Lord Garmadon - Spinjitzu Master / Armor
njo013 · Ninjago
Masters of Spinjitzu · 2011. Debuted in the 2505 Garmadon's Dark Fortress set during the very first wave of Ninjago, marking a revolution in LEGO's action-fantasy storytelling and character-driven IP.
Figure ID
njo013
Theme
Ninjago
Year Released
2011. Debuted in the 2505 Garmadon's Dark Fortress set during the very first wave of Ninjago, marking a revolution in LEGO's action-fantasy storytelling and character-driven IP.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare. While not a limited convention exclusive, it was primarily available in the largest, most expensive set of the 2011 wave and has been discontinued for over a decade.
Head
Black head with glowing red/pink eyes, visible teeth and a menacing skeletal grimace. Usually paired with the tall, black conical samurai helmet with a jagged crest.
Torso
Black torso with extensive golden rib-cage armor printing on the front and back. Features purple energy/swirl accents beneath the skeletal armor plate. Arms and hands are black.
Legs
The figure uses a 2x2x2 sloped 'dress' brick or 'ghost' lower body instead of standard legs, featuring printed purple energy swirls and golden belt detailing continued from the torso.
Accessories
Pearl Gold spiked shoulder armor (pauldrons) and a black samurai helmet. Many sets included black katanas or a staff of lightning as thematic weapons.
Color Scheme
Dominantly black with secondary purple energy patterns and metallic pearl-gold armor printing and plastic elements.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing for its era. Features continuous design flow from the torso down to the sloped leg piece, utilizing gold ink that has a distinctive metallic sheen compared to standard colors.
Variants
Several versions exist, including Garmadon as Sensei Garmadon (human), Lord Garmadon with four arms (The Final Battle), and Movie-inspired variants. This original 2011 'Lord' version is the classic antagonist form.
Condition Notes
Common wear includes scratching on the pearl gold armor and fading of the purple swirls at the edge of the slope brick. The helmet piece can sometimes develop stress marks at the thin connection point of the crest.
Estimated Value
Used: $15-$25 USD. New/Mint: $40-$60 USD. Price fluctuates based on the presence of the original shoulder armor and helmet, which are essential for the value.
Price (New)
Included in set 2505 ($69.99) and 2256 ($14.99). The set price-per-piece was standard for 2011, but the figure now commands a significant premium over its original distribution value.
Compatible Sets
2505 Garmadon's Dark Fortress (2011), 2256 Lord Garmadon (2011).
Character Background
The primary antagonist of the early Ninjago series, Lord Garmadon was the brother of Wu, corrupted by the Great Devourer's venom. He rules the Underworld and seeks the Four Golden Weapons.
Design Notes
Notable for the use of the sloped 'dress' piece to represent a long robe/shadowy form, a technique later refined for many Ninjago villains. The golden rib-cage design became iconic for the character's early aesthetic.
Similar Minifigures
Samukai (njo011), Sensei Wu (njo026), and later 4-armed versions of Lord Garmadon like njo064.
Collectibility
High demand for nostalgic fans of the 'Pilot' and 'Rise of the Snakes' seasons. It is considered a foundational piece for any Ninjago collection and is steadily appreciating in value.
History
This release defined Garmadon's look for the first two years of the franchise before he was upgraded to the four-armed 'Final Battle' version in 2013. It remains the quintessential 'Evil Master' design.
Interesting Facts
The purple energy on his chest is meant to represent the dark 'Spin' or destruction power. This specific torso was also used in a slightly modified form for the Garmadon Spinner set.
Display Suggestions
Ideal for display in a Ninjago villain tower or alongside the original four Ninja. UV protection is recommended to prevent the black plastic from becoming brittle.
Modification Potential
Commonly modified by adding the four-arm torso extension from later eras to create a 'Ultimate Garmadon' hybrid using the original 2011 armor style.
Overall Assessment
9/10 for any Ninjago fan. This is a crucial historical figure for the theme. The printing is crisp, the silhouette is intimidating, and it captures the peak of early 2010s LEGO character design.