Marvel is only second to NINJAGO for its fixation with mechs. Several different Marvel heroes and villains have donned mechanised versions of their outfits. I think it’s fair to say, these have had varying degrees of success. But they are beloved by younger LEGO® fans and offer plenty of play opportunities and interesting minifigures. The first mech-based sets from LEGO Marvel include the Venom Mech Armour and War Machine Mech Armor.
Over the past few years, several similar-sized mechs have been inspired by characters from both the Marvel and Star Wars universes. However, the most recent Marvel sets, including these, offer a slightly different build compared to the Star Wars and older Marvel mechs. Despite the two different characters, the build of both sets is fairly similar. Each mech armour is built around two unique pieces – a bucket-like waist and a chest plate. Together these form the body of the mech armour. There are variations found on each set but the base build of the body – a flip-down chest plate along with the arms and legs are all very similar. Each mech can also hold a minifigure, which forms the head of the mech.
Here’s a closer look at the two LEGO Marvel Mech Armour sets inspired by War Machine and the alien symbiote from the Spider-Man universe, Venom.
76276: Venom Mech Armor vs. Miles Morales
Set Name: Venom Mech Armor vs. Miles Morales | Set Number: 76276 | Pieces: 134 | Theme: Marvel
RRP: £12.99/$14.99/14.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 2 + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Minifigures: Venom & Miles Morales
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
Venom is often portrayed as a larger character, certainly larger than Spider-Man. So giving the symbiote mech armour does bulk it up to be a little more like how the character appears in the comics, movies and games. The addition of tentacle-like pieces helps a little to give the mech a more organic appearance. The main downside is the use of grey elements for the arms and legs. Although a dark element, they still clash with the black and white pieces. Making them very noticeable, especially on the legs.
Unlike most other single mech sets, this one features two minifigures. This version of the Venom minifigure was first used in 2019 and has appeared in four other sets. Technically, Miles Morales is unique, as the hood element is classed as ‘new’ and it loses the dual moulded legs.
Shop Now: UKIrelandUSCanadaMexicoGermanyFranceDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
76277: War Machine Mech Armor
Set Name: War Machine Mech Armor | Set Number: 76277 | Pieces: 154 | Theme: Marvel
RRP: £12.99/$14.99/14.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 3 + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Minifigures: Colonel James Rhodes
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
Some characters are better suited for a mech suit than others and for War Machine, the mech armour seems a natural fit for the character. It’s an extension of the normal War Machine armour and fits the style of the character nicely. The arms are slightly different to one another. Both feature stud shooters, with the right arm having an extra stud shooter on the shoulder. This does slightly get in the way of positioning that particular arm. There’s also a strip of tubing which feeds from the back of the mech into the right arm. It may have limited movement in places but it can posed in different ways.
The set includes one minifigure, Captain James “Rhodey’ Rhodes. This is a new version of War Machine and it uses the updated version of the Iron Man helmet, with a flip-up visor. You can also replace the helmet with hair. The torso, legs and faceplate are all unique and I like that hair has been included as this is often left out with some of the Iron Man minifigures.
Shop Now: UKIrelandUSCanadaMexicoGermanyFranceDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
The Venom Mech Armor set was provided to BricksFanz.com by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Disney. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
