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 to expand and solidify its position as a leading toy manufacturer. The year witnessed the continuation of popular themes and the introduction of new ones. One of the notable introductions was the LEGO Pirates theme, which brought a fresh adventure concept to the LEGO world, complete with pirates, soldiers, island settings, and unique elements like the iconic LEGO pirate ship. This theme was groundbreaking as it included new minifigure facial expressions, departing from the classic smiley face to showcase more character-specific emotions. Meanwhile, the company maintained its commitment to educational products, with the DUPLO line catering to younger children and Technic sets offering more intricate building challenges for older fans.