Posts by Theo Spencer

Shaggy, Scooby and all that is spooky

For some, spooky season starts in October. But for others, seeking out the spooks is a round-the-clock endeavour – as there’s usually some nefarious scheme behind them! And for LEGO builder Bousker, it’s the perfect opportunity to immortalise two brave ghost-hunters. Brave? Well, perhaps that’s not the best description… But if you can promise some Scooby-snacks, these two will face down any scare. Even within this small space, there’s evidence of some mysteries at hand: an eerie head on the shelf, a curious lock, and a knight with a mace who will surely come to life at some point. Not to mention all the knick-knacks on the marvelously-built table. The only thing that isn’t a mystery is just how well-put-together this vignette is!

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“You’ve got red on you.”

Monty Python may be the first thing you think of when someone says ‘British comedy’, but for sheer pop-culture points, I reckon Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy is not far behind. What makes me say that? Why, Trevor Pearson‘s LEGO Shaun of the Dead bust! This is, of course, the titular Shaun, the everyman appliance salesman turned zombie fighter played by Simon Pegg. Rather than realism, Trevor has gone for more of a caricature here, and it really works well. The hair is great, both the spiky rock-piece top and pointy beard, really emphasising the shape of Shaun’s head. All that’s missing is a bloody cricket bat… Or a red Strawberry Cornetto.

Trevor seems to have ghouls and giggles on his mind this Halloween season, as we also loved his Crypt Keeper tribute.

Careful! Cool colours can conceal conniving crazies...

Do not adjust your set, reader: this LEGO build really is this colour! It’s not the result of a messed up RGB balance, but the work of LEGO Masters alum Jaap Bijl! At first glance, it’s a house full of whimsy: slightly cartoony proportions, those bright colours, and a fantastic technique for the roof. Who would’ve thought to use chicken drumsticks as tiles? Brilliant! But there’s a sinister side here too, as evidenced by the ominous red light emanating from inside. Surely such a colourful abode can’t hide anything nefarious inside, right? It’s probably fine to stay the night. All the same, I’ll let you go in first. No really, after you, please. I’ll be right behind you, promise…

The magic of the Bio-cup lives on!

We often feature builds that are entered into the many contests the LEGO community holds, among them the Bio-Cup. But have you ever wondered what happens to these builds once the contest is over? Some are presumably dismantled, but Benjamin Anderson‘s wizard has found a new lease of life after contests’ end! The flowiness – for lack of a better word – is what give this magnificent mage so much character. The way his robes, hat and beard are billowing away from his staff suggests he’s cooking up a particularly spicy spell. As Benjamin put it in his caption: “I didn’t ask how big the room is, I said ‘I cast FIREBALL’!” I would stand back, everyone…

A life of solitude among the LEGO waves

Working on fortified outposts in the sea must have been quite lonely back in the day. Little supply boats would be your only connection to the outside world, and possibly your only human contact, too. What do you mean, that sounds quite nice?! Anyway, we’ve got LEGO builder Bryckland to thank for that particular train of thought. There are loads of great techniques on display in this diorama from days gone by. The palm tree is one of the best I’ve seen, making use of upturned eggshells; and there’s a pair of binoculars masquerading as a doorknob which I really like. The hexagonal tower looks great too, leaving the square LEGO grid to provide some interesting shape. Same goes for that superb little supply boat! I’m not sure I’d want to rely on a rowboat for entertainment, but give me an internet connection and a mini-fridge and I’d take up residence here in a jiffy.

Ever wondered what happens to all your junk when you’re not looking?

We all have ‘The Drawer’. You know the one – the place where everything from keyrings and screwdrivers to LEGO bricks and old batteries go to be forgotten about. Well, Maxx Davidson hasn’t forgotten them… Or rather, he hasn’t been allowed to forget them. His odds and sods have assembled themselves into a robot! There’s quite the collection of brick-built bits here, including a bobbin of thread and an air freshener. A bit more out there – but still technically LEGO – is the Bionicle Barraki key ring. Let this be your reminder to clean out your junk drawer!

Dogfighting Star Wars starfighters in LEGO form

It’s fair to say that the Star Wars prequels had a lot of ups and downs. Among the definite ups, though, is the opening scene to the third instalment, Revenge of the Sith. Spaceships! Dogfights! Explosions! Sassy Jedi! LEGO builder Thomas Jenkins has got us reminiscing about that scene with this ARC-170. Billed as the predecessor to the venerable X-wing, it’s a ship design I’ve always loved. Thomas is a dab hand when it comes to LEGO spaceships, so it’s no surprise to see some fantastic shaping mixed with admirable attention to detail.

But it takes two to ~~tango~~ dogfight! So to oppose the Republic starfighter, we’ve also got a Separatist Vulture Droid from the same builder. What I like the most about this one is the walking wing mechanism, achieved with clever use of Mixel ball joints.

Let the bricks do the heavy lifting

Is there a word for second-hand nostalgia? The reason I ask is that, although I never grew up with any of the ‘classic’ LEGO space theme, I’ve always been attracted (hah!) to the magnetic M-Tron theme. Unfortunately the closest I’ve come to owning any of the sets is a pair of Collectible Minifigures from Series 26. But the beauty of LEGO bricks is that you can live vicariously through them! So when I put together a hardsuit and exo-suit (inspired by Devid VII‘s recent construction worker, incidentally), M-Tron seemed a perfect fit. They are the heavy-lifting space faction, after all! All they need now is some magnets…

Telling tales of medieval bravery, one LEGO diorama at a time

While castles (and particularly some LEGO castles) are often impressive in isolation, it’s easy to forget that in the mediaeval age, they were often just a part of a larger settlement. Over on Flickr, Baptiste (lebrickoleur) has provided us with a reminder of that fact. And in some style, too! It’s quite a sizeable build, but the section of castle wall we’re presented with is indicative of a much bigger structure than what we see here. The details such as the walkways or wooden coverings demonstrate an acute knowledge of fortress architecture!

That know-how is evident within the garrison, too, as you can see from this rear shot. This build is entirely modular; Baptiste has been building it in sections, each one corresponding to a chapter in an overarching story. It starts in the small wooden hut in the corner, and finishes in the banquet hall within the castle walls. It’s a fascinating way to go about the build! You can examine all 10 sections on Baptiste’s photostream, and if you speak French, you can read the story too. Magnifique!

Take a small trip to this Studio Ghibli-inspired diorama

In the LEGO hobby, some builders like to be able to build everything and anything; but some pick a specialist subject and stick to it, forever improving their craft. It’s fair to say that Jeff Friesen falls into the latter category, with his superb microscale cities and landscapes. But what sets Jeff apart is the variety he is capable of capturing within that niche! We’ve seen everything from his steampunk cities to Viking villages, and now we have a Studio Ghibli-inspired diorama to feast our eyes on. This one was actually rebuilt from a 20×20 stud footprint to a 24×24 base before being called finished. Ever the perfectionist, Jeff!

More of a Bulbasaur kinda guy

Want to start a heated debate among people of a certain age? Ask them what the best first-generation Pokémon starter is. Some will choose Charmander; personally, I say Squirtle. But judging by his adorable LEGO model, Nick Jensen is more of a Bulbasaur kind of guy! This build is a deceptively small one; I have to keep looking at the parts used in that wonderfully crafted face to remind myself of its true size. The Pokéball base is a nice touch too. It’s so well done, that I would almost consider swapping my allegiance to the grass-type starter team… Almost. (Psst, Nick – do Squirtle next!)

New October 2024 LEGO sets now available: Star Wars, Fortnite, Wednesday and more [News]

October is here, which means LEGO fans can expect two annual traditions among this month’s list of new releases: Holiday sets and a showstopper Star Wars collector’s item. This year, in addition to expanding the North Pole village with LEGO Icons 10339 Santa’s Post Office, LEGO offers the modern Botanical touch for your winter decor, while Star Wars fans can hitch a ride on LEGO Star Wars 75397 UCS Jabba’s Sail Barge, along with a gift-with-purchase fit for a Jedi. Also debuting this month are sets based on the video game phenomenon Fortnite, hit Netflix show Wednesday, and the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked. For full details on these and other October sets, head to LEGO’s website (US | CAN | UK).

Take a closer look at the October wave of sets here