LEGO CMF 27th series photo-review

It’s hard to believe we’re already two CMF series [plus the D&D one] past the milestone 25th! The 27th minifigure series, which debuted earlier this year, joyfully cuts through time and space, taking us to places across the [pop] cultural universe and sparking the imagination of both kids and AFOLs alike. We’ve got everything from jetpacks to wolfpacks, with pirates, stargazers, and cats in between.
Cats are very important!

As is tradition, most of the figures have heads with double expressions. The exception here is the Steampunk Inventor, as the design of this figure simply doesn’t allow to print on the back of the head.

Once again, I’ll be presenting the representatives of the various worlds of Series 27 in the order they appear on the leaflet. And the list begins with…

Hamster Costume Fan

Figures in animal costumes are usually a surefire hit. After all, fans of a particular animal will go wild with happiness, and the rest will either join those fans or, at worst, end up with a fun figure with interesting accessories. In this case, it’s a piece of cucumber, because apparently, hamsters really value cucumbers in their diet. But I don’t think this kid sticks exclusively to cucumbers. Choosing a hamster for the costume was a very clever move, as those puffed-up cheeks are perfect for hamstering sweets or other treats. Yes, in my native language, there’s a term “hamstering” which means “hoarding like a hamster”—for hiding things or collecting them.

The figure’s double expression features a smile and an even wider smile, making this head and expression very versatile for other photos.
The only downside to this figure is the lack of movable legs. But maybe it’s a deliberate choice by the designers—to avoid putting this hamster into the treadmill of life too early…

That’s why I placed it in front of a vegetable shop. After all, healthy eating—for both hamsters and people in hamster costumes (and people in general)—is key!

The real treadmill, however, was trying to locate and capture…

Wolfpack Beastmaster

Wolfpack, the legendary Lego Castle faction, mastered the art of hiding as outlaws. Since this faction, as I mentioned, is legendary, part of the fandom has succumbed to a full-blown “wolfpack fever.” I belong to the more balanced wing of Lego Castle fans, so the fever hasn’t hit me, but I can’t blame those who’ve gone wild over this minifigure.

Wolves are creatures that love freedom, so I took them into the wild, and I must admit that the Wolfpack Beastmaster looks fantastic in the outdoors.

This is indeed a beast of a figure, not only because of the brand-new, excellent wolf mold, which serves as the equivalent of the goat from Series 25. The cloak, possibly the thickest one I’ve ever encountered in LEGO minifigure, is particularly impressive.

The detailed prints on the legs and torso, along with the solid sword and shield—both adorned with the wolf emblem—make this a very strong addition to the pack.
I won’t even get started on the power of nostalgia!

Jetpack Racer

I’ve written here before about nostalgia as a fuel that powered the LEGO Space series. The jetpack of this next figure from Series 27 is fueled though by the leading fuel producer in the Lego universe—Octan (a name that also taps into nostalgia). And the minifigure itself is high-octane: its abundant prints, full of lines, geometric shapes, and stripes, suggest that jetpack racing is an extreme sport.

The head design, dominated by white in the form of a protective balaclava, is reminiscent of Formula 1 driver gear. The dual expression shows the character just before or during a race, with the face covered, and smiling—probably after a successful race or tests.

Finally, the helmet—the most spectacular element of this minifigure, with an impressive red visor—looks made for high, almost cosmic speeds.

Naturally, I couldn’t imagine taking a photo of this figure in anything other than flight—a futuristic equivalent of more or less legal nighttime street races. I hope I managed to [literally] capture the moment and the atmosphere.

Astronomer Kid

And speaking of space… the Astronomer Kid is another figure where LEGO emphasized inclusivity. This girl has a prosthetic left arm, which clearly doesn’t stop her from skillfully handling such a precise tool as a telescope. The telescope itself is a very well-designed minibuild. Unfortunately, it’s hard to set up on studded tiles; it stands stable only on smooth surfaces. When placed on studs, it takes a bit of effort to balance.

The Astronomer Kid is a beautiful minifigure, with a wonderfully designed torso (a nod to the Rocket Boy from Series 17 CMF) and a head featuring a gorgeous afro hairstyle. One side of her head shows a focused expression, with one eye closed as if peering through the telescope’s eyepiece, while the other side has a happy smile—clearly, she found what she was looking for in the night sky.

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that when it comes to space-related photos, I can’t resist making them look “realistic.” This usually means using low light or directional “sunlight.” I followed the same approach for the Astronomer Kid. After all, observing the night sky requires the darkest, most velvety darkness—or maybe plush darkness!

Plush Toy Collector

Plush! Everything about this minifigure screams coziness, as her name suggests. The collector herself is dressed in a plush onesie with a hood featuring cute ears and she proudly shows off two equally cheerful plush toys: a frog and (probably) a dog. Her second expression—squinting eyes—perfectly suits hugging these toys, which was exactly my idea for photographing this minifigure. The super-sweet and cute vibe is completed by her pink hair.

Is it just me, or can you also smell bubblegum?

Pterodactyl Costume Fan

A significant amount of rubber—though definitely not bubblegum—was used by this fan of Mesozoic fauna to create her pterosaur costume. Judging by the cranial crest, it’s most likely a Pteranodon costume, representing a large flying reptile. This minifigure lacks accessories, probably because items like the headpiece and the new wing-like arm molds (similar to the vampire from Monster Fighters theme) occupy the accessory slots. The figure itself, with its unique shape and size, already fills quite a bit of space.

Flying creatures need room, so I took this minifigure outdoors. The Pterodactyl Costume Fan was able to test the durability and capabilities of her outfit.
And it works! She may not be Daedalus, but she can easily glide short distances on her wings.

Longboarder

For longer distances, though, it’s much more convenient to use a longboard. The owner of this gear screams “SWAG” from head to toe. Just look at her casually reversed cap or her hair that matches the color of her board’s wheels (or maybe it’s the other way around).

Ripped jeans complete her image of an independent soul. Hopefully, those tears are the result of intentional cutting rather than sudden, unintentional contact with the ground. But let’s be real—that latter scenario is far more “true” and “swag.” The band-aid on her face hints that it might actually be the second case.

The absence of a helmet is a bit concerning, especially since longboards are known for reaching high speeds. However, the figure’s dual expressions make it clear that she’s not afraid of speed—or anything else, for that matter. And she’s certainly not afraid of…

Bogeyman

The Bogeyman—a vaguely defined monster from legends, some books, and if you were unlucky, even your parents’ warnings—is an archetype of terror. He’s got it all: a massive head, a giant jaw with big teeth, glowing red eyes, a tangled mop of hair, and horns. A real monster! When I first saw this creature, I was surprised by how flat its most spectacular feature—the large head-body combo—was. But then it dawned on me: this monster is flat because it lives under the bed!

That inspired my initial idea for a photo— dark, damp place, filled with cobwebs and creepy crawlies. However, since the Bogeyman comes with a book, I decided to flip the stereotype and placed him in front of a bookstore café instead. In daylight, he’s invisible anyway, so he can calmly read his book (a scare manual, perhaps) while sipping a beetlejuice smoothie.

The book is an excellent addition to this slightly flat character. Its cover features intricate details, and even the interior—printed on a 1×2 tile—boasts a beautiful, unique design. Clearly, this minifigure is designed with love!

Cupid

And this minifigure is packed with so much loveto last until next Valentine’s Day! Cupid might seem like a simple or even boring concept—just a kid with wings and a bow. However, the designers made this figure much more appealing with some clever details. Cupid’s micro-toga is fastened with a heart-shaped fibula pierced by an arrow, while the sash around the waist is tied into a stylish red bow [pun not intended!]

Cupid’s right arm features a stylized bracelet, and the back sports an entirely new mold for small, childlike wings (if such a thing as “childlike wings” even exists). The head, crowned with a cheekily tousled blond mop, is where the real magic happens. Both face expressions are disarming smiles, but the second, wider grin is accompanied by heart-shaped eyes. This is presumably Cupid’s “battle mode” when he takes aim at someone. Armed with a red bow of love in one hand and a heart in the other, he’s ready to strike. Interestingly, in this “heart mode,” the hearts are partially obscured by his hair, giving him a slightly mischievous villain vibe. Perhaps this is intentional—after all, Cupid was the child of Venus, goddess of love, and Mars, god of war.

When planning the photo for this adorable cherub, I followed my heart. Inspired by the phrase “love is in the air,” I immersed Cupid in a cloud of heart-shaped bokeh. Creating this kind of bokeh is relatively easy: you need a lens cap made of black cardboard with a cut-out in your desired shape (hearts, in this case). Then, using Christmas lights and a wide aperture (f/3 or lower), you can experiment to achieve the perfect heart shapes in the background.

I hope the photos clearly show that this little guy stole my heart—just like…

Pirate Quartermaster

The Pirate Quartermaster stands out as the most colorful minifigure in this series. By the way, have you noticed that many recent CMF (Collectible Minifigure) releases tend to feature muted or even pastel tones? In contrast, this pirate and her sulphur-crested cockatoo burst with vibrant colors, even though her turquoise coat leans toward the softer side. As a pirate, she knows how to steal the spotlight in Series 27. And as a quartermaster, she comes well-prepared.

This is one of the most intricately detailed figures in the lineup (rivaling the Steampunk Inventor), boasting an array of embellishments like layered necklaces, other jewelry, a compass, and a bulging coin pouch. Of course, she wields a trusty cutlass in case any crewmates get “too resourceful”. Her cockatoo, a delightful new addition to the LEGO animal lineup, serves as her extra set of eyes, ensuring no one gets “too resourceful.”

Her position clearly suits her, as both facial expressions radiate joy. Who wouldn’t be happy under the Caribbean sun, surrounded by fresh sea air, sparkling water, and… the roar of cannons? Well, maybe not the last part.

This minifigure is another nod to fans of classic LEGO themes, alongside the Wolfpack Beastmaster. Pirate enthusiasts likely welcomed her debut with a hearty “YO HO HO!”

For her photo, I placed her aboard the ship from Pirates of Barracuda Bay (21322) set, where she looks thoroughly in her element!

Cat Lover

Cat enthusiasts will also rejoice with this new addition, joining the ranks of feline fans like the Mrs. Scratchen-Post from The LEGO Movie series. This time, however, the double facial expressions tell a more dynamic story.

Cats, as we know, are… playful little angels or mischievous rascals, depending on their mood. With just two accessories, this minifigure captures the tale of yarn and claws. The first expression depicts a happy cat owner playing with a ball of yarn. The second, however, shows a surprised and confused face after their furry companion got a bit too enthusiastic—evidenced by a scratch on their cheek!

The poker-faced cat remains stoic regardless of which side of the minifigure you’re looking at, as cats tend to do.

The Cat Lover is head over heels for their feline friend, even wearing a jumper covered in cat prints and brushing off the fur clinging to their pant legs. A true devotee!

And passion is what drives…

Steampunk Inventor

Passion and steam, to be precise. And gears, of course. Passion, steam, gears, and a fanatical dedication to science. All of this can be read in the noble visage of the Steampunk Inventor, as well as in the intricate and abundant prints on the minifigure’s torso, arms and legs. There’s so much to admire! From the copper water container, tubes, gauges, and tools sticking out of pockets to the Victorian-inspired embellishments.

The standout feature, however, is undoubtedly the pneumatic, powerful arm with its metallic grip, pressure gauge, and a puff of steam escaping from the mechanism. As I mentioned, this is the only figure in the series without a double expression, but the hat, monocle, and magnificent mustache more than make up for the lack of a second face.

The gold and bronze tones harmonize beautifully with the LEGO Explorer 11947 Time Machine set, which I used to infuse my photos with the atmosphere of an H.G. Wells-inspired steampunk tale.

I think it’s safe to say this is my favorite figure of the series!

Summary

Series 27 of CMF is truly impressive. Its broad thematic range spans fantasy, everyday life, future, and alternative history. While not all figures are equal—comparing the Hamster Costume Fan or Pterodactyl Costume Fan to the likes of the Wolfpack Beastmaster or Steampunk Inventor makes this clear—these are minor shortcomings.

Some color palette choices remain a bit puzzling, but these minor flaws are more than compensated by the series’ detailed, lavish prints and unique accessories, many of which are brand-new designs.

Whether you’re into space, history, fantasy, or just quirky characters, Series 27 offers something for everyone. It’s a testament to LEGO’s ability to keep innovating while honoring its roots.

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