Posts by Daniel

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for November 20, 2022 [News]

In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the 3rd week of November 2022.

TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS The big news (literally) was all about the newest set from the LEGO Icons theme, a towering model of the famous French monument made from a monumental 10,001 elements, the Eiffel Tower, and a gift with purchase model of Gustave Eifel’s apartment to go along with it. We also covered a new book by a master model builder. Looking for more LEGO news? Check out our last Brick Report.

[REVIEW] LEGO Icons 40579 – Eiffel’s Apartment — A mini-model which includes an even smaller micro model of the Eiffel Tower
[REVIEW] LEGO Icons 10307 – Eiffel Tower — Architecture fans are sure to fall in love with this monument in dark gray.
[NEWS] LEGO reveals the Eiffel Tower as the next set in the Icons line — LEGO announced the tallest set ever with the towering Eiffel Tower set.
[REVIEW] LEGO Build Every Day and the Master Builder Notebook — Get inspired, or start sketching ideas for your next MOC with these two books.

In other news…

2023 Super Mario sets revealed! – [Brickset.com] — Brickset brought us our first look at the next wave of Mario sets coming in 2023.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

TIE Viper – obscure new Star Wars ship or genius mashup?

November is here again, and you know what that means—besides my favorite Starbucks holiday drink and turkey hangovers of all kinds. November is also a long-celebrated LEGO building challenge known as NoVVember, where builders pay homage to the Vic Viper, an iconic spaceship from the video game Gradius, by building a starship with all the signature details… two forward-facing prongs, two wings, and a fin. This entry by WyndGekko checks all the boxes and more, with a perfect mashup of viper and Star Wars, interpreting the viper as what could easily be an early prototype for the TIE interceptor. My only issue with this great build is that I didn’t think of it first.

What a lovely plumage for a delightful dragon

When I think of nice parts to use in building a dragon, plants are not particularly high on the list, but Andreas Lenander clearly had fun building this dragon bust that looks like it belongs in a parade. I spotted at least 3 different plant elements used to create a feathery plumage, and an eye-catching detail (see what eye did there). Oh, and what dragon would be complete without gold? – particularly the ring element used to adorn the ears.

Fair weather and a tiny patch for your garden... in the clouds

Floating islands have even more need of a strong beacon to warn airships away from dangerous rocks. This tall beacon by Ids de Jong is more than just another lighthouse, with an industrial revolution aesthetic and a factory in the far distance giving the scene a clever bit of forced perspective. One thing this beacon keeper doesn’t have to worry about is groundskeeping, aside from a few herbs and flowers, there’s not much room for gardening

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for October 30, 2022 [News]

In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders worldwide, The Brothers Brick brings you the best LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the 4th week of October 2022.

TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS LEGO Friends announced new sets for 2023, including a dog in a wheelchair. We learned that LEGO Mindstorms is discontinuing the robot inventor theme, LEGO Ideas approved 4 projects to be made into sets, and we also got a brand new hulkbuster set that is simply incredible.

[NEWS] LEGO Friends reveals 5 sets for 2023 with diverse characters to better represent children — LEGO Friends is bringing a more diverse cast of characters to the theme, including children.
[NEWS] LEGO discontinuing Mindstorms brand, sunsetting 51515 Robot Inventor at end of 2022 — If these are the droids you’re looking for, act fast before they are gone for good.
[NEWS] LEGO Ideas first 2022 review results — A surprising 4 projects approved to become actual LEGO sets, which one is your favorite?
[NEWS] LEGO Marvel reveals 4,000-piece 76210 Iron Man Hulkbuster from the Avengers Infinity Saga — The already impressive Hulkbuster armor which first appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron just got even more impressive with this latest version which is more that twice as big as the next biggest version.

First set to include paper bags for the parts. – [Twitter.com] –The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Cyber FDrone, by George Gilliatt, will now come with recyclable paper bags for the sets pieces.

These monochrome robots are monumental

When I think about unique LEGO creations, I usually picture them in vibrant colors, considering just how many colors LEGO elements come in these days. But like fine art and photography, sometimes using a more limited palette, or choosing to go black and white can introduce interesting design constraints. Builder Mitsuru Nikaido is known for creating stunning mechanical models of animals from around the world, both past and present. but with this recent series, they are taking their LEGO creations into the future.

These two robot companions are full of interesting details like the two different sizes of ski sleds used for the feet, and the revolver used for the digits of the tall skinny fellow. But I think my favorite detail is the top half of the light gray turntable used for the shoulders, hips, and knees. There is another great robot in the series, which looks like it could be the next model from Boston Dynamics, but is surprisingly less creepy.

Pink, playful, and packing plenty of heat

This interesting treaded tank by Plastic Pauper is not here to play nice, loaded with weapons, from a rotating barrel to a clutch of missiles to a side-mounted minigun. Don’t let the paint job fool you. There are a few nice parts used, starting with the small launcher which uses microphones for the missiles. And if you look closely, you will find there is a lipstick element on the side of the big cannon.

Something cyberpunk this way comes

Collaborative displays allow builders to create something bigger and more spectacular than one person might achieve on their own. All it takes is a standard that others can build on independently and come together at a LEGO convention to watch the magic happen. The wonderfully detailed cyberpunk module by Ted Andes is going to be part of a collaborative display in Chicago next year. The speeder bike charging station features some sweet rides built using motorcycle chassis, along with an upstairs noodle shop. Colored wedge plates create angled parking spots, with one of the charging stations on the fritz, which is a nice touch. The noodle sign made with Technic plates and stacks of 1×2 rounded plates is positively delicious.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Ted has another cube for the lower levels of the collaborative city display for folks with a bit more to spend on their transportation. The Tachikoma garage for upgrading your AI-powered four-legged companion looks right out of Ghost in the Shell. The garage includes a smaller speeder bike repair shop around the back.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for October 8, 2022 [News]

In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the 1st week of October 2022.

TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS Fans of the Star Wars show The Mandalorian, on Disney’s streaming service, have a lot to be excited about this week as we revealed and then reviewed the latest LEGO UCS Star Wars set, the Razor Crest, which is the most screen accurate model since the Death Star (wink). We also covered the reveal of this year’s addition to the growing Winter Village theme. The winning submission from a LEGO Ideas sports-based contest has been announced as a new set (a bit smaller than the original but still very cool). Finally, a new gift with purchase was reviewed that would fit very well with your pirate collection.

[NEWS] LEGO Ideas reveals 21337 Table Football, a 2,300-piece playable game table — Get ready to take on your friends with this table-top football set complete with an entire team – including benchwarmers.
[REVIEW] LEGO Icons Winter Village Collection 10308: Holiday Main Street – Wintertime Retail Therapy — Your winter village is about to get bigger with 2 new buildings and an adorable streetcar.
[REVIEW] LEGO Star Wars 75331 The Razor Crest Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) from The Mandalorian — Din Djarin’s famous ship gets a serious upgrade from the original set, including a brick-built blurgg
[NEWS] LEGO Star Wars reveals 75331 The Razor Crest as next Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) set — The latest ship to join the UCS club is also the first from outside of the original trilogy.
[NEWS] LEGO Ideas 40566: Ray the Castaway – A Marooned Gift with Purchase — This castaway may be stranded on a deserted island, but he’s got plenty of accessories to help pass the time.

OTHER NEWS In other news, Adam Savage sat down with LEGO enthusiast and Pixar director Angus MacLane to do a build of a custom-designed Bladerunner blaster Angus had been working on for years as a special request from Adam.

As if Velociraptors weren’t scary enough before

If you have nightmares about being chased by dinosaurs, then this LEGO model may not be for you. But then again, it is a very good model, full of great part usage and excellent details. Mitsuru Nikaido is a master at creating mechanical creatures of land, sea, and sky, and this Velociraptor is one of the best mecha-dinosaurs I’ve seen in a while. I love the simple technique of attaching teeth to the 1×2 rounded plate. The robot arm used for the eyebrow adds the perfect texture, and those raised toe claws on the back legs look super-fierce. My favorite detail has to be the jet engine intakes on the back legs, which would allow the beast to jump high and deliver death from above.

If you like this mecha-beast, be sure to check out some of the other great creations of Mitsuru’s we’ve featured before,

Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, really... just don’t

Bionicle and Hero Factory parts may seem to have limited uses to some, but they have great potential. For example, R 194 uses one for the main torso part on this mysterious and potentially deadly messenger who looks like they don’t take kindly to returns. The long fins on the arms look like they might transform into wings and fly your immortal soul to places unknown, while the slender legs and relaxed arms lend the figure with unexpected grace.

Just another peaceful day on Tattoine, more rare than a krayt dragon pearl

Tattoine may be a planet farthest from the bright center of the galaxy, according to Luke, but that doesn’t mean its quiet or boring. It seems like trying to live a simple life on the outer rim planet never quite goes as planned. In this beautiful LEGO scene by Nicholas Goodman, however, it does seem like a pretty low-key day, aside from a group of stormtroopers pestering the locals. The buildings look well weathered by the winds, many of the corners worn smooth. Small vents and pipes are scattered throughout the rooftops, and there’s even a well-detailed eopie like the one owned by Obi-wan. along with the V-35 Courier landspeeder from 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina.