Yearly Archives: 2021

Ian Ying is the Cool-One now

Any fans of Hotwheels will recognize the stubby, radically customized twin-engined ice truck cast called Cool-One. It’s one of my fave molds. In fact, I built my own LEGO version of it way back in the day. My research says it didn’t get featured here. Maybe it just wasn’t cool enough. Anyway, Ian Ying is here to remedy that and give this Cool-One his own LEGO treatment. I’m digging the stance, the colors, and the chromed-out rims are an excellent touch. A confident builder will supply his source material in the photo just as Ian did here. I’m smitten! It wasn’t the first time, either. Check out why Ian Ying is so darn cool.

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This winter fox is one very cool character

With the approach of winter in the Pacific Northwest, I could easily imagine something like this winter fox emerging from the trees, but then I do have a pretty active imagination. When Woomy World was looking for the perfect part to use for the vixen’s ears, I could not imagine a better, more unusual part to use than the bottom jaw of a dinosaur or dragon. But that’s not the only tasty part usage. Check out the eyebrows, made from white croissants.

LEGO Ninjago 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple – Building on the Ninjago EVO theme [Review]

We’ve been taking a close look at the new Ninjago EVO theme – a departure from the cartoon-based series tie-ins with a return to “core” Ninjago concepts. This means a less obvious storyline, but a welcome invitation to be more imaginative with your own adventures. The largest of the first wave, LEGO Ninjago 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple is a 1394 piece set that will be available January 1st from the LEGO Shop Online for US $99.99 | CAN $129.99 | UK £89.99. Come along as we take a close look at this new headquarters…and see if we can’t spot some hints as to where the ninjas might be headed next!

The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Click to read the full hands-on review

2021 LEGO Advent Calendars, Day 20

Happy holidays to all of our fellow LEGO builders! As is tradition, we at The Brothers Brick will be opening our advent calendars as we count down to Christmas. We’ll also be sharing commentary on each one, which we hope will provide insight and hilarity to your holiday season!

This year we have new Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, City and Friends advent calendars to open. We will be sharing images of the new calendars every day through Christmas, and hope that you’ll join us! Let’s see what there is to open on Day 20.
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T-70 X-Wing in LEGO

The marriage of Star Wars and LEGO has made them so intrinsically connected that making your own version of the iconic X-wing starfighter can be a crowning achievement for some builders. Or maybe more like a litmus test for your building skills? Either way, Builder Jerac clearly understood the assignment while working on his 1250+ piece version of the T-70, first revealed in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It may have taken him 22 tries to get it exactly right, but I’m sure Poe would be proud to fly this beauty.

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Snowy Mountain Frogs

This time of year always brings out a plethora of adorable builds. From massive to microscale, there’s always something to enjoy. This delightful, tiny display by Builder Hawaii Toad is modeled to look like a music box with a small golden crank on the side. The holiday theme runs throughout, from the color-blocked bricks in the base to the snow-capped peaks looking over the sleepy village. As a train emerges from a tunnel, clearing snow from the tracks as it goes, a tiny version of Santa’s sleigh flies overhead. While the scene is quite picturesque, my favorite part is the use of frogs…er..toads? Whichever is appropriate in the builder’s mind, those adorable little pieces have had quite the year in pop culture. It’s nice to see them included in the holiday.

Mech-a-lech-a-hi-do-ho there, neighborino!

I love mechs that combine sharp edges and organic curves. Vorpal, a creation from builder Iggs, integrates those two styles with…well….style. The dark blue armor plating extensively uses wedges and Bionicle elements to create an overlapping texture that reminds me of samurai armor. The other prominent color is sliver – filled out with more Bionicle elements and a wealth of macaroni brick to create the curving tubing in the torso. Add on a giant gun on one arm, and you’ve got a mech that’s ready to rock.

The Bionicle theme gave LEGO builders a great range of interesting parts to enhance almost any creation. Check out our Bionicle tag for more great examples!

This massive LEGO Technic icebreaker paves its way through ice using a four-motor mechanism [Video]

Floating LEGO boats are no news; now and then, a new playset with a floating hull element appears in stores for kids to play in a bathtub or the nearest pond. These can be fun, but only if your bathtub is big enough or it’s warm enough outside. Living in the cold Russian climate, Kirill Mazurov had to develop a unique design to keep his boats sailing even when it’s 0°F (-18°C) outside. This way comes a functioning LEGO icebreaking capable of crushing thin river ice!

Click here to watch the icebreaker in action!

2021 LEGO Advent Calendars, Day 19

Stick a fork in this rover – it’s done. Done right, that is

Inspired by the new wheel fork elements from 76179 Batman & Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit, builder Carrier Lost has repurposed them into a something a little more out of this world. The Gamma Scanner is rover is dripping with Classic Space styling combined with more recent offerings like silver ingots and that all-important driver – Lenny from Benny’s Space Squad. The chassis is indeed pretty sweet, but my favorite part of this rover is that array of transparent-green sensors along the leading edge. Will Lenny find the gamma-powered Hulk in a crossover with the MCU? One can only hope.

If rovers are your thing, then be sure to peruse our Rover Tag for more grounded goodness.

Wrapping this gift could be a little tricky

The end-of-year holidays are upon us. Some find gift giving a slog or a source of anxiety, but Patrick Biggs rose to the challenge with The Karrax’ Fang. This Secret Santa build is both a gift for and inspired by the works of TolerantAxe97. This insectoid mech has great articulation, a really slick hand design, and the ever-creepy Technic-gears-for-teeth technique. I also like the Technic spacers used for the eyes and the impressive horns. I think I’d be thrilled to see this under my tree…as long as it wasn’t moving on its own or something.

Looking for more mechanical goodness? Browse our other featured mech builds!

The office building that looks like an office copier

LEGO builder Milan Sekiz tells us that this is their first attempt at Brutalist architecture. I’ve seen plenty of Brutalist architecture in person, plus I’ve taken a few architecture courses in college so I know a bit about the subject but let’s consult Google as to what they say about it. Brutalism is generally characterized by its rough, unfinished surfaces (check!), unusual shapes,(check!) heavy-looking materials,(check!) straight lines,(check!) and small windows (yes!). It seems by all accounts, Milan has achieved Brutalism. I like the very orderly gardens flanking the building and the vines creeping up the middle of it are a nice touch. It adds a bit of warm nature to this otherwise cold and imposing structure. I can’t help thinking that it looks a bit like an office copier, or better yet, someone’s inbox that is chock full of…Brutalism. OK, I’ll admit that I probably should have thought that analogy through. But do you have a better one?

While you’re thinking that over, go ahead and check out the other stuff Milan Sekiz has built and while you’re at it take a look at our Architecture archives including some very neat Brutalist designs.