About Chris

Chris Malloy (porschecm2) has been a LEGO fan nearly all his life, having started with System bricks at age 3. He is the co-author of Ultimate LEGO Star Wars, and his creations have been featured in several books and The LEGO Movie. He also helped develop the first LEGO Minecraft set, 21102 Minecraft Micro World: The Forest, which has gone on to inspire a whole theme of sets. He's been active in the online community since 2002, and regularly attends LEGO fan conventions such as BrickCon and BrickCan. He enjoys building in a wide range of themes, but keeps returning to Castle, Space, and Pirates. Check out his LEGO creations and photography here.

Posts by Chris

Classic Space isn’t just for, well, space, anymore!

LEGO’s iconic Classic Space style has been reinterpreted in many forms over the years, typically rounded up in what fans call Neo-Classic Space (NCS) and we’ve seen everything from spaceships to tanks wearing that beloved blue, grey, and transparent-yellow color scheme. But there’s always room for breaking the mold a bit more while still adhering to the basic style. Enter Rubblemaker and the Manta Ray, an NCS vessel that can go places no Classic Spaceship has gone before: underwater! Bearing a strikingly unique shape and just the perfect amount of greebles, this cool design now has me wanting to do a crossover mashup with Aquazone.

Classic Space - The Manta Ray

Of course, it can’t really be Classic “Space” unless there’s some space involved, and the Manta Ray is only too happy to oblige, as it’s versatile enough to traverse the cold depths of outer space as easily as the ocean.

Classic Space - The Manta Ray

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LEGO reveals 21333 Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh as next Ideas set [News]

After announcing it in February of last year as the next fan-designed set from their crowd-sourcing platform Ideas, LEGO is finally taking the wraps off the official set, letting us get our first look at 21333 Starry Night. The original project, depicting Vincent van Gogh’s famous 1889 painting of Saint-Rémy, France, was submitted by Hong Kong-based LEGO fan Truman Cheng (aka legotruman) back in July of 2020 before reaching the 10k votes threshold to be considered by LEGO just a month later. The final set contains 2,316 pieces and includes a framed version of the painting with sculptural elements to mimic the brush strokes, along with a minifigure of van Gogh and a miniature printed version of the painting on an easel. The set also represents a new licensing partnership between LEGO and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which owns the artwork. The set will retail for US $159.99 | CAN $219.99 | UK £169.99 and will be available to LEGO VIP members starting May 25, with a general release on June 1.

Read the full press release and see more pictures below.
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LEGO Star Wars 75325 The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter [Review]

It’s no spoiler at this point that the Mandalorian has got a new upcycled ship. Ironically, 75325 The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter is easily the most anticipated set from The Book of Boba Fett, bringing us Din Djarin’s salvaged and upgraded ship. The set also includes the first-ever version of Din Djarin with a face print, along with the first version of Peli Motto and a BD Droid. Grogu is, of course, also included. The 412-piece set will be available starting June 1 for US $59.99 | CAN $79.99 | UK £54.99.

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

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LEGO Star Wars UCS 75341 Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder [Review]

One of the very first vehicles seen on screen in Star Wars is at long last coming to the LEGO Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) with 75341 Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder. This dilapidated two-seater civilian vehicle is nearly as iconic to Star Wars as the X-wing or Millennium Falcon and has appeared in minifigure scale numerous times, starting with a simple 49-piece version in the original LEGO Star Wars lineup in 1999. The new UCS version is considerably larger with 1,890 pieces and measuring nearly 20 inches long (50cm). It also includes a display stand and minifigures of Luke and C-3PO. The UCS Landspeeder will be available just in time for May the Fourth sales this year, with VIP access starting May 1 and general availability on May 4. It will retail for US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £174.99.

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
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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.

LEGO Star Wars 75341 Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder revealed as next Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) set [News]

Today LEGO is revealing the long-rumored Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) version of one of the most iconic vehicles from Star Wars with 75341 Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder. This 1,890-piece set features a large-scale version of the X-34 landspeeder along with a stand, info placard, and minifigures of Luke and C-3PO. Luke appears to be the same version that’s been in a number of sets previously, such as 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina. C-3PO is a new print that’s unique even from the one in this year’s 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor. The UCS Landspeeder will arrive just in time for the annual Star Wars holiday of May the Fourth, with the set available to LEGO VIP members starting May 1, and general availability a few days later on May 4. It will retail for US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £174.99.

Check out more info and pictures of the set below, and don’t miss these other upcoming LEGO sets for Spring and Summer 2022:

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LEGO reveals next two Botanical Collection sets: 10309 Succulents and 10311 Orchid [News]

LEGO’s series of life-size recreations of plants and flowers has proven tremendously popular since their launch at the start of 2021 with the Flower Bouquet and Bonsai Tree, and now the company is expanding it even more with two new sets. The 608-piece 10311 Orchid (US $49.99 | CAN $69.99 | UK £44.99) brings a new flower to the series; much like last year’s 10289 Bird of Paradise it features the full plant in a pot, rather than just flower cuttings. Meanwhile, the 771-piece 10309 Succulents (US $49.99 | CAN $69.99 | UK £44.99) takes the series in a new direction with a variety of small colorful plants in pots that can be rearranged. LEGO is pitching the sets as Mother’s Day gifts, so both sets are available to pre-order starting today, and are slated to launch May 1.

Check out more info and pictures of the sets below, and don’t miss these other upcoming LEGO sets for Spring and Summer 2022:

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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.

90 years of The LEGO Group — A family company [Guest Feature]

The LEGO Company was founded in 1932, and this year LEGO is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Graham Hancock, editor of Blocks magazine, has been delving into the company’s history for the magazine’s own 90th edition. Graham is here today to give us a brief look at the LEGO company’s founding family and their involvement with the development of our favorite bricks.

Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, son of LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.

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LEGO Harry Potter Summer 2022 sets revealed, including 12 Grimmauld Place, Shrieking Shack and more [News]

Today LEGO has revealed six new Harry Potter sets today, publishing the listings on their website. The sets span the full breadth from the small, 121-piece 76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals up to the large 1,083-piece 76408 12 Grimmauld Place. That’s the first time 12 Grimmauld Place has been a LEGO set, and the Ministry of Magic also gets a first appearance. Of course, the sets include lots of new minifigure designs for old favorites, and there are even some brand new characters that have never been in minifigure form before, such as Albert Runcorn, Mafalda Hopkirk, and Reg & Mary Cattermole. Several of the sets continue the modular Hogwarts system that LEGO’s been developing for a number of years, with some of them beginning to revisit locations featured in previous modular Hogwarts sets, such as the Womping Willow. All six of the sets are slated to be available starting June 19.

Check out more info and pictures of the sets below, and don’t miss these other upcoming LEGO sets for Spring and Summer 2022:


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The cheesiest LEGO

Building phenom porschecm2 has done it again, bringing us another splendid LEGO creation that shows his mastery of complex building techniques with this 1:1 scale replica of one of my favorite foods, macaroni and cheese. The use of the macaroni element is inspired and looks perfect for its role as macaroni here, and the choice of yellow helps sell the illusion. It’s unclear if the fork and bowl are brick-built, but even if this isn’t quite a purist creation we can all agree it’s a feast for the eyes.

Macaroni & Cheese

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.

Introducing the LEGO Star Wars Diorama Collection: 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor [Review]

LEGO Star Wars has a long history of sets aimed at adult builders, with Ultimate Collectors Series vehicles like the 75313 AT-AT, giant playsets like 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina, and more recently, display pieces like the Helmets Collection. Now LEGO is adding a new series to the lineup, known as the Diorama Collection. Let’s start with a look at the most expensive of the series, 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor Diorama. With 802 pieces, the set includes five minifigures (plus R2-D2) and features one of the most memorable scenes our heroes encounter aboard the Death Star in A New Hope. The set retails for US $89.99 | CAN $119.99 UK £79.99 and will be exclusive to LEGO stores and Wal-Mart. It’s available for pre-order now and will release April 26.

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Click to read the full, hands-on review

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.

LEGO reveals Disney Pixar’s Lightyear sets with Buzz Lightyear’s 76832 XL-15 Spaceship and more [News]

LEGO has just taken the wraps off three sets based on the upcoming Pixar movie Lightyear. Slated to release in June, the film is a prequel of sorts to Toy Story and follows the adventures of a young Buzz Lightyear. The three-set wave features two regular sets, with Buzz’s 76832 XL-15 Spaceship (US $49.99 | CAN $64.99 | UK £44.99) clearly targeting an older market with a UCS-style info placard on the display stand, plus one 4+ set aimed at younger builders. As is often the case with movie tie-in sets, all three will be available well ahead of the movie’s release, starting April 24.

The movie’s director, Angus MacLane, a well-known LEGO fan and creator of the LEGO Ideas Wall-E set submission, is clearly excited about the film’s LEGO tie-ins, tweeting this earlier today:

Check out more info and pictures of the sets below, and don’t miss these other upcoming LEGO sets for Spring 2022:


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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.

First look at LEGO Star Wars 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor as all 3 diorama sets now available for pre-order [News]

After we got an early look at two of the new LEGO Star Wars Diorama collection sets earlier this week, LEGO has officially revealed the full lineup of all three sets, including the previously unseen 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor Diorama (US $89.99 | CAN $119.99 | UK £79.99), which includes five minifigures (plus R2-D2) and features moving walls. It joins 75329 Death Star Trench Run Diorama (US $59.99 | CAN $79.99 | UK £54.99) and 75330 Dagobah Jedi Training Diorama (US $79.99 | CAN $109.99 | UK £69.99). All three sets are available for pre-order starting today and will be released on April 26. The Trash Compactor set will be exclusive to LEGO stores and Wal-Mart, while the other two sets will be available from LEGO and a variety of other retailers.

Check out more info and pictures of the sets below, and don’t miss these other upcoming LEGO sets for Spring 2022:

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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.