Scrolling through the creations of Thorben (tee_baum_bricks) is like a glimpse into a nerdy LEGO fan’s fever dreams. It’s a place where Saturday morning cartoons and eldritch horror meet over a slice of pizza. This year, Thorben has created a series of mechs and super soldiers based on family-friendly game and cartoon characters. This SpongeBob mech first grabbed my attention (with those sick clawed arms). In Thorben’s world, the absorbent power of sponges aid pirates in their undersea invasion. Poor SpongeBob, trapped inside this infernal machine.

Meanwhile, in the Mushroom Kingdom T.O.A.D.E.T.T.E. in AI-enhanced power armor leads the charge. Thorben credits Brickbot Studio for the power armor frame fundamentals.

In Thorben’s Bluey world, canine space marines battle in the name of the God Dog Emperor.

Tom Nook is notoriously eager to force loans on people that they have to pay back through cozy servitude. It’s only natural that the mech extension of his scheming would involve a money hammer to bury enemies in bells that must be paid back with interest. Great use of a dice element for the hammer.

Finally, Thorben ignores the advice about not playing with your food and scoops up a squad of LEGO ice-cream soldiers. A photo shoot in actual piles of ice cream is the cherry on top.