Sitting at your computer waiting for another exciting Blocks feature? Even if you’re stuck in a desert right now with nothing but a half-full canteen of water, a compass and a laptop computer, you’re still in for a treat. Here’s a battle between two beloved characters who have appeared in LEGO sets. It may not fill up your canteen, but it’s anything but a mirage.
Johnny Thunder was clearly a response to Indiana Jones’ cinematic adventures, making this brawl as evenly matched as possible. This is a duel and comparison of the whip-smart legendary archeologist Indiana Jones and Australia’s full-time LEGO adventurer Johnny Thunder. Who will win? Only the bell will tell.
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Round One: Tools Used and Protective Attire
‘Hey there, I have to warn you. Me and my car are ready to win any race, but good luck anyway‘ – Johnny Thunder, opponent in the video game LEGO Racers
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Indiana Jones and Johnny Thunder’s arsenal and abilities are relatively similar – each is armed with their signature pistol, and both are well-versed in other firearms. Indiana Jones gets a leg-up with his signature whip, perfect for crossing hazards and scarring foes in and out of the ring. Of course, by virtue of being a LEGO set, Johnny Thunder has an infinite fleet of tools and hired vehicles, like the armed biplane featured in 7420 Thunder Blazer. That’s a big deal.
Indiana Jones has taken down tanks, planes, and jeeps in spectacular fashion, but as a Master Builder (as featured in The LEGO Movie) Johnny Thunder can rebuild his craft with ease and efficiency. Even Indiana Jones’ LEGO Minifigure is no Master Builder. As a matter of fact, the events of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull predate the modern LEGO brick by one year (the LEGO brick in its current state was launched in 1958 – though of course, even 58-year-old adventurers can enjoy LEGO bricks. We’ll see him as a 70-year-old legend in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny this summer, too.
Neither battler wears protective attire (not against quick-drawn pistols or Indy’s whip), but Indiana Jones rides ahead here. Nothing is more iconic than his fedora for style or sun protection. Still, this round goes to the guy behind the wheel, who can turn Indiana Jones into a Swiss (cheese) adventurer rather quickly.
Winner: Johnny Thunder
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Round Two: Accomplishments and Treasures Liberated
‘Fortune and glory, kid’ – Indiana Jones, from the film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
So, it seems Johnny Thunder has a scar now – while Indiana Jones is riddled with holes. If you think this’ll be an easy win for Johnny Thunder, you’d be wrong. Though Johnny Thunder has collected treasure from all around the world, so has Indy … and unlike Johnny Thunder, Indiana Jones’ liberated treasures are far more dangerous, sinister, and of course, could spell the end of the world.
The Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail need no introduction. One is a famed holy relic turned unsuccessful doomsday device by the Nazis, while the other is an important piece of Arthurian legend that can grant eternal life. Johnny Thunder has recovered treasures and faced off against interesting foes, but that’s all they tended to be … treasures. The Golden Dragon was a massive and impressive trophy, and the Re-Gou Ruby gemstone was magically potent, but as far as fans know, neither were world-ending or fate-changing.
Accomplishments, on the other hand, are less clear cut. Both have dealt with the supernatural – Johnny has even seen and saved dinosaurs – and both donate their archeological finds to museums. Despite these shared feats, this is a marginal win for Indiana Jones. Both have collected fantastic treasures – Indiana Jones’ just had higher stakes and greater obstacles, which required the right set of skills to surpass.
Winner: Indiana Jones
Find out how LEGO Adventurers was created and how LEGO Indiana Jones sets are designed in Issue 104 of Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine.
Round Three: Helpful Allies and Conquered Adversaries
‘Ah … Indiana Jones. If I had known the trouble you were capable of causing, I would have killed you in Prague!‘ – Albrecht Von Beck, villain from the video game Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb
Both sides are looking pretty worn from this bout. Johnny Thunder’s fleet of vehicles and Indiana Jones’ reputation and skills leave each side battered and beaten. Who will win the last round based on allies and adversaries? You see, Johnny has foiled Sam Sinister’s foul plots countless times, but he never did it alone. He had Pippin Reed, Dr. Kilroy and other friends at every step. They’re more than loyal, helping the hands-on Johnny to solve riddles, conquer foes and even capture his work on film.
Indiana Jones, on the other hand, often worked alone, or occasionally with treacherous characters like Satipo from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Mac from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Some of the female characters in the Indiana Jones series are unfortunately written as damsels in distress, while his other allies aren’t always that much help. His best companion, of course, was his own father in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – Henry Jones Sr. was a wise and well-read scholar who even helped Indy fight the forces of evil on more than one occasion.
Though this round may seem one-sided as Johnny Thunder has faced off against lumbering monsters and freed dinosaurs on Dino Island, few enemies are more monstrous than mankind itself. Indiana Jones is well-known for fighting Nazis and torturous cults, as well as solving man-made riddles and puzzles from ancient civilizations to save mankind. That takes true intelligence and cunning – so this round is a tie.
Winner: Tie
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And the winner is…
Thanks to a fleet of vehicles, countless saved artifacts, and Indy’s iconic fedora, both come out on top here. While it’s obvious how Johnny Thunder was meant to emulate Indiana Jones, perhaps this article made it even clearer just how alike they are.