Posts by Steve Barker

Carter Baldwin’s Shield Booster mech is an (Exo-)Force to recon with

The year was 2006. The inception of the Ninjago theme was still five years distant, LEGO set numbers had 4 digits, and the Exo-Force theme debuted as LEGO’s first foray into the already vast arena of anime-inspired mecha models. TBB Alum Carter Baldwin pays tribute to the too-short-lived theme with this dazzling LEGO mech inspired by set 8106 Aero Booster. Carter drew the color scheme and overall shape from the original set, but “changed the mission profile to a ground-based heavy shield mech” – a choice which I heartily applaud. I absolutely love how the curve of those transparent leaf parts suggests a larger spherical shield being projected that remains invisible until hit.

It’s a remarkable build, but also an incredibly dynamic scene. From the kinetic action and sheer mass of the mech captured in the pose, to the debris flying out from underfoot, to the way that multi-barreled cannon is slung under the right arm – being readied to swing around and return fire at an unseen assailant. Truly inspired work!

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Start your day the LEGO way

As any experienced LEGO builder will tell you, the inspiration for an original creation can come from just about anywhere… Looking at LEGO element in a new way. Seeing a LEGO part in the shape of an everyday object. Or perhaps just from the imagery suggested by a single word. Built as an entry to the 2025 Rogue Olympics, this creation, titled Charred, is Marion Weintraut’s answer to the theme “Temperature.” Just looking at this creation, I can practically smell the burnt toast. Or maybe I’m just having a seizure.
Feast your eyes on the Minifigure shovel used as the toaster’s control lever, or better yet the Baggage Tag lending its unmistakable shape to those delicious-looking cutting boards… A delicious part (usage) of this complete breakfast!

“Do we need the monkey?”

In 1981, one movie dominated the box office and launched an enduring and often imitated franchise. That film of course was Raiders of the Lost Ark. Even LEGO got in on the imitation game, though they waited until 1998 to introduce us to Johnny Thunder (AKA Sam Grant or Joe Freemann, depending on where you grew up.) LEGO builder adotnamedstud expertly brings this memorable “Indy-flick” moment to life, using detailed textures, effective vignette-style worldbuilding, and by taking full advantage of all the printed tile elements exclusive to LEGO set 10359 Fountain Garden.

Small but impactful choices throughout the build really add up, such as the weathering on the door, a well balanced color palette, and little callouts to other moments in the movie, like Marion’s frying pan. LEGO “Director” Minifigure (unofficially Steven Spielberg!) would approve.

We’re feeling a bit of déjà blue

TBB regular Andreas Lenander transports us to another time and place with this “revamp” of his LEGO Falcon chapel model from last year. The chapel design in this medieval scene remains largely unchanged from the original except for the new blue hues in the roof, but Andreas took an entirely different approach to the setting and landscaping this time around. The autumnal leaf and feather elements in the twisted tree look like they were made for each other, and the circular base with a mixture of inlaid curved slope elements elevates the entire build (literally and figuratively).

You can learn more about Andreas’ building process on his YouTube channel, including how the base’s construction was “an unbelievable pain”. An experienced builder he may be, but apparently he has never stepped on a LEGO piece.

Epic wrap battles of history

Marvel’s nocturnal crime fighter Moon Knight draws on Egyptian history and lore in much the same way that Marvel’s Thor does from Norse mythology. Meaning, very loosely and with little reverence or concern for accuracy. This remarkable LEGO build by PriXard is highly faithful to the source material though, beautifully capturing the outcast god Khonshu as depicted in the 2022 mini-series. PriXard achieves a wonderful eye-catching texture for Khonshu’s wraps throughout the model, using pretty much every white LEGO element I can think of that represents fabric except seemingly for the Moon Knight’s own signature hood element found in the Marvel Studios Series 2 Collectible Minifigures.

A browse through PriXard’s other creations reveals a builder who doesn’t shy away from adding custom cloth elements for wings, capes and the like as needed. They share that this creation is “not completely finished”, adding they “wanted to add more cloth, (though) don’t want to cover the details on the arms.” Understandably, as I think this detail deserves to be seen. Maybe we can convince PriXard to let this dusty deity rest peacefully as is…

He built the red one

Sybrin Hendrikx is known primarily as a builder of incredible LEGO race cars, and his latest LEGO build is arguably still a hot ride but of a much less terrestrial variety. With this beautiful rendition of the stolen Police Cruiser from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch Sybrin has somehow captured the organic, almost fluid lines of the craft’s elegant yet powerful design, which seems to draw inspiration from sources as diverse as the classic Jaguar E-type roadster and tropical fish. Another thing that Sybrin is know for is the judicious use of custom decals in his creations, used here to great effect.

The Police Cruiser’s design is for me a brilliant highlight in the now classic original 2002 animated Disney film, which had a look and feel completely unlike anything from the studio then to-date. So far, the 2025 live-action Lilo and Stitch film looks to be a virtual shot-for-shot remake, meaning no additional screen time for this too-briefly depicted beauty. I guess I will just have to scratch that itch by admiring Sybrin’s “remake” instead.

Small victory on the LEGO shores of Dunkirk

Remembered as one of the great turning points of World War II, the evacuation of allied forces from the beaches of Dunkirk would not have been possible without a flotilla of small private craft. In this dynamic LEGO diorama by Nicholas Goodman we see one of the hundreds such civilian craft lending a hand, plucking waiting Tommies out of the tumults of the North Atlantic and the European Theatre. The wooden pleasure-craft model is lovely by itself, evoking the period’s brightwork and elegant lines. I can almost feel it bobbing on waves of varying size and shape that capture the Channel’s distinct color and character. A standout detail of the somber scene is the way Nicholas beautifully contours the sand, slumping rough-to-smooth into the surf.

A look through the history of Nicholas’ featured builds is like a look through history itself. (Or into a galaxy far far away. If it was “a long time ago” that counts as history, right?) Click here to see more of Nicholas’ work, and watch this builder with an eye for detail go from strength to strength with each installation.

Lord of the Wings

Sometimes the inception of an original creation comes from a single LEGO part, whether by looking at it in a new way or, as doubtless was the case for this Lord of the Rings tribute by builder Stefan Johansson, by making the absolute most of an apparently natural application. Stefan sets the bar sky high (and crosses fantasy franchises) with this use of the Thunderbird head element from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, fleshing it out into a perfectly proportioned Great Eagle of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The texture achieved by combining a wide variety of tiles across the wingspan really elevates this creation (beautiful plumage, innit?) and the restrained lighting both hides the model’s single transparent support and captures the mood of one of the film’s memorable scenes where Frodo and Sam hail a lift home after an epic guys’ night out. (What happens in Mordor stays in Mordor, am I right?)

The Great Eagle follows Stefan’s majestic dragon Smaug. Can we expect an oliphant next?

Growing as a builder

It’s been said that the purposes of bonsai are “primarily contemplation for the viewer, and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity for the grower”, and when done properly results in an “artful miniature replica”. Remind you of any other hobby? In that context, the diminutive zen-influenced art form seems like a natural (though challenging) subject for a LEGO model, and a browse through The Brothers Bricks archives reveals that builder Louis of Nutwood was not alone in making the connection. Some builders would rather not repeat themselves, but I think building and improving on a subject is where true growth lies, and Louis has certainly cultivated better and better results with each revisit. Louis shares that “it stands in my living room, only to remind me to breathe and cherish the beauty in every moment.” Not to knock the official LEGO Bonsai set(s), but I would choose Louis’ rendition for my own mantle any day.

A Batmobile for the ages

This original LEGO Batmobile by Oshi is firing on all cylinders. From the stance, to the sleek yet incisive lines, to the visual suggestion that its chassis includes some kind of hardened fire-proof safe room, Oshi’s offering fits the bat-bill perfectly. It’s fascinating how through countless reimaginings reinventions and reboots, every new Batmobile always reads as a Batmobile. What are the traits that make this possible? What do they all have in common? Beyond the obvious – powerful, pointy in parts, and pitch black (sometimes very very dark grey) – there is one essential trait that may not immediately leap to everyone’s mind. A Batmobile is handmade. Unmistakable as a whole, yet more than the sum of its untraceable parts.Speaking of parts, Oshi’s inception for this one-day build came from dusting off a previously abandoned idea to use trans-light blue wing elements from a series 15 collectible Minifigure for the headlights. Inspired!

One more reliable bat-trait just occurred to me. I’m betting this latest incarnation of the caped crusader’s signature ride doesn’t have much of rear view! Who needs it though when you’re the fastest ride on Gotham’s mean streets.

What color do you dream in?

Inspired by the incredible sci-fi art of Pascal Blanché, builder Luka presents a stylized LEGO scene that looks equally at home in a Love Death & Robots segment or an Eiffel 65 video. When it comes to LEGO elements, basic blue is not exactly a difficult color to come by so Luka had plenty to choose from, but achieving this build’s biomechanical look saw the application of elements as diverse as an Aircraft Fuselage Aft Section, a Playground Slide, and 3×3 Elbow Bricks (so far only found in LEGO Dreamzzz sets – appropriate!) Of the build process, Luka describes wanting “to play around with brick built shadows and color contrast,” which I think was executed beautifully, though Luka also mentions feeling a lack of a violet color that would have added to the already impressive gradients and light-play.

Luka joined The LEGO Group as an official model designer at the end of 2024. We can’t wait to see what sets he’ll have a hand in. Congratulations, Luka!

Doorway to the imagination

Home to “a civilization spoken of in legend and lore”, Gareth Gidman’s recent LEGO creation “The Door to the Hidden City” presents a scene that conjures more questions than answers. Drawing inspiration from the OG masters of fantasy, Gareth started this build “without having a specific purpose in mind, which made the build process much more relaxing and free flowing.”

Perhaps being in the zone is how he achieved such natural-looking stone and snow forms. Though there are certainly some deliberate details of note, like the subtle color variation giving depth to the icy water, and, given the choice between four different verdant shades that the 3×4 Plant Leaves LEGO element has come in, the use of Sand Green reinforces the chilly tone. I also love how the tooled parts of the rock face – the light bluish gray stairs, arch, and columns – are differentiated from the natural stone. Gareth says he’s “really pleased with how the texturing and the composition of the model turned out”… and for good reason!