I knew that the 2013 LEGO Galaxy Squad theme was being released early this month, but I hadn’t realized that it was already in stores! So when I walked into my local LEGO Store and saw the entire assortment available and some of the sets prominently featured in the display case, I did a double-take. Then I got a hold of myself and took photos of the LEGO Galaxy Squad section of the store for people who don’t live near a LEGO Store or haven’t seen the display yet.

The early 2013 wave of LEGO Galaxy Squad consists of six sets:

70700 Space Swarmer (MSRP $11.99)
70701 Swarm Interceptor (MSRP $19.99)
70702 Warp Stinger (MSRP $29.99)
70703 Star Slicer (MSRP $39.99)
70704 Vermin Vaporizer (MSRP $59.99)
70705 Bug Obliterator (MSRP $79.99)

My personal impression of the Galaxy Squad theme after seeing these sets in person is a lot more positive than I expected it to be. I was feeling pretty burnt out on LEGO “Alien” themes after the recent “Space Police” and “Alien Conquest” themes, so I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic when I heard about the impending “Galaxy Squad” theme for 2013.

Upon seeing the sets prominently displayed in the LEGO Store, however, I can definitely see the appeal of these new designs and the whole “Starship Troopers” motif has won me over (to a degree). I adore that not only are the aliens themselves insectoid,but their ships are as well! I can see it now: “Are the aliens’ spaceships just technology–or more insect aliens themselves?! YOU DECIDE!!!” Love the whole idea of these alien sets to death. The actual human-commanded Galaxy Squad sets are less-appealing to me, but I do appreciate the robot members of the Galaxy Squad.

I wasn’t intending to buy any of the LEGO Galaxy Squad sets, but I couldn’t help myself from impulse purchasing a 70700 Space Swarmer set when I had it right in front of me. I’ll be fully-reviewing that set this week.

The full line of 2013 LEGO Galaxy Squad sets is available now on the online LEGO Shop, as well as from local LEGO Stores.