The Gold Standard of DC Minifigures
Honestly, if you missed the boat on the original wave of Justice League Lego sets, you're probably kicking yourself right now. I know I am. It's weird how Lego treats the DC license compared to Marvel; while we get a new Avengers Tower or Sanctum Sanctorum every other year, the Justice League has basically been relegated to the back burner.
Searching for a justice league lego set today usually leads you down a rabbit hole of eBay listings and BrickLink price guides that make your eyes water. We're talking about plastic bricks that have appreciated faster than some tech stocks.
Remember 2017? That was the peak. The Justice League movie (love it or hate it) gave us a specific lineup that actually felt cohesive. You had the Flying Fox, the Knightcrawler, and that weirdly charming Battle of Atlantis. But here is the thing: Lego didn't just make sets for the movies. They also leaned heavily into the comic book roots and the Justice League Action animated series.
The variety was staggering. You could get a classic, bright-blue-suited Superman in one box and a gritty, tactical Batman in another.
Why the 76087 Flying Fox is the White Whale
If you ask any serious collector which justice league lego set defines the era, they’ll point to the Flying Fox: Batmobile Airlift Attack (76087). It was massive. It was expensive. It was also remarkably flawed, yet everyone wants it.
The ship itself was a giant grey slab. Let's be real—it wasn't the prettiest build Lego ever designed. But it held a full-sized Batmobile in its belly! That kind of playability is what kids (and grown-up kids) live for. It also included the only way to get a "big fig" version of Steppenwolf that actually looked threatening, even if his design was a far cry from the Snyder Cut version we eventually saw on HBO Max.
The price for a sealed Flying Fox today? It's triple what it retailed for. Easily.
📖 Related: Hairstyles for women over 50 with round faces: What your stylist isn't telling you
The Strange Case of the Missing Martian Manhunter
One of the biggest gripes fans have with almost any modern justice league lego set is the roster. Where is J'onn J'onzz? Martian Manhunter is a founding member of the League, but Lego treats him like he’s some obscure background character. We’ve seen him as a polybag, and once in a very limited 2014 set, but a full-scale Justice League Watchtower set with the "Big Seven"? It doesn't exist.
It's a glaring omission.
Instead, we get endless iterations of Batman. I love Bruce Wayne, but do we really need 40 different versions of the Bat-Sub when we haven't had a decent Green Lantern in a decade? Ryan Reynolds might want to forget his time as Hal Jordan, but Lego fans certainly haven't forgotten the character. The lack of a proper, widely available Green Lantern minifigure is basically a meme at this point in the AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) community.
Breaking Down the Best Sets Ever Released
Let's look at the sets that actually got it right. If you're hunting for a justice league lego set, these are the ones worth the secondary market markup.
76086 Knightcrawler Tunnel Attack
This set was mechanical genius. The Knightcrawler had these four articulated limbs that could switch from "drive mode" to "crawl mode." It felt like something out of a futuristic construction site, and the inclusion of the Parademons made it a perfect army-builder.
76040 Brainiac Attack
This one is a sleeper hit. Released in 2015, it gave us a classic Justice League lineup: Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter (finally!), and Supergirl. The Brainiac skull-ship was cool, but the minifigures were the real stars here. It represented a time when Lego was willing to embrace the goofy, colorful nature of the comics rather than just the muted tones of the DCEU.
👉 See also: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
76026 Gorilla Grodd Goes Bananas
Don't let the name fool you. This set is legendary. It gave us Wonder Woman’s Invisible Jet (well, as invisible as grey and translucent plastic can be) and a massive Gorilla Grodd figure. It also featured Flash and Batman in his "Mech Suit." It’s pure, unadulterated comic book fun.
The Resale Market: A Survival Guide
Buying a justice league lego set in 2026 isn't as simple as walking into a Target. You have to be smart.
The "New in Sealed Box" (NISB) tax is real. If you just want the bricks and the figures to display on your shelf, buy "Used - Complete." You’ll save 40% immediately. But watch out for the capes. The older spongy capes from the mid-2010s tend to fray or get creases that are impossible to get out.
Also, beware of "custom" minifigures on marketplaces. They look great in photos, but they aren't official Lego. If you're paying Lego prices, make sure the "LEGO" logo is on the neck peg of that Superman figure.
The Future of Justice League Lego
Is there hope? Maybe.
Lego recently started leaning into "Iconic" sets for adults. We've seen the massive Batman '89 Batmobile and the Batwing. Rumors always swirl about a $500 Justice League Watchtower. Imagine it: a massive, satellite-style build with 12+ minifigures, including the entire roster.
✨ Don't miss: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
Until that happens, we're stuck scavenging for retired sets.
The scarcity has created a weird subculture. There are builders who spend months "parting out" sets. This means they buy the individual bricks from various sellers to recreate a justice league lego set without paying the premium for the original box and instructions. It’s often cheaper, but it takes forever.
Actionable Advice for Collectors
If you are looking to start or complete your collection, do this:
- Check BrickLink first. Forget eBay for a second. BrickLink is owned by Lego now and it’s the gold standard for verifying that you're getting genuine parts.
- Focus on the 2015-2018 era. This was the sweet spot for the Justice League. The prints on the minifigures were high quality, and the set designs hadn't yet become overly reliant on "juniorized" large pieces.
- Prioritize the Trinity. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are easy to find. Focus your budget on the "harder" members like Aquaman, Cyborg, and the elusive Green Lantern.
- Invest in UV protection. If you're displaying these, keep them out of direct sunlight. The blue bricks used in many Justice League sets are notorious for fading into a sad, sickly teal over time.
Building these sets is a trip down memory lane. It reminds you of a time when the DC Cinematic Universe was full of potential and Lego was experimenting with every weird vehicle they could think of. Whether you're a hardcore investor or just someone who wants a tiny plastic Clark Kent on your desk, these sets remain some of the most interesting pieces of history in the Lego catalog.
Stop waiting for a re-release that might never come. Start tracking the retired market now before the prices for a simple justice league lego set climb even higher.