- This article is about the LEGO System theme that lasted from 1998 to 2003. For other uses, see Adventurer.
Adventurers is a LEGO theme that was introduced in January 1998 and ran through July 2003. The main character of the theme is an Australian adventurer, by the name of Johnny Thunder (also known as Sam Grant and Joe Freeman). It includes subthemes such as Egypt, Jungle, Dino Island, and Orient Expedition. It is also the basis of multiple LEGOLAND attractions and is featured in a number of video games.
Overview[]
Unlike most other themes, which take place in fictional locations, most of the Adventurers sets take place in areas in real world countries and places, such as Egypt, the Amazon Rainforest, the Himalayas, India, and China. The only fictional sub-theme that did not take place in real life environments took place on Dino Island, where prehistoric creatures still resided.
The theme essentially consists of four distinct subthemes: Egypt, Jungle, Dino Island, and Orient Expedition. The main characters of the theme are Johnny Thunder, Dr. Kilroy, and Pippin Reed. Villains were also introduced to provide contrast for the heroes. Such characters included Lord Sam Sinister (aka Baron von Barron, the main recurring antagonist of the story), Emperor Chang Wu, Maharaja Lallu, and Señor Palomar.
The original Johnny Thunder minifigure has also been reused for the Studios theme and one of its subthemes, Jurassic Park III. Pippin Reed and Mike were also reused, but had minor changes including assorted headgear and, occasionally, different leg coloring.
There were two German radio plays released to promote the theme.[1] The first one was called 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz (The Hunt for the Pharaoh's Treasure)[2] and was released in 1998. The second was called 4215473 Die Suche nach dem Goldenen Drachen (The Search for the Golden Dragon)[3] and was released in 2003.
Minifigures[]
Adventurers[]
- Johnny Thunder (Sam Grant, Joe Freeman)
- Dr. Kilroy (Dr. Charles Lightning, Professor Articus)
- Pippin Reed (Gail Storm, Linda Lovely)
- Harry Cane (Billy Speed)
- Mike
- Babloo
- Sherpa Sangye Dorje
- Jing Lee
Villains[]
- Lord Sam Sinister (Baron Von Barron, Mr. Hates, Evil Eye, Sam Sanister, Samuel von Barron)
- Slyboots (Sam Sinister, Lizard Boots)
- Rudo Villano (Max Villano)
- Señor Palomar (Señor Gomez)
- Mr. Cunningham
- Alexia Sinister (Alexis Sanister)
- Maharaja Lallu
- Scorpion Palace Guard
- Ngan Pa
- Emperor Chang Wu
- Dragon Fortress Guard
Neutral[]
- Pharaoh Hotep (Pharaoh Ramses)
- Pharaoh Skeleton
- Skeleton
- Achu
- Gabarro
- Evil Skeleton
- Dragon Fortress Statue
Creatures[]
Dino Island[]
Orient Expedition[]
Minifigures[]
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| Johnny Thunder | Johnny (Backpack) | Johnny (India) | Johnny (Mt. Everest) | Johnny (China) | Dr. Kilroy | Kilroy (Backpack) | Kilroy (India) | Kilroy (Green Legs) | Kilroy (Mt. Everest) | Pippin Reed | Pippin (Jungle) | Pippin (Backpack) | Pippin (Pilot) | Pippin (India) | Pippin (Mt. Everest) | Pippin (China) | Harry Cane | Slyboots | Baron von Barron | Von Barron (No Epaulettes) | Von Barron (Pilot) | Von Barron (Racer) | Lord Sam Sinister | Lord Sinister (Pilot) | Pharaoh Hotep | Señor Palomar | Palomar (Backpack) | Rudo Villano | Rudo (Backpack) | Gabarro | Achu | Alexia Sinister | Mr. Cunningham | Cunningham (Pilot) | Babloo | Sherpa Sangye Dorje | Jing Lee | Maharaja Lallu | Scorpion Palace Guard | Ngan Pa | Chang Wu | Dragon Fortress Guard | Dragon Fortress Guard (Quiver) | Dragon Fortress Statue | Skeleton | Skeleton with Evil Skull | Pharaoh Skeleton | Pharaoh Skeleton (White Nemes) | Pharaoh Skeleton (Yellow Nemes) | Tygurah | Yeti | Jun-Chi |
List of Sets[]
Egypt[]
Jungle[]
| Image | # | Set | Number of pieces | Minifigures | Price | Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1271 | Jungle Surprise | 33 | Pippin Reed | $1.99 | 1999 |
 | 5901 | River Raft | 19 | Rudo Villano | $2.00 | 1999 |
 | 5902 | River Raft | 19 | Rudo Villano | $2.00 | 1999 |
 | 5905 | Hidden Treasure | 33 | Pippin Reed | $1.99 | 1999 |
 | 5906 | Ruler of the Jungle | 24 | Achu | $2.00 | 1999 |
 | 5925 | Pontoon Plane | 71 | Harry Cane | $5.99 | July 1, 1999 |
 | 5936 | Spider's Secret | 126 | Pippin Reed, Señor Palomar, Skeleton | $12.00 | 1999 |
 | 5956 | Air Zeppelin | 170 | Johnny Thunder, Dr. Kilroy, Harry Cane, Rudo Villano | $22.00 | July 1, 1999 |
 | 5976 | River Expedition | 313 | Achu, Dr. Kilroy, Gabarro, Johnny Thunder, Rudo Villano, Señor Palomar, Skeleton | $50.00 | 1999 |
 | 5986 | Amazon Ancient Ruins | 453 | Johnny Thunder, Pippin Reed, Professor Kilroy, Achu, Gabarro, Señor Palomar, Skeleton (2×) | $80.00 | 1999 |
Dino Island[]
Orient Expedition[]
Adventurers References in Other LEGO Themes and Media[]
- In 1999, the Adventurers theme was featured in the 5706 LEGOLAND video game.
- In 1999, the Adventurers theme was featured in LEGO Racers.
- In 2000, several Adventurers characters can be seen in the intro of the LEGO Stunt Rally video game.
- In 2001, the Studios theme featured characters from Adventurers: Johnny Thunder is featured in 1355 Temple of Gloom, and Pippin Reed is featured in 1354 Dino Head Attack. Both characters appear in the Dino Cop animation, and Johnny stars in the Jewel Quest animation. Mike also appears in the promotional set 4064 Actor 2. Johnny Thunder and Pippin Reed are also featured in the licensed subtheme Jurassic Park III in the set 1370 Raptor Rumble Studio. Johnny appears as a major character in the online game Backlot.
- In 2001, numerous characters from the Adventurers theme appear in the video game 5774 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge. The Game Boy Color version features additional characters who do not appear in the PC/PS1 version, including Alexia Sinister and Senor Palomar. Pippin Read also appears in the online game Pepper's Skateboard Challenge.
- In 2001, the Adventurers theme is featured in the video game LEGO Racers 2.
- In 2002, Adventurers characters and sets are featured in the video game 5784 Soccer Mania.
- In 2002, Senor Palomar, Rudo Villano, and Alexia Sinister appear as villains in the online game Tales on the LEGO Express: The Heist.
- In 2003, Johnny Thunder can be seen on a backdrop in the Sports sets 3548 Slam Dunk Trainer and 3550 Jump and Shoot.
- In 2010, Johnny Thunder appeared in the subscription-based video game 55000 LEGO Universe.
- In 2012, the Dino theme features a character named Josh Thunder, who is confirmed to be a descendant of Johnny Thunder.
- In 2014, Johnny Thunder made a cameo as a Master Builder in The LEGO Movie. He was also featured in a LEGO Movie theme set, 70815 Super Secret Police Dropship, and as an unlockable playable character in The LEGO Movie Videogame.
- In 2017, the Ninjago set 70620 Ninjago City includes a stickered tile that is a reference to the Orient Expedition board game cards.
- In 2018, the Ninjago set 70657 Ninjago City Docks includes two stickers referencing Adventurers. Johnny Thunder and 5935 Island Hopper can be seen on a billboard advertising Thunder Adventure Tours. Another sticker depicts an autographed photograph of Johnny.
- In 2019, Johnny Thunder returns as a playable character in The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame.
- In 2019, 71025 Minifigures Series 19 features a character called "Jungle Explorer" that is confirmed to be a redesigned/modernized Johnny Thunder.
- In 2020, the Creator theme 10273 Haunted House set was released, which has a backstory centered around Baron Samuel von Barron and features many overt references to the Adventurers theme, particularly the Egypt theme and his exploits with Pharaoh Hotep.
- In 2020, an update to LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed added J. Thunder's Brixpedition game mode, which includes Johnny Thunder as the NPC tutorial host and also features models from 5978 Sphinx Secret Surprise and 5988 Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins in the background of the Excavation screen.
- In 2022, the Monkie Kid set 80036 The City of Lanterns includes a sticker based on the box art of 5988 Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins.
- In 2022, the Icons set 10306 Atari 2600 includes a sticker for a poster featuring Johnny Thunder.
- In 2023, the Curator from 10326 Natural History Museum is based upon Dr. Kilroy, although it is unconfirmed whether they are canonically the same character.
- In 2024, an updated version of Pippin Reed appears in 21344 The Orient Express Train, and an updated version of Johnny Thunder appears in the City Explorer subtheme.
Gallery[]
See Also[]
- Studios
- Indiana Jones
- Pharaoh's Quest
- Dino
- Jurassic World
- The LEGO Movie
- Jurassic Park III
- Explorer
- 10273 Haunted House
