Review: 30652 Doctor Strange's Interdimensional Portal
Posted by CapnRex101,
Microscale and minifigure-scale techniques are combined to innovative effect in the interesting 30652 Doctor Strange's Interdimensional Portal, with an attractive skyline presented beyond the trans-orange portal.
Additionally, this Doctor Strange minifigure has appeared just twice before and looks splendid, so remains very appealing!
Summary
30652 Doctor Strange's Interdimensional Portal, 44 pieces.
Buy at LEGO.com »
An impressive minifigure and inventive model make for an enjoyable polybag
- Appealing minifigure
- Nicely designed portal
- Some uncommon elements
- Tao Mandalas are undecorated
Minifigure
This rendition of Doctor Strange was introduced in 76205 Gargantos Showdown last year, later returning with 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum. The unusual moulded cloak is an outstanding feature and looks fantastic, recreating the distinctive shape of the Cloak of Levitation with much greater fidelity than fabric components could.
The cloak clings securely to Strange's shoulders and complements his dark blue robe, which is beautifully accented with brighter blue details. Also, I like the golden Eye of Agamotto printed on the torso, with a series of reddish brown belts beneath. Dual-moulded legs could probably have been included here, although the printing alone looks reasonable.
Doctor Strange's characteristic hairstyle looks excellent, with grey patches on his temples and a couple more on the beard. The smile and grimace are appropriate too. Trans-orange 2x2 dishes represent magical energy shields, known as Tao Mandalas. These are adequate, but I wish the decorated versions available in 76060 Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum would return.
The Completed Model
While small, this model provides surprising presence, for a polybag. The portal looks impressive and matches those from 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum. In fact, these trans-orange 4x4 curved tiles are only otherwise available in the substantial Sanctum Sanctorum, so their reappearance here is certainly welcome.
Unlike the portals in 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum, the other side is not completely filled in and the effect is not as successful as the polybag artwork suggests. However, the microscale skyline is an ingenious solution for such a small model, as headlight bricks and trans-light blue 1x1 bricks provide some variety in architecture.
The model does not seem as attractive from behind, as expected. The dark orange 1x2 rounded plates blend nicely with the trans-orange tiles though. Also, I like the potion bottle and cardboard box on the minifigure-scale side of the portal. These cardboard boxes are becoming something of a Justin Ramsden trademark, given their presence in many of his sets.
Overall
I think the best minifigure-scale polybags require two factors for success. They should contain a desirable and preferably uncommon minifigure, alongside a creative model, which makes clever use of its inevitably minimal parts. 30652 Doctor Strange's Interdimensional Portal satisfies both requirements!
Doctor Strange looks superb and the portal structure is brilliantly executed, considering how few pieces a polybag can contain. As usual, the availability of this polybag is inconsistent around the world, but it has reportedly appeared in Target stores in the US and Toys R Us in Canada. If you can find this little set, it is definitely a worthy purchase.
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37 comments on this article
Since I didn't get 76060, I, too, wish the Tao Mandalas and the ones in 76205, which I did get (May not be the official one, but there was no way I was passing up a Lego Beholder!) had been decorated.
Damn, never been this early!
I wish I hadn't wasted my money buying the Strange figure from 76205 last year.
This polybag looks like it's worth every cent, and I hope to pick up two for the pieces, especially the quarter 4x4 curved tiles.
Also I really enjoy the recent integration of forced perspective in polybags like from the new Harry Potter one.
Time to buy 10 and recreate the portals scene from endgame
@BrickHelix said:
"Time to buy 10 and recreate the portals scene from endgame"
Or is it time to buy ten and sell them at cost price to your Brickset friends across the pond?
https://brickset.com/minifigs/name-Chell is interested and wishes to learn more.
^ LOL! Excellent!
This polybag is perfect. A desirable minifigure and a cool display build. As for the Tao mandalas, I highly recommend the decorated from Firestar Toys. Top quality and looks very official.
@BrickHelix said:
"Time to buy 10 and recreate the portals scene from endgame"
On your left...
I assume this and Cho Chang are going to end up in the Easter section of Target if somebody could just identify if they're actually on shelves....
(Target has it listed on the website, but not available for purchase yet. Argh.)
Now I finally understand what CERN is all about.
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"I assume this and Cho Chang are going to end up in the Easter section of Target if somebody could just identify if they're actually on shelves....
(Target has it listed on the website, but not available for purchase yet. Argh.)"
It was available right when it came out but sold out within a couple days
My local targets have yet to get this...I haven't even seen the X-Wing polybag yet at any of the Targets in my area.
@StudDragon34 said:
" @ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"I assume this and Cho Chang are going to end up in the Easter section of Target if somebody could just identify if they're actually on shelves....
(Target has it listed on the website, but not available for purchase yet. Argh.)"
It was available right when it came out but sold out within a couple days"
Polybags tend to be *incredibly* abundant and I'm shocked if it won't turn up again. If I had to speculate: it probably got released prematurely, THAT sold out, and it'll restock with a street date at some point.
I ran into the Easter Chicks polybag at a Target a few weeks ago. They wouldn't sell it to me because the street date was March 1.
I want to put strange on a bike and have him go through the flying ring of fire
This is certainly one of the best polybags. The parts and build are so good. I picked up two for MOCs a couple weeks back because I wanted them for the accessory holder elements, but really the entire thing is useful.
If your Target is nice enough to have a Disney merch section, that is where you will likely find this set(as I did). Otherwise, good luck hunting!
@LEGOldHead80s said:
"My local targets have yet to get this...I haven't even seen the X-Wing polybag yet at any of the Targets in my area. "
I saw the X-Wing poly bag in my local Walmart over a month ago. They have since sold out completely in my area.
If nothing else, this set is a great opportunity to pick up Doctor Strange on the cheap for your Panlos Sanctum Sanctorum.
I picked this other day, lovely polybag. Cool and detailed minifig, and a nice little build that works as a display for the figure too.
@nashikens said:
" @LEGOldHead80s said:
"My local targets have yet to get this...I haven't even seen the X-Wing polybag yet at any of the Targets in my area. "
I saw the X-Wing poly bag in my local Walmart over a month ago. They have since sold out completely in my area."
Still plenty of X-Wings around here. Looking forward to Dr Strange.
neat polybag, but DSITMOM was the movie that convinced me to leave the MCU behind for good. What a trainwreck.
@MonsterFighter said:
" @BrickHelix said:
"Time to buy 10 and recreate the portals scene from endgame"
Or is it time to buy ten and sell them at cost price to your Brickset friends across the pond?"
Brick a Brac has them in UK £4.49 plus £2.99 Shipping
If its anything like the spiderman one its already sold out on target
@LegoBoi69 said:
"Where are these available from? "
Apparently, you can get polybags from Tesco. Don’t know if this poly is available there as there isn’t a Tesco near me unfortunately.
If you’re just after the minifigure and don’t care about the rest, a forthcoming issue of the LEGO Marvel magazine will have the same Dr Strange & cape.
Dormammu, I've come to bargain!
This is one of the best polybags in a while IMHO. I'll pick up a few for sure for my sons and I.
@Ephseb said:
"neat polybag, but DSITMOM was the movie that convinced me to leave the MCU behind for good. What a trainwreck."
That's an interesting abbreviation...
@Ephseb said:
"neat polybag, but DSITMOM was the movie that convinced me to leave the MCU behind for good. What a trainwreck."
Mine too. Absolutely atrocious writing. The first Doctor Strange is one of my favorites, so I was really disappointed.
@Fan_Of_Bricks said:
" @Ephseb said:
"neat polybag, but DSITMOM was the movie that convinced me to leave the MCU behind for good. What a trainwreck."
Mine too. Absolutely atrocious writing. The first Doctor Strange is one of my favorites, so I was really disappointed."
As a certain longman put it: it was an unbridled cataclysm.
All the same, neat polybag. I'd certainly pick up two for more portal flexibility. Maybe one day we'll see these arc pieces in blue and be able to do some real science.
@PhantomBricks said:
" @Ephseb said:
"neat polybag, but DSITMOM was the movie that convinced me to leave the MCU behind for good. What a trainwreck."
That's an interesting abbreviation..."
"Doctor Strange and the MOM" is literally the plot.
Yeah, I'm glad I skipped the movie. The only thing I got excited for was a character who ended up having about 2 minutes of screentime. I also love how she never seemed to bother getting Vision back.
@LEGOldHead80s said:
"My local targets have yet to get this...I haven't even seen the X-Wing polybag yet at any of the Targets in my area. "
Same. Nada.
I don't even care whether you think the movie was bad or good. I despise Wanda, but Elizabeth Olsen is a treasure and a delight. Also - this is a lovely little polybag. Nice build, great pieces, good minifig. I'll take up to several, please and thank you.
@PhantomBricks said:
"Yeah, I'm glad I skipped the movie. The only thing I got excited for was a character who ended up having about 2 minutes of screentime. I also love how she never seemed to bother getting Vision back."
You're right, they should have given Bruce Campbell's character more screentime
@PhantomBricks said:
"Yeah, I'm glad I skipped the movie. The only thing I got excited for was a character who ended up having about 2 minutes of screentime. I also love how she never seemed to bother getting Vision back."
That was actually the whole point of the Wandavision show and what led to the events of the movie. But true that people who only watch the movies may certainly not understand what happened.
I'm not sure why this review has a link to Buy at LEGO.com ;-)
If only Matt Murdock had been around sooner to help Wanda cope without vision.
How is this already sold out?!?
Has anyone yet found this set in the NY/NJ area?