Posts by Kyle Keller

A marvelous multilevel mausoleum

We here at TBB are no strangers to the architectural LEGO wonders that spill forth from the mind of Pan Noda. And their latest mausoleum tower is certainly no exception. Clad only in white, the structure looks like it was hand-carved out of soapstone instead of brick-built. Details like the exposed 1×1 plate undersides and square sections of plates set in alternating vertical and horizontal configurations have become a signature of Noda’s work. And new concepts, like the stairstep roof pattern capped with a singular bar set in a hollow stud, fit in perfectly. Taken in its entirety, all of the “imperfections” – the tiny nooks and crannies intentionally added to the creation to break up the solid walls – are only heightened by the superb use of lighting in the photo.

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Does this LEGO mosaic commemorate the Red Dawn, or portent a new one?

Our favorite annual LEGO castle contest, Summer Joust, is in full swing for 2023. And builder T-86(swe) has made a glorious submission to the silhouette category: the Dandelumian Crest. In an age when LEGO sets are also starting to stretch the 2-D boundaries of the standard mosaic, T-86 provides depth to their creation with a lattice of dark gray plates and tiles fit in-between the background studs. While it may not be a “legal” connection in all cases (legal with a tile and not with a plate, but that’s a discussion for another post), the maze-like grid provides an outstanding backdrop for the sword and twisting plant laid over top. The whole thing definitely gives off some heavy “Gordian Knot” vibes, and I love it!

Some buzz-worthy air travel

I’ve got to say, the latest LEGO build by Mr Youm is pretty fly…or rather, is a pretty fly. All the little black bits are sculpted so precisely to create that insectoid face. Zamor spheres wrapped in red rubber bands, an air tank holding a pair of fangs, and lever handles stuck inside a 1×2 grill plate are just a few of the many excellent examples of novel part usage in this bug. But my favorite touch is the use of gray technic pins to create the texture of its wings. The stacking of those pieces, framed in black tubing and bars, is an off-the-wall solution to a problem normally solved by builders with a specific piece of plastic.

A congregation of croakers

Forget the headlight brick or jumper plate; I can’t think of a LEGO part more beloved by builders than the common frog! And builder/amphibian wrangler Roanoke Handybuck has done a great job providing the infamous hoppers with a spot all their own for a festival of frogs. All the subtle details paying homage to frog-kind in this scene are excellent, from the statues to the door handles. The color choices are clean, with the light blue water, golden leaves, and lavender pennants contrasting nicely with the gray rock surrounding the scene. I love the intricate use of slopes and plates forming the arch above the podium. And overall, this watering hole feels private, as if this is a secret meeting only a few are lucky enough to enjoy.

LEGO gives your favorite web-slinger the mosaic treatment in 31209 The Amazing Spider-Man [News]

Building on the success of the 31199 Marvel Studios Iron Man mosaic from 2020, LEGO once again fuses the Art and Super Heroes themes together in 31209 The Amazing Spider-Man. With 2,099 pieces, this set is a departure from the pointillism of past pop culture pictures, instead adding 3-D aspects to the image and imitating the Ben-Day dot style typical of comic books. The web-head’s portrait measures 21″ (54 cm.) by 16″ (41 cm), and is accompanied by an appropriately-themed soundtrack, as per usual for recent Art sets. 31209 The Amazing Spider-Man will be available from LEGO stores and their website starting on August 1st, and will retail for a price of US $199.99 | CAN $259.99 | UK £169.99.

More on the wall-crawler’s wall art below!

This medieval-themed skyrock is made of over 22 pounds of LEGO

I wouldn’t have said that you could fit all the fixings LEGO Castle onto a single floating rock, but here Joe (jnj_bricks) has done just that! Clad in dark bluish gray brick, the multi-layer marvel begins at the bottom with a darling windmill. The use of balloon flaps as sails on the mill is a great touch, with its scooped form catching the wind from more complex angles than your standard land-based model. The fortification at the apex of the rocky mass is beautiful, utilizing some great techniques to form the walls of its towers. While impressive, the castle fits in well with the rest of the build, and doesn’t take attention away from the rest of the structure. This allows us to enjoy all the great minifigure scenes hidden throughout. Just check out the fella free soloing up the rock above the mill!

LEGO unveils the all new 21060 Himeji Castle, the next set in their Architecture line [News]

After much anticipation, LEGO has revealed the next architectural wonder to be captured in brick form: 21060 Himeji Castle. This Japanese icon is made from 2,125 pieces, and measures 12.5″ (32 cm) wide, 10.5″ (27 cm) long, and 7.5″ tall (19 cm). Removing its ornate roof reveals an interior reminiscent of the original castle’s, but in miniature form. And the surrounding grounds include cherry trees in blossom and other ornamental plants. 21060 Himeji Castle will be available for purchase in LEGO stores and at LEGO.com starting on August 1st, and will retail for US $159.99 | CAN $209.99 | UK £139.99

Bartering in Bionicle

If it wasn’t clear from my past posts on Eero Okkonen, I am a huge fan of his LEGO character designs. But he’s really outdone himself with this entry into Round 1 of the 2023 Bio-Cup. Depicting a pair of traveling merchants and their packbeast, the trio immediately reminds me of the Jawas roving over the deserts of Tatooine in Star Wars. And despite their different coloration, I love the clear anatomical link between the two traders in the general shapes of their arms and legs. But nothing can beat the gaping maw of their companion, fashioned from a pair of Skirmix heads.

War makes gingerbread boys into gingerbread men

“Man the gumdrop cannons! We’re on General Kringle’s naughty list this year!” Builder Mike Sinclair gives us a LEGO scene that has the Christmas season fighting against itself. Maybe you’re rooting for St. Nick and his elven troops, armed with a present catapult and cannon. But if you’re like me, you’re on the side of the Gingerbread Kingdom. With their cookie castle surrounded by a chocolate moat, these confectionary combatants aren’t about to crumble under pressure. The fortress is a beautiful mish-mash of classic castle shapes laced with bits of icing and other sweet treats. It’s an extremely well-executed fusion of themes. And, much like the smell of gingerbread, it’s got me hungry for more!

The LEGO 43222 Disney Castle celebrates 100 years of Disney [News]

After its predecessor 71040 Cinderella Castle was retired only six months ago, LEGO has announced the new 43222 Disney Castle as a part of their line of Disney100 sets released this year. Debuting later this summer, the castle features four Disney princess minifigures and their corresponding love interests: Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Tiana and Prince Naveen, Snow White and Prince Florian, and Cinderella and Prince Charming. The back of the model is chock full of references to Disney’s 100-year history, spread throughout its many rooms and towers. This is the largest classic Disney set yet, clocking in at 4,837 pieces, beating the last castle by almost 800 pieces. The set will be available for VIPs starting on July 1st, with open access at LEGO stores and at LEGO.com on July 4th. To sweeten the pot for early shoppers, there is a gift-with-purchase titled Disney 100 Years Celebration (not pictured) available with select LEGO Disney purchases from July 1st through 9th. 43222 Disney Castle will take you well over that limit, retailing for US $399.99 | CAN $519.99 | UK £344.99

Explore more of the Disney Castle below

A little LEGO “big thaw” from the Ice Age movies

Please enjoy this LEGO-ized miniature Manny and super-small Sid from the Ice Age franchise, brought to you by Oliver Becker. His microscale scene depicts our two protagonists as they venture out at the end of the titular era. We even see Scrat in the foreground trying to hide his 1×1 round plate in the ice. The miniature scenery is quite nice, but the character builds are the real stars of the show. The tread links for Scrat’s arms and legs are brilliant, showing such ingenuity at this tiny scale. And the brickwork to emulate Sid’s triangular face is astounding! But of course, Manny has to put the “woolly” in woolly mammoth with the use of a minifig hair piece as his head. Much like with the movies, here’s hoping we get a sequel!

A LEGO tribute to some ancient architects

Sporting some of the cleanest lines I’ve ever seen, this Roman temple by Lech Kulina is a brilliant bit of LEGO architecture. Widths of a half-plate or less permeate the construction, especially on all the plinths surrounding the temple. And all angles have been cleanly cut off thanks to the use of brackets. The build is so clean that those small bits of decay stick out like a sore thumb. Each notch in the tile, each blotch of tan discoloration, each profile brick is given greater meaning by the “purity” that surrounds it. It’s quite possibly the truest representation of Roman architecture I’ve seen recreated in plastic. Make sure to check out Lech’s Flickr album to see how he pulled off such a feat!