Power Miners - Rex (Large Helmet Variant)
pm002 · Power Miners
Power Miners Wave 1 · 2009. This figure debuted in January 2009 as part of the launch of Power Miners, a theme that replaced the subterranean Mars Mission/Rock Raiders concept.
Figure ID
pm002
Theme
Power Miners
Year Released
2009. This figure debuted in January 2009 as part of the launch of Power Miners, a theme that replaced the subterranean Mars Mission/Rock Raiders concept.
Rarity
Uncommon. While Rex appeared in five sets, he is a core character for the theme. The condition of the visor and the small printed helmet logo are the primary drivers of his specific value.
Head
Features a yellow classic skin tone head with a determined, slightly angry expression, dark bushy eyebrows, and a soul patch/goatee. It is topped with a specialized yellow racing helmet with a Trans-Red visor.
Torso
Lime green torso with dark green arms and lime green hands. Printing includes a dark green 'V' neck pattern, a silver/black diamond-shaped Power Miners logo in the center, and a utility belt printed at the waist.
Legs
Plain dark green legs without printing. These represent his heavy-duty mining trousers.
Accessories
Commonly paired with a dark bluish gray drill or pickaxe. In the image, he is shown with a custom-built handle or steering rig using a flexible hose and clip elements attached to a small brick-built vehicle or tool.
Color Scheme
A high-visibility palette of lime green, dark green, and yellow, accented by a Trans-Red visor. This scheme was chosen to mimic real-world heavy industrial and mining equipment.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the torso (front/back) and head. Notable for the small Power Miners emblem on both the torso and the front of the yellow helmet piece.
Variants
Two main versions: one with the large racing helmet and Trans-Red visor (shown here), and another with a standard hair piece or a smaller miner's cap. Some versions vary in the inclusion of a specialized armor piece.
Condition Notes
The Trans-Red visor is highly prone to scratching and losing 'clutch' on the helmet. The lime green color is stable and doesn't yellow as easily as white or light gray, but the torso can develop cracks under the arms.
Estimated Value
Used complete: $3 - $5 USD. New/Mint: $8 - $12 USD. Large collections often have multiples as he was the 'grunt' pilot of many mid-range sets.
Price (New)
Original sets ranged from $10.00 (7092) to $100.00 (8191). Individual figure value at release was approximately $3.00.
Compatible Sets
7644-1: MX-81 Hypersonic Operations Center, 8959-1: Claw Digger, 8961-1: Crystal Reaper, 8708-1: Cave Crusher, 8957-1: Mine Mech.
Character Background
Rex is the engineering specialist of the Power Miners team. In the webisodes and lore, he is the pilot/driver and is known for his mechanical expertise in maintaining the heavy drills used to fight the Rock Monsters.
Design Notes
This figure marked the transition away from the 'gritty' Rock Raiders aesthetic into a more vibrant, neon-industrial look. The helmet logo is a tiny but impressive print for the era.
Similar Minifigures
Power Miners Duke and Doc (the other two core team members), as well as the Rock Raiders 'Axel' figure from 1999.
Collectibility
Medium. Power Miners has a cult following among fans who grew up in the late 2000s, but it remains affordable compared to licensed themes like Star Wars.
History
Released during LEGO's 'Big Action' era, Rex served as the primary face of the theme's box art. The Power Miners line only lasted two years (2009-2010), making these figures representative of a very specific window in LEGO's history.
Interesting Facts
The lime green color used for Rex was intended to make the sets stand out on toy shelves populated by more muted colors. The translucent visor is the same mold used in classic LEGO Town racing sets.
Display Suggestions
Display against a backdrop of 'Trans-Neon Orange' crystals to simulate the Power Miners' underground environment. Looks best next to a Rock Monster (like Meltrox or Firox).
Modification Potential
The lime green torso is very popular for 'sci-fi' or 'cyberpunk' MOCs. The head is a generic yellow skin tone, making it easy to swap into other themes like City or Space.
Overall Assessment
A solid, iconic example of late-2000s LEGO design. While not high in monetary value, Rex is a nostalgia-heavy figure for collectors of independent LEGO IPs and features a very cohesive color palette.