Today LEGO Con 2022 — LEGO’s online fan event targeted at families — brought the reveal of a huge lineup of sets from a variety of themes. We’ve already featured some of the sets, but further highlights include Marvel Infinity Saga’s 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum, a 2,708-piece, modular-style version of Doctor Strange’s mystical hideout as seen in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The reveals also include the long-rumored acquisition of James Cameron’s Avatar license, which will feature the tall blue aliens as minifigures with extended limbs previously used in the Toy Story sets from 2010. Only a single set has been revealed so far, 75574 Toruk Makto & Tree of Souls, though we expect more to come. LEGO also unveiled a new mosaic set, 31207 Floral Art, which features a variety of flower patterns. Other sets revealed include BrickHeadz and Minecraft. All of the sets are slated for an August 1 release except the Avatar set, which will follow on October 1.
Category Archives: LEGO
LEGO reveals 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle and 10497 Galaxy Explorer as throwback sets for 90th anniversary [News]
Today LEGO has revealed two brand new sets that pay tribute to classic themes from yesteryear. 10305 Lion Knights’ Castle is a 4,514-piece stronghold featuring a working drawbridge, a dungeon, secret passages, and more. The 22 included minifigures pit the Lion Knights against Black Falcons and Forestmen factions. It will retail for US $399.99 | CAN $449.99 | UK £344.99 when it debuts on August 8 (but VIP Early Access members can pick it up on August 3). Leaping into the future, 10497 Galaxy Explorer gives us a modern take on the fan-favorite spaceship that originally debuted in 1979. Keeping the classic space color scheme, this 1,254-piece set includes four classic spacemen, a robot, and classic play features like a rover than can deploy from the rear of the craft. It will retail for US $99.99 | CAN $129.99 | UK £89.99 and drops August 1.
See more images of the two sets below, and also check out more LEGO News on TBB.
A resto-modded homage to Blue Fury
Way back in 1995 LEGO came out with the Model Team 5541 Blue Fury set and hot rodding enthusiasts were revved into high gear. It’s sort of like how normies are thrilled whenever a cool Star Wars or Batman set comes out. LEGO must have heard the roar of our engines because they released it again in 2004 and we once again lost our collective shiznit. Clearly BHBricks knows what I mean. They have crafted the Blue Fury II, a modern homage to the classic set. The front tires are from the new Vespa set. I’m loving the engine and the sick pipes, but then again I would. And you really can’t go wrong with that iconic blue and red.
If you’re loving Blue Fury II as much as I am, then check out what the other sick LEGO hot rodders have done, including a few pretty old offerings from yours truly.
Spooky castles at a distance
This latest model by builder LEGO Monkey certainly provides some challenges moving level to level. Adorable, spindly castles are perched on floating islands connected by cascading waterfalls. The whole thing reminds me of a level from Kingdom Hearts 2 that I remember playing through back in 2006. Where’s Sora, Donald, and Goofy when you need them? While they’re out protecting the universe with Mickey, I hope you have Glide Lvl 3 unlocked for this tour of the castles’ grounds. Horns and minifigure accessories adorn a variety of light bluish grey elements to make delightful towers and halls which come to a cute, curved point. Angled and sloped pieces are used in dark bluish grey to create each of the floating islands, while different shades of green elements make up the lawns and foliage. Vines stretch between each block and blue flame elements are wedged together to make microscale waterfalls reaching down to the trans-blue and clear tiles of the sea below.
Honestly, I’m not sure how each of these islands is staying up but I love the results in this edited photo. Whatever spooky actions LEGO Monkey used to keep them in the air, I hope they can keep the magic going.
Songwriters’ block is a thing of the past in this bard’s abode
I love seeing castle-themed builds that are a bit different. Francis Wiemelt (Hubba Blooba) has built this charming residence for a mediaeval bard, and there are so many cool little details! The most striking aspect is the roof, which has a very satisfying colour gradient using various shades of purple. The walls are also nicely done, with a neat cross beam at one end of the house. Light aqua pieces are judiciously placed to stop the pristine white making the place look too nice. It is the middle ages, after all; this place looks like it would be found in a clearing on the edge of town, it’s probably not easy to get decorators out that far. There’s plenty of life around this little cottage, including the bard herself with cuffs on her sleeves using 1×1 round plates. Take a look down to the bottom left, though – the tree has mushrooms growing on the side, in this case, tiles held on by clips; and best of all, there’s a little snail down there as well!
The LEGO house can’t get much smaller than that without help from Pym particles
Microscale LEGO sets like the skyline architecture series proved that you don’t need a lot of parts to capture great architectural details, and fans have been building miniature versions of their favorite sets over the years with amazing results. This miniature model of the LEGO house by aido k is a fantastic example. The terraced section in the back uses small wall panel parts set on their side, and a printed tile from the DOTS theme makes the perfect accent. Overall the model is instantly recognizable and a perfect replica of the official LEGO Architecture set.
Big headed Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!
With the Lightyear movie’s release right around the corner, it’s great to see a build of everyone’s favourite spaceman action figure. Choi Dambaek has constructed this adorable model of Buzz Lightyear, complete with wings on the back. The short stocky proportions combined with the oversized head provide the build with a style similar to LEGO’s BrickHeadz sets, however, this creation has more articulation thanks to the use of ball joints. The striking colour scheme of the character is perfectly recreated and also features the assortment of buttons on Buzz’s chest plate. Angled wedges form thick eyebrows which are settled across Mixel eye plates. Let’s hope we see a Woody in the future!
This video game tribute switches up the way pieces can be linked.
Dan Ko delivers a tribute to the Legend of Zelda franchise with this Iron Builder entry, featuring Link battling an octorok as they both emerge from the controller of a Nintendo Switch. The Iron Builder seed part of the bigfig hands in bright green are put to excellent use as part of Link’s body and trademark hat. And the printed tiles used for the octorok’s eyes are so spot-on, that I’d believe that creature was from an officially licensed set. Dare I dream of such a thing?
Surely you joust
Sometimes a LEGO build can take you to unexpected places. Clemens Schneider initially found inspiration for this scene from the Horse and Groom from the Series 22 Collectible Minifigures, but eventually decided on a brick-built horse. I like how the theme is a little ambiguous — sure, these could “just” be cleverly built microscale knights, but don’t they also look a bit like robots? In my head canon, this is a scene from one of those alternate universes where technology and magic comingle — but it looks like these robo-knights need to decide if their wagon is a bit too heavy for the road. Those wheels are clearly embedded in the muck. Maybe walk a bit until you’re back on pavement, lads.
Castles are cool. We all know that. But you know what’s even cooler, and coincidently in our archives? LEGO castles.
The spy who loved a submersible. And also me.
James Bond is known for several things: looking great in a tux, being suave with the ladies, and enjoying his drinks shaken, not stirred. Oh, and also awesome cars. Take a gander at this LEGO 1976 Lotus Esprit built by Paul Nicholson. It’s from The Spy Who Loved Me and clearly Paul is a builder with no shortage of suave moves. It captures the iconic vehicle nicely and the undersea stand is a great touch. Now why is it that we never got any official James Bond LEGO sets? Oh right, we did and most of us were less-than-thrilled. Perhaps now is the time to improve on that? In the meantime check out some other James Bond stuff built by our friends around the globe. I try to be as suave as 007 but when I order my beer shaken, not stirred it’s usually met with a quizzical look and a disapproving shake of the head. Maybe it’s because I’m just too short and paunchy for a tux.
Welcome back to a coastal Nordic LEGO village
Great Odin’s raven! This LEGO Viking town by builder Simon Schweyer is an excellent return to form after six years away from the hobby. The lush green landscape atop those rocks is festooned with so many quaint buildings, all of them boasting some wonderful curves. The roof shaping, unique to each structure, is the first thing to catch my eye. Though all the buildings have their own character, the shared colors and building styles in each one makes them feel like a cohesive unit. And employing ship hulls in some of those lovely shapes is some great part usage. Lover of texture that I am, I find the haphazard makeup of the hut walls to be quite endearing. And the minifig placement gives the eye a reason to linger on certain parts of the build. As my eyes pass over it, each of the individual scenes stand out. Has the shepherd lost some of his flock? What song are the bards sharing with the town? And have the fish been biting today?
Have a better look around the village below
Go back in time to Colorado’s Crystal Mill
When it comes to beautifully constructed LEGO cabins, Andrea Lattanzio is in a class of his own. Whether you’re looking for perilously perched adventure or a little holiday magic, odds are good Andrea has you covered. Andrea’s latest build is the Crystal Mill, a real-life Colorado landmark as it might have looked back in the 19th century. The realistic trees and gorgeous waterfall catch your attention right away, but don’t overlook the smaller details of the cabin, like the minifigure wand elements on the front-door and the creatively crafted ladder.
