Category Archives: LEGO

You’d probably expect a lot of the posts on a LEGO website like The Brothers Brick to be about LEGO, and you’d be right. If you’re browsing this page, you might want to consider narrowing what you’re looking for by checking out categories like “Space” and “Castle.” We’re sure there’s something here that’ll fascinate and amaze you.

Chubby Grimlock is the best Grimlock

So…anyone else finding that self-isolation has lead to needing to let a notch or two out on your belt? It can’t be just me, as this LEGO Grimlock by Andreas Lenander seems to have put on a few ounces as well. Personally, this cute and cuddly version of the leader of the Dinobots feels like an upgrade. I like the highly-articulated tail, the use of ingots to break up the the curved slopes, and those cute little arms.

Chubby Grimlock

At least he’s venturing outside, based on those flowers. I should probably do that, too.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

LEGO Education and FIRST unveil RePLAY, the new FIRST LEGO League season theme [News]

Today, LEGO announced the new theme for the upcoming FIRST LEGO League season as well as two new sets for new program divisions. FIRST LEGO League is an international, teacher-led robotics program designed to introduce children to STEM principles. The 2020-2021 season is going to be all about RePLAY, while the program structure will be simplified. From now on the competitions will be held across three divisions: Challenge (ages 9-14), Explore (ages 6-10), and Discover (ages 4-6). Team registration for all three age divisions will now be open for the season launching on August 4, 2020.

Click to read more about the new FIRST LEGO League season

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

A mammoth microscale mech

LEGO mechs come in all shapes and sizes. From stompy to stealthy, from massive to minuscule, and everything in between. This 6-legged mech by Oscar Cederwall was inspired by the latest craze in mech-building, which comes in the form of a design constraint introduced by Andrew Lee where the mech must be shorter than 9 bricks.

Behemoth MCU

This mech stands on its own, with some great part usages, including a number of minifig cabinet doors attached by inserting the handle into various parts. The leg joint made up of the tops of a turntable provides great details, and don’t miss the blue Modulex elements as supply crates. I do appreciate the subtle inclusion of a 9-brick radio tower, and I really like the base made with a variety of sloped and curved bricks built sideways.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Behind the scenes of LEGO Monkie Kid [News]

Earlier today, LEGO revealed Monkie Kid, a brand new theme based on the Chinese Monkey King fable. The new theme includes eight sets and an animated television series. Along with all the information about the new sets, LEGO also sent us a gallery of photos showing a behind-the-scenes look at the development process of the new product line.

Familiar faces include LEGO designers Justin Ramsden (Hogwarts Castle, The Upside Down), Nick Vas (Ninjago City), Chris Perron (1989 Batmobile), Simon Lucas (Ninjago Movie), and more.

Click to see how LEGO Monkie Kid came to be

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

LEGO Monkie Kid revealed with 8 sets and a TV show based on Chinese Monkey King legend [News]

LEGO has officially revealed the brand new theme, Monkie Kid, based on the Monkey King legend from the Chinese novel Journey to the West. The new theme includes eight sets and a hand-animated television series.

The sets range in price from US $34.99 to $169.99 and include a ship-based team headquarters, two large Monkey King and Demon Bull mechs, and a variety of vehicles. All Monkie Kid sets will be available worldwide and are available from LEGO now.

Take a closer look at each new LEGO Monkie Kid set and watch the trailer for the upcoming TV show

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Spread your crazy Bionicle wings and fly

I don’t know much about Bionicle, but I know what I like and I really like this incredibly colorful LEGO figure by Patrick Biggs. Bionicle builders are a special breed. They have a mastery of the human figure and how to create realistically articulated joints. This is not a skill I possess myself so I am often in awe of these builders’ work. The story here is that the characters of Tahu and Ikir have united their powers to bring an end to Makuta’s plans for the Mask of Control. Yes, Bionicle lore is incredibly deep.

The first thing you see when you view this figure is the fantastic color scheme. The limited palette of red, gold, and dark azure is quite striking and draws you in immediately. Interestingly the figure is somehow both bulky and yet extremely elegant at the same time. The wings are stunning and have a pseudo-Art Deco/Egyptian feel to them. The pose is full of action and the downward-pointing swords create a nice balance to the upward-pointing wings. Speaking of balance, the symmetry at work here is terrific and the raised knee adds that perfect bit of asymmetry to keep it from becoming too much of the same thing. It’s exceptionally well done and transcends the Bionicle form to give us something you might see hanging in an art gallery.

Tahu Uniter

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

LEGO DOTS summer 2020 sets revealed including bracelet mega pack, second tile expansion pack and more [News]

LEGO has officially revealed the second wave of products in its successful new LEGO DOTS 2D tile-based arts and crafts theme. The new sets include a bracelet mega pack with five bracelets and a “super rare” tile, picture frames, a desk organizer, a jewelry box, three individual bracelets, and the second expansion pack of “Extra Dots.” Prices vary from US $3.99 to $24.99 with availability from LEGO beginning on May 24th (though some retailers are already selling them).

Notable tiles scattered across the various products include new animals like a penguin and monkey, BFF hearts, new emojis, a “super rare” circle of hearts only included in the bracelet mega pack, food including pizza and popcorn, a pink version of the new gem element, and a classic space ship (almost as good as the one in our LEGO SPOTS April Fools joke).

Take a closer look at the new LEGO DOTS Summer 2020 product lineup

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Death so flashy you’ll probably see it coming

As this LEGO model by Moko demonstrates, there are three things needed to be a sleek, stealthy assassin. Tight black outfit; check. Awesome hair; check. The ability to get into cool Spider-Man poses; check, check, and check. Not on the list is copious amounts of chrome accessories but this assassin does bling beautifully. With her chrome macaroni headset and the radar dishes on her boots I’d see this android assassin slinking across rooftops from a mile away. I’d hear the schick of her razor claws across my throat and still be mesmerized by her shiny bits as I fade out of existence. What a beautiful way to go! In another stroke of brilliance, her skirt is made from an inside-out rubber tire. It turns out, this wouldn’t be the first time we were mesmerized by Moko’s mechanized creations.

Silver nail

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Want to know how I got these scars?

Gifted LEGO wizard Timofey Tkachev is a master of character work both large and small. If you’re not familiar, we interviewed him a couple years back. Last summer he shared an 80th anniversary Batman bust and now he’s the delivered the Caped Crusader’s most famous archnemesis, Joker. He even left a calling card.

Why So Serious?

It’s an arresting model, clearly modeled after Heath Ledger’s take from 2008’s The Dark Knight complete with smudged makeup and that oh-so-striking smile. This particular wicked grin is made up of crowbars and horns. The shocks of hair are, of course, a bounty of olive-colored limb elements.

Need more of the Clown Prince of Crime in your life? Be sure to check out Vincent’s recent Joker film take and George Paneteleon’s animated series-inspired rendition.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Netflix and chill

With a global lockdown in full swing, it’s a sure bet that most of us are seeing more of our TV screens lately. Heikki M. has presented his TV and living space. Here we see a clean, brightly-lit, nicely-appointed modern space with a flat-screen TV, wood flooring, and a handsome accent wall. The stereo system and the low entertainment center are both meticulous in style and design. What is it doing being featured here on The Brothers Brick? Can you spot the LEGO? It took me a minute.

Television

It would seem Heikki is quite adept at building interior spaces.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

2020 be like...

2020 has been a whirlwind so far. It started off with Australia on fire, then the Coronavirus shuttered the entire globe indoors, the stock market took us to a time when I had other haircut choices and now we have murder hornets. And it’s only May. If this LEGO creation by Eric T is any indicator we’ll be seeing man-eating plants later this month followed closely by taser sharks and then slaughter rabbits. All kidding aside though, this toothy plant is pretty neat. Eric tells us it comes from a Japanese anime called Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? I imagine it would depend on the dungeon. Dungeon Girls…either that’s a cult pulp movie or the forecast for June.

Man Eating Flower Monster ヴィオラス

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Play(mobil) well?

Once, long long ago, I nearly got fired from my job at Toys R Us. Someone had called in asking if we had Playmobil sets. I thought they meant LEGO. My TRU did not stock Playmobil. When they got to the store, they were NOT happy. I have since learned my lesson. Playmobil is a very different toy line. And then Miro Dudas comes along and makes me question everything all over again. Dangit.

Artist’s Corner

Built as an entry for the Iron Forge contest, this masterful bit of deception uses the minfigure wrench as a key piece. That part creates the distinctive shape of the figure’s hands, as well as appearing as the hands of the clock. You also have to appreciate the 1:1 scale artist tools. I particularly like the use of the 4×4 round plate with hole to form the rim of the open paint jar. I also like the compass – the use of a minifig rapier for the pointy end is pretty neat.

It’s a very nice creation. Even if it does make my head hurt a little.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.