While the display stand is certainly welcome, I think the Benatar looks marvellous without the support. No landing gear is included, unfortunately, but the underside is relatively smooth and the drooped control surfaces remain above the ground. Detaching the vessel is simple as well, since four Technic axles are plugged into the belly. These provide a secure connection but are easily separated when necessary. Each boom is connected to the fuselage using two ball joints, with cosmetic support from the articulated actuators. They can accordingly move outwards which reflects the original vehicle and reveals twin cylindrical engine housings. These thruster booms cannot move downwards though, as exhibited before Thor's departure at the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame. Blob | Cyber | Dark Phoenix | Emma Frost | Juggernaut | Lady Deathstrike | Magneto Acolyte | Mastermind | Mini Sentinel | Mystique | Omega Red | Pyro | Sabretooth | Silver Samurai | Toad Accuracy and detailing were undoubtedly the primary concerns when developing 76193 The Guardians' Ship and the resulting model is absolutely extraordinary! The shape looks perfect when compared with the source material and I appreciate the integration of numerous wedge plates, curved slopes and tiles to recreate authentic markings. Those above the fuselage and wings appear particularly attractive. Thor's presence confirms that this model of the Benatar is based upon its appearance towards the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, hence Gamora's image is displayed. Some vacant clips are available for storing weapons while the floor comprises sand blue and pearl silver elements. These appear appropriately industrial, reflecting this spacecraft's spartan interior.

Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar features 24 days of builds and minifigures to count down to Christmas, all revolving around a specific theme. The current line-up of these seasonal sets ranges from Star Wars to CITY with Marvel being the newest addition to the annual range. However, 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar is the first to be based on a Marvel Studios project rather than Marvel overall, raising expectations from the 2021 version. That initial attempt at a LEGO Marvel advent calendar covered a wide array of characters both cosmic and street-level, but this time the focus is solely on the Guardians of the Galaxy to tie in with their upcoming holiday special, which streams on Disney+ later in 2022. The design team behind 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar understood the brief, filling the doors with references to the team’s Marvel Cinematic Universe adventures and the usual seasonal models. Speaking of Easter eggs, one door holds a crate of items from past Guardians of the Galaxy adventures, including a prosthetic eye, Yondu’s arrow, the Power Stone containment orb and what might be an Anulax Battery from the sequel. This fabric cape appears suitably majestic, although Thor is no longer wearing his cape when departing with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Nevertheless, the minifigure looks impressive and Stormbreaker is provided, as normal. Peter Quill wields his trademark Quad Blasters, although their standard pearl dark grey colour has been replaced with pearl silver on this occasion.The Guardians' Ship shares definite similarities with Ultimate Collector Series models, resting on an elegant display stand and exploiting the substantial scale to integrate extensive detail. The wingspan reaches nearly 59cm and the organic shaping looks spectacular, closely resembling the source material. The coalescing between the fuselage and the wings appears particularly outstanding. Opening both thruster booms also creates space between them, exposing further mechanical details. Roller skates and dark bluish grey ingots are brilliantly integrated here, underneath an authentic viewport which is visible on the original vessel. Such extraordinary attention to detail exceeds almost any previous Marvel Super Heroes set and definitely matches the standard of large-scale Star Wars vehicles. Furthermore, the stand includes a turntable underneath the spacecraft, enabling rotation which is excellent for display. The vessel appears exceptionally dynamic when realistically angled and adjusting the position reveals additional detail. Fortunately, attention has evidently been focused upon every surface, hence the model looks equally impressive when viewed from any angle. Despite their differing scales, these spacecraft incorporate the same 8x6 canopy component. However, the metallic silver decoration seems more intricate while the trans-clear canopy has been replaced with a trans-purple piece. Trans-clear would probably have been more accurate, although the purple colour appears much more impressive in my opinion.

Runaways: Alex Wilder | Chase Stein | Gert Yorkes | Karolina Dean | Molly Hernandez | Nico Minoru | Old LaceMoreover, no plaque is present which is surprising because they have accompanied previous Super Heroes sets, including 76105 The Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition. However, this stand looks adequate without a plaque, spoiled only by the conspicuous Technic beams and blue pins that remain exposed. These issues are bothersome but the colourful vehicle monopolises attention. Thor accompanies the Guardians here, taking inspiration from Avengers: Endgame and thus appearing somewhat bedraggled. Despite featuring flesh arms in the main product image, this minifigure actually includes pearl dark grey arms so matches the movie and the character from 76192 Avengers: Endgame Final Battle. The textured hair element and double-sided head also return from that playset.

Agent Sitwell | Arnim Zola | Bowman | Doctor List | Grant Ward | Hammer | Militant | Tactical Force | Viper LEGO Marvel 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar manages to stand out as an absurd festive celebration in space among the rest of the 2022 LEGO advent calendar range. It does this by featuring a vast array of deep-cut references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, adorable details on exclusive minifigures and rare characters that have been featured in mostly retired or more expensive models.

LEGO: Available from September 1, 2022 — LEGO Marvel 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar build — Theme: LEGO Marvel Set name: 76231 Guardians of the Galaxy Advent Calendar Release: September 1, 2022 Multiversal Heroes: Captain Assyria | Captain America 2099 | Captain Avalon | Forbush Man | Greenskyn Smashtroll | Hulk 2099 | Iron Man 2020 | Nosferata | Warmaker The Guardians' Ship recreates the vehicle with unprecedented accuracy, rivalling Star Wars' popular Ultimate Collector Series! Splendid detail enshrouds this whole spacecraft and appealing minifigures are also included, although Drax is noticeably absent. Nevertheless, the model is paramount here and seems exceptional. Minifigures

Dark Elf | The Destroyer | Ego the Living Planet | Enchantress | Executioner | Frost Giant | Kurse | Laufey | Malekith the Accursed | Mr. Hyde | Radioactive Man | Ragnarok | Surtur Substantial changes have also been introduced for Groot, whose constituent pieces are now dark tan instead of reddish brown. Either colour works nicely, although the lighter shade does show the printing more clearly. This is fortunate because the texture looks absolutely fantastic, covering the head, torso, legs and feet. Groot's unusual head component looks marvellous too.Opening the trans-purple canopy provides adequate access to the interior, although reaching inside becomes easier after opening the complete forward section. Two seats are included for minifigures and their tandem arrangement is appropriate, with articulated control yokes beside the second seat. Additional room would have been welcome for improved accuracy though, of course. Beta Ray Bill | Fandral | Heimdall | Hogun | Lady Sif | Odin | Thor Girl | Thunderstrike | Volstagg