Keith Goldman‘s latest diorama is a true community effort. He has recruited help from twenty other builders in the LEGO community to help him populate his massive highway scene. Moreover, he recruited each contributor in secret, giving each contributor a code name ala Reservoir Dogs. Keith has called it a star-studded affair, and given me the cast list to reveal here on The Brothers Brick. So, without further ado, I give you Zero Hour on Highway 44. You can see more photos of the entire diorama on flickr (here or here) or MOCpages (here or here).

Starring:

Brian Kescenovitz:
As Mr. Black

Brian contributed a whole slew of MOCs to this display. Whether his army is invading, or marching to the defense of the city, I can’t say, but I can say that the vehicles are awesome. What a great use of castle pieces on the armored cars.

Co-Staring:

Carter Baldwin:
As Mr. Dark Red

Carter built some neat stuff for this display. I especially like his garbage truck, which includes a lot of nice angles and recessed spaces. The semi seems to steer from both the front and the back, which is a cool touch.

Chuck Citrin:
As Mr. Flesh

Chuck’s car is a nice bit of futuristic engineering. It captures the sleekness that says “future” to so many of us, even if a one-seater this large isn’t exactly green. The backwards windscreen piece makes for a nice effect.

Tyler Clites:
As Mr. Orange

Tyler’s car is also a one-seater, but it’s absolutely tiny. It reminds me of a nose on wheels, but in a good way. The dark red and the gray look very nice together as well. The piece he’s used for a windshield continues to elude me, but one day I’ll find one to use myself.

Fradel Gonzales:
As Mr. Dark Tan

As usual, Fradel would like us all to “Get to da choppa!” However, I think the best action he has to offer is in this dune buggy. I’m a sucker for a good build and yellow, and the details all seem to click in this one. I need to get my hands on some of those roll cage pieces.

Nick Kappatos:
As Mr. Pink

Nick is a fellow Washingtonian (that’s D.C.) and so I shouldn’t be surprised that it looks like his trike is on its way to a Redskins parade. I love the huge rear wheel, and I hear that the car rolls very well, which is more than can be said for my contribution.

Jon Langrish:
As Mr. Sand Green

Jon’s built quite an SUV for us. It reminds me of a mix of a Hummer and the crazy SUV that Lamborghini briefly built a couple of decades ago. He’s done a great job reversing the studs for the bottom, allowing him to put do a nice job around the wheels.

Andrew Lee:
As Mr. Chrome Silver

What can you say about Andrew Lee, he’s a great builder, and extremely prolific. I’m not sure how he found time to build so many vehicles for this display, because the quality doesn’t seem to suffer in the slightest.

Joe Meno:
As Mr. Maersk Blue

Most of us know Joe Meno as the man behind Brick Journal, the print magazine about LEGO. Apparently he still manages to build once in awhile, though. The forked nose at the front of his trike is cool, and I like how he’s concealed half of the rear tire.

Paul Meissner:
As Mr. Aqua

Paul is another over-achiever who contributed many vehicles to this display. It looks like he’s drawn inspiration from Ferrari and Citroen with great result, but I think the real star of his stuff is the forklift.

Peter L. Morris:
As Mr. Metallic Silver

Peter Morris is one of the better starfighter builders out there. In fact, that’s about the only thing I’ve ever seen him build. You can see that influence in his car, which looks almost ready to fly off into space.

Shannon Sproule:
As Mr. Magenta

Most of us know him as Shannon Ocean, the nickname he uses on flickr and MOCpages. He’s built a pickup truck that I can’t quite wrap my head around. Is the entire front area made of tinted glass? That’s so crazy that it works.

Nathan Proudlove:
As Mr. Trans Neon Green

Nathan has built an impressive hot rod. It must be from the future, because there’s nothing like it around. He did a great job with the flame work, and nothing says “future” like a dome. It looks like this thing goes crazy-fast in a straight line, but probably can’t turn… perfect.

Peter Reid
As Mr. Violet

Pete is the master of tiny parts. You can see that in his cars if you look closely. Check out the front bumpers on these things, they’re packed with tiny details and changes in brick orientation.

Dan Rubin:
As Mr. Tan

My own contribution was News Chopper 3, which may have wound up on the cutting room floor, and a tan car (did you expect some other color from me?). I know it looks like I’m another one of the people to build a one-seater car, but it really can seat two, I promise. If only Keith hadn’t given the driver such a huge hat.

Ryan Rubino:
As Mr. Copper

Michael Rutherford:
As Mr. Dark Green

Ryan and Mike got to share a photo, apparently it’s hard to capture an off-ramp in a single photo. Mike’s train is a cool bit of future if you ask me.

Dave Shaddix:
As Mr. Glitter trans dark-pink

Dave has built a couple of interesting cars. The blue one is your typical sleek futuristic pod car. The white one is… well, I don’t know what it is. The grille work on the front end is really cool, but I can’t help expecting the whole thing to transform into a robot.

Julie Stewart:
As Mr. Yellow

Julie’s car must be rocket powered, it certainly looks like it’s intended to go fast. It’s safe though, as there are indicator lights all over it. There are even lights along the side, so that nobody can miss it.

Shannon Young:
As Mr. Trans Purple

Shannon has built a couple of neat cars. Yellow and dark gray is one of my favorite color combinations. The gray jeep thing is just really cool, it looks ready to head off road at any moment. I’m not sure where it’s going, but a buzz-saw is apparently necessary.

Nannan Zhang:
As Mr. Bley

Nannan’s vehicles really are something else. Of course, we get a taste of a Halo Warthog in civilian colors, but the really interesting vehicle is the one with a ball instead of a front wheel. I think maybe Nannan watched I Robot recently. He’s made great use of stickers throughout, as well.

Trees Provided by Gary McIntire:

Consultants to Mr. Goldman:
Jon Palmer
Ley Ward