Last week I talked about one of the best values in the LEGO 2016 winter sets, the Prison Island Starter Set. But hey, what good’s a Prison Island Starter Set without the big kahuna itself to pair it with, right? And while last week photos hadn’t surfaced yet of the main event, they have now, so let’s take a look–the immense (and immensely fun) LEGO Prison Island 60130 set has now been revealed!

TLG hasn’t been terribly creative with the LEGO City sets in the past few years (how many times can the Police and Fire sets be rehashed?), but I think the City Prison Island sub-theme is a step in the proper direction. It still has that perennial cops versus crooks motif, but with a slight hook to give things a different flavor. I like it!

And the biggest set in this sub-theme is–no surprise–the 60130 Prison Island set itself!

We’ve had (plenty of) jail sets before, but I really, really like the ‘island’ feel of this one! I love that you can see some of the island foliage growing on the exterior of Prison Island itself!

The set features multiple jail cells, as well as staircases and a landing pad for a Police Helicopter. And speaking of which…

This looks quite a bit like every other brick-built Police Helicopter we’ve seen over the past couple of years, but I suppose that having a little helicopter in this set is a bit of a necessity, seeing as how otherwise the cops will be powerless against…

…the Criminal Hot Air Balloon! Yes, that’s right–this time, some of the criminals are going to attempt to escape in the awesomeness that is this rickety-old hot air balloon! Let me just say–I love this. Now this–this feels fresh and new and interesting! I really am rooting for the crooks to get away in this contraption!

And hey, check it out–a female crook minifigure! Of the eight minifigures in this set, four are cops and four are criminals, and there’s a female in both sides. I think it’s a bit unfair that we usually only get heroic women in these LEGO City sets, so I’m psyched to get a villainess here! Hands down, the female criminal minifigure is my favorite figure in this set!

And hey, who can’t find it in their heart to smile at some nefarious criminals minifigures hanging out on a bunk bed together in their cell–which is complete with its own little brick-built toilet! AWWWWW!!!

Although this criminal minifigure isn’t quite as enamored with his cell as I am! Looks like he’s going down the staircase and planning to make an escape…

…which is made possible by this little criminal escape raft pulling the door off the cell! I have to question the sack of money in this scenario, though. Did this guy just rip off the jail of a couple hundred dollars? And if not, is he stopping here at Prison Island for a breakout after just pulling off a heist…? Let your imaginations decide, master builders!

Unfortunately for the criminals taking to the little escape last, they’re probably outmatched by this hi-tech-looking police hydrofoil! Whoops! Guess these guys should have wagered on the hot air balloon escape technique instead!

The real downer on this set is that, as the main and largest component of the sub-theme, Prison Island is almost certain to be overpriced.

TLG hasn’t announced the official MSRP of this set yet, but looking at what’s included and going by past experience, this set contains 754 pieces looks like it could be expected to fall anywhere in the $90-$120 retail pricing range.

Anywhere in that range, I would say that this set is overpriced (perhaps vastly so). If TLG surprises me and prices this set at $79.99–where its value probably should be–then this set is going to be a real temptation for me that I doubt I can resist. At $90+… I’ll pass, and wait for a good sale (gotta have that female crook minifigure!).

The LEGO City Prison Island set is scheduled to be released online and in stores in December 2015/January 2016. While the starter set is on the list of confirmed 12/1/15 releases, the main set is not (at least not yet).

I imagine we will see this set in at least some stores before the holidays, so stay tuned here and to the Bricks and Bloks Facebook Page if you’re hoping to snag Prison Island as a Christmas present.

Now that we’ve seen the centerpiece of the LEGO City Prison Island theme, what don you think, brick fans? Is this a sub-theme that you’re interested in building into your collection, or has Prison Island failed to capture your imagination (and dollars)?