This is essentially a review of the 2024 LEGO City Jungle Explorers subtheme. I may get distracted along the way and explore aspects of the Adventurers Theme. Readers are warned of upcoming rabbit holes and narrative cul-de-sacs. Normal service shall resume shortly

From 1998 to 2003, the LEGO® Adventurers theme represented the pinnacle of in house, story-driven themes – complete with heroes, villains, exotic locals and angry locals, the theme felt like a cross between Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. And while both of those themes were years away from formal licensing, Johnny Thunder, Pippin Reed and Professor Articus Kilroy led the way, travelling through Egypt, the Amazon, and Asia…with a stop by Hollywood along the way.

We have seen recent remakes of Professor Kilroy and Pippin Reed in ICONS and IDEAS sets, but this year, Johnny Thunder returns at the other extreme of price points in a couple of the new LEGO City Jungle Explorers sets. Thanks to the LEGO Group for sending me sets from the LEGO City range to review. Before we dive in too quickly, lets take a look at the ways that Johnny has appeared over the years.

Johnny Thunder: The Man, The Myth,The Minifigure.

Johnny had a look: rugged sideburns and moustache. In later years, a cleft appeared in his chin. He was an amalgam of Alan Grant from Jurassic World and Indiana Jones. Fun fact: In some markets, Johnny Thunder was originally referred to as Sam Grant…

He wore a tan shirt/green shirt/brown sheepskin jacket in conjunction with his pistol on a strap,with the ensemble topped off with a red cravat.

Aided an abetted by Pippin Reed and Dr Articus Kilroy, Jonny Thunder visited Egypt, the jungle of South America and explored the Himalayas. The theme ran until 2003, and left an indelible mark on LEGO Lore. Dr Kilroy (known as Charles Lightning in some catalogs of the time) is the brother of Professor Cyber from time Cruisers (don’t trip as you head down that rabbit hole).

And then, they vanished. Some new story-focused themes came and went: Alpha Team, Aqua Raiders, Dino 2010/Dino Attack, and Exo-Force. A new Indiana Jones film appeared in 2008, for better or for worse, and licensed sets expanded beyond Star Wars, Harry Potter and occasional superheroes.

But Johnny Thunder remained in everyone’s hearts: In 2009, when visiting LEGOLAND California with the family, we stumbled across a Johnny Thunder stage show/pantomime, which was appropriately amusing. To say nothing of some truly amusing attempts at Johnny’s Australian accent.

There have been more nods to the Adventurers here and there: The Pharoah’s Quest theme of 2012 was an obvious homage to the first wave of Adventurers, as was Josh Thunder – one of the rangers in the 2012 DINO range. In 2015, a new figure appeared in one of The LEGO Movie sets and in 2019, the Jungle Explorer carrying a magnifying glass accompanied by a chameleon appeared in series 19 of the Collectable Minifigures, which was a clear modern interpretation.

And here we are, 26 years after the Adventurers made their Debut. The LEGO Group have started to play on the nostalgia of AFOLS – the Adventurers fans of the late 90s are now in their 30s and starting to raise kids of their own. And as AFOLs become a burgeoning Target Demographic, a couple of Adventurers references have recently surfaced: Baron von Barron and more appearing in the Haunted House Fairground Tower ride, while this past year we have had minifigures of Doctor Kilroy and Pippin Reed appear in the modular Natural History Museum, and as a passenger on the Orient Express respectively. And now it is Time for Johnny Thunder to reappear in his own right.

LEGO City Explorers II: Jungle Explorers

Over the last few years, LEGO City and Friends have habitually moved out of town and in search of adventure in the second half-year sets. They visited the deep sea and the jungle, ventured to Mars, explored the North Pole and dove into volcanos. In 2023, a new ‘explorers’ branding appeared. I didn’t pay too much attention: New Branding appeared on a semi-annual basis. But our explorers boarded their dark blue and orange craft, and took off to both the Arctic and the Deep Sea, bringing many wonderful new animal moulds along with them.

And now the branding reappears in 2024: similar colouring of vehicles, as well as the return of the logo. Many of the new Jungle Explorer Characters have appeared with last year’s crew of polar explorers and divers.

Meet the crew

Let’s take a look at how they appear now. (I would expect that most of these characters have some name or other, possibly revealed in the LEGO Kids website or hiding away in the LEGO City magazine. However, unlike the LEGO City Adventures figures, from the very recent part, we no longer have any names appearing on the front of the box.)

Our lead explorer has a mature look. Last year, her long, fine plaits were left straight. It’s important to ensure you keep your hair out of the way while you are in the humid jungles of the LEGO City world. She appears in 60426: Jungle Explorer Truck and 60437: Jungle Explorer Helicopter

The second character is our vet. He seems to leave his robber gloves on al all times. He has a portable vital signs monitor in his pocket, as well as a stethoscope around the neck of his sand blue jacket. His hand syringe of sedative is never far away, to prevent mauling my tigers or beating by gorillas as they sign up for the LEGO City Track’n’Trace program. He appears in 60426: Jungle Explorer Truck and 60437: Jungle Explorer Helicopter

Meet our pilot: his has a dark orange beard. His dark brown jacket is open over a Hawaiian shirt print. He has a dark blue cap, which he can swap over with his leather flight helmet with goggles(in 70437 at least). He appears in 60425 Jungle Explorer Water Plane and 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter.

Emma is the one character I have found a name for. Also, with dark orange hair, she is the only character with a double-sided face print. A smile on one side and a wink on the other. Or does she have her eye up against the viewfinder of a camera? She is wearing a dark tan vest over her orange long-sleeve top. She appears in 60425 Jungle Explorer Water Plane and 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter.

Finally, we have the mechanic. Her dark red hair is short on the left, and brushed over to the right side of her head. She also has a helmet for when she takes the motor cycle out. Her oil stained jacket is worn over a sand green vest, and features a snake wrapped around a spanner. She is exclusive to 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter.

Heeerrre’s Johnny

On the left is Johnny, as he first appeared in 1998: revolver tucked in his belt, shirt split to the naval, and cravat barely covering any skin. He wore a brown slouch hat, as you might expect any fair dinkum Australian stereotype to do, way back in the 1920s. He had plain black legs. There is no printing on the back.

On the right, you can see Johhny as he is presented today: with added white pupils, a 5 o’clock shadow and a cleft in his chin (this first appeared in 2003). The gun has gone. The strings around his torso have evolved into wider ropes. His shirt is fastened a little higher than it was back in the day, and he now has a gold belt buckle. The printing extends to his back. The shirt appears to demonstrate a little paunch where his shirt is tucked in. The legs and hat are dark brown. Unfortunately, his hat is a broad-brimmed, Akubra-style cattleman’s hat, rather than the slouch hat, with one brim fastened upwards. And instead of carrying a revolver, Johnny now shoots with a camera!

The new Johnny Thunder figure can be found in 60424: Jungle Explorer ATV and 60426: Jungle Explorer Truck. The smaller of these sets is well priced – while it has a RRP of $AUD14.99 (around $9.95USD). Pre official release, it has already been seen on the shelves of some Australian retailers such as K Mart for $AUD10.

I do feel that I need to fix this new figure, to address the sensibilities of the 90s. I removed his hat, replaced it with a slouch hat, and found a spare revolver lying around.

There… I fixed it (or at least made him the way we remember)

But I digress. We live in changed times, and revolvers have never appeared in LEGO City. I fear the slouch hat mould has not been used since 2015 and has been subsequently retired. So, after a quick trip to my local flea market, I found myself with surplus slouch hats…

Jungle Explorer Sets:

There are four sets in the LEGO City: Jungle Explorers subtheme. Each set features either a new mould or a new colour of a wild animal, a printed map tile, a form of transportation, and a piece of landscape. Let’s take a look at each of these details.

Say Cheese

Each set also demonstrated a different form of camera construction.

All use the same base black camera element, but use different arrangements of round tiles, round bricks, fez and studs.

Animals

We have 4 new animals here: the Red Panda, the tiger, the baby gorilla and the adult gorillas. There is no distinction made between the two adult gorillas. The crocodiles have undergone a colour change. appear for the first time in dark tan, and the baby crocodile in sand green.

The Red Panda is found in60424. It is dual molded reddish orange over white, resulting in White ears and stripes on the tail. The facial details appear printed. It measures 4.5 studs long and is 4 plates high. It is one stud wide along its length, except for the head: the ears protrude 1/2 a plate (the thickness of an up or down bracket) on each side. As an arboreal creature, it might be a little disappointed by the lack of a tree in that set’s included habitat.

After 20 years of loyal service, the prevailing crocodile mould was retired in 2014, and a new one introduced in the 2015 Pirates theme. Initially in Earth green only, it now appears with bright yellow eyes in Dark Green, Tan, Earth Green and in 60425 Jungle Explorer Water Plane we have the first recolour in dark tan (pardon the mixing of BL and TLG colour names). The baby crocodile mould has appeared in bright yellowish green, Dark (or normal) green and now appear in sand green. Can we be sure these are its parents?

The 60426 Jungle Explorer Off-Road Truck brings us a tiger. The tiger has a new head mould, while the body and hind legs are the same mould seen in the big cats of 2017’s jungle theme. The new model is the new reddish orange, which debuted this year, with black details printed on it. I cannot clearly tell without filing the chin down whether or not the chin of the tiger is printed or dual moulded. I think this is a massive improvement in the shape of the head sculpt, compared with the previous 2017 tiger.

The Gorillas are, for me, the highlight of the range. We assemble the adult’s body by plugging in the two arms. The hind legs are fixed, the left foot slightly in front of the right, and a small ruffle of fur above each ankle. The right hand has an anti stud, while the fingers on the left have a clip connection, able to hold bananas. The Gorilla is 5.5 studs long and 4 2/3 bricks high. The rear feet click onto 2×2 studs but overhang one plate thickness on either side. The shoulders/arms protrude one stud each side of the main body (read: studs across at the widest point.) The gorilla is black with a dark grey printed face. The baby gorilla can fit on the two studs in the middle of the adult’s back.

The baby gorilla is absolutely gorgeous. the body is 2 studs wide but slightly overhangs one stud deep, both to the front and rear. It is a total of 2 bricks high.

The Vehicles

Oddly enough for LEGO City sets, each set comes with a vehicle. The major set of the range boasting no fewer than three vehicles.They all share the established Explorers livery of white/earth blue/bright orange. The Jungle explorers also feature a stripe of Olive Green.

ATV

At the lower end of the range is the 60424 Jungle Explorer ATV – a simple enough build, it is a typical City ATV, now coloured in dark blue and orange. The decoration is formed using tiles on brackets. It seats one minifigure. There is a small space behind the driver to hold a map and compass.

I really appreciate the fact that the ATV has clips on the bag for accessories such as a walkie talkie and the camera.

Water Plane

Appearing in 60425, the Jungle Explorer Water Plane is a delightfully simple construction. Behind a single ever, there is seating for 2 minifigures, as well as storage for the map and a compass. Access to the cabin is achieved by removing the wings as well as the white cabin roof. I do appreciate the way that angled bars are used to enhance the shape of the elevators at the rear of the plane.

Truck

The Jungle Explorer Off Road Truck is suprisingly substantial: like most of the vehicles in LEGO City this year, black wheel hubs with black tires are the go. This truck has a twin cab, and the team can use the rear cabin to observe all that can be seen by the camera that is mounted on a movable arm in the back of the truck. There are two large titanium metallic storage trunks on either side of the truck, while the cabin contains a first aid kit… something that might prove to be hopelessly inadequate if you are tackled by the tiger being observed!

The build is relatively simple, while the colour blocking makes the vehicle unmistakenly ‘Explorers’ The Explorer logos, as well as the video screen inside the cabin are all stickers.

Helicopter

Ther is no other way to say it: the twin rotor end Jungle Explorer Helicopter (60437) is huge. It builds up slowly, the build occupying a couple of hours. As well as the helicopter, this set also comes with a small prop boat and a trail bike. They both fit into the rear compartment, accessible by a door that drops down at the rear. The main body of the helicopter can also hold the small campsite, with the sleeping bag and camp kitchen. The helicopter cabin seats four, with controls for the pilot and co-pilot. Like the truck, there are trunks on the side, as well as a cleverly designed fuel tank/jerry can. The blades can be made to turn by twisting the knob at the rear of the helicopter. This results in the two rotors turning in opposite directions. Most of the decorations on the helicopter, such as the explorers logo and some of the metalwork/greebling effects on the bricks, are stickers.

The rear compartment can also hold the motor boat and motorcycle.

This is a very substantial craft, and is surprisingly firm and robust. It is also able to be swooshed by hand, but its sheer size makes me think that 2 hands are better than one. I love the small extra details: the fuel can, first aid kit and storage trunks on the side.

Motorcycle

One of the support vehicles from the 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter is a motor cycle: the cowling fits over the frame, and double saddlebags are added. There is a clip at the rear allowing the walkie talkie to be attached.

Airboat

Finally, there is also a fan powered airboat. Although small in size, it still manages to adhere to the branding conventions established for the jungle explorers: Dark blue/orange and white with the olive green trim. A couple of ingots work as fenders on either side, while a couple of clips on either side of the engine allowing the boat to carry a camera and a radio.

Modular Jungle

Each set in the range has its own little piece of Jungle, increasing with size along with the sets. Each part has a clip on one end, and a brick with vertical bar on the other, allowing each element to be attached end to end.

Red Panda Perch

As part of the smallest Jungle set – 60424 Jungle Explorer ATV – This is the smallest piece of environment. With a small rocky arch, covered in leaves, it gives the feeling of a small burrow. this is a little disappointing, as they are arboreal creatures. that said, its a small set, and the east expensive in the line. Last year’s equivalent set brought us a couple of seals, as well as an icy environment. This set has a higher part count, BUT they are predominantly smaller parts.

Crocodile Corner

The Crocodile’s habitat has a fern covered cave, with some water flowing through it. A small arch, 4 studs clear to let a crocodile through. This strikes me as perfect for the job required. A place for crocs to lurk. At least there is a small tree – somewhere for the red panda to hang out. There is also a small, bright yellowish green frog.

Tiger Cave

The tiger’s habitat has a 6 stud wide arch, and a respectable tree, build atop a rocky base. There are a couple of bones scattered around the opening, to say nothing of another bright yellowish green frog.

Gorilla’s Grotto

Part of the largest set, 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter and Base Camp, the gorillas have the most extensive habitat: 2 small areas, attached to a larger base. There are some peach trees on either side of the mossy rocky outcrop. There is a small waterfall on one of the smaller parts, while there is a small cave o the right. Behind the rocks, there is a magical flower. We have a few additional creatures with this landscape, including a medium nougat spider, a butterfly and a bright reddish violet frog.

The dark green makes me feel that this is a setting deep in the thickest parts of the jungle. A little damp underfoot, and way too many creepy crawly creatures for my liking here. Glad I’m in the city!

Full Circle

Each of these pieces of jungle can join onto each other. So, I thought it would be neglegent not to…

The Sets

60424 Jungle Explorer ATV Red Panda Mission

Johnny Thunder drives the ATV into the jungle, to encounter a red panda

• 92 pieces, 1 minifigure
• AUD14.99/ USD10.99/€9.99/£8.99

PROS	CONS
Johnny Thunder Red Panda Inexpensive	Might have expected a second red Panda Landscape inaccurate for fauna What sort of mission involves a red panda

60425 Jungle Explorer Water Plane

Two explorers encounter a nest of crocodiles when they land on the river flowing through the jungle. A fun, swooshable plane.

• 2 minifigures
• 177 pieces
• AUD29.99/ USD22.99/€22.99/£19.99

PROS	CONS
2 minifigures No stickers Family of Crocs Room for map to be stored behind the passenger.	Relatively expensive in some markets

60426 Jungle Explorer Off-Road Truck

Johnny Thunder and the team go in search of some exciting footage of the tiger in its natural habitat.

• 3 minifigures
• 314 Parts
• AUD49.99/USD34.99/€29.99/£24.99

PROS	CONS
New Tiger! Johnny Thunder and others Functional Vehicle	Camera has restricted motion on the arm

60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter at Base Camp

The team explore the depths of the jungle, inaccessible by road, to study the family of gorillas.They have tracking gear, camp kitchen and somewhat restricted sleeping quarters for such a crew. There is a small tracking station and camp kitchen. While this set does not have as much going on as the largest city adventure sets have in recent years, (it is limited to one large and 2 small vehicles) it does ensure that the largest set in the subtheme is still relatively affordable.

• 5 minifigures
• 881 parts
• AUD169.99/USD99.99/€99.99/£89.99

PROS	CONS
The gang’s almost all here Gorillas impressive debut lots of vehicles Spacious dual rotor helicopter	Johnny Thunder not included. Helicopter only seats 4, leaving one team member stranded in the jungle. The Camp is pretty minimal for accomodating the 5 characters

Where are we going?

One of the great things about the World of LEGO City is that it is not entirely concrete at following established world geography. Although there do appear to be polar regions, with poor bears and penguins never interacting with each other.

So where could the LEGO City Jungle be in 2024?

Fortunately, in each set, we get a map – printed and exclusive – and they appear to fit together nicely. Here is Johnny explaining the full geography associated with the Jungle Explorers’ Mission.

Uncertain as to the correlation of Johnny’s maps with any form of reality, I compared them with the distribution of the animals on earth, as we know it. Oddly enough, there were some discrepancies…

Now, the red panda can be found from the eastern himalayas to South West China

Crocodiles of different species are far more wide spread…

The Tiger can be found from India, through China to Indonesia, as well as traces in southern Russia

There is ultimately, no single continent o our earth that can account for the distribution of the animals on the collective Junle Explorer’s maps. Unless the gorillas escaped from a zoo in South Western China…I’ll leave you to ponder on this one.

So…What should you buy?

Are you a completionist? If so buy them all. Wait for a discount on the largest set.

Do you want all the minifigures, but some animals would be nice? The easiest way to get all the minifigures is to purchase the 60437 Helicopter and Base Camp along with the and 60424 Jungle Explorer ATV. I have already seen this set selling for an ‘everyday low price’ 30% off at some larger Australian retailers.

Do you just want Johnny Thunder and some random friends? That sounds like an opportunity to pick up the 60426 Off Road Truck ($AUD49.99) OR the combination The ATV and 60425 Jungle Explorer Water Plane.(AUD14.99+AUD29.99). That really depends on your preferred vehicle size and type.

Getting the Gang back together: running late for the 25th anniversary reunion

Do you want to reunite Johnny Thunder with Dr Kilroy and Pippin Reed? You will want to pick up the 60424 Jungle Explorer ATV (AUD14.99), 21433Orient Express (AUD469.99) and 10326 Natural History Museum (AUD $49.99). If you don’t fancy this exorbitant price tag, check out secondary market on Bricklink

Return to Dino Island

In 2000, the Adventurers visited Dino Island. It was like Jurassic Park, but with Johnny thunder! If you are after the chance to recreate some Dino Island action, consider adding in 31151 Creator 3in1 T. Rex. You know you want to… (my choice of sets here would be either the ATV and Plane OR the Off Road Truck. Although you might want a larger team as well as the boat and motor bike to help wrangle the beast. So long as you have the vet nearby with his syringe of sedative to settle Rexy down.

In Conclusion

I have had a bit of fun playing with all of these sets. The new animal moulds brought me joy, but I was a little disappointed that there is only one red panda in 60424. It is exciting to see the return of Johnny Thunder, and I look forward to hearing a canonical reason for him not appearing to have aged 100 years since he took on the Pharaoh in the 1920s. And another thing… in the 2017 Jungle sets, the minifigures had plenty of machetes to cut through the jungle. Have these gone away as they are now a prohibited item in many suburban spaces? Or just not regarded as something that kids should really know about these days?

The LEGO City Jungle Explorer Sets are now available

• 60424 Jungle Explorer ATV Red Panda Mission AUD14.99/ USD10.99/€9.99/£8.99
• 60425 Jungle Explorer Water Plane AUD29.99/ USD22.99/€22.99/£19.99
• 60426 Jungle Explorer Off-Road Truck AUD49.99/USD34.99/€29.99/£24.99
• 60437 Jungle Explorer Helicopter at Base Camp AUD169.99/USD99.99/€99.99/£89.99

I’d love to know what you think of these sets. I am already seeing so much potential for the new figures, led into the jungle by Johnny Thunder. He could even venture over to Isla Nubla. Who Knows what he would make of that today! Anyway, leave your comments below.

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Until Next Time,

Play Well!

These sets were provided by the LEGO Group for Review Purposes…all opinions are my own.