Posts by Jake Forbes (TBB Managing Editor)

It takes a big brain to come up with a color combo like this

Some space builders love their greebles, others seek lines. Ivan Martynov isn’t one to get pinned down to any particular style, gravitating instead to unconventional parts, colors, and themes to make utterly alien models. Ivan’s latest is a starfighter that is swooshable and vaguely reminiscent of a military jet, only I don’t think I’ve ever seen lavender, light nougat, precious sand purple, and even a splash of aqua used like this before! The aliens are a brainy bunch with a curious configuration of limbs. They seem mostly harmless…

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An elvish bard makes merry on the streets of Dandelume

Swedish builder T-86 never misses a chance to enter a medieval building challenge. And when possible, this LEGO storyteller uses a challenge to reveal a new piece of the fantasy world of Dandelume. The builder’s latest addition is diorama and scenes featuring Bryndon the Bard, a fixture of the sprawling stone city. Here on the steps to old town, we see the city’s oldest wall and the interplay of rich and poor at this busy gate. T-86 references older builds in color schemes and lore while making the location feel specific and new.

Even though the majority of the build is grey bricks, T-86 packs it with sophisticated techniques that keep it visually interesting. The sidewalk mosaic uses a mix of tiles and cheese slopes in alternating orientations to make concentric rings. And the arches made from loosely fitted headlight bricks looks wonderful.

See some earlier builds of Dandelume below

From the Caribbean to the Grand Line, these fantastic LEGO pirates are ready to plunder [Minifig Monday]

2025 is turning out to be the best year for LEGO pirates since Barracuda Bay opened for business. Fun One Piece playsets, a gorgeous new Black Pearl, collectible minifigs, and let’s not forget that One-Eyed Willy’s pirate ship is currently in design. September is also a big month for pirate minifigs with two contests running that fans of Minifig Monday will want to take note of, including one that The Brothers Brick is sponsoring. But first, let’s have a look at some amazing pirate-themed minifig creations that have come on our radar lately, as well as a few classic creations.

This week’s cover image comes courtesy of Garret (2p_figs), who created the post-apocalyptic pirate crew above with some inspiration from Waterworld. Garret also created this cursed clown pirate that incorporates some incredible parts usage at minifig scale. The Illithid head from D&D is perfectly employed as an octopus, and the pony tail looks great as a sash.

Click to follow the map to more incredible pirate figures from the community

LEGO Star Wars 40806 Gingerbread AT-AT revealed, coming to a galaxy near you in time for the holidays [News]

A long time ago, in the galaxy of Denmark, LEGO created a Christmas-themed X-Wing fighter as an employee-exclusive gift set. This year, LEGO is letting everyone get in on the holiday fun with LEGO Star Wars 40806 Gingerbread AT-AT, an irresistible set we never saw coming. Over the summer, Star Wars LEGO sets rankled many fans with steep prices on underwhelming sets (excellent UCS Slave-1 aside). Containing roughly 700 pieces for $60, this holiday remix of one of the galaxy’s most popular vehicles offers welcome value. True, there look to be any printed parts or new molds, the concept and execution are a true delight and Gingerbread Vader looks ready to jingle all the way to the Hoth system. What do you think? Will you be picking up the Gingerbread AT-AT when it releases on October 1?

LEGO Star Wars 40806 Gingerbread AT-AT | 697 Pieces | Available October 1 |US $59.99 | CAN $79.99 | UK £54.99

For the full scoop on this sweet holiday treat click here

Scott Wilhelm kicks off SHIPtember 2025 slick summer star cruiser

SHIPtember is an annual AFOL tradition where space builders challenge themselves to create a spacecraft that’s at least 100 studs long, built entirely during September. “SHIP” refers both to spaceship but is also an acronym for “Seriously Huge Investment in Parts.” Simon Liu helped start the trend 12 years ago, and for LEGO space fans, it’s a highlight of the year. Scott Wilhelm is one of the original participants and an event regular. But Scott’s love of SHIPs is too great to contain to just one month. At Brickworld, Scott debuted the Noctem Æternus, a dark blue behemoth measuring 105 studs long.

See more of Scott’s bonus SHIP as we set a course for SHIPtember 2025

LEGO Arkham, Pirates, and Hogsmeade lead a packed September of new sets [News]

Summer’s over, September is here, and you know what that means: businesses around the world will start marketing their Christmas wares inexplicably early. LEGO is no different, with their selection of advent calendars is among the many sets hitting shelves this month. There’s a bit of a different flavour to some of them though! Minecraft and Frozen join the fray with their own dedicated calendars. Even 76300 Arkham Asylum below – one of the most exciting new releases – has an advent flavour to it, although you’ll need to wait until September 9 for your pre-order to come through.

LEGO DC Batman 76300 Arkham Asylum | 2,953 Pieces | Available September 9 | US $299.99 | CAN $379.99 | UK £269.99

If you can’t wait for that, the Black Pearl or Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory (both of which also have general availability starting from mid-Septmeber, then be sure to check out our selection below, or the rest of the LEGO store (US | CAN | UK) to find your perfect September sets!

Continue reading →

Incredible immersive scene captures the grimy, lived-in beauty of the Star Wars universe

Builder Simulterious is something of an expert at capturing the many facets of Star Wars in LEGO as a contributor to Teal Squadron, the Factions RPG, and creator of immersive tributes to the films (like this recent recreation of the Ewok Village). Simulterious’ latest model depicts some illicit dealings in Port Steergard, a location only briefly seen in Season 2 of Andor. Created for the LEGO collaborative role-play Downfall, the scene shows a Falleen lord menacing some Imperials while guards in Tantel armor look on. Could it be Prince Xixor of Shadows of the Empire fame or another green-skinned tyrant? I guess we’ll find out when the next arc of Downfall begins.

What’s most impressive about the build is the grimy authenticity of the port. While Star Wars has come to include plenty of shiny chrome ships, it was the gritty lived-in quality of Mos Eisley and the Millennium Falcon that set the standard for this galaxy far, far away. I love the discoloration in the brickwork and the blend of geometric shapes and wild greebles that Simulterious employs.

Happy Plant Madness takes cuteness to strange new places

LEGO Botanicals 10349 Happy Plants is a truly delightful set, and one that invites creative builders to remix in their own way. Our reviewer swapped out the shrubs with custom bonsai, for example. But why stop there? Why not replace your plants with toast? Or… tentacles? For the #happyplantmadness collab some AFOL friends decided to push the set’s cuteness to its limits with custom creations. Keep your green thumbs inside the vehicle as we tour these madcap flowerpots!

Thundrabuilds turns the blue planter into an adorable toaster. The little fella is ready for his bath. I’m sure this will go swimmingly.

The prolific and wickedly funny Trevor Pearson-Jones shares a version of the blue planter who never skips leg day. Yellow planter is still smiling even as it’s reduced to its buff buddy’s loincoth.

The happy plants keep smiling after the fold

Celebrate Silksong with these LEGO Hollow Knight tributes [Feature]

Hollow Knight debuted in 2017 to modest acclaim, but in the years since developed a cult-like following for its tight gameplay, haunting story, and gorgeous designs. Since then, many LEGO builders have made a go at recreating the Knight and other characters in bricks. As we prepare for the long-awaited sequel’s release next week, let’s take a look back at the many Hollow Knight and Silksong LEGO builds that showcase the iconic appeal of Team Cherry’s games.

GioiaLego recreates the memorial to the Hollow Knight in the City of Tears. The Knight and Hornet appear at minifig scale. The monochrome world is lovingly recreated with light and dark grey brickwork.

Tino Poutiainen created an impressionist version of Hollow Knight. The arachnid leg is perfect for this dynamic pose.

Click to see more Hollow Knight inspired LEGO creations

LEGO Nike 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot and 43010 Nike Slam Dunk – Double Dribble [Review]

Hi friends! This is Jarrett (@wilderland.builds), here to talk about the two newest additions to the LEGO/Nike collaboration that kicked off earlier this year: Nike Dunk Trickshot and Nike Slam Dunk. I’ll preface this by saying that I’m probably not the target customer for these sets, but I am a pretty serious basketball fan and was looking forward to seeing if they could change my mind and capture my interest with these sets. Let’s jump in!

LEGO 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot | 454 Pieces | US $39.99 | CAN $49.99 | UK £34.99

LEGO 43010 Nike Slam Dunk | 809 Pieces | US $69.99 | CAN $89.99 | UK £59.99

Do these sets have game? Read on for our review

LEGO Icons 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship – A shiny Black Pearl [Review]

It’s been 22 years since Johnny Depp donned dreadlocks and eyeliner and put on his best Keith Richards impression and sailed into cinematic record books with the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. If you thought that name was clunky, hold LEGO’s grog. Icons 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship brings back the Black Pearl, last seen in brick in 2011, as a premium display set. Is it worth every piece of eight to add this set to your LEGO fleet? Guest reviewer Jacob Manahan got a chance to dig up this treasured ship early and is here with our review.

LEGO Icons 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship | 2862 Pieces | Available September 12 to Insiders (Sept 15 to all) |US $379.99 | CAN $449.99 | UK £299.99

Our review of the Black Pearl follows

The LEGO Group shares earnings report for first half of 2025 – double-digit growth, doubling down on strategic investment [News]

Today, the LEGO Group shared its earnings report for the first half of 2025, revealing double-digit growth all around. Overall sales are up 13%, Revenue up 12%, Operating Profit up 10%. LEGO also highlights expanded global supply chain improvements and a continued commitment to sustainability. Revenue growth was matched by an even greater investment in the company’s future with new facilities and an expanded global team.

These numbers come at an interesting time for adult fans and readers of this site as we’re in the midst of LEGO announcing many high-priced sets for adult collectors for the second half of the year. It can be hard to celebrate the company’s success when the lived experience of many fans is that prices are outpacing their ability to keep up with the hobby. While the rise in the number of 18+ display sets with high piece counts and this summer’s Star Wars inflation have left many fans frustrated, less AFOL-focused lines like Ninjago, Dreamzzz, Friends, and City/Space, as well as the Botanicals line, show that, for creativity and play, there are still amazing and affordable sets to be had.

LEGO’s full report follows.

LEGO’s full report follows