LEGO® Monster Fighters – a frightful guide to the collection

It’s been over a decade since the legendary ‘Monster Fighters’ were last seen! Packed with immersive storylines, classic characters and plenty of ghostly goings-on, it’s time to travel back and relive this much-loved monster-filled theme!

Inspired by the old classic monsters, this landmark, ghostly LEGO® theme hooked fans with its host of gallant heroes, plethora of monsters and abundance of detail.

Monster Fighters were a secret league of masterful warriors banding together in a race to collect all the magical moonstones before Lord Vampyre used them to create eternal darkness. Lord Vampyre wanted to eclipse the sun, allowing all the ghosts, mummies, zombies and other creatures of the night to enter the mortal world.

Released in 2012, the theme boasted 9 sets of varying size, with four additional promotional polybag offerings. So not a long-running expansive theme, yet one that still managed to become very memorable. A classic example of ‘size doesn’t matter’, this now iconic collection is considered by some as one of the most underrated LEGO themes of all time.

So, whether you’re already an avid collector of sets, or yet to start, don’t be shocked if by the time you get to the end of this guide, you are fully immersed in this exciting story-led theme! Will you be joining Doctor Rodney Rathbone and his band of intrepid heroes, or will you be drawn by the voices from within the darkness and help Lord Vampyre block out the sun for a chaotic monster-filled universe?

It’s time to gather your courage for a monster-filled guide...

Small beginnings!

First up is The Swamp Creature (set 9461). Despite only having 70 pieces, this set packed a punch. Containing two minifigures, a swamp boat, frog, a fish and a small swamp scene garnished with a moonstone gem, there’s a lot going on for a set of this scale. The minifigures were a big draw. Frank Rock was the rugged hero figure and this set was the most cost-effective way to acquire him. However, the real star was the swamp creature – it’s unique to this set, and despite further ‘swamp creature’ versions in the Scooby Doo theme and in THE LEGO® MOVIE 2™ collectible minifigures series, neither had the unique print this Monster Fighters version had. Making it still unique... a real gem in such a compact set.

The Mummy (set 9462) was the other smaller set, weighing in at 90 pieces. Yet once again, these limited pieces were put to good use, with another unique offering. This time it came in the form of a glow-in-the-dark skeletal horse, and despite its obvious demise, it was still hard at work pulling the mummy’s chariot, galloping away to escape the circling Monster Fighters mini-copter. Once again this delivered two great minifigures, our copter pilot and femme fatale Ann Lee, armed with her trusty crossbow and spare bolt clipped into her hairpiece, ready to battle her nemesis, the glow-in-the-dark Mummy figure. A character who was equally as determined to hang onto that purple moonstone.

Hear the engines roar!

The Werewolf (set 9463) had 243 pieces, allowing for a bit more play and display to be brought into the design. Here our hero, Major Quinton Steele, is the werewolf’s arch enemy! He arrives in the forest driving his ‘late 20’s’-inspired vehicle. The large front grille, grey frog bonnet insignia and engine-mounted side exhausts (made from pistol elements) gave this vehicle heaps of character and complemented Quinton’s hunter ethos. But the fun didn’t stop there, as the werewolf minifigure, with a new molded head and white glow-in-the-dark claws, had some surprises of his own. Hidden within the moonstone shrine tree was a top-mounted catapult, from which the werewolf figure could launch onto the unsuspecting hero. A great set with a car design that has certainly influenced future mini-car builds.

However, when it comes to vehicles, it was hard to top the stylings of The Vampyre Hearse (set 9464). This classic horror movie-styled vehicle, stanced low at the front with a raised rear, was very menacing! The ghostly graphics, large side exhausts and toothed front grille all made for an intimidating and elaborate ‘coffin carrier’. Hidden under the giant, bone-clad protruding monster-engine sat another moonstone – whether Lord Vampyre was aware it was there we can only guess at. The three minifigures in this set included a Zombie Driver, Lord Vampyre and Doctor Rodney Rathbone himself. Seated on a flame-spitting moto-cross bike, he gave chase to the sinister hearse, but be aware, Rathbone, my old chum, this hearse holds a coffin-launching secret.

Then... just when you thought the vehicles couldn’t get any more extreme, enter The Zombies (set 9465). Containing Jack McHammer’s pick-up truck, with mounted snow plough, giant ‘zombie crushing’ rotating hammers on either side plus firing roof missiles, this was something for the zombies to fear. Inside the graveyard are two raised graves, framing the crypt, loaded with a potion pot and, of course, another moonstone. This set had a generous four mini-figures, the robot-armed, hammer-swinging Jack McHammer, a Zombie Driver, Zombie Bride and Zombie Groom, making it a very desirable set, especially among those ‘apocalyptic’ horror fans.

Crank the power, Igor!

Time for a meter reading, as the lab powers up for a monstrous creation! The Crazy Scientist & His Monster (set 9466) provides a classic monster-making scene, inspired by the classic LEGO Studios set, Scary Laboratory (set 1382). Here, Doctor Rodney Rathbone and Major Quinton Steele make their second appearance in the theme, but this time they are teaming up to battle the crazy scientist. The spiky-haired scientist, with his mismatched goggles and unbuttoned lab coat, is unique to this set and the villain of the piece. He positions the table under the giant laser, as the Frankenstein figure lies ready to be awoken. This figure was the third incarnation of a Frankenstein monster figure, but it was updated and given a new outfit especially for this theme.

The laboratory itself offered lots of play value with cool fluoro elements on the tower of power to signify the sparking electricity, while a wall packed with accessories connects to the labs and jail cell. Here our heroes can be held – at least until the latest supped-up vehicle comes into play.

This crazy blue car is inspired by the humble Citroën 2CV, but this one’s heavily modified! Fire-spitting jets, a radar and roof-mounted missiles pack out this monster motor. The convenient tow hook links to the chain and pulls the jail cell wall away to free our captured hero.

All aboard… if you dare

The third largest set of the theme took the form of a free-spirited Ghost Train (set 9467)! This all-black locomotive came with three carriages, bone-clad details and glow-in-the-dark decorations, carrying lots of display value as well as play functions. Unlike previous LEGO trains, this set was not designed to be compatible with the rail system, making it free to roam wherever the chase took them, including airborne, hence the winged carriages.

The Ghost Moonstone adorned the locomotive, heavily guarded by three glowing ghoul minifigures, and for those heroes chancing their luck, beware, as they could soon find themselves in the carriage prison cell.

Beyond the great train build, this set came with a very cool plane, with propeller and steam punk-esque stylings. This was the vehicle of choice for the two heroes, Ann Lee and Frank Rock, minifigures we had already seen in smaller sets.

With two great vehicles and five minifigures, there’s no surprise this was a standout addition to the theme.

A true castle of the night

Possibly the highlight of the Monster Fighter collection is this rule-defining Vampyre Castle (set 9468). The largest set in the original launch of the theme and a step away from the traditional, more enclosed LEGO castles of the past. Its irregular towers and configuration made for quite the display piece, as well as being packed with details and features.

Firstly, this set came complete with all the moonstones, so you could play out the epic finale of the narrative, even if you had missed the previous sets. Then there’s the seven epic minifigures, a skeleton, Doctor Rodney Rathbone, Jack McHammer, Lord Vampyre, his bride and two bat monsters which are unique to this set. The castle is also full of fun and surprises, from trap doors, secret potions and a dungeon to spiraling staircases and of course the moonstone device.

In addition, this set boasts another hero car with a net launcher, and its safe to say the vehicles alone make for quite the collection. This set is a must-have and is often wheeled out in fans’ Halloween displays, as it captures the essence of a classic B movie vampire castle perfectly! One of our faves.

Snakes, skulls and broken windows

The Haunted House (set 10228) is a creepy abode, where fear rules and darkness prevails. Released four months after the rest of the franchise, the Haunted House took the prize as the largest of all Monster Fighters sets, with a whopping 2064 pieces. It comes with Lord Vampyre, Lord Vampyre’s Bride, Monster Butler (Frankenstein), Zombie Chef and 2 Ghosts. It is the only full-sized set to not include a moonstone and is one of only two sets to not include a monster fighter; this is all about the monsters. It’s a creepy peek into their home life – well, at least that’s what we think.

Beyond the gothic gates, this towering, somewhat derelict abode sports broken shutters, boarded-up windows and a very uneven set of steps leading up to the front door. With the horror aesthetic instantly achieved, it’s a style that flows throughout the interior. From the cobwebbed kitchen and a snake-filled pot to the haunted attic and the zombie music record player.

Included in this large set were six minifigures, two of which, the Zombie Chef and Monster Butler, where unique, giving collectors even more reason to own this one – if you needed more reasons, that is.

In conclusion

The Monster Fighters was a legendary, spine-chilling LEGO franchise with 13 full sets, 5 gallant Monster Fighter characters, a whole host of disturbing devilish characters and 12 unique minifigures. The built-in story line added to the aesthetic and really inspired the imagination. Many fans considered it to be one of the most iconic Halloween themes. The vehicles, classic monsters and settings meant this collection had it all, and it seems that didn’t go unnoticed.