“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein
Monthly Archives: June 2007
Aura Battler by Izzo
This one’s worth a closer look:
What’s your favorite detail? I like the bananas. And the shovel.
Link.
News: Olly the Octopus Plays with DUPLO
Check this out:
Lego bricks were introduced to Olly the Octopus’s tank on Thursday to stop him getting bored at the Sea Life Park in Weymouth, Dorset….”He seems to be having lots of fun with his new Duplo.”
Thanks for the awesome octo-tip, Nelson! :-D
EDIT (6/19): NOT LEGO!!!. Hey Australia, get that octopus some real LEGO!
News: Indiana Jones LEGO Confirmed
Nope, not a rumor after all. Here’s the press release:
LEGO Group Secures Exclusive Construction Category Rights to Indiana Jones(TM) Property
NEW YORK, June 18 /PRNewswire/ — LEGO Group, the world’s leading construction toy manufacturer, today announces a partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd. to produce building sets based on the Indiana Jones franchise — one of the most globally successful movie series ever made.Three worldwide blockbuster films, and the highly anticipated May 2008 premiere of the new Indiana Jones movie, will provide inspiration for a series of highly iconic and action-packed build-and-play adventures of the rogue archaeologist and hero.
“There is such a natural synergy between Lucasfilm and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages that makes combining our stories with the LEGO play pattern an easy decision,” said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. “We are thrilled to have a chance to share the history and success of LEGO Star Wars with another Lucas franchise.”
Four playsets based on the classic trilogy are slated to launch in January 2008. Three sets based on iconic scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark include: Temple Escape ($49.99 USD) which brings the legendary rolling boulder scene to life in LEGO form as Indy faces spiders and poisoned darts in his search for the Golden Idol of Fertility. With Race for the Stolen Treasure ($29.99 USD), kids build two desert vehicles and recreate Indy’s truck-hopping fight to save the treasure. Indiana Jones and the Lost Tomb ($19.99 USD) recreates the eye-popping suspense of Indy rescuing Marion from slithering snakes in an Egyptian tomb. And based on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade action, Motorcycle Chase ($9.99 USD) depicts the scene where Indy and his father escape with the map to the hidden temple.
Four more constructible playsets based on the fourth movie will launch in May 2008, with suggested retail prices ranging from $9.99 to $79.99 USD.
“We are thrilled to be bringing yet another blockbuster Lucasfilm property to life for LEGO kids and adult enthusiasts,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, partnership and alliance management for the LEGO Group. “The marriage of strong story, well-known characters, dynamic vehicles and action-oriented movie scenes with the classic LEGO play pattern is a proven winner, and Indiana Jones lends itself perfectly to the build-and-play world of LEGO building.”
For more than 25 years, audiences have been enraptured by the exploits of Indiana Jones. The film trilogy — Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade — garnered 14 Academy Award nominations, won 7 Oscars, and grossed over $1,182,000,000 at the box office. The films are among the most popular movies ever made and have become a legendary part of film history.
Apocalypse, now?
Tyler C – or Legohaulic, as he is more commonly known in these circles – have created this fantastic post-apocalyptic diorama:
From the broken statue, to the bullet holes near the dead body, all the way to the mech, the feel is just great. It takes a long time to take it all in. Go put on a pot of tea and take a few deep breaths, then check out Tyler’s flickr or brickshelf.
Done with that? Great. Then you can move straight on to Spook’s post apocalyptic Crab Tank for another mind-blower:
These both look cobbled together with whatever their inventors had lying around. I love the genre already.
DARKspawn’s Medieval Observatory
With Josh busy over the spring and summer, we sometimes miss great Castle creations, so we’re grateful when readers like DARKspawn use the contact form to remind us! :-)
News: BrickJournal Issue 8 Now Available
Editor Joe Meno has announced the release of BrickJournal Issue 8. This issue includes coverage of events such as BrickFest 2007 and detailed information on 10190 Market Street. Click the image above to go to the LUGNET page where you can download the latest issue.
When Words Fail
It is with a heavy heart that I write of the passing of Eric Brok, the LEGO fan who designed 10190 Market Street. He succumbed in his sleep after a battle with cancer. For more than ten years, Eric has served as an inspiration to the worldwide LEGO community. Our thoughts go out to his wife, family, friends, and everyone who had the opportunity to meet him.
We’ll leave this post up for a few days — now doesn’t seem to be the time for mecha, ninjas, and interstellar starfighters. If we learn of anything the community can do for his family, we’ll let you know.
How to Spot a Pirate
What’s wrong with this picture?
The answer is that these are a brand of construction toys from China called “Enlighten.” No, they’re not LEGO® brand building bricks. What’s the difference between Enlighten and construction toy brands that advertise themselves as “compatible with the leading brand,” such as Mega Bloks, Best-Lock, and Tyco? These latter companies all design and sell unique sets with distinct figures, while Enlighten manufactures almost-exact copies of LEGO sets with direct copies of the LEGO minifigure. Bear in mind that set designs are copyrighted, and that the LEGO minifigure is trademarked. In other words, Enlighten products are illegal.
So, pirated pirates? Yes indeed. To spot the differences, note that LEGO never produced chrome cutlasses, chrome flintlocks, brown rifles, yellow parrots, or wizard beards that don’t cover the minifig’s mouth. Of course, most Enlighten boxed sets we’ve seen aren’t labeled “LEGO,” so that makes spotting the pirate a bit easier.
If you’re traveling overseas and see some “cheap LEGO,” make sure you’re not buying illegally copied sets.
There, I’ve said my piece. Head on over to the Minifig Customization Network for an ongoing discussion.
Step aside Johnny?
This could all just be hearsay, but a short article on CoolToyReview.com claims LEGO will be producing sets based upon the upcoming Indiana Jones IV film. Does this mean Johnny Thunder’s adventures are over?
News: 10190 Market Street now available from the LEGO Store online
The “Cafe Corner neighbor” that’s been generating quite a bit of excitement lately is now available (without any notable fanfare and without a pre-order period) on LEGO Shop@Home:
Prices seem to vary by region: In Europe, it’s €89.99 (UK: £59.99); in the United States, it’s $89.99; and in Canada, it’s $130.
Classic LEGO sets, microscaled!
A couple LEGO fans have been building microscale versions of classic LEGO sets lately.
Thomas Main gets things going with microscaled versions of several sets from the 1970s:
Nermal joins the trend with a microscale version of 6034 Black Monarch’s Ghost:
This is something I’ll have to try with my favorite childhood sets. :-D
(Via MicroBricks, and again.)