, whether they are based on movies or the overall universe of a certain IP. They may be inspired by a cartoon or book, they could have been based on an upcoming movie, designers often have to use their own imagination to craft sets. But the What If…? sets are directly inspired by the upcoming Disney+ series. This particular set includes a trio of familiar characters and a familiar but new mech suit, dubbed the Hydra Stomper.
With Steve lacking the superhuman strength provided by the Super-soldier Serum, he uses his wits to control an Iron Man-like mech suit. It has a similar appearance to Stark’s Iron Monger and Hulkbuster suits but had a more military feel from being green in colour. Although it does feel like one of the larger Iron Man suits, it is much smaller than some which have become previous LEGO sets.
The head section uses the same piece as the recent Iron Monger set. This was previously used as a shoulder plate in various ‘constraction’ sets. This printed piece is perfectly suited as a faceplate for a mech. The body is far more angular than other similar Marvel mechs, which ties nicely to the World War II era. Both the head section and the chest plate can both be flipped open to access an area to place a Minifigure.
There are various points of articulation on the Hydra Stomper, including the legs and arms. But they aren’t all implemented as best as they could be. The arms have two click hinge pins. Now whilst they work well as the hinge end of the connection, the opposite end, which is connected to an axle rod is far more restrictive. Regardless of this the build is very stable and has plenty of movement elsewhere.
The Minifigures are all based on MCU takes on the characters. As is the basis of the What If…? stories, two of those characters have basically flipped their roles. Steve is a mere normal soldier and has the outfit to convey that. Peggy is very different and amazingly this is her first-ever physical LEGO appearance. With the strength of a Super Soldier, Peggy takes on the mantle of Captain Carter. Her outfit is similar to Captain America’s complete with a shield. However, comparing the outfit featured here with that seen in the recent trailer shows it could have been so much better. Instead of a brightly coloured suit inspired by the Union Jack flag, the Minifigure’s outfit is very much more muted, which is a disappointment.
Red Skull is very much the same as his previous versions. The biggest improvement has to be the Tesseract or Cosmic Cube. In place of using a transparent 1×1 brick, one of the Minecraft head elements has been used. This offers a much more cubic element and a welcomed upgrade to an important MCU McGuffin.
Despite the disappointing take on Captain Carter, the overall set seems like it’s a decent recreation of the source material. Over the last 10 years and three connected phases, I’ve become deeply infatuated by the MCU and the many sets based upon it. Unlike the Star Wars sets, they continue to offer something different and these What If…? sets are a great example of that.
Coming Soon: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
