Yearly Archives: 2018

The Universal Serial Bus, connecting the world since 1996

The USB Type A plug has connected high-tech devices since 1996 — one of the things we take for granted for the past two decades, the Universal Serial Bus connector. Ubiquitous and functional (almost) every time — if you get the cable with the right connector on the other end. If there was an Oscar for the technology world, I think the USB connector should be honored with a lifetime achievement award. Working at a fairly large scale in LEGO, builder Joffre has created an excellent representation of the ever-present plug, with its iconic trident logo built onto the surface with a clever use of parts. So clean, smooth and perfect, you’ll surely need a second look to believe it’s all made of LEGO bricks.

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2018 LEGO Advent Calendars, Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of our LEGO Advent Calendar countdown. Each day, we’ll reveal the three mini-builds from the LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Friends, and LEGO City 2018 advent calendars along with commentary from The Brothers Brick team.

If you’re opening one (or more) of these advent calendars along with us, we’ve made sure the pictures and commentary on each day’s models will be behind a jump so we don’t accidentally ruin the surprise. The anticipation is killing us!

Click to reveal today’s LEGO advent calendar builds!

How does the new edition of The LEGO Book by Daniel Lipkowitz stack up? [Review]

While there are many coffee-table style books out there that cover specific topics around LEGO, Daniel Lipkowitz’s New Edition of The LEGO Book covers the widest spectrum of LEGO themes, sets and more. This is the second major release of The LEGO Book, having been first released in 2009 (and lightly updated in 2012). While there is some content that mirrors the earlier release, it does come with sufficient updates of imagery, photos, and text to deservingly call it a completely new edition.

Click to see more of what’s inside The LEGO Book

LEGO’s latest free gift with purchase is 40293 Christmas Carousel [Review]

Nearly every month, LEGO gives away a small set with purchases over a certain amount. We don’t always review these little bonuses, but sometimes they catch our eye with a standout model, such as last month’s excellent 40289 Diagon Alley or June’s 40291 Creative Personalities. For the first 10 days of December, the gift-with-purchase set is 40293 Christmas Carousel, featuring 251 pieces and valued at $15 USD. The set is available both in stores and online with purchases over $99 in the US and Canada, or £85 in the UK. The lovely design and moving parts made us decide to take a closer look, so let’s see what’s in store.

Click to read the full review

LEGO auctions on Catawiki include 928 Galaxy Explorer, 7755 Diesel Locomotive, and other rare LEGO [News]

A couple weeks ago we started featuring curated LEGO auctions featured on Catawiki. Current auctions include some rather rare LEGO sets from the 70’s and 80’s, along with custom models by LEGO artists.

One of the most nostalgic LEGO sets from the Classic Space era is 928 Galaxy Explorer. A copy of the set complete with box and instructions in great condition is up for auction right now.

See more interesting LEGO auctions on Catawiki

Defending the grey depths of space

In space, enemies can come from any side. And so rigorous armor is needed in addition to heavy armaments. Enter Patrick Massey‘s UNN-717 Olympia, replete with rows of chunky armor paneling and heavy turrets and a subtle submarine vibe (complete with rudder and diving planes). The nearly unbroken grey of the ship’s hull lends weight and scale to the model, helping it convey the ship’s monstrous size. And speaking of size, the LEGO model is no slouch either, ringing in around 3 feet in length.

A dementor descends over this diminutive Hogwarts

Wow–either someone cast engorgio on a dementor (and who in their right mind would do that?) or diminuendo on Hogwarts castle. Whatever happened, this brick-built dementor by Maxime Cheng hovering menacingly over Hogwarts is magical. Special recognition goes to the dementor’s mouth, made from two collars from the William Shakespeare collectible minifig. The sculpted body and the streams of tattered cloak give this model a very sinister appearance. The school grounds and building are also very nicely detailed at this scale.

2018 LEGO Advent Calendars, Day 1

It’s that time of year again! Break out the hot cocoa and stoke the fire, because The Brothers Brick is counting down to Christmas the only way we know how: with LEGO Advent Calendars! Each day, we’ll reveal the three mini-builds from the LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Friends, and LEGO City 2018 advent calendars along with commentary from our team.

Click to reveal today’s LEGO advent calendar builds!

The mighty walls of Carcassonne

For about the past decade, LEGO castle builders have trended towards what I like to call a ramshackle aesthetic, with precariously towering walls and gravity-defying roofs attached with a song and a prayer. It’s natural that builders would flex their chops in that manner, as that painterly style requires a great deal more skill than the simple, studs-up brick walls of classic castle sets and many early castle builders. However, equally difficult is building more traditional, real-world castles and avoiding the dreaded “grey wall syndrome” of thoroughly boring architecture. Isaac Snyder‘s walls of Carcassonne accomplishes this excellently, featuring a short segment of the French city’s fortifications. The walls and even roofs are no less detailed than any you’d find in the more ramshackle style, yet are thoroughly grounded in authentic style.

Perhaps next time Isaac can include a road though, as I’ve been needing a straight wall segment with a road to complete my city for ages!

Large-scale LEGO hardsuit pounds into action

One of the defining subjects of the Maschinen Krieger sci-fi world is the hardsuit, an environmental suit that is meant to help the wearer survive in hostile environments like outer space or in radiation-heavy post-apocalyptic locations. While mini-fig scale LEGO hardsuits may be more common, this one by Marco Marozzi is built to a much larger scale, and as such, is packed with details. Like many of Marco’s mechs, this one has plenty of poseability. I especially like the ball-socket shoulder attached through a wheel rim.

The white engine cowl found on many space shuttle sets provides the hardsuit with the pod-like look that seems to take some inspiration from early deep-sea diving suits, and an abundance of tubes and canisters come together to lend an industrial feel to the model.

LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader’s Castle now available with exclusive Christmas Carousel gift with purchase [News]

December has arrived and with it a handful of new LEGO sets including Darth Vader’s Castle from Star Wars and the global launch of a new wave of Spider-Man sets. 75251 Darth Vader’s Castle was previously available for pre-orders from Amazon.com, but is now generally available from LEGO for $129.99 in the US, $149.99 in Canada, and £119.99 in the UK.

Along with the new sets, LEGO is offering another exclusive holiday gift with purchase: 40293 Christmas Carousel. The set features a rotating carousel on a festive base and comes with 251 pieces. To set is available with purchases more than $99 through December 10th or while supplies last.

A peaceful winter village with a unique Christmas tree

What do you do when you get your hands on a giant pile of white ornamental fence pieces? Build an extravagant winter village of course! At least, that’s what builder Joe Gan did. The lovely white houses definitely make this picture zoom-worthy, but my favorite part is the giant purple Christmas tree. The color choice, in addition to the other accents throughout, make for an eye-catching build.