John Lennon
idea027 · Ideas
Yellow Submarine · 2016 - Released in the LEGO Ideas Set 21306, commemorating 'The Beatles' and their 1968 animated film.
Figure ID
idea027
Theme
Ideas
Year Released
2016 - Released in the LEGO Ideas Set 21306, commemorating 'The Beatles' and their 1968 animated film.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare - This figure was exclusive to a single, retired LEGO Ideas set with a relatively short production run compared to standard themes.
Head
Light Flesh dual-sided head: one side features a calm expression with glasses and mustache, the other a slightly open-mouthed singing expression. Includes a specialized black hair piece.
Torso
Black torso with intricate 'Yellow Submarine' style printing: lime green and pink floral/paisley pattern over a v-neck, with gold waist piping and silver printing on the right cuff.
Legs
Dual-molded or multi-colored appearance: Light Purple (Lavender) hips and right leg, with a Dark Purple left leg to match the psychedelic film aesthetic.
Accessories
Included with the set was a 2x2 round white tile printed with a SUB butterfly/telescope design (not pictured). No handheld accessories like weapons were issued.
Color Scheme
Highly vibrant and psychedelic: Black, Light Purple, Dark Purple, Lime Green, Pink, and Gold accents mirror the 1960s pop-art style.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on torso (front/back) and head. Notable detail is the 'silver watch/cuff' printing on the right sleeve which is rare for standard figures.
Variants
There are no official LEGO variants of this specific 1968 animated version, though many custom versions of John Lennon exist in the market.
Condition Notes
Watch for silver cuff printing wear on the right arm and 'torso cracks' under the arms. The black plastic can show scratches more easily than lighter colors.
Estimated Value
Current market value is approximately $15.00 - $22.00 USD for a used complete figure. New figures often track with the price of the sealed set.
Price (New)
The set 21306 originally retailed for $59.99 USD, containing all four Beatles and the submarine.
Compatible Sets
21306 The Beatles Yellow Submarine (2016).
Character Background
Based on John Lennon's appearance in the 1968 animated film 'Yellow Submarine'. Lennon was a co-founder of The Beatles and a cultural icon of the 20th century.
Design Notes
LEGO designers captured the distinct 'Peter Max' inspired art style of the film accurately with asymmetrical leg coloring and specific facial hair molds.
Similar Minifigures
Paul McCartney (idea028), George Harrison (idea029), and Ringo Starr (idea030) from the same set.
Collectibility
High - This is the only official LEGO depiction of John Lennon ever produced, making it a cross-over collectible for both LEGO fans and Beatles fans.
History
Part of the LEGO Ideas program (formerly CUUSOO), where a fan-designed model gained 10,000 votes and was selected for official production.
Interesting Facts
The silver cuff printing on the arm was a luxury detail rarely seen in 2016 sets outside of the highest-end collectors' items.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed inside or alongside the 21306 Submarine, or in a custom music-themed shadow box with the other three band members.
Modification Potential
Excellent for creating other 1960s/70s era musicians. The head and hair are often used for custom 'Harry Potter' or 'Austin Powers' figures.
Overall Assessment
A masterpiece of theme-specific design. It represents a rare moment where LEGO captured musical history with high fidelity and artistic flair. Highly recommended.