Since the start of the decade, LEGO DC has effectively become a Batman theme in all but name – and a newly revealed set suggests that trend isn’t changing any time soon.
Launching on September 1, 40859 Golden Age Superman and Batman Figures brings the Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel together in their classic 1950s comic book designs. While many fans will be pleased to see Superman included once again, the set highlights a persistent issue: almost every LEGO DC release since 2020 has focused on one, or both, of the publisher’s flagship heroes.
In fact, only one LEGO DC set released this decade has featured neither Batman nor Superman: 76157 Wonder Woman vs. Cheetah, which arrived in April 2020 alongside Wonder Woman 1984. More than six years later, that 371-piece model remains the theme’s only 2020s release to leave both icons on the sidelines.
Superman has also struggled to maintain a consistent presence. Following 2018’s 76096 Superman & Krypto Team-Up, the character disappeared from shelves for seven years before returning in January 2025 with 76302 Superman vs. Lex Luthor. Although the set arrived in the same year as James Gunn’s Superman, it retired before the end of 2025, leaving Batman as the undisputed face of LEGO DC once again.
That represents a major shift from previous years, when the LEGO Group regularly explored more of the DC Universe. In 2018 alone, fans could pick up 76098 Speed Force Freeze Pursuit, 76095 Aquaman: Black Manta Strike, and several Mighty Micros sets featuring characters including Supergirl, Brainiac, and Nightwing. Those releases showed that LEGO DC once had more room for heroes and villains beyond Gotham.
The reason behind the change is clear. Batman remains one of the world’s most recognisable superheroes and a reliable seller regardless of whether he has a film in cinemas. However, LEGO DC now appears caught in a self-reinforcing cycle. Batman receives sets because he consistently attracts buyers, while characters such as Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman rarely receive the same opportunity to build a stronger presence among LEGO fans.
That approach feels increasingly out of step with DC Studios’ current reboot. As new films and series introduce audiences to a wider range of characters – from Supergirl to the Green Lantern Corps – the LEGO Group has yet to significantly expand its DC offerings alongside them. Compared to LEGO Marvel, which regularly explores corners of its universe beyond its biggest names, LEGO DC’s limited variety stands out.
If DC Studios’ new cinematic universe succeeds long-term, the LEGO Group has an opportunity to broaden its approach and showcase more of the publisher’s legendary roster. Until then, 40859 Golden Age Superman and Batman Figures serves as another reminder that one of comic history’s richest universes remains overwhelmingly defined by its two biggest heroes.
40859 Golden Age Superman and Batman Figures releases September 1 in LEGO Stores and on LEGO.com for £22.99 / $24.99 / €24.99.
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