The Brothers Brick featured nearly 1,500 LEGO creations in 2018, ranging from unique characters to recreations of iconic vehicles and scenes from movies like Star Wars and Harry Potter. We recently shared our short-list for the best LEGO creations of 2018. But what custom creations we’ve featured were the most popular with you, our readers? Let’s take a look at the top 10 most popular LEGO models highlighted over this past year.
#10: Star Wars Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced by Jarek
When it comes to Star Wars LEGO models that are accurate to their on-screen versions, few have the ability to compete with builder Jarek. Over the years he’s shown us his skills with everything from the classic X-wing to a huge Imperial Star Destroyer, but it’s his stunning version of Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced that lands him the #10 spot in our list this year.
#9: B-17 Flying Fortress by PlaneBricks
We love seeing accurate WWII aircraft (or any aircraft, really) made out of LEGO, and it looks like our readers agree. Our #9 slot goes to this amazing minifigure-scale rendition of the B-17 Flying Fortress. Despite sharing its scale with the B-17 kit by Brickmania that we recently reviewed, PlaneBricks’ version is wholly unique and sporting a snazzy bare aluminum skin with red tips.
#8: Star Wars mechanical motion vehicles by Chris McVeigh
What’s cuter than these tiny microscale versions of your favorite Star Wars vehicles? The fact that they actually move, thanks to kinetic motion supplied by a crank on the side of each base. Whether it’s a gangly AT-ST, a lumbering AT-AT, a swooshing Millennium Falcon, Chris McVeigh delights us with this trio.
#7: Hulkbuster Mod by Kelvin Low
Like us, Kelvin thought that the official Hulkbuster set, 76105 Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition could use a bit more posability. So he broke out his bricks and gave the set a serious upgrade, making it look more awesome than ever. Not just content to add mobile legs, he also tweaked almost every other aspect of the mech, giving it an extra level of both accuracy and polish.
#6: Massive library from Beauty and the Beast by Sarah von Innerebner
Sarah von Innerebner spent ages aligning the thousands of books in the massive library in Beast’s castle, recreating the ornate gold-trimmed room to perfect. We got an in-person look at this model when Sarah displayed it at BrickCan, and it’s even more magnificent when seen up close, with lots of great Easter Eggs. For instance, can you find Batman hiding in the room?
#5: Third Age: Journey through Middle Earth collaboration
Collaborating to make a full 13 creations, builders Caleb W., Carter Witz, Cypiratemocs, Felix Nygren, H2brick, Mountain Hobbit, Norlego, Northern LEGO, Timothy Shortell, and Spartan Bricks took us on an epic journey across Middle Earth. From the Shire to the gates of Mordor, each location is spectacular and filled with detail. Check out the original article to see all of the locations that brought this collaboration to our #5 position.
#4: Transformers Constructicons merge into Devastator by Alex Jones
Alex “Orion Pax” Jones is no stranger among the most popular LEGO creations we’ve featured over the years, but this year’s Constructicons that join together and form a Devastator take the #4 spot because they combine the best aspects of Transformers with the construction-oriented, buildable nature of LEGO!
#3: Star Wars trench run with complete interior by Olive Seon
Featured on TBB just last week, Korean building collective Olive Seon radically expanded their trench run section from 2015 with a longer trench and a complete interior behind the wall. The pivotal scene from Star Wars: A New Hope is captured wonderfully at multiple scales, but the interior section is also full of fun details and easter eggs.
#2: Fully lit Wayne Manor with Batcave by Brent Waller
The sheer scale of Brent Waller’s Wayne Manor and Batcave boggle the mind — Brent shared with TBB that it stands over 6 feet (nearly 2 meters) tall, and is built from 100,000 LEGO bricks. Wayne Manor features a full interior, while the Batcave below features costumes, vehicles, and everything Bruce Wayne needs to transform into the Dark Knight.
What’s more, the entire LEGO model incorporates custom lighting to highlight various scenes throughout the display.
#1: Benny’s Spaceship Adventure by TBB’s own Bre Burns
We first saw Bre’s amazing working pinball machine at BrickCon 2017, before we asked her to join the team here at TBB earlier this year. In between, Bre perfected the internal mechanism for her fully playable pinball table, which is built from over 15,000 LEGO bricks, including LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT bricks that control 9 NXT servo motors, 7 touch sensors, 2 color sensors, 2 light sensors, and 2 ultrasonic sensors.
What’s even more amazing is that Bre limited herself to using only official LEGO elements throughout — including the rubber bands, bumpers, and other functional pieces. You can watch the pinball machine in action in this video.
To all the hundreds of builders we’ve featured this year, thank you for sharing your passion for creativity with the world, and thank you for letting us be a small part of the community we love. Happy building!
