Yearly Archives: 2022

Speaker loudly and carry a multi-pronged stick

Today we double-dip into the LEGO world of Ralf Langer with his build Open Air 2053, providing a look into the future of concert music. The towering stack of speakers in the background is impressive, utilizing the largest tires around to churn out some thumping beats. I like the subtle changes in color and style between the different units, highlighting that this is a collected array of equipment, not a part of a set. The well-scaled drum kit appears more uniform, as of course it should. And the use of tank treads for the drum hoops is excellent! Finer details like cords and controls, both on the speakers and the keyboard array, put in a lot of work here. Through these details, we see that instruments and equipment haven’t changed much in 31 years. However, the musician has gone through a complete makeover! Given Maestro9000’s innate multi-instrument ability, this one was no doubt programmed by Dave Grohl himself.

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The modern Toa for the modern age

I can’t be the only one who was disappointed with the LEGO Bionicle representation in 11021: 90 Years of Play. Thankfully, Mathijs Dubbeldam has provided an excellent example of seven Toa Nuva using current parts. These figures don’t sacrifice any movement possessed by their counterparts from 2002, relying heavily on the Mixel ball joint. And the sculpting of the Bionicle masks in this scale is exceptional! Each Toa feels unique and recognizable by their face alone. But the real victory here is Mathijs’s glorious weapons crafting. Relying heavily on the Ninjago parts library, each of the septet is properly equipped and ready for battle. The display stand is the icing on this ball-jointed cake, pairing a proper biome with each member of the troupe.

The circuit of life is a series of parallels

One of the great pleasures I find in creating art through LEGO bricks is the ability to merge two contrasting forces. It could be two colors in something as simple as a black and white build. Or it could be the complexity of a mature emotion like grief or loss expressed via a toy for children. In this case, Ralf Langer highlights the natural and the artificial in this computer board/forest hybrid. And, boy, does Ralf show off his prowess for both styles. The circuitry is sharp, precise, and clean; all stud-less with crisp corners and neat rows. Gradually, that regimented look gives way on the green medium to Nature’s chaos: curves, bumps, and rocky nodes galore! There’s a lot of great parts usage here, but my favorite has got to be the dual rows of Modulex bricks. These LEGO products of a slightly different scale are a rare sight in builds, but can provide some truly brilliant solutions to construction problems without straying from the brand.

Today I Learned: Collaborative intelligence

If you don’t know what collaborative intelligence is, let me show you an illustrative example. You take two brilliant LEGO builders, say, ▷Cezium◁ and Ivan Martynov, you put them inside shared digital building space (aka collaborative mode in Stud.io) and let their shared mind run wild. But be cautious of some mind-blowing mechs and awesome use of LEGO Mindstorms elements.

Usually I don’t appreciate people changing LEGO parts colors to any non-existing shade; it just ruins the challenge of using what is available. But with jaw-dropping render quality I can forgive a lot: these builds look both mesmerising and a bit terrifying. I’m kind of happy they only exist in the digital world.

A bathroom to put all bathrooms to shame

As much as I love the LEGO Harry Potter sets I have to admit one thing. The scale they are built in does not lend itself to adding the amount of details I’d love to see. LEGO fan creations however never stop to amaze me. One of these creations is Moaning Myrtle by Caleb Schilling. Caleb built the prefects’ bathroom from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The use of the white half round tiles to add marble details to the bathtub wall looks splendid. It is also nice to see the Fabuland flask being used in a modern day creation. It is a bit bigger than minifigure scale but it works perfectly in this setting. Using old school lace fences to create the stained glass windows is a really nice touch. I love how the light appears to be peeking through all the trans clear plates.

Your other shoe is in another tower

Is it just me or running shoes look especially cool with massive city landmarks in the background? Look at this fantastic graffiti concept by Toryman. It’s just a shoe and N Seoul Tower, but there’s such an awesome vibe to this art.

Of course, it’s not “just” a shoe and “just” a tower. Take a closer look to notice all the cool LEGO element applications for perfect 3D effect.

Setting sail on a microscale sea

Louis of Nutwood shows us sometimes simple techniques can be the most effective. A sprinkling of 1×1 round plates around this microscale ship does a fantastic job of illustrating the wake of the craft as it cuts through the water in search of adventure. A micro portion of rum for all on board!

Catching a snowflake before shredding on them.

Kit Nugent takes us to the top of a mountain with this Iron Builder creation. Kit used the seed part of a horse saddle to build both a ski lift and a snowboard. The way all the parts of this build hang together over the forced perspective mountains gives the scene real sense of motion and gravity.

LEGO Collectible Minifigures 71034 Series 23 – “Oops, All Costumes” [Review]

LEGO’s Collectible Minifigures have long been a source of new and unique gear for minifigures to wear, thanks in large part to the preponderance of “mascot” style costumes. Numerous animals, fruits and vegetables, and even LEGO bricks have all served as the basis for elaborate minifigures. With Series 23, LEGO is doubling down on that idea with a line that seems to be all costumed characters. There’s not a single regular citizen or historical figure among them. No athletes or doctors or judges. No aliens, zookeepers or gamers or dog show trainers. Nope, LEGO’s 71034 Collectible Minifigures Series 23 is an entire line of characters dressed in costume and ready to celebrate with you this September 1 for US $4.99 | CAN $4.99 | UK £3.49.

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

A massive dwarf king that almost wasn’t

Steven Howard wasn’t sure this build would work. Inspired to use wing pieces as the beard for a dwarf king, Steven started with the head and rolled the dice that he’d have enough parts to finish. The final build is a 20.5-inch-tall hulk that weighs more than 10 pounds! Plenty of Technic components make up the dwarf’s inner frame to keep him sturdy, and Steven even made use of magnets in the back of the model to make the core easily accessible for moving the model around.

A very nice front door scene, with a twist

Hide-and-seek is a game that some people take very seriously, like the person in this scene by PaulvilleMOCs. Try to find them… I’ll wait. When I first saw this build I thought it was a lovely model of a front porch, with solid building techniques and some well-made plants… okay, did I spoil it? I did, didn’t I? The plant on the left is actually a Collectible Minifig wearing a plant costume. I bet the seeker will have as much trouble finding them as I did.

From Ice Planet 2002 to the ice planet of Hoth

I’m absolutely loving the mashup of Star Wars and LEGO themes to fulfill one of the challenges in this year’s VignWeek by RebelLUG. And this scene by Jens Ådne J. Rydland utilizing a duo of 90’s space factions to highlight a pivotal scene from the Battle of Hoth. The pairing of Blacktron I and the Empire feels fitting, and justifies the outstanding insignia on the side of the walker. The AT-AT’s head is well made, looking like an all-black version of some Neo-Classic Space designs. But those legs, harkening back to 6876: Alienator, are the perfect retro touch! The tiny Ice Planet snowspeeder is adorable, and I hope Commander Cold is able to successfully stall the Imperials long enough for the Futuron transports to escape.