Where do LEGO bricks come from? Why, from the LEGO factory, of course. And in a bit of LEGO-ception, here’s a LEGO factory built of LEGO by BrickJonas. This model looks as if it just came off a designer’s drawing table in Billund, complete with a full interior, removable roofs and modularity. I wonder if this factory produces bricks to build a LEGO factory?
This enchanting little scene of a medieval market and town gate is packed full of great little details and vibrant colors. I love how builder Bricktease has captured the feel of a bustling crowd on a bright morning, and I can’t help but be reminded of one of my favorite bluffing games, Sheriff of Nottingham, in which the Sheriff sits at the market gate and inspects merchants’ bags for illicit goods. “Honest, good Sheriff, I’m only bringing in chickens! No contraband here!”
Brick Martil‘s Merkabah-class Heavy Gunship is one of the coolest spacecraft I’ve seen in a while. The shape and the phenomenal color blocking are ravishing, giving this model a strikingly unique appearance. This ship positively screams “deadly”.
Another element I love about this ship is the size. A lot of LEGO spacecraft would be sized akin to small WWII dogfighters, regardless of its designation as a fighter, heavy bomber, etc. Most would clock in around 20-40 (scale) feet in length, while many modern fighter jets are 50-60 feet long, and other classes even larger. So it’s cool to see a spacecraft sized up to what they most likely would be without becoming capital ships — where a two-man gunship is a huge craft, outfitted with engines and life support to get it through the cold reaches of space and the harrowing re-entry of an atmosphere, not to mention lugging a payload.
The Merkabah is deceptively large — that windscreen is from the UCS Slave I, so check out this comparison photo of the two to get a feel for just how big it is. And here’s a closeup shot so you can check out the fantastic detailing…
LEGO’s new Collectible Minifigures Series 16 is hitting stores around the world, so be sure to check out our review of Series 16. But how do you find the ones you want? Some people are happy taking their luck with purchasing a random bag, but many fans — be they kids, collectors, or just regular joes — will want to collect the whole set, or maybe just one or two very specific figures. You could guarantee that by purchasing an entire case, but buying 60 figures just to guarantee a set of 16 is very expensive. So, of course, the alternative is to ready your nimble figures and prognosticate what’s in the bags by touch alone. With years of experience doing this since Series 1, we’re here to help make that task a bit easier.
Get your digits ready, it’s time to start poking and prodding plastic bags of minifigs.
Click to read the full Feel Guide
LEGO’s Bionicle theme has been among the longest running proprietary themes LEGO’s ever developed. Bionicle started in 2001, where it was one of the most original toys to hit the market during my childhood. I still remember buying the first wave of Toa, with their elemental powers, and avidly reading the comics with sweeping story arcs that accompanied them. The first Bionicle theme lasted until 2009, when it was discontinued in favor of LEGO’s next buildable-action figure theme, Hero Factory. Hero Factory had a successful run for five years, from 2010-2014, but never achieved the acclaim or fandom that surrounded Bionicle. Last year, LEGO returned to Bionicle, and fans could experience the world of the Toa heroes again. All told, over the 12 years Bionicle has been in production, Bricklink records 433 set entries for the theme — a remarkable life for the home-grown theme. However, LEGO has announced that 2016 will be the final year for Bionicle. Read the full press release below.
Adam Savage and the crew of Tested have been dabbling in the world of LEGO lately, including visiting BrickCon and building Jason Allemann’s Sysiphus Kinetic Sculpture. Their latest LEGO hijinks, though, are sure to leave you appalled — they’ve designed a “real-life” interpretation of a LEGO Minifigure as a cosplay costume. If you’ve ever wondered what a happy yellow minifig head might look like if he was made of flesh and blood, wonder no longer. It is disturbing, and looks fresh out of Area 51.
Slimes. What are they good for? Nothing. They’re purple and oozy and maybe a little bit cute, but they get into everything and multiply like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes, you just have to take a the drastic option, and that means grabbing the biggest hammer you can find. SPLAT! Well, that’s one fewer slime to worry about. I feel like this hilarious little vignette by Letranger Absurde was inspired entirely by the purple splat piece, aka Toy Story Stretch’s octopus arms, and I don’t think I’ve seen a better use for that piece yet.
Larger than minifig scale, Miniland scale is a scale used in Legoland theme parks around the world, and it places a character about 5 inches tall. It’s become a popular scale for fan builders wanting to create brick-build characters. TBB Contributor Ralph often uses this scale to create iconic vehicles and their drivers, such as his recent Ghostbusters Ecto 1. Builder Casey McCoy used this great scale to build the cast of The Force Awakens, and he’s done a lovely job. I particularly love the details on Poe’s flight suit. Check out the flickr album for individual shots of the cast.
Today LEGO and Warner Bros are giving us our first look at the actual sets from the new round of LEGO Dimensions sets, featuring a wide range of licenses. Last month we got the press release and a CG trailer of the new characters, but here you can check out all the details. The new packs will be available Nov. 18.
Click through to see all the new sets!
Chris Maddison has brought everyone’s favorite new game to the brick with this adorable Pokemon Go Pikachu and Poke Ball. This reality is even more augmented than usual though, with the scenery and even the phone being made of bricks!
Like LEGO Pokemon? Check out these other great brick-built Pokemon creations.
LEGO Ash and Pikachu by Combee!
Rapidash by Mike Nieves
Arcanine by Mike Nieves
Scizor by Mike Nieves
LEGO Pikachu by zkdlalsxm
Charizard by Zane Houston
LEGO Pokemon Group by Carson Hart
LEGO Pikachu Superman by Greed
Builder Shadowgear6335 says this Medic mech is a ruthless, profiteering healer for hire. Nevertheless, you may still pray to cross paths with her on the battlefield, since she’ll save your bacon; she’ll just charge you an arm and a leg for it — perhaps literally, if you’re delinquent on payment. On another note, this a fantastic blending of Hero Factory pieces and System bricks, and the Hero Factory H logos are put to great use.
If you ask me, the Ford GT is the coolest modern day American sports car, and probably one of my favorite American cars of all time. Based on the legendary Ford GT40 LeMans racecar of the 1960s, the GT looks like nothing else on the road. It can be difficult to capture the car’s squat curves at such a small scale with LEGO, but this version by George Panteleon is instantly recognizable.
