Blacktron was one of the first LEGO Space subthemes along side Futuron and released in 1987. Blacktron was the first truly themed series in Space accompanied with a storyline. It featured a large spacecraft, the Renegade, which set the tone for all future big ships by splitting into a number of smaller modules. The set designs were based around a black and yellow color scheme with transparent yellow windscreens and transparent red highlights.
1988 LEGO Sets
In 1988, LEGO continued its expansion and innovation, further solidifying its status as a global leader in creative play. This year saw the introduction of the LEGO Pirates theme, one of the most groundbreaking additions to LEGO’s lineup. Unlike previous themes, which primarily focused on medieval knights, space explorers, and city life, LEGO Pirates introduced an adventurous, high-seas setting featuring pirates, imperial soldiers, island forts, and iconic pirate ships. This theme also revolutionized LEGO minifigures by introducing character-specific facial expressions, departing from the classic smiley face to include eyepatches, beards, and mischievous grins, adding a new level of personality to LEGO storytelling.