There are many fantastic LEGO architects out there – just look through our archives. But if you like your structures a little more unconventional, then there are few better at that than Pan Noda. What I love the most about their buildings isn’t their odd designs, fascinating as they are. It’s how they deploy repeating motifs and detailed textures to create something as visually interesting up close as it is as a whole! In this instance, that involves the undersides of 1×1 clips, alternating horizontal and vertical portions of the wall, and a whole lotta cheese slopes. That extends beyond the building and into the base as well, which replicates the hexagonal shape of the tower. Finally, the climbing trees and vines add the perfect splash of colour to break things up even further!
Category Archives: LEGO
Wars of the star age is a fun homage to a galaxy far, far, away
The simplicity of LEGO Ideas 21340: Tales of the Space Age has inspired many LEGO fans to build their own versions, but this Star Wars tribute by Joel Short is my favorite. Tatooine, Bespin, and Endor are instantly recognizable, and the inclusion of the microscale Star Destroyer, Jawa Sandcrawler, twin-pod cloud car, and scout walker is perfect… not to mention that wonderful Millenium Falcon swooshing away using a transparent blue claw for the engine flair. If you want to see more Star Wars sets, check out our recent coverage of the new sets announced as part of the 25th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars.
LEGO Icons 10331 Kingfisher – An iconic bird in brick [Review]
The LEGO Botanical Collection has been a huge success, with loads of adult fans scooping those sets off shelves to decorate their homes and offices in a fun and cheerful way. The LEGO Ideas Insect Collection was also a hit, giving a bit of variety to these similar types of adult-oriented sets. It only made sense that the company would try to branch out into some of the more elegant representatives from the animal kingdom. Speaking of “kingdom” they picked an excellent candidate with the LEGO Icons 10331 Kingfisher. Join us as we swoop in for a closer look at this 834-piece set, available February 1st, and retailing for US $49.99 | CAN $69.99 | UK £44.99.
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.
Sets celebrating 25 years of LEGO Star Wars announced [News]
It was all the way back in 1999 that we were first introduced to the theme of LEGO Star Wars. And in the 25 years since, the collaboration between The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm has remained an staple of the set catalog. To kick off the celebration of the last quarter-century, we were introduced to five anniversary sets today at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. This quintet includes the new 75379 R2-D2 and a series called the Starship Collection composed of 75375 Millennium Falcon, 75376 Tantive IV, and 75377 Invisible Hand. These starships are each in a midi-scale, and include a base with a nameplate and 25th Anniversary brick. Buildable R2-D2 and the new 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV each feature a special minifigure of significance in the theme’s past 25 years. From TLG’s announcement, it sounds like there’s much more on the way this year to celebrate this momentous Star Wars milestone. But for now, these five sets are currently available for pre-order on the LEGO website (US | CAN | UK), with availability on March 1st. Read on for pictures and individual set pricing.
Check out the sets celebrating 25 years of LSW below!
Double, double toil and trouble; nice warm water and soapy bubble
I know this year feels like it’s going quickly, but surely we’re not in October already are we? We featured one LEGO witch here last week, and now Markus Rollbühler has graced us with another one. They couldn’t be more different, though, apart from the green skin and black robes. Oh, and the clever parts use! Some black curved arches lend some graceful shape do this witch’s dress, while the cauldron makes use of an inverted tire. I’m not sure what’s happening with that little mouse, though. Is she giving it a bath? That must be it. The green bottle in her other hand is clearly bath lotion. Nothing nefarious happening here, no sirree…
TBB Mailbag – A call for questions [Feature]
Dear reader, we know you have so many questions for us about LEGO news, reviews, and the creations we feature on our site. We see them regularly in our comments, in messages sent via Facebook and Instagram, and through our Contact Us page. And while we try to reply to the multitude of inquiries we receive through these portals, it’s about time we had an official Q&A session with you all. Use the form below to submit your questions, and I’ll be back next week with as many answers as I can muster (to questions submitted through any of these channels, both old and new). If there’s something you’ve been wanting to ask us about LEGO, writing, or anything else relevant to the site, let us hear it!
Fill out the form below with your questions
A fabulous Fabergé of LEGO
Clad in pearl gold and transparent purple LEGO bricks, this is quite the ornate ovum by builder Pistash. While both colors provide a limited palette of parts, they’re combined well here, appropriately forming the ovoid shape and proper filigree befitting the moniker “Fabergé.” All the crowns, leaves, and vines are held in place with a delicate network of flaxen bars and clips. But a secret lies beneath that golden lattice of elegance.
An army of frogs have assembled within the center of this regal keepsake. Who knows what grand designs they’re planning? And, believe it or not, this isn’t the first time we’ve featured Fabergé. Check out our archives to hatch some more great egg builds.
40679 Love Gift Box Gift with Purchase: No love lost, or love at first sight? [Review]
The LEGO seasonal sets have become something of a regular tradition by now. Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, so what are we getting this year? In 2022 we had 40522 Valentine Lovebirds, with 40462 Valentine’s Brown Bear the year before. In 2024, LEGO are switching it up, and our love-themed offering is a Gift with Purchase in the form of 40679 Love Gift Box. It will be available with purchases totalling US $75 | CAN $TBD | UK £TBD, and consists of 158 pieces. It’s available for two weeks from February 1st, so if you need a gift for a LEGO-loving partner, you can get one in time for the 14th. But should you? Keep reading to find out!
The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
What a long, strange trip it’s been for this VW T1 Kastenwagen
LEGO builder Isaac Wilder is sort of a master at creating patinaed vehicles, but he didn’t perfect the technique instantly. He tells us that way back in August of 2020, he approached legendary builder Simon Liu about patina techniques and he gave him some sage advice. This turned into a small “patina collaboration” of sorts, and, speaking from experience, it’s kind of magical when that happens. Isaac is also an admirer of VW Life on YouTube so, over time, he kept up with his inspirations and practiced the patina look and now we have this.
In a vehicle with this much character, it makes you think of the adventures it may have had. Perhaps it had a fresh, psychedelic paint job during the Summer of Love; maybe its occupants made tofu and granola in it for years at a time; or maybe it was involved in a medium-speed chase from the fuzz in the 80s. Oh, the stories this VW could tell! Just be prepared for deep introspection and the munchies because I’m pretty sure Kastenwagen translates to “contact high”.
TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for January 27th, 2024 [News]
In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the fourth week of January, 2023.
TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS Hope you’ve had a productive week! When you’ve taken a moment to get caught up on our previous Brick Report take another minute to read through all the news from the last two weeks below. We’ve got news about the next IDEAS set, a new IP partnership, and a recruitment drive!
- [NEWS] LEGO Ideas announces the next set in the theme as 21347 Red London Telephone Box — London’s calling with the news of this brand new Ideas set announcement.
- [NEWS] LEGO teams up with Hasbro to bring Peppa Pig to LEGOLAND parks and Duplo sets — Get ready to see even more of Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig!
- [NEWS] The Brothers Brick is looking for Contributors, News Writers, and Graphic Designers to join our team — Fancy yourself a LEGO superfan and an avid writer? We may have a spot for you on the team!
- [NEWS] Introducing a Playful Board Game Collaboration by the LEGO Group and Asmodee – [LEGO.com] – New game Monkey Palace coming soon!
- [NEWS] Pharrell Williams and the LEGO Group announced ‘Piece by Piece’ Film – [LEGO.com] – From Focus Features and Academy Award® Winning Director Morgan Neville comes a unique new documentary movie animated with LEGO bricks
- OTHER NEWS Our news roundup includes other news from around the world, including a film about Pharrell and a bricktastic board game partnership.
Never practice turning people into frogs in the mirror
Witches are known for, among other things, flying around on broomsticks and turning people into frogs. F.S. Leinad‘s LEGO witch has certainly got the former nailed – this particular broomstick uses some minifigure hair to mimic the bristles flapping in the wind. As for turning people into frogs… Well, her spell seems to have backfired somewhat. Her nose, hat, hands, and feet have all transformed into tiny amphibians! She’s probably not very happy about it, but surely even the grumpiest of witches can appreciate some Nice Parts Usage.
Keep an eye out for the latest in LEGO cybernetics!
Ever wondered what cybernetic enhancement you would get if you lived in the future? Rocket feet, perhaps? Or a brain that can access the internet? As someone with seriously shoddy eyesight, I would settle for some functioning eyeballs. Jan Woźnica has got me sorted, it seems! This product is simply titled “Eyeball, Mk2”. I like what I see! Dots bracelets for optic nerve cables, and part of General Grievous’ wheelbike for the iris. Mind you, that part is now giving me an idea of the scale… I’m not sure I can fit one of these in my skull, let alone two. Perhaps it’s best to wait for the Mk3, or 4, or 5. I’ll keep an eye out for those…