Posts by Jake Forbes (TBB Managing Editor)

Five flavors of fantasy from one talented Swedish builder

LEGO fan contests like Brickscalibur can push even the best builders to new creative heights through creative prompts, tight deadlines, and friendly competition. One builder whose creations consistently caught our eye during the latest competition goes by T-86 (Swe). What impresses with T-86’s builds isn’t just the stellar medieval brickwork, but the variety of approaches that capture the breadth of “castle” as a building theme. Let’s take a moment to celebrate each of T-86’s five submissions.

First is “The Traitor,” submitted for the Perspective Matters category. This build is a showcase for brickwork in the modern castle aesthetic, creating walls that are deceptively simple at a glance, but upon closer inspection are a web of clever techniques. The arches on the right, capped with a jigsaw of “cheese slopes” are a highlight, as is the door with its deep notches. By framing the shot with wall-to-wall LEGO bricks and simulating natural lighting, the immersive scene pulls you in. T-86 sticks to a grounded setting but adds a fantasy twist using elves for the tale of deception playing out in the courtyard.

Next, for the Adventuring Party minifig-centric category, T-86 goes full fantasy in an eye-catching way, using almost entirely black elements. Dubbed “The Shadowmolded,” they make a nightmarish ensemble, softened somewhat by a mix of animal companions. The brick-built dragonraven is especially nice.

Press on for more enchanting castle builds from T-86

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Mattel celebrates International LEGO day by announcing LEGO competitor Brick Shop [News]

On January 28th, toymaker Mattel announced a new brand for building kits called Mattel Brick Shop with the first wave of sets appearing in May of this year. While details are light at this time, the newly launched website features graphics very similar to packaging on LEGO (sorry, “other name brands”) sets for 18+ builders.

The press release states, “With Mattel’s trusted legacy and expertise, Mattel Brick Shop is designed to disrupt the status quo and elevate the building experience. Here, we bend the rules of construction with innovative features and materials that inspire builders to try something new.”

As for what those innovations might be, the included image provides a possible clue, as the logo dimensions and orientation suggest a mobile phone. Perhaps app integration will feature heavily? Could the prominence of the word “shop” could indicate the ability to pick out bricks individually as one might from other name brands? Or perhaps it refers to the embossed “Mattel” printed on each stud.

Mattel is also the owner of the Mega line of blocks, which the toymaker says will not be going away with the introduction of this additional brand. Mega has seen impressive growth in recent years thanks to high-profile IP not offered by other name brands, such as Pokémon, Barbie, and Game of Thrones. This is again speculation, perhaps Brick Shop plans to differentiate with iconic building-focused sets for older consumers or perhaps sourcing ideas from the community? We won’t need to wait long to find out.

Mega Bloks debuted in 1991, succeeding Tyco as the leading line of bricks compatible with other name brands. While the underlying patents on LEGO’s interlocking brick system expired in 1978, the Danish toymaker took Mega to court in the 90s over similarities with the “studs and tubes” system, but ultimately lost the case with the judge ruling that the specifics of the LEGO brick’s shape “merely performs a technical function and cannot be registered as a trademark.”

The anniversary for said patented brick also happens to be January 28th and is now known as International LEGO Day among fans of other name brands.

Reflecting on Year of the Snake with Medusa

Okay, so maybe the ancient Greeks didn’t celebrate the Lunar New Year, but they certainly loved the Zodiac, and when it comes to snakes, who better to usher in the new year than everyone’s favorite gorgon, Medusa? James Zhan recreates this monster of myth with her writhing hair of snakes in LEGO as the figurehead of an ornate mirror, fusing whimsy and functionality. Perhaps it’s a warning not to get lost in your own reflection (or just a sly wink to Medusa’s fate in Clash of the Titans). James rounds out this beautiful and functional model with a microscale version of Olympus above and a Greek city below.

As a bonus, James created an alternate profile for Medusa with an open eye that can be swapped in should you dare to meet her gaze. The spikey vine works brilliantly in both orientations as Medusa’s eye lashes.

Nanyang heritage and Petaling Street: One builder’s journey to connect with the past through LEGO [Feature]

As a child growing up in a small town, LEGO made my world so much bigger. I could imagine life in space, the Middle Ages, or big cities because the act of building with bricks made history, science, and far-off places real. But it wasn’t until years later, thanks to communities like Brickshelf and sites like this one, that I came to understand how universal my experience was. One of my great joys in writing for this site has been the chance to learn from and be inspired by creations shared by talented builders around the world.

Builders like Vooi Loon Low, a Chinese Malaysian AFOL living in Kuala Lumpur.

A few years ago, Loon started sharing LEGO models of shops on Petaling Street, the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s historic Chinatown. Specifically, he’s been recreating the shops as they would have appeared in the 1950s. These buildings, sometimes paired with black and white photos, are the only LEGO models Loon has shared. I wanted to know more about Loon’s motivations for this very specific and long-running project. When I reached out, Loon was kind enough to share his story.

Read on to hear Loon’s story and see more of his builds of historic Petaling Street

A Goodfeather never rats on his friends

There’s something about this pigeon that I don’t trust. The way he stares with disdain as he paints the sidewalk with suspicious white dots… I’m not saying he’s connected to the mob, but he’s definitely a made bird. Made out of LEGO by Tobias Whelan [Intense Potato], to be specific. The builder is best known for vehicles and buildings (including New Hashima and the amazing Medina al Musawrah collab), but this foray into animal builds shows his range. Tobias wanted to experiment with some of the newer curved elements that LEGO has added to the mix, as seen in the shaping of the bird’s head and chest. My favorite parts use has to be minifig arms for the bird’s toes. A common pigeon from an uncommonly talented builder.

Why so delirious?

“Where does he get those wonderful toys?” you might ask. Well, in the case of Djokson, you build them yourself from the most unusual combinations of LEGO parts imaginable. The builder’s latest character, the Feral Jester, plays with more recent elements, like the color built from a mix of blue leaves, and the antennae which stem from the latest wave of Dreamzzz sets, like Cooper’s Gaming Controller Jet. I love the mosquito-like face which, paired with those razor-sharp fingers, makes this one clown you don’t want to cross.

To learn more about the builder’s process, inspirations, and LEGO history, check out our interview with Djokson from last year.

Phone in your One Piece fandom with a LEGO Den Den Mushi

Tired: snail mail. Wired: snail phone. In the crazy pirate world of One Piece (coming soon as official LEGO sets) den den mushi are a species of telepathic snails who function as phones letting Marines and captains communicate across the vast Grand Line. Anime enthusiast and character builder Rokan Cheung imagines what one of these useful critters would look like as a LEGO build, and the results are just as charming and weird as Eiichiro Oda’s original design. Now I just need to know if we’ll see a den den mushi at minifig scale in the upcoming sets.

DeRa’s LEGO RX-78-2 is Gundam perfection

The RX-78-2 mech from Mobile Suit Gundam is up there with the X-Wing and Optimus Prime as one of the most enduring subjects for LEGO builders. But as we’ve seen with models like this brilliant X-Wing from last year, even if a subject’s been built a thousand times before, new parts, new techniques, and a fresh pair of eyes can still yield exciting takes that improve on perfection. That’s definitely the case with this remarkable mobile suit from DeRa.

As we saw with this ferocious LEGO tiger from last year, one of DeRa’s builder superpowers is a knack for articulation. This Gundam can swap armaments and strike any pose from the classic anime, like the best gunpla model kits.

Click to see more of DeRa’s Gundam masterpiece in action

Neverending childhood trauma recreated in LEGO

There’s something special about ’80s kids’ films: their practical effects, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to scar audiences for life with nightmare fodder. Perhaps no scene broke so many young hearts as Atreyu losing his horse Artax in the Swamps of Sadness. Jack McKeen recreates this iconic scene from The Neverending Story with a LEGO tribute that has me both awed by the technique and fighting back tears. I’m impressed by the brown tiles transitioning to slopes around the sinking horse; you can almost feel the horse being sucked into the swamp. The base, built from writhing vines and dinosaur tails, is eye-catching. And Jack’s minifig Atreyu couldn’t be more perfect.

The Neverending Story is one of my favorite films, but the book it’s based on is even better. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a treat at any age. And you can relive Artax’s tragic end, only in the original version he talks as he drowns!

This Week in LEGO Bricks: Parseltongue edition [Feature]

With the Lunar New Year less than a week away, we’re seeing a lot of amazing Year of the Snake builds from LEGO builders around the world. In the latest This Week in Bricks, ABrickDreamer puts the spotlight on snakes while highlighting many other incredible MOCs, contests, and builder tips from around the web, like the results of the Colossal Castle Contest (congratulations to Louis of Nutwoood, builder of this incredible castle!)

This motorized LEGO Boeing 747-8 truly soars

For LEGO builders who create scale models of real-world vehicles, capturing the distinctive shape of an original is a mighty accomplishment. Doing so with minimal seams can challenge the best builders. Nailing both while also integrating motor functions? That’s the mark of a LEGO modeling master. Max Richter’s Boeing 747-8 in Lufthansa livery is one of the most impressive scale model aircraft we’ve ever seen. At 1.5 meters long (nearly 5 feet!) and with a wingspan of 1.35 meters, clocking in at 12,500 pieces for a weight of 11.4 kg (25 lbs), it’s also one of the biggest, dwarfing LEGO Icons Concorde. The motorized landing gear system is a thing of beauty. This build soars.

To fully appreciate Max’s model, I highly recommend watching his video tour. As a bonus challenge, can you find where he uses a droid body, hockey stick, and pirate hook in the build?

Buckle up for more details on Max’s remarkable LEGO aircraft

How much is two oxen in horsepower?

According to Linkedin, the illustrious Bibliarius Zakharius Glockta is a certified adventurer, chronist, scientist, and inquisitor. Left off that resume, he’s also an entrepreneur, green energy innovator, and tiny home enthusiast. LEGO builder Dwalin Forkbeard captures this enigmatic and larger-than-life minifig as he roams the land peddling arcane artifacts from his ox-driven mobile hut. With its wonky angles and wheels akimbo, this rolling cottage is a delightful mash-up of Warhammer and Dr. Seuss. The printed wood tiles evoke Seussian ink, and you can’t tell me Biliarius hasn’t crossed paths with a Onceler.

The wagon hides a few brilliant uses of unusual parts like a turkey tail arch over the window, but the real LEGO miracle is how Dwalin Forkbeard managed to capture this barely-together ramshackle build without it falling apart!

Revisit our Dwalin Forkbeard archive to see why this Ukrainian AFOL has become one of our favorite fantasy builders.