Albert Balanza, Author at The Brick Show

ARE WE LOOKING AT THE NEXT BATMAN THEMED SETS AND COLLECTIBLE MINIFIGS?

Since the release of the LEGO Batman Movie’s official teaser trailer, there has been a lot of buzz going on around the LEGO community. Such discussions are bound to happen, considering the scope of production and attention being given by Warner Bros. Pictures in terms of promoting the film. Social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) have been created as early as now to pump up the interest and hype for the movie.

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One particular scene in the film has caught the attention of LEGO fans and has been the topic of discussion among forums. It was the eye-popping scene of Batman’s array of Bat costumes throughout his crime-fighting career. Of course, the all-too-familiar pun and parody typical of LEGO is very noticeable in that particular shot. Here’s a brushed-up photo of that scene.

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Groovebricks shared a convincing argument for the possibility of new sets to be offered as an offshoot of the film. Again, this is expected seeing how Warner Bros and LEGO gave considerable attention to the LEGO Movie two years ago. According to sources, we can expect plenty of sets lined up for the LEGO Batman Movie, and it will not be a long shot to speculate a Collectible Minifigure Series (CMF) to evolve from the movie as well. If you can recall, a total of 17 sets have been released for The LEGO Movie (TLM), including the LEGO Movie CMF Series 71004. If the LEGO Batman Movie is as successful as TLM, with its total domestic gross of more than $257 million (more than four times its production budget of $60 million), we can further expect that LEGO will capitalize on this hopeful leverage.

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Groovebricks further mentioned some reliable sources in LEGO fandom that add weight to its claims. Just2good over at Eurobricks has so far been proven to be accurate concerning his predictions. Here’s a screen grab of what he has to say about the LEGO Batman Movie.

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There is also the question of timing in terms of the movie releases. Since there is confirmation already regarding the release of another LEGO theatrical movie by 2017 this time focusing on Ninjago, LEGO might be doing a lot of balancing act here in terms of marketing and promotion. Though these LEGO movies are scheduled a good 7 months apart from each other – the LEGO Batman Movie opening in theaters on February 10, 2017, while the LEGO Ninjago Movie on September 22 – fans will somehow be saturated with a barrage of new LEGO sets waiting to be released within the year. We can beg the question then of how much attention will LEGO give to the development and promotions of its 2017 theatrical releases.

Though it’s nice to think about the possibility of new sets and CMFs looming on the horizon, again, we have to hold on to our salt shakers and take things with a grain of salt. Given the scale of the efforts being dished out for the LEGO Batman Movie, and leveraging on the recent Batman VS Superman movie, we can expect that interest in these possible LEGO Batman Movie and CMF sets will further rev up any time soon.

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Do you want to see a new CMF and themed sets made for the LEGO Batman Movie? What do you think are the best minifigs to include here? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

WANT TO SHARPEN YOUR LEGO BUILDING SKILLS? ASPIRE TO BE A LEGO IRON BUILDER!

One of the best ways of learning and staying inspired in your LEGO hobby is to stay in touch with other brick enthusiasts and pick up a tip or two from them. Some forums and groups even have a creative twist on how to get people all fired up for exciting and never-before-seen MOCs and creative builds. One such group, in particular, is Builders Lounge, a private community of AFOLs (Adult Fans Of LEGO) that “fosters a friendly atmosphere of creative freedom for LEGO builders through constructive criticism, input, and the continuing development of building skills”. Joining the Builder’s Lounge is by invitation only, so being included in its current roster of 452 members is already such a great honor. Check out their Flicker page right here.

However, being invited to join the Builders Lounge doesn’t end there. Once you’re enlisted as a member, you are expected to sharpen your LEGO-building skills by dishing out some of the best MOCs that you have kept under your sleeve. You don’t need to worry if it is not on par with the builds made by veteran forum members because the cool part of it is you’ll get plenty of suggestions, building tips, and techniques from other members that will prove to be useful for your next project.

Other than sharing the tricks of the trade, Builders Lounge came up with their very own contest to sharpen each other’s brick-building blade. Sounding more like a grueling brick-building triathlon, the Iron Builder (IB) regularly pits forum members against current title holders with the hope of bagging the coveted Iron Builder Title. Running for four years now since its inception in November of 2012, the Iron Builder contest seems to have evolved a life of its own via its Flickr page. LEGO fans and enthusiasts are now free to join the Iron Builder group and be part of the IB challenge.

The rules are simple: you will be pitted against a current or former IB champion where you will challenge each other with some of the best MOCs that you can churn out. The catch? You will do so for a month with MOCs that feature a LEGO ‘mystery piece’ announced at the start of the contest. This mystery piece must be prominently seen in all the builds that will be submitted. Of course, the audience wants to be entertained so a healthy dose of non-threatening taunts and teases are allowed and even encouraged. At the end of the month-long MOC throwing and bantering, a panel of judges will review the MOCs that each contestant has submitted. These will be judged based on the following: Building Skills, Presentation, and Use of the Mystery Part. Each criterion has 20 points, giving the highest possible score of 60. The LEGO combatant with the highest number of points acquired from the panel of judges will be considered the winner of that IB round.

For this year, we already saw 8 IB rounds that were concluded and a 9^th currently ongoing. The most recent IB Round saw the German challenger Legopard (aka Jason) being the victor of the nail-cracking, month-long competition over Canada’s pride, One More Brick (aka Tim Schawalfenberg). You might remember that our very own Tom Baker once had an interview with Jason featuring his Monster Maris MOC. We also featured Jason’s LOTR-themed pinball machine, and it was a hit! In response, Tim countered with his technically impressive 37^th build, the Bicycle with its beautifully arranged wheel spokes.

Here are Jonas’ entire set of entries, all 33 of them.

And of course, even if he did not emerge as the victor, Tim has provided us with a collage of his awesome 48 builds.

Here are some of our favorite MOCs from Jason and Tim’s entries:

The Monstrum Maris

The LoTR Pinball

Steampunk Brass Bug

Starcraft II Siege Tank

ASUS P9X79-E WS – Motherboard

GIGABYTE G4M-XPZ Motherboard

Fishing Rod

Bicycle

Cloud 9

The idea of choosing a LEGO mystery part and building your MOCs around it is a cool contest in itself. You may start one on your own together with your friends and even have some experienced LEGO builders to judge your work. Be sure to follow the Iron Builder series to keep your LEGO creative juices flowing.

What do you think? Do you have what it takes to be a champion Iron Builder? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

LEGO BATMAN MOVIE TEASER IS FINALLY OUT

From first photo stills to a yellow and black themed movie poster (I thought it would be black and very, very dark gray), our LEGO-lized Caped Crusader, now comes with his first movie teaser. Warner Bros finally released the brooding Dark Knight’s first official trailer of the LEGO Batman Movie earlier today. Here’s the movie’s official synopsis courtesy of Warner Bros.

In the irreverent spirit of fun that made The LEGO® Movie a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble—LEGO Batman—stars in his own big-screen adventure: The LEGO® Batman Movie. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Love the Batcave on this one, especially the array of Batsuits available at our hero’s disposal. Did you spot the Buccaneer Bat and Batman Beyond costumes? Do you think we’ll be seeing another Batman minifig soon?

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The LEGO Batman Movie will hit theaters on February 10, 2017. It features the voices of Will Arnett (Batman), Ralph Fiennes (Alfred), Michael Cera (Dick Grayson aka Robin), Rosario Dawson (Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl), and Zach Galifianakis (The Joker) directed by Chris McKay.

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE – SOME PLOT DETAILS REVEALED

Hot off the heels of the LEGO Batman Movie’s official teaser trailer release, now comes what seems to be the first details of how the story of Warner Bros next LEGO movie iteration will unfold.

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Hollywood movie tracker, Movie Insider, just released a sampling of what seems to be the storyline of the LEGO Ninjago Movie which is slated to hit US cinemas on September 22, 2017. As you may notice, we’ll be enjoying two LEGO theatrical releases next year, with LEGO Batman Movie opening in cinemas on February 10, 2017. Here are some of the details from the LEGO Ninjago Movie as Movie Insider reports it:

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Ninjago is the story of six young ninja tasked with defending their island home, called Ninjago. By night, they’re gifted warriors, using their skill and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, they’re ordinary teens, struggling against their greatest enemy: high school.

Movie Insider also mentions that the LEGO Ninjago Movie has now entered its production stage this month, and we might be seeing more information released in the next few weeks. The movie’s poster above may likewise change anytime soon.

Based on the story line, we’ll be seeing a very different take on LEGO Ninjago Movie as compared to what we are used to in the TV series. As it seems, our ninjas are off to face another challenge in their journey and this time, it is someone or something that is all too familiar to us.

We’ll keep you posted on the recent development of the LEGO Ninjago Movie so stay tuned here at the BrickShow.

OUR FAVORITE ROLLING LEGO BB-8 HAS ACHIEVED THE 10K MARK!

If you’re keen on keeping tabs on the news that we’ve been posting here at the BrickShow, you may have noticed how we have kept a close watch on Mark Smiley’s LEGO Ideas entry, the Rolling LEGO BB-8. Ever since we featured his MOC a month ago, we saw how it steadily gained support for a period of just less than two months. Now that it has gained the thumbs-up approval of more than 10,000 supporters, Mark’s LEGO BB-8 will now have to find its way to get the nod of the LEGO Review Board.

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However, this little rolling guy’s journey has just begun, and joining him for this year’s first Review Stage are the following fellow 10K achievers:

Mark and his team made several modifications to the Rolling LEGO BB-8 since it was introduced in February. He plans to improve his MOC by lowering BB-8’s head so it sits closer to the body, adding a pair of antennas, and the possibility of giving him omnidirectional movement.

We’re excited to see how these LEGO Ideas projects turn out after the Review Stage later on. We’ll keep everyone posted with the most recent developments on this side of LEGO Ideas, and from all of us here at BrickShow, congratulations to all the aspiring builders who achieved the 10K mark!

LEGO MAY 2016 STORE CALENDAR ALONG WITH THE EXCLUSIVE STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER MINIFIGURE REVEALED

LEGO’s May 2016 Store Calendar is now making its rounds online with many exciting exclusives and promos to watch out for. Included in the calendar is LEGO’s May the 4^th release of the Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper (30602) minifigure as shared with us by TheBrickFan. Reactions to this Stormtrooper minifig are somehow varied, with most inclined towards the thumbs-down side. Most minifig connoisseurs noted that this May the 4^th exclusive is very similar to the First Order Heavy Artillery Stormtrooper minifigure as seen in the LEGO Star Wars First Order Battle Pack 75132, save from the slightly different torso design and inclusion of an ammunition backpack.

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Others have pointed out that there could have been better choices around, given the myriad of fan favorites belonging to the Star Wars canon. Nevertheless, the First Order Stormtrooper 30602 is offered for free with a minimum LEGO purchase of $50 – more than 30% less as compared to previous years’ offerings of a $75 single purchase receipt.

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Here’s the complete image for the LEGO May 2016 Store Calendar, along with some of its highlights courtesy of TheBrickFan.

April 30-May 4 – The May the 4th event continues this year and the exclusive minifigure that will be given out is the First Order Stormtrooper with a LEGO Star Wars purchase of $50 or more.
April 30-May 4 – Earn Double VIP Points on LEGO Star Wars purchases. You also get a free The Force Awakens poster with any Star Wars purchase.
May 27-30 – The LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Captain America’s Motorcycle (30447) polybag will be available with purchases of $35 or more.
May 3-4 – The VIP Monthly Mini Build will be a Hedgehog (40212).
May 7 – LEGO Elves Building Event at LEGO Brand Stores.
May 9-10 – Free LEGO Star Wars Master Your Force Jango Fett character card when kids build a Star Wars spaceship and compete against others at LEGO Brand Stores.
May 16 – Minifigure Swap Day at LEGO Brand Stores.
May 18-31 – VIPs get early access to a new exclusive LEGO set. Rumor has it that it could be the LEGO Creator Big Ben (10253) but we’ll see in a few weeks when LEGO releases their press release of the set.
May 23-24 – Free LEGO Star Wars Master Your Force Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios character card.
May 21 & 28 – LEGO Club Meeting.
May 1-31 – VIPs get Double Points on Battle on Takodana (75139) and Resistance Troop Transporter (75140).

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Unfortunately, missing from the calendar is LEGO’s Disney Minifigure Collection which is supposed to be released also in May. Perhaps LEGO is still holding back some of the fun reveals and we just have to wait a little more for this set to come out.

Blocks Magazine – Issue 18 Press Release

Issue 18 of Blocks Magazine is now with subscribers and on shelves nationwide in the UK.

This month, we celebrate all things Batman v Superman, with an exclusive series of builds, reviews of the new sets and the lowdown on how to create the perfect Dark Knight Tumbler.

Elsewhere, MOD Squad member Daniel Konstanski shows us how you can improve your Carbon Freezing Chamber, while we catch up with the Brick to the Past team and find out whether TT Games’ latest effort is worth your time.

There’s much more besides, including reviews of the latest Frozen sets and a behind-the-scenes look at David Pickard’s Blacktron project. It’s all topped off with an exclusive interview with LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya on his DC Comics exhibition.

Get your copy now in the UK, and why not subscribe to get future copies early and enter monthly free prize draws? See www.blocksmag.com for more details.

WATCH: HOW LEGO STAR WARS – THE FORCE AWAKENS SHOULD HAVE ENDED

Ever since that gripping cliffhanger when Rey finally caught up with Luke Skywalker, Star Wars fans have been clamoring for what happened next. It spewed a lot of discussions and speculations from fans, eager to know what happened after that fateful meeting. Without any clear answer, we just have to wait until December next year to find the answer for ourselves when Episode 8 hits the big screen in 2017.

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Or you might just opt for this one – straight from the creative, witty minds of writers and cartoonists of How It Should Have Ended (HISHE). With the help of our brick-building friends over at BrotherhoodWorkshop, this hilarious alternate ending made its way to the 2016 SXSW Video Game Awards.

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Ok, enough with the chit-chat since I don’t want to give out too many spoilers. Even if you have seen this already, or if you simply want to have a break from your perpetual contemplation, just kick off your shoes and have fun watching this video.

Want To Be A LEGO Fashionista? Check This Out.

It is common knowledge that LEGO has more to offer than bricks and minifigs. From iPhone cases to tags and even candy and ice cube trays, you can actually ‘brickify’ almost all of your stuff. So it doesn’t come as a surprise if LEGO will opt to dabble in wearables with the discerning LEGO fashionista in mind. LEGO just recently partnered with Japanese fashion and apparel giant, Uniqlo, for its newest lineup of brick-inspired tees. Available in kids’ and adults’ sizes, these shirts don’t disappoint.

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Having the AFOL (Adult Fans Of LEGO) community in mind, the adult versions feature designs that are not overly comical or childlike. Its subtle suggestions for the love of the brick are featured in a variety of designs that don’t necessarily turn you into a walking billboard. But if you’re the type that doesn’t mind flaunting the LEGO brand and its logo, and is proud to be seen wearing one, then there is a perfect shirt just for you.

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Though listed initially at Uniqlo’s UK online store, it will not take long before it reaches the US. Pricing starts at $19 for adult sizes and $12 for kids sizes. We just hope that it will come bundled with a polybag set or a minifigure, the same as what Uniqlo did in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong.

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A rough Google Translation shows that these LEGO-themed shirts were offered by Uniqlo in Hongkong and Taiwan together with a polybag set from LEGO’s Monthly Mini-Builds namely the Space Shuttle 40127 (released in February 2015), Robot 40128 (March 2015), Koala 40130 (May 2015) and the Parrot 40131(June 2015). We can’t figure out the details on how these mini-builds were bundled with the Uniqlo apparel, other than the fact that the company’s logo was also printed on the polybags.

We hope to see the same here once these shirts hit US shores.

Which shirt do you like from this line-up? Browse through the photos below and tell us your choice.

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Images and First Official Poster of ‘The LEGO Batman Movie’ Revealed

While the world is bracing itself for a barrage of awe-inspiring superhero movies this year starting with the much anticipated Batman VS Superman hitting theaters this weekend, Will Arnett’s brick rendition of the DC’s Dark Knight will launch a trailer this Wednesday to officially kick off the LEGO Batman Movie.

The latest LEGO movie for the big screen slated to hit cinemas on February 10, 2017, is a spinoff of the highly successful 2014 LEGO Movie. But before we exclaim ‘Everything is Awesome!’, the first images from the movie were shared by USA Today just in time before the trailer’s debut.

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2014’s The LEGO Movie portrayed the plastic Caped Crusader as a ‘dark’ brooding character singing a hard-rock tune, “Darkness! No Parents!” and according to Director Chris McKay, the LEGO Batman Movie will show a different side of the Dark Knight. For most of his LEGO crime-fighting career, Batman was used to a solitary existence while in perpetual denial of how lonely he is. True, he may have feelings for Wildstyle, but he can’t seem to progress to that level of making meaningful relationships and sticking to it.

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“Batman is an island to himself, the only thing he doesn’t have is relationships. We’re making ‘About a Boy’ as directed by (action director) Michael Mann,” McKay points out.

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Things are about to change when Batman learns that he will eventually need the help of his sidekicks in the person of Robin and Batgirl. It will be an interesting take on how the overly self-reliant superhero will learn to live with and acknowledge his need for friends and backups. Director McKay also shared that further cameos from the LEGO DC Super Heroes are to be expected in the LEGO Batman Movie. “We’re nothing but exhaustive about the cameos and other characters that try to enter Batman’s life,” McKay says.

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To complement the trailer’s release anytime soon, the first official poster for the movie was tweeted by Will Arnett, along with the bold claim, “I AM Lego Batman”.

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Along with Will Arnett, the LEGO Batman Movie will feature the voices of Ralph Fiennes (Alfred), Michael Cera (Dick Grayson aka Robin), Rosario Dawson (Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl), and Zach Galifianakis (The Joker).

In similar news, we might not wait until 2017 to see the brickified Dark Knight throw some punches once again. Another LEGO original movie is expected to debut via Blu-ray and DVD this July. Like similar other Direct-to-DVD releases, the LEGO Justice League Gotham City Breakout will come with an exclusive minifigure. A lot has been teased lately about the special minifigure that will go along with this DVD release, and just a while ago, Jason shared what seems to be a legit photo of the exclusive Blue Nightwing that comes bundled together with the DVD release.

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LEGO Justice League Gotham City Breakout is already listed on AmazonUK’s website, though in a different title (LEGO Justice League Gotham Unleashed). Details are still scant as of now, but the site mentions that the movie’s Blu-ray version will be out on July 4, 2016.

No images were posted yet but we hope to see this anytime soon since Amazon has started accepting pre-orders.

The LEGO Batman Movie opens in U.S. theaters on February 10, 2017, followed by Ninjago on September 22, 2017, The LEGO Movie Sequel on May 18, 2018, and The Billion Brick Race on May 24, 2019.